Welcome to Wading in the Waters of the Word™ with A Women’s Lectionary
Gentle Readers, Followers, Preachers, Pray-ers, Thinkers and Visitors, Welcome!
Welcome to this space where you can share your worship – liturgy and preaching – preparations – using A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church. We begin in Advent 2021 with Year W, a single, standalone Lectionary volume that includes readings from all four Gospels. (We will continue with Year A in Advent 2022 to align with the broader Church.) In advance of each week, I will start the conversation and set the space for you all. I will come through time to time, but this is your space. Welcome!
Media Resources
A Women’s Lectionary For The Whole Church
Session 1, October 16, 2021
Rev. Wil Gafney, PhD at Myers Park Baptist Church
Plenary 1 | Translating Women Back Into Scripture for A #WomensLectionary
This session introduces participants to frequently unexamined aspects of biblical translation in commonly available bibles and the intentional choices made in “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church.”
A Women’s Lectionary For The Whole Church
Session 2, October 16, 2021
Rev. Wil Gafney, PhD at Myers Park Baptist Church
Plenary 2 | Reading Women in Scripture for Preaching, Study, and Devotion
This session provides an overview of “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church,” its genesis, production, and content. There is also an in-depth exploration of specific passages appointed for specific days including time for public and private reading and discussion.
Lectionary Lectio
Click the Comment links to add to the conversation
Epiphany 7
The story of the widow of Zarephath is extraordinary. She receives a rare miracle when she and her son are on the verge of starving to death and the prophet Elijah makes a way out of no way. That should be enough. A happy ending. This week her story continues with the unexpected illness of her child. Yesterday’s miracle is forgotten. But God and her prophet come through with the gift of life. How many women in scripture receive more than one miracle at the hands of God? None that I can think of. And as Jesus taught in last week’s gospel, God chose a foreign woman on the margins to demonstrate her power and faithfulness. This week she is in the company of widows in Acts and Luke. The resurrection of her son is followed by the resurrection of Tabitha and the son of the widow from Nain. Death doesn’t stand a chance. This is the power of God made manifest in Jesus.
Epiphany 6
Reading between the lines: God told Elijah she told a widow to provide for him. That conversation is missing. The widow seems surprised by his demand, not request. Why would she do such a thing? Feed a stranger before her child? How do we tell the story in a world where some shepherds fleece their flock? The psalm reminds us not to trust in any human person [that would mean not even prophets]. Trust in the God who provides for orphan and widow. Does not God provide through other people? The epistle tells us to put our faith in action. We will be known by what we do. The gospel ties these threads together. Jesus is the liberating God who provides for widows and orphans in the flesh. And his gospel of love calls his followers to love in and through their actions.