Women of the Word

TELLING GOD’S STORY

Three-part Introduction to:� “A Woman’s Lectionary for the Whole Church” by the Rev. Wilda C. Gafney, Ph.D.

• Session 1 (October 23): Scripture, an examination of the challenges of Biblical translation
• Session 2 (October 30): Tradition, the roots of the lectionary
• Session 3 (November 6): Reason, how we syntheize scripture & tradition

O God, whom all delight to worship: be ever present with your servants who seek through art and science to perfect the praises offered by your people; grant us even now to glimpse your beauty, and make us worthy at length to behold it unveiled, for evermore. Amen.� Prayer “For Church Musicians and Artists” (modified), BCP. P. 819

What’s in the Book?

• Original Biblical translation made by Dr. Gafney
• Weekly Biblical text suggestions for reading on Sundays and Church feast days
• Notes on weekly translation matters of interest
• Suggested preaching topics of interest for the week
• An appendix offering alternative names for the Divine name, YHWH

How Will We Be Using It?

• Weekly for Sunday services during Lectionary Year A (November 27, 2022 through November 26, 2023)
• Replacement for all four Biblical readings (Hebrew Bible, Psalm, New Testament, Gospel) on Sunday mornings
• Central themes explored through series in December, January, and February
• Ongoing, open Bible study
• Readings will appear in weekly bulletins, but please consider buying a copy!

Why Are We Doing This?

• Scripture, “containeth all things necessary for salvation” (39 Articles)

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However….

• Only small portions of the Bible are read on Sunday (c. 20%)
• Language of God, as understood through our canonical texts, is all translated
• “Lex orandi, lex credendi” - Language we use, informs our understanding of God and the people of God

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The Lectionary

WRITE DOWN AS MANY WOMEN’S NAMES FROM THE HEBREW BIBLE AS YOU CAN

There are 111+ Named Women in Hebrew Scripture

• How did you do?

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• Matthew 26:13

“Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

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Lectionary Omits (an incomplete list):

• Dinah
• Both Tamars
• Rahab
• Achsah
• Daughters of Zelophehad
• Jael
• Jephthah’s daughter
• Levite’s concubine
• Rizpah
• Abigail
• Michal

• Merab
• Shunamnite woman
• Huldah
• Priscilla
• Philip’s 4 prophetess daughters
• Phoebe
• Junia
• Tryphosa
• Persis
• Julia��

What is a Lectionary?

• Lists portions of scripture to be read at church
• Currently follows a 3-year cycle
• Consists of 4 lections (Hebrew Bible, Psalm, New Testament, Gospel)
• Arranged around the church seasons (principally Christmas & Easter)

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A (very) Brief History of the Lectionary

• Jewish roots in synagogue worship
• Often improvised in the earliest church
• By 4^th century, read continuously, on a 1 year or 3-year cycle
• Reworked after Vatican II (Ordo Lectionam Missae – 1969)
• Common Lectionary (1983)
• Revised Common Lectionary (1994)

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A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church

Lectionary as catechetical tool, which:

1. Increases Biblical literacy through, deep and broad exposure to scripture
2. Recognizes Hebrew Bible as full, sufficient canon
3. Places women & girls at center of the text
4. Tells God’s story through the most marginalized characters

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Gafney in Her Own Words:

This book, “seeks to offer and extend the embrace of the scriptures to all who read and hear that they might see and hear themselves in them and spoken to by them. Similarly, taking seriously that we are all created in the image of God, these translations seek to display a God in whose Image we see ourselves reflected and reflecting.”

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Plenary held October 16, 2021 on “Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKLA3piw-OE&t=3381s

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Thank you!���������Rev. Wilda Gafney’s Book, “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church – Year A” can be purchased at Amazon, or by order through Christ Episcopal Church