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 Amanda Hedden, pastor at Emmanuel UMC in Burlington. Anyone can sign up to receive Encouragement emails here.
The #MeToo movement that began across social media platforms in 2017 raised awareness of the many ways women have been silenced throughout history. In Mark’s account of the resurrection narrative, we see the women flee the empty tomb in fear and they do not tell anyone about what they have encountered. I have to wonder if this is because women have been silenced for so long and are usually not believed.
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint [Jesus]. … When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man … and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘”Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here.” … So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mark 16:1, 4-6,8, NRSV
Reflect: Though Mark tells us that the women fled without telling of Jesus’ resurrection, we know this cannot be true. We have heard of Jesus’ resurrection. Mark tells many stories of liberation and healing and I believe this story is his final two liberation stories–Jesus liberated us from death and sin and Jesus liberated the women from their fear and allowed them to speak the truth they had experienced. How have you been silenced in the past? How has Jesus freed you to tell about his love and redemption in your life? How can you encourage others to continue to share their stories and truth?
Take Action: These first evangelists paved the way for us to continue to spread the Gospel to others through their liberation and courage. I hope that you are never silenced. And I hope that you will have the courage to speak your truth and share how Jesus has liberated and given you courage to share the Gospel message. I hope all the people you encounter experience Jesus’ liberating love and share their stories, too.
In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women