As I sat with my own memories of seminary and ministry, I was overwhelmed by the recognition of all who had gone before me, particularly the women:  women who shared their faith and spoke their minds and stood for justice and equality.  Women who encouraged and prodded me to listen to the Holy Spirit as she whispered/shouted/ guided me.  Where would I be today without them?

 

I raise this question because we all "stand on the shoulders" of those who have gone before us.  We all have women (and men!) who have shared the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and deed.  We all have people who have been the church in order that we might do the same.  As you move into these last days of Lent and move with Jesus toward the cross, I invite you to remember those who brought you here ... those people who shared their faith in order that you might have yours.  I invite you to remember those women and men, those pastors, Sunday School teachers, neighbors, and strangers who invited you in.  And then consider who needs to hear that same invitation from you.

  claimed . . . gathered . . . sent