New York church helps to lift up a young generation of Presbyterian leaders ahead of CSW70
Delegates of all ages flock to historic church for the Rev. CeCe Armstrong's sermon and International Women’s Day
NEW YORK — While welcoming a plethora of guests to his church on Sunday for International Women’s Day, the Rev. Dr. Cornell Edmonds noticed that some young people were shy to stand up and be recognized, so he took a little extra time to nudge them to their feet.
“Rise,” without hesitancy, said Edmonds, who leads the Church of the Covenant in New York. “Like dust, we hope for you to rise because you are our hope, our salvation.”
Edmonds was lifting up the young adult portion of a joint delegation who’ll be representing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Presbyterian Women (PW) at the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).
The joint delegation, which reflects a concerted effort by Presbyterians to attract young adults to serve alongside delegates over the age of 30, gathered at the church for a joyful service featuring a sermon by the Rev. CeCe Armstrong, Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). There also was a reprise of the line dancing that she led at the General Assembly in Salt Lake City, with the Electric Slide bringing the New York congregation and guests to their feet for some brief fun at the close of service.
The gathering, which was attended by an in-person crowd as well as many church supporters in distant locales, was the last Presbyterian event before CSW70 starts on Monday at UN Headquarters, with a theme that focuses on ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls.
Both Edmonds’ and his wife, Barbara, have backgrounds in law and look forward to welcoming the Presbyterian delegation and various leaders of PW and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations each year.
During brief remarks and introductions of dignitaries and other guests, Barbara Edmonds quoted Fannie Lou Hamer, who said, “When I liberate myself I liberate others.”
Barbara Edmonds also highlighted various ills that need confronting in today’s world.
“As we gather, we're mindful that we live in challenging — but I always say hopeful — times,” she said. “Rev. Dr. King always reminds us of the three evils that we're confronted with: militarism, racism and sexism, and all forms of injustice, and I emphasize all forms of injustice and economic exploitation. These realities continue to call people of faith, courage, compassion and action, and that's why we're here, right?”
Later, Armstrong took to the lectern to give a sermon on who needs Jesus.
The answer? “Everyone needs Jesus,” she said. “Everyone can have a piece of what Christ has to offer. You can have your heart's desires, but you must admit that you need Jesus.”
Armstrong’s sermon centered on a retelling of the miracles that Jesus performed for the woman with the issue of blood, and Jairus, a synagogue leader whose 12-year-old daughter had died.
She noted that when the bleeding woman was trying to make her way to Jesus, his disciples were essentially acting as bodyguards, keeping certain people away.
“I hope you can say that you are not one of those bodyguards of Jesus, one who knows Jesus as your personal Savior, but because folks don't meet your standards, you stand in the way of them getting to know Jesus for themselves,” Armstrong said. “We should never be so selfish that we don't want others to have what we have, and especially Jesus.”
She noted that Jairus was taking a big risk by reaching out to Jesus, who was considered to be a controversial figure.
Jairus was willing to risk his reputation being damaged by associating “with someone the religious officials of the day had already decided was dangerous and should be eliminated,” Armstrong said. “This man's daughter lay dying, and everything that had been important the day before was now of no consequence at all. It is his faith in Jesus, the ultimate healer, that makes him risk it all for his dying daughter.”
The woman with the issue of blood also was taking a risk since her illness had made her an outcast, and she probably felt insignificant.
Yet, when she touched Jesus, he "did not react with disgust,” Armstrong said. “In fact, Jesus saw her as important because of her need and her faith. Jesus gave her time and attention that publicized her healing.”
Jesus’ willingness to help marginalized people falls in line with the need to eliminate discriminatory policies, practices and laws in today’s world, Armstrong said. “That’s what we’re here to learn.”
She also stressed the importance of sharing your testimony in order to show people that they, too, need Jesus. “Friends, let's just be truthful. Sometimes, your life, your story, your testimony, is the only Bible people will ever read.”
In addition to giving her sermon, Armstrong expressed thanks for being able to participate in CSW.
“I am really beyond grateful to be here for CSW70, for this is my first one ever, but it won't be my last, and to further the theme of this gathering for and by women,” she said. “I'm sure that our work together, ensuring and strengthening the access to justice for all women and girls, will be beneficial to generations to come.”
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