Register for Oct. 4 webinar featuring the authors of “Liberating the Politics of Jesus”
By MC USA staff
Women in Leadership (WiL), a ministry of Mennonite Church USA, is presenting “What We Need Is Here,” a series of webinars engaging theological work born out of women’s experiences. The first webinar in the series, “Women’s Wisdom and Experience,” brings together three authors of the new book “Liberating the Politics of Jesus” for a presentation and discussion on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020 at 4 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET.
The webinar series is an alternative to WiL’s Women Doing Theology conference that has taken place every two years, which was slated for November but postponed to prioritize attendees’ safety and wellbeing.
More than 100 people responded to a denomination-wide survey, affirming an overwhelming desire (89%) for an online gathering, specifically featuring plenary speakers with expertise on topics of racial equality, dismantling patriarchy and navigating anxiety/holding peace during an election year.
Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11“We recognize the deep needs faced by all of us during this time and how these needs can lead us to fear and anxiety about what we don’t have,” said Sue Park-Hur, denominational minister for transformative peacemaking. “Through this series, we hope to encourage women to live into a theology of abundance, not scarcity. Our theme, ‘What we need is here,’ calls us to recognize that God provides, giving us enough wisdom, resources, faith and love to impact lives in this moment.”
“Women’s Wisdom and Experience” webinar
Park-Hur will moderate the first webinar, featuring writers of “Liberating the Politics of Jesus,” which looks at the teachings of Jesus and how his existence was as much personal as political – just as it is for women. The book focuses on how women interpret in body, mind and spirit the message of liberation and justice of the gospels today, according to co-editor and writer, Elizabeth Soto Albrecht.
“It’s about women and what it means for us, as theologians, to live into the politics of Jesus and to renew peace in our current context and culture of profound conflict,” said Soto Albrecht. “This is a book for those who think outside of the box. It takes a scholarly approach and adds a voice that’s missing in academia.”
While “Liberating the Politics of Jesus” uses John Howard Yoder’s seminal work, “The Politics of Jesus,” as a reference point, it has little to do with his work.
The book features the voices of a diverse group of scholars from the U.S., Canada and South America writing on a variety of culturally relevant topics. During the first webinar, attendees will hear from three of the authors.
Panelists include:
Elizabeth Soto Albrecht
Elizabeth Soto Albrecht, D. Min., will be speaking about her motivation for developing this book and her chapter, “The Politics of Suffering and Just Praxis.”
Soto Albrecht is an adjunct instructor and former advisor for Global Theological Education at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania. A native of Puerto Rico and a credentialed leader in Atlantic Coast Conference, she recently served as a consultant with Mennonite Disaster Service as the administrator of the response on Hurricane Maria’s disaster in Puerto Rico. Soto Albrecht is passionate about women’s issues/Latina identity, social justice and community development for the unprivileged.
Regina Shands Stotzfus
Regina Shands Stoltzfus, Ph.D., will be discussing racism and her chapter, “Pacifism, Non-Violence, and the Assault on Marginalized Bodies.”
Shands Stoltzfus teaches at Goshen College in the Peace, Justice Conflict Studies (PJCS) and Bible, Religion and Philosophy (BRP) departments. She is co-founder of the Roots of Justice Anti-Oppression program (formerly Damascus Road Anti-Racism Program) and has worked in peace education with the Ohio Conference of the Mennonite Church, Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Mission Network.
Linda Gehman Peachey
Linda Gehman Peachey, D.Min.,will share from her chapter, “Salvation for the Sinned Against.”
Gehman Peachey is a freelance writer living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She previously worked for Mennonite Central Committee on women’s concerns and served with her husband, Titus, as co-director of MCC U.S. Peace and Justice Ministries. They also served together as MCC representatives in Laos, 1981-1985.
Panelists will address questions from attendees following the presentation.
“Liberating the Politics of Jesus” is being released in September 2020.
To register for the free webinar, please sign up here.
Upcoming webinars
WiL is planning additional webinars in this series during October 2020. One will be focused on dismantling patriarchy, featuring Iris de León-Hartshorn, MC USA associate executive director for Operations. The other will address race and intersectionality, featuring AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez, educator, consultant and coach on the intersection of justice and spirituality.
Women in Leadership is a Peacebuilding ministry of Mennonite Church USA that works to dismantle patriarchal systems in Mennonite Church USA. WiL focuses on empowering women to live out the call of God on their lives, increase their capacities, and contribute their wisdom in congregations, area conferences, agencies and institutions. mennoniteusa.org/ministry/church-vitality/women-in-leadership/
Mennonite Church USA is the largest Mennonite denomination in the United States with 16 conferences, approximately 530 congregations and 62,000 members. An Anabaptist Christian denomination, MC USA is part of Mennonite World Conference, a global faith family that includes churches in 86 countries. It has offices in Elkhart, Indiana and Newton, Kansas. mennoniteUSA.org