For Metodistkirken er kvinnedagen 8. mars en viktig dag. United Methodist Church er klokkeklar i sitt syn på kvinners likeverd og likerett i både kirke og samfunn. I år faller dessuten kvinnedagen på en søndag, og 8. mars kl. 16.00 (NB tiden) er du velkommen til gudstjeneste med sterk og flott kvinneprofil.
Gudstjenesten er planlagt og blir ledet av pastor Christina Thaarup, men hun er slett ikke alene. En rekke kvinner er engasjert til blant annet å lese bibeltekster / fortellinger om sterke osv fascinerende kvinneskikkelser i Bibelen. Disse historiene blir lest på både norsk, italiensk, engelsk og fransk
Metodistkirken (the United Methodist Church) erkjenner samtidig at kampen for kvinners rettigheter ikke er over. Kirken har derfor blant annet et eget utvalg som overvåker kirkens praksis i forhold til kvinner rettigheter. Du finner hjemmesiden til General Comission on the status and role of women her: https://gcsrw.org
Og her er hjemmesiden til United Methodist Women: https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org
Vi gratulerer uansett med dagen med å referere kirkeordningens paragraf 162 (United Methodist Book of Dicipline) :
Rights of Women
We affirm women and men to be equal in every aspect of their common life. We therefore urge that every effort be made to eliminate sex-role stereotypes in activity and portrayal of family life and in all aspects of voluntary and compensatory participation in the Church and society.
We affirm the right of women to equal treatment in employment, responsibility, promotion, and compensation.
We affirm the importance of women in decision-making positions at all levels of Church and society and urge such bodies to guarantee their presence through policies of employment and recruitment.
We support affirmative action as one method of addressing the inequalities and discriminatory practices within our Church and society.
We urge employers of persons in dual career families, both in the Church and society, to apply proper consideration of both parties when relocation is considered.
We affirm the right of women to live free from violence and abuse and urge governments to enact policies that protect women against all forms of violence and discrimination in any sector of society.
(Paragraf 162 i United Methodist Book of Dicipline)
Det synes også på sin plass å referere § 6 i Book of Dicipline, om likeverd mellom kjønnene. ( Denne paragrafen, som er et nytt tillegg til kirkeordningen, fikk en trang fødsel, og måtet sendes ut på en ekstra verdensvid stemmerunde. Paragrafen fikk omsider tilstrekkelig flertall i alle UMC årskonferanser i løpet av 2018. Hva striden besto i, får vi heller ta en annen gang, Her er i alle fall gjeldende ordlyd for § 6:
Gender equality
“As the Holy Scripture reveals, both men and women are made in the image of God and, therefore, men and women are of equal value in the eyes of God. The United Methodist Church acknowledges the long history of discrimination against women and girls. The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large. The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten the cause of women’s and girl’s equality and well-being.”
Come, celebrate the women!
Hjemmesiden vili tillegg gjerne markere Kvinnedagen 2020 med denne flotte salmen av den nylig avdøde salmedikteren Shirley Erena Murray fra New Zealand – som også blir sunget på gudstjenesten vår søndag 8. mars! . (bildet) Har du lyst til å gjøre deg kjent med den i forkant, så kan salmen synges til samme melodi som «Den blomstringstid nu kommer»…
Come, celebrate the women who brought the Church to birth!
The gentle revolution that shall transform the earth:
Whose faith was salt and leaven, whose hearts and minds were free,
And this was their direction – to peace and unity
The teachers, saints and mothers who lived and died unsung
Kept safe the gospel story and taught it to the young;
The Christ child Mary cradled,
The living Word to be,
Were crucified for pleading this peace and unity.
Daughters of the disciples, you weave the story still,
The fabric of the future with warmth and love and skill,
You make the bread of wholeness, the wine of harmony –
and all shall share your feasting in peace and unity!
TRONDHEIM METODISTKIRKE 