As Bethesda Lutheran (Eugene, Oregon) prepares for Bold Women’s Day 2016, I am once again in awe of the women in our church who do what they do without accolades, applause or any expectations of pats-on-the-back praise. These are the women who passionately volunteer with their time and talents.
We asked women to tell us about the volunteer work they do outside the church so we could celebrate them on Bold Women’s Day Sunday, Feb. 28. It was difficult to them to open up about volunteer work they do outside our church walls, and some insisted they not be identified.
A woman at a recent women’s ministry team meeting, said, “In my generation we were raised not to brag or bring attention to ourselves so it’s understandable why some might not want to talk about their volunteer work.”
It wasn’t until an email was sent that I learned of the many giving hearts in our congregation. After the email went out, the response was overwhelming. Perhaps it was the guilt tripping that led them to reply or the quasi anonymity that provided some type of safety for those who were uncomfortable tooting their own horn.
Whatever the reason what a joy it was to read about so many doing good works outside the church—not to build get-to-Heaven points or make themselves look good—but simply because they felt called, were obedient to God’s call and followed through. You can read about them here.
To step outside of a comfort zone to help others, to give precious time to a program that may break your heart or to use a specific skill you imagined not to be very important—those are the women of my church, the Church. Like the bold women of the Bible, we continue in their steps doing what needs to be done with love in our hearts and hope in our souls.
Jakki McDonald is a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church. She’s the adoptive mother of a young adult special needs daughter and two loving step-daughters. Her husband is a computer programmer and “the nicest nerd you’ll ever meet.” She teaches water aerobics and is development director for a non-profit that sponsors healing retreats for women and men affected by abortion.
Check out Bold Women’s Day ideas, certificates, Facebook timeline photos and resources.