Gathering Music

Medley

Lan Wilson

Greeting

How do we hold this space together?

Dr. Traci West

Opening Music

“Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” – Negro Spiritual

Dee Jackson

Opening Litany of Confession

Leader: O God, we humbly confess to you the silences we must break.
Dorcas: In my Ghanaian culture, victim questioning never ends: “Why did you go into that room?” “Why were you drunk? “Why were you wearing that dress?” “Why did you talk back?” Anything just to show “respect” to and shield the abuser is said. I confess that I can give in to feeling hopeless about stopping these unfair, victim-blaming questions from being asked in my community.
All: We want to be in solidarity with each other, but are not sure how…

Terri: My White American Southern culture is tarnished by the history of colonialism and is defined by capitalism, racism, heterosexism, able-ism and patriarchy. I confess to feeling great shame that my culture values power over people, and fosters abuse of all non-dominant communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, and those who identify as female gendered. All: We want to be in solidarity with each other, but are not sure how…

Nyasha: My Zimbabwean Zezuru Shona culture, which requires a man to pay a bride price to the family of his bride, contributes to the perception of women as property to be bought and sold, leading to an increase in violence against women. I confess that the fear of going against my cultural practices has kept me from speaking up for victims.
All: We want to be in solidarity with each other, but are not sure how…

John: In my Indian culture, LGBTQ+ are frequently shut out of social and religious circles and unwelcome. But I confess that I am fearful to name this discrimination in my leadership in my church. All: We want to be in solidarity with each other, but are not sure how…

Anthony: In my Ghanaian Akan culture too often gender violence committed against wives goes unpunished and almost always leaders insist on unjust settlements ‘in the interest of family peace’, I confess that I am ashamed of this cultural practice and I too rarely challenge it.
All: We want to be in solidarity with each other, but are not sure how…

Madison: My Black American culture prioritizes privacy and avoids “airing out our dirty laundry,” which means hiding harmful personal and domestic issues from public view for the sake of preserving the good image of the Black community. We silence women and children in our communities who are raped or abused by their partners and parents. I confess that I have let “minding my business” keep me from seeking justice.

All: Teach us, O God, how to truly live anti-violence solidarity. Pour out your Spirit on us. Empower us. Amen.

Opening Song

“Sacred the Body” – Words: Ruth Duck, Music: Mark A. Miller

Sacred the body God has created,
temple of Spirit that dwells deep inside.
Cherish each person; nurture creation.
Treat flesh as holy, that love may abide.

Bodies are varied, made in all sizes,
pale, full of color, both fragile and strong.
Holy the difference, gift of the Maker,
so let us honor each story and song.

Love respects persons, bodies and boundaries.
Love does not batter, neglect or abuse.
Love touches gently, never coercing.
Love leaves the other with power to choose.

Holy of holies, God ever loving,
make us your temples; indwell all we do.
May we be careful, tender and caring,
so may our bodies give honor to you.

Opening Prayer

Read by John Johnson and Terri Leone, Written by Terri Leone and Lan Wilson

Leader:
Dear God of Justice and Truth,
We pray for victims of gender violence
Who do not yet have the strength to claim the identity of “survivor”.
We pray for your protection.

All: Give us courage to push past our fears.

Leader:
We are so afraid.
Afraid to leave, afraid to stay,
Afraid to break our silence.

All: Sit with us as we learn to sorrow with our siblings that suffer.

Leader:
We pray to know your presence
Alone in our nakedness.
Alone in our shame.
Our world doesn’t want to know the truth.

All: But YOU know the truth.

Leader:
You know the bruises and bloody lips,
You know the tearing and the test results,
You know the forced penetration,
You know the things that happened even when we were unconscious.

All: Walk with us as we seek to accept these truths in ways that lead to healing and wholeness.

Leader:
Embrace us with your unconditional love.
Convince us that we are worthy.
Hold us until our shame melts away.

All: Strengthen us to challenge the injustices
Of systems steeped in patriarchal and colonialist values,
The abuse of power further victimizes us.

Leader:
Give us hope that the truth will prevail
And that our courage to stand in your truth will be victorious.
Through your grace we are healed and transformed.
All: Amen.

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 13:11-14, 17-20

Ji Hae Lee

11But when Tamar brought them near Amnon to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12She answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me; for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do anything so vile! 13As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the scoundrels in Israel. Now therefore, I beg you, speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.” 14But he would not listen to her; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.

17He called the young man who served him and said, “Put this woman out of my presence, and bolt the door after her.” 18(Now she was wearing a long robe with sleeves; for this is how the virgin daughters of the king were clothed in earlier times.) So his servant put her out, and bolted the door after her. 19But Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore the long robe that she was wearing; she put her hand on her head, and went away, crying aloud as she went. 20Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother; do not take this to heart.” So Tamar remained, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom’s house.

Anthem

“I Choose Love” – Words: Lindy Thompson, Music: Mark Miller

Seminary Choir

Sermon

“Valued but Hidden: Tamar is Everywhere”

Dorcas Ewoodzie

Musical Response

“I Need Thee Every Hour” – Words: Annie S. Hawks, Music: Robert Lowry

Dee Jackson

Sermon

“A Walk of Resistance”

Nyasha Jeche

Musical Response

“You Say” – Lauren Daigle

Madison Tatum, accompanied by Lan Wilson

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Dee Jackson, Terri Leone, and Madison Tatum

Liturgy written by Madison Tatum and Terri Leone

Leader: Come to the table, siblings, sojourners, beloveds, and let us break bread.
Group: Let us join at the table and remember.
Leader: We have come in remembrance of the Christ, a victim of state-sanctioned degradation, torture, sexual assault, and unjust death.
We have come in solidarity with all the women, gender-non-conforming people, and children whose harassment, rape, abuse, terrorization, and murder has been ignored or allowed by our own state.
Group: Let us join at the table and remember.
Leader: We have come in remembrance of the Christ who, on the night before his abuse, shared freely and openly with his trusted friends and conspirators.
We have come in solidarity to be that open table of safety, trust, respect, and equity for those among us who don’t know whether to speak up or who to go to about the terror that they are experiencing.
Group: Let us join at the table and remember.
Leader: We have come in remembrance of the Christ who looked forward to a time after his trauma when he would share his cup with his friends once more.
We have come in solidarity to bring about a world in which agency is a given, consent is a requirement, and our bodies are our own to share as we see fit.
All: Let us join at the table and remember.

Prayer of Confession
Leader:
Like us, Jesus was broken. Broken by unjust systems and by complicity. Each time we pretend to not see, to not hear, to not know, we neglect to care for the least of these. We continue to fail you, O God, in this way. Our silence mutes all cries for justice, as Jesus’ cries from the cross went largely unheard.
In our brokenness, we harm instead of heal. Through violation of your sacred trust, we reinforce shame and humiliation. Father forgive us, for each time we have turned away, we have abandoned you. Heal us through Jesus’ understanding of our woundedness. Open our hearts and lead us to stand in solidarity with all who, like Jesus, suffer from violence and abuse.

Ritual
‭While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” (Matt. 26:26 NRSVUE)

When we share in the body of Christ, we share in its brokenness, its nakedness, and its exhaustion. We reclaim the body from the shame and humiliation that is imposed upon it.

[27] Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, (Matt 26:27)

When we share in the blood of Christ, we witness it as it flows down his face, chest, stomach, genitals, buttocks, inner thighs, lower legs, feet. We reclaim the blood from the silencing of justification and glorification.

Blessing

Tony Kwame

May the divine presence that permeates our gathering infuse our spirits with courage and compassion as we depart from this sacred space. Let us carry forth the torch of sacred resistance, regaining our bodies, spaces, and faith from the shadows of gender-based violence.

With hearts unwavering in search of justice, may we champion the cause of equality and dignity for all, pulling to pieces the structures that perpetuate harm and standing in solidarity with survivors of gender-based violence.

As we journey headlong, may we exemplify the sacredness of our interconnectedness, fostering a community where love and respect flourish and everyone is celebrated in their wholeness.

With gratitude for the strength found in unity and the wisdom gained through reflection, may we continue to walk the path of sacred resistance, knowing that through our collective efforts, we can bring about lasting change.
Amen.

Sending Song

“Hope Will Not Fail” – Words: David Bjorlin, Music: Mark A. Miller

Hope will not fail, no, hope will not fail.
Though anguish and apathy seem to prevail,
No, hope will not fail; hope, hope will prevail.

Peace will not fail, no, peace will not fail.
Though vengeance and violence seem to prevail,
no, peace will not fail; peace, peace will prevail.

Believe in the coming, the coming of peace!
Though vengeance and violence seem to prevail,
No, peace will not fail; peace, peace will prevail.

Joy will not fail, no, joy will not fail.
Though mourning and misery seem to prevail,
No, joy will not fail; joy, joy will prevail.

Believe in the blessing, the blessing of joy!
Though mourning and misery seem to prevail,
No, joy will not fail; joy, joy will prevail.

Love will not fail, no, love will not fail.
Though hatred and hopelessness seem to prevail,
No, love will not fail; love, love will prevail.

Believe in the power, the power of love!
Though hatred and hopelessness seem to prevail,
No, love will not fail; love, love will prevail.