Choose Your Own Adventure

            As I child, I adored "choose your own adventure' books. Perhaps that's why I am so comfortable at large conferences like the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), where one chooses for oneself the path one will take.

            Just one week ago the Anglican Communion Office delegation (24 women) met for orientation; Saturday we joined with Ecumenical Women (about 200 women) for a broader orientation; Sunday the orienting continued to expand with the NGO-CSW session (thousands of people!). Each adventure built upon the last, and we were invited to be as engaged as we were able!

           From Monday's opening session, the choices for our own adventures became practically infinite. We can observe most of the formal CSW proceedings on the economic empowerment of women in the changing world of work, or attend side events (activities outside the formal programme, usually panels addressing specific issues), or parallel events (off-campus events, such as workshops or advocacy opportunities, coordinated by NGOs to compliment and enhance the experience).  These diverse events address gender justice, through any number of foci: human trafficking, indigenous rights, gender-based violence, humanitarian crises, local initiatives, &c.

            We have the opportunity to begin our days with worship at the Church Centre; The Episcopal Church offers a noon-time Eucharist and hospitality space. As our minds are filled with the practicalities of the sessions we attend, our spirits are nourished by the care of our sisters (and brothers!) in the church. To frame our time here in Christian love and worship is a gift; to discern where our faith leads us on this adventure is a blessing.

            We choose our own UNCSW adventure based on our choices: the people with whom we connect, the events we attend, the way we spend our time and energy. The CSW is half over, yet the choices remain.

            We will soon choose how we will share the stories of our time together here, we will choose to discern how God is calling us to continue this work, we will choose to remain committed to the work of gender justice and equal human rights for all.

            Fully living our faith is an adventure and an on-going journey; this CSW is merely one part. I thank God for the privilege to integrate this event into the story of my journey towards justice, for the love of God and in service to Christ.

Who Are You?

            A common theme running throughout today, for me, was that of identity.

            The morning brief (an informal summary of the previous day's proceedings - in this case from Monday due to Tuesday's Snow Day) was held as a townhall meeting, chaired by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women, formidable woman, she is known for her work and position. I reflected that she is known for what she does: not who she is.

            I then attended an Anglican-hosted event with Fereshteh Forough, who started the first coding school in Afghanitan. Fereshteh began our session with questions on identity: are you a refugee? have you ever been displaced by war? have you experienced discrimination based on your race/religion/country of origin/accent? Having experienced these herself, she struggled with wanting people to accept her for who she is, not her circumstances. She invited us to see (in ourselves and in those around us) the person and their gifts, rather than seeing the labels that society uses to judge.

            This afternoon I attended a side event titled "National action on Indigenous women's economic empowerment (Australia, Canada and New Zealand Perspectives)." The panel shared stories of their struggles and successes, of the need to maintain their identity as individuals and as communities; and that sometimes indigenous people are forced to choose between their culture and their future, if they live at home or move away for economic (educational and employment) opportunities.  Regardless of their decisions, their identities are impacted by them.

            I then wandered the Artisan's Fair, witnessing the identity of many captured in their handiwork - shawls and dresses, cards and embroidery, teas and finger puppets: each a very unique expression of self and culture, offered (for a price) as art from around the world, to be appreciated. 

            This evening the Ecumenical Women hosted an Advocacy dinner, a chance for people of faith attending the CSW to eat, meet, and greet. Literally, people identifying themselves by geography and denomination; names were tertiary. An interesting way to be present and presented.

            Recognising that certain situations call for specific identity factors to be brought forward (name, place, position, etc.), I reflected throughout the day on how I would want to answer the question "Who Are You?":

·        ***I want to be known as a beloved child of God.

·        ***I want to be known as an ally to the vulnerable and oppressed, and as a lover to the heartbroken.

·        ***I want to be known as a sister to all of the women who live into their own identity, from their own experience.

·        ***I want to be known as one who lived her faith fully, authentically, and enthusiastically.

           I hope the world will see my life as a testimony to that identity.

Snow Day!

            Today the unthinkable happened... Manhattan shut down. The city shut down. Because of snow.

            Well, mostly for fear of snow; we learned Monday night that Tuesday was to be a snow day - even the UN was closing!

            Our group went into plans B and C and D. And, it was a GREAT day.

            We rested in the morning, which provided additional space for our long-distance travellers to acclimatise to this time zone.

            In the afternoon, we made arrangements so that a parallel session by ACO delegates on South Sudanese women of faith building pace and economic empowerment was run out of the hotel we're in, instead of canceling it altogether.

            We found a local restaurant that was open, and enjoyed a fabulous evening together, literally breaking bread with one another.

            And - we played. There were some of our delegation who had never before seen snow... so they went outside for pictures. Some had a snowball fight. Some dared to schlepp through the sleet (though not very far!).

            And that is what sisterhood looks like: finding ways to make the best out of whatever situation life provides. Seeking moments of joy in new experiences. Spending time with one another creating deeper relationship, such that when support is needed we already have trusted friends and allies on whom we might depend. Making space to pray together, to celebrate that we are all one in God's family.

            It was a snow day: we honoured the day; we honoured the opportunity; we honoured one another. 

The framework of our work

            What is the framework within which you live your life?

            That's a tough question, to be sure. We all have busy lives, where we can segregate different activities.

            I posit, however, that there are certain frameworks, certain consistencies, to the ministries in which we all engage - individually and corporately.

Monday, we watched the opening session of the UNCSW. As seating in the hall is limited, and NGO CSW has possibly the largest number of participants ever, the majority of people watched via webcast (http://webtv.un.org). For us Anglicans, we were welcomed into the chapel space at The Episcopal Church (across the street form the UN) and it was broadcast on the wall.

            There were many speakers, and many wonderful comments. The chair of CSW encouraged male ally-ship. The Secretary General articulated not only a commitment to gender justice, but a demand to keep the UN accountable to these goals. While men dominated the primary speeches, the second hour boasted many passionate woman, including the ED for UN Woman challenging the world: "We must change the established pattern!" The chair of CEDAW called for disaggregated statistics on violence against women. The ILO encouraged a re-evaluation of the care economy and prevention of violence in the workplace. The Youth Forum articulated that they are the last generation that can be proactive in climate change mitigation.

            ... the speeches were full of inspiration messages, and the details are abundant!

            While our space at TEC provided a comfortable location for us to watch these inspirational charges, it also provided a framework for our work here and at home: prayer.

            We are called to be people who prayerfully discern and respond to the need for justice. We are called to see the opportunity to share the bread of life with everyone we encounter.  We are called to be part of the community of the body of Christ, with those we know and agree, and with those we have not met and may not agree with. We are called to frame our work for justice in the context of prayer and praise and worship.

            We are called to know that we are not just another NGO or another face here at the UN, but that we are experiencing the face of God at the UN. We are witnessing God's beautiful diversity, highlighted and celebrated within this time together. We are called to delight in the continuation of that work, of that mission, of that ministry.

Re-imaginings on the Sabbath

           While Sunday is normally a day for worship and rest, the UNCSW was full-steam ahead! The NGO CSW orientation day took place, with several hundred women and a few men gathering to learn more about what is possible when women are empowered economically. 

          It was another full day to prepare for the formal opening of the UNCSW tomorrow. There were wonderful panels, breakout groups for discussion and feedback, and of course, celebration of women! Interspersed, we were blessed with offerings from the United Nations Singers and poetry by (Canadian) Rupi Kaur.

            We heard of struggles, we heard of successes, we heard of the ongoing desire for society to live up to women (not the other way around). We discussed how we need to honestly acknowledge our situation - locally and globally - and were invited to consider how we might best shift the mindset that prevents equality. We engaged in cross-sectional and inter-sectional topics that impact women's economic empowerment: forced labour, gender violence, heightening instabilities of climate and migration, domestic work, technology...

            We were all asked to share: What does women's economic empowerment look like to you? The responses were as varied as the participants: food sovereignty - - being permitted to work outside the home - - "female reverend" - - equal pay for equal work - - free from fear of violence - - men supporting us - - not giving up - - working together - - education - - art - - He for She - - new norms - - progress - - trade policies - - interconnection of all rights (women, disabled, environment, LBGTQ...) There were hundreds.

            I'm still pondering this question for myself and my neighbourhood, but also from a broader perspective: what does women's economic empowerment look like to the church today?

            How do we, as the church, re-imagine the economic model in a way that highlights rights and equality for all of God's people?

            How do we provide and embrace the prophetic voice, a model wherein we live out our baptismal vows? If we take seriously our covenant to respect the dignity of every human being, how then do we lift up the rights of our sisters and brothers everywhere?

            How do we shift away from the contemporary status quo into an economy based on rights and dignity?

            We as the church have the forum and the means of providing education and leadership at the forefront. We have the privilege to use these fora to engage with the world on matters that affect us all. It may not be easy, it may not be popular, but the church is called to offer strong leadership in the fight for justice.

            The challenge is before us; we must discern how God is calling us into action. The church of today, the church of tomorrow, is a place that must not remain silent out of fear or complacence. We must be faithful in the promotion of equality, of holding up the rights of all whom God made in God's image.

            I don't know how we do it... but I am praying for the courage and strength that we will be the church that will fearlessly and faithfully embrace this mission. 

            Perhaps the Sabbath Day was the perfect day for these thoughts to come... today we pray and imagine; tomorrow we begin to take action. God willing!