Swords into plowshares
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Swords into Plowshares is the blog of the Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
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Posts with tag: ecumenical women
March 8, 2013Advocacy for women at the UN
On Frid
ay afternoon, an advocacy delegation from Ecumenical Women visited the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations.
The delegation met with Ambassador Shin Dong-Ik, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations. From the ambassador, they learned about Korea's work on the Security Council. They shared Ecumenical Women's talking points for the 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women:
- Cultural, structural and economic violence are underlying factors that must be addressed.
- Education is a vital part of the change process, especially societal change. Education ...
March 4, 2013
The 57th Commission on the Status of Women begins!
This morning at 10:00 am, the 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women began. Presbyterian delegation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women members Evelyn Pugh and Elisa Boles were there for the opening ceremonies! Meagan Manas was also present - she took the photo. Other members of the delegation followed the ceremonies online.
Pray for the members of the Commission and those who gather to advocate for an end to violence against women and girls.
March 3, 2013
A march to remember
In a broken and fearful world
the Spirit gives us courage
to pray without ceasing,
to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior,
to unmask idolatries in Church and culture,
to hear the voices of peoples long silenced,
and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
- A Brief Statement of Faith, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Participants in March 3 Ecumenical Women's orientation for the 57th Commission on the Status of Women remembered our sisters whose voices are and have been silenced.
In worship, we remembered.
In prayer, we remembered.
In art, we remembered ...
March 3, 2013
Making plans
Who is here?
What is our task?
What will we do to achieve that task?
What else will happen?
Around a Christ candle, in the Fellowship Hall of New York's Church of the Covenant, Presbyterian participants in the 57th Commission on the Status of Women gathered on Friday, March 1 to explore these and related questions.
Who is here?
A significant portion of the afternoon and evening was spent meeting one another and building the community. A generationally and ethnically diverse group, the Presbyterian participants come from across the country. Most are members and leaders of Presbyterian Women on ...
March 3, 2013
Something's happening in New York
Women (and some men) from around the world and from across the United States have gathered in New York for the 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Presbyterians and our ecumenical partners are among the number.
The CSW will meet from March 4 through 15 to "evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide." Presbyterians, along with representatives of other NGOs, advocate at the meeting in order to shape the recommendations of the CSW.
Here are some ways to follow ...
February 28, 2013
57th Session Commission on the Status of Women
The 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women begins on March 4, 2013 at the United Nations. For Presbyterians attending the Commission, the experience begins with an orientation tomorrow, March 1, at the Church of the Covenant.
Here is information about the Commission:
The Commission on the Status of Women (hereafter referred to as “CSW” or “the Commission”) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Every year, representatives of Member States gather at United Nations ...
March 20, 2012
Women share stories of hope at the United Nations
Women make up the majority of the world’s poor. The reality of the world today is that women are disproportionately affected by poverty, due to unequal access to resources and opportunities, discriminatory land and inheritance laws, and unequal distribution of household resources. Violence against women persists, particularly in regions ravaged by war and natural disasters.
So begins Allie Naskret's reflection on the process and experience of the 56th Session of the Commission of the Status of Women. A student at Princeton Theological Seminary, Allie serves as a field education student with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations ...
March 5, 2012
Intersections: CTAUN and CSW: education and sustainability
Written by Grace Bickers
After advocacy training at both the Presbyterian and Ecumenical Women’s orientations for the Commission on the Status of Women and a week’s worth of insight from the remarkable women making up these delegations, I was excited to learn how the information I learned during a previous opportunity to attend the annual CTAUN (Committee for Teaching About the United Nations) conference on the theme of “Education IS a Human Right” could be put to work. Much of the information shared at the conference is directly relevant to the Ecumenical Women’s advocacy talking points: access ...
February 27, 2012
Demands
Reconciliation demands justice.
Justice demands repentance.
Repentance demands restitution.
Restitution demands mercy.
From the reflection by Irma Rodriguez-Leon during the Ecumenical Women worship service led this morning by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran World Federation.
February 27, 2012
Closing song from Monday morning worship
Ecumenical Women's worship this morning was led by the Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Here's a clip from the closing song.
February 26, 2012
Welcome to the Commission on the Status of Women
H.E. Marjon Kamara, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations and Chair of the fifty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women welcomes everyone to this year's session.
Note that the volume appears to be low.
February 26, 2012
Giving thanks for the community of advocates
February 25, 2012
"I'm a Delegate"
Rhonda Everdyke, communicator for the Presbytery of Geneva, is blogging her experiences at the Commission on the Status of Women at I'm a Delegate. Today she reflects on the Ecumenical Women's Orientation:
It is hard to just put into words our experiences from today! So many women (even some brave men too) coming together to talk about common issues for women all over the world (including the United States) and what the struggles are within rural settings. Things need to change and women are the powerful voices to make it happen.
Tomorrow, some Presbyterian participants will worship with ...
February 25, 2012
Tweetable quotes - 25 February 2012
We are tweeting events around the Committee on the Status of Women as @PresbyUN. Here are a few highlights from the Ecumenical Women Orientation:
It’s some times easier to stay at home than to enter the struggle. Easier, but not better.
- Ana Chã, Brazil
You know what, I am that statistic. When we talk about statistics, we are talking about people.
- Michelle Deshong, Australia
I wish I could find that teacher who told me I would never amount to anything and tell him where I am speaking.
- Michelle Deshong, Australia
If women around the world were paid for the ...
February 25, 2012
CSW encounters
Building community across nations - meeting sisters, and brothers, - happens regularly at the Commission on the Status of Women.
Peng Leong, volunteer with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, reflects on an encounter - the beginning of a relationship with Naw Lee Myar - that took place today during the Ecumenical Women Orientation:
I met a delegate from Myanmar . . . she was sponsored by the Asian Rural Institute and the United Methodist church. She could not believe that God provided this opportunity since she had no means at all. She is so appreciative. . . . I am grateful to have met this wonderful sister who ...
February 24, 2012
It begins
The largest Presbyerian delegation to attend a meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women gathered at the Church of the Covenant for an orientation today. Thanks to our partners!
Our time together began with prayer for the delegation, the participants in the Commission, and our sisters and brothers around the world. The prayer included a special mention for Cynthia Bolbach, moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010).
Particpants then introduced themselves. Representatives of Presbyerian Women spoke about their role in engaging the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with the Commission. Staff for Women's Leadership Development and Young ...
February 24, 2012
Ready!
With excitiment and anticipation, I have read the posts on Facebook from Presbyterian participants in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) noting their travel. If I followed other pages, I would probably know about the travel plans participants with other organizations.
Some individuals have already arrived in New York City.
Some individuals have already experienced travel challenges.
Some individuals will arrive today; other individuals between now and Monday.
For the Presbyterians, our CSW experience begins this afternoon at 4:00 pm with an orientation. A BIG SHOUT OUT by the way to our partners at the Church of ...
February 23, 2012
Why we attend the Commission on the Status of Women
The 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (“CSW” or “the Commission”) begins on Monday, February 27. Presbyterian participants will gather for an orientation tomorrow - February 24.
The CSW is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Comprised of representatives of 45 UN Member States, the Commission gathers every year at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality ...
February 22, 2012
The 2012 Commission on the Status of Women
The 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women begins on Monday, February 27.
Presbyterian and other participants will arrive in New York over the next few days. The Presbyterian Orientation will take place on Friday, February 24. We will join our partners at the Ecumenical Women's Orientation on Saturday, February 25.
There are a number of places to follow the events - including this blog. Watch the plenary sessions of the Commission on UN Webcast.
Other sources of information include:
- The Ecumenical Women Web page
- Presbyterian United Nations Ministry Facebook page
- Presbyerian Women Facebook page
- Ecumenical Women ...
May 14, 2011
Blessed are the peacemakers
From across the Presbytery of New York City they came to First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn for the Presbyterian Women's Spring Gathering. The 2011-2012 Horizons Bible Study, Confessing the Beatitudes by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Aymer, provided the theme and...
April 30, 2011
Thursday night in Queens
"You have the coolest job." That was one of the closing comments to my time at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitestone. Pastor Andy James had invited me to visit during Lent and share about the Presbyterian Ministry at the...
March 12, 2011
Advocacy resources on Libya and Côte d'Ivoire
Reports from Libya and Côte d'Ivoire tell of violence and displacement. Ecumenical Women at the United Nations — an international coalition of church denominations and ecumenical organizations, including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — has developed tools to encourage women and...
March 3, 2011
Inspiring and hopeful with more work to come
by Ryan Smith On March 2, 2011, representatives from the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations and Presbyterian Women joined Milcah Lalam, a peace building development specialist with RECONCILE in Sudan with expertise in trauma healing, drama as therapy and...
March 3, 2011
Reflections on New Zealand
Pam Tankersley of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa/New Zealand spoke at the Ecumenical Women's worship service on March 1. She reflected on the earthquake that struck her country - of the loss of human life - the injuries - the...
March 2, 2011
Learning Methodologies - Post Trauma 4
Ecumenical Women presented a parallel event, Learning Methodologies- Post Trauma on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. This panel discussion will include speakers whose bodies of work focus on post-trauma...
March 2, 2011
Learning Methodologies - Post Trauma 3
Ecumenical Women presented a parallel event, Learning Methodologies- Post Trauma on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. This panel discussion will include speakers whose bodies of work focus on post-trauma...
March 2, 2011
Learning Methodologies - Post Trauma 2
Ecumenical Women presented a parallel event, Learning Methodologies- Post Trauma on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. This panel discussion will include speakers whose bodies of work focus on post-trauma...
March 2, 2011
Learning Methodologies - Post Trauma 1
Ecumenical Women presented a parallel event, Learning Methodologies- Post Trauma on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. This panel discussion will include speakers whose bodies of work focus on post-trauma...
March 1, 2011
Nothing Is Lost on the Breath of God
Pam Tankersley of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa/New Zealand spoke at the Ecumenical Women's worship service this morning. She reflected on the earthquake that struck her country - of the loss of human life - the injuries - the pain...
March 1, 2011
A world where all live, all thrive
Carolyn Groseclose Sprinkle, a member of Presbyterian Women from Sparta, North Carolina, reflects on her experience at the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. She considers God's vision of a world where all live and all...
March 1, 2011
Going home to make a difference
Pam Snyder, a member of Presbyterian Women from Staunton, Virginia, reflects on her experience at the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. She considers what she has learned and what she will do when she returns...
February 25, 2011
Reflections on statement by Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women
Reflections on statement by Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women « Ecumenical Women at the United Nations.
February 22, 2011
Toward agreed conclusions at CSW55
An outcome of the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women will be the agreed conclusions. Through the agreed conclusions, the Commission will urge "Governments, the relevant entities of the United Nations system, international and regional organizations,...
February 21, 2011
We gathered
From churches and countries around the world, we gathered at the Church Center for the United Nations. Followers of Jesus Christ, seekers of justice, supporters of human rights for women, men, and all people, we gathered. To dance, to worship,...
February 20, 2011
Commission on the Status of Women
The Ecumenical Women's orientation for Commission on the Status of Women has started. Follow along on Twitter at #CSW.