We’re all about acting boldly on our faith in Jesus Christ. Who’s a better example of that than our Liberian sister, Leymah Gbowee? Leymah and other Lutheran women in Liberia, joined first by other Christian women and then by Muslim women, set out to bring peace to their war-torn country. The staff of Women of the ELCA is excited to be hosting Leymah today for a brown bag lunch here in Chicago. Leymah will be signing copies of her new memoir, Mighty Be Our Powers.
If you’re not able to connect with Leymah during her book tour, I encourage you to read her book. Better yet, get a group of women together for a discussion of the book. You might even begin the discussion by viewing the film Pray the Devil Back to Hell which tells the story of the Liberian women’s peace movement.
Leymah Gbowee (r.) and today's blogger, Linda Post Bushkofsky
You’ll also want to tune in to the Women, War and Peace series set to air next month on PBS stations around the country. The five-part series will feature Pray the Devil Back to Hell along with four original films telling the story of women peacemakers in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Colombia and Liberia. You can build community action around peacemaking by pulling together a group to watch each film and engage in discussion afterwards. If you sign up to host such a group, you can get a discussion guide in return.
Join the women and peacemaking conversation. I’m already talking about it. Will you share the news with others you know?
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WomenWarPeace
Twitter: @WomenWarPeace
Linda Post Bushkofsky, the executive director of Women of the ELCA, began her work in this organization as a peace with justice coordinator back in 1990.