The Center for Leadership Excellence, in partnership with COSROW, is pleased to lift up the voices of women in ministry encouraging fellow women in ministry. Please enjoy this month’s Encouragement from Bishop Connie Shelton. Anyone can sign up to receive these monthly emails here.
Upon my departure from Mississippi, a lovely friend/clergy sister/colleague, Rev. Barbara (isn’t it interesting how one person can play many roles in our lives!) gave me a gift bag with a coffee mug displaying Rosie the Riveter. Rosie’s arm is bent with muscle flexed, declaring, “We Can Do It!”
Primarily a fictitious character, Rosie became one of the most successful recruitment tools in American history, and the most iconic image of working women in the World War II era. It was not lost on me that the women standing in the gap for the workforce during World War II had never faced the challenge before them. And my friend Rev. Barbara knew I had not yet faced the challenge of serving as a bishop.
Read 1 John 4:4 (The Message):
“…for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world.”
Reflect: Today, I trust you sense the strength of the Spirit in you. No challenge can overtake you (or me) because God’s dreams are being realized by the Spirit in us. During Women’s History Month, let’s name that history is unfolding today. As soon as this moment passes, it is now history. The Spirit in you is changing history!
Upon reflection of the strength of women stepping into the workforce during World War II as men were deployed for war, I read the historical “retelling“ of the Rosie the Riveter narrative. Some historians call the campaign that beckoned women to “serve their country” as inspiration. Still other historians name the Rosie the Riveter campaign propaganda to serve those in power.
Inspiration or propaganda? The United Methodist Church is certainly facing an internal war. Women are at the forefront of this war. Women are facing resistance to their leadership in ways not seen in 30 to 40 years. The political wars of our day have bled into our beloved United Methodist Church. Nostalgia for glory days dulls the memory. The “glory days” for some people were the “oppressive days” for other people.
Take Action: Tell someone your story of rising to the occasion because you have been inspired “for such a time as this“! Or share when you have been exploited and chose to step in and the Spirit changed history.
In 2022, the United Methodist Church elected EIGHT female bishops! (Watch this 1-minute celebratory video.) We are living women’s history in the making! “We Can Do It!” for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world!
In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women