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When newspapers.com had a free trial a few years ago, I spent a weekend searching key words. Just came across this 1975 file from that search about the World Federation of Deaconesses.

2 months ago

December 7 - Day 13 in 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence

Oh God, we pray for all victims of gender violence.

Be with them as they painfully struggle for equality.

Comfort them and their families.

Hear our pleas for women,

especially those oppressed in countries where women are enslaved and treated as objects, property, mutilated and killed,

just because they are female.

Help us to be instruments of your justice.

We pray for those who are persecuted due to their sexual identity,

sexual orientation and/or gender.

Instill in them the knowledge that they are beloved children,

made in the image of God's goodness.

God, let your love engulf and empower those who are and have been persecuted,

so they may proudly be voices for change.

We pray fervently, that those in power (governing officials as well as our church leaders),

will promote and protect the rights of gender, sexually vulnerable people,

encouraging and enacting laws on their behalf, by calling a halt to abuse,

(be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual).

Call us all to be advocates on their behalf.

Remind all humanity, that God's love, calls for peace, compassion, justice, and equality.

God embraces diversity in all creation.

Continue to shine your light of compassion in the hearts of the mistreated and oppressed,

calling them to become bright beacons of hope.

Deaconess Ruth Dyer, Lutheran Diaconal Association

2 months ago

December 10 International Human Rights Day

Last Day of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence

Almighty God, who created all of humanity in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against all forms of gender-based oppression and violence, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual; may we reverently seek justice, healing and new life for those who have been victims of such oppression and violence, seeing in all affected the very body of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Margaret Light, deacon-in-training;

The Rev. Joy Walker-Miller, a transitional deacon;

and Rev. Deacon Tracie Middleton, (Association for Episcopal Deacons),

the team of diaconal ministers serving at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Beaumont

2 months ago

December 9 --

15th Day of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence

God of wisdom, God of strength.

We are loved and accepted by you.

You see beyond our earthly woes

to the heart and soul of who we are and who you created us to be.

Help us define ourselves by love.

Help us to be wise when we approach one another and act with kindness.

Let us appreciate one another for the beauty within each of us and

for the gifts we have to share with the world.

Let us gain strength by lifting one another up and

triumphing over the pains of ignorance and damaging words.

Let our words be ones of honor and grace not hate and bigotry.

As God’s love seeps into the world, in every corner and place,

may we be open to receiving it.

May we be the momentum of harmony and reconciliation

towards a world filled with respect and dignity.

Amen

Deacon Kelly Brooks, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America