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One morning, I had the idea to gather women together before the start of the school year. I posted a question on Facebook and texted friends:“Anyone interested in gathering on the first day of school and praying for the year?” When school began, 20 of us gathered to pray.
We all have opportunities to invite and to say yes to the invitations before us – in our churches, schools, and neighborhoods. Once I started being the one to invite, I couldn’t help but see the infinite number of ways to create community.
Maybe you love to cook – what if you organized women to make frozen meals for people who are recently home from the hospital?
Like to walk and hike – invite others to join you picking up garbage.
Ready to make a change in your community – invite others to speak out for justice with you.
Whatever desire is stirring in your heart, maybe now is the time to invite others to join you. Maybe now is the time to see that your gifts can be used to build up God’s kingdom and share love with all God’s people. Imagine what can happen when women come together!
This message is excerpted from “Extending an invitation” by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller from the March 21, 2024, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Bishop of El Salvador, martyr, 1980.