Lent week 5 – An issue of gender

The audience were shown the youtube clip http://pop.youtube.com/watch?v=zGHC4zBLje4

We are now in week 5 of Lent – that special time of the year when we try to walk closely with God as we wait for Easter Sunday.  To do that some of us have been following these little booklets – any stories to tell!

Well this week there are some new challenges to face so take a look at the next two slides and have a think about which one you might want to try this week.  Even if you haven’t joined in with the previous weeks it doesn’t mean you can’t start now.  The idea is for each one of us doing the 40 days of Lent to build better and friendlier communities by showing God’s love in these really small and practical ways.   Now turn and tell your neighbour.

Choose just one from the list below;

• Show an adult how to do something they can’t do
• Plant some seeds where the flowers will be seen
• Have a conversation with someone older than you
• Lend a friend a good book/CD/DVD or game
• Find out about children in a developing country that you haven’t heard of
• Say a prayer for someone who is unwell or in need
• Offer to babysit for friends
• Give blood
• Buy something that is in season from a local shop

Now forgive me I’m not being biased but it is reported by the United Nations that women make up half of the worlds population, perform 66% of the world’s work, produce half of the world’s food, receive less than 5% of its income and own less than 1% of the world’s property.  Now in the world we live we may not see this, as clearly as it is easier for women in Europe.  In some parts of the world though women are very much second class and even in our country sometimes it can be very difficult for women to do the things they want to.

So although its Mothers day today this evening we are going to make it Women’s day instead.  Throughout the evening I’m going to ask four people to come and share something about a woman who has a big influence on their lives.  We’re also going to think about the way in which God made us and then think about how the influence that women can have on us is part of the picture of true community that God intended.

WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT HAVING A MUM
One of the best things for me is on that very, very, rare time I misbehave, my mum will still put her arms around me give me a big hug and tell me she loves me.  It’s also good to come home from school knowing that I have a meal to eat, a warm house and a clean bed to sleep in.  It’s good having a mum because when I get back from football and throw my dirty kit in the corner, next time I want it it’s clean and put away in my room.  Mum is always there to help with any problems or homework and if she can’t help, she finds me someone who can.  Mum has fun with us, buys us things, welcomes our friends into our house and when we are poorly she puts her arms around us and makes us better.  But the best thing about having a mum is at night before we go to bed mum puts her arms around us and tells us how much she loves us and we tell mum we love her too.
Adam Sexton, 10 years old

Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.  He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people.  A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’
“He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think.  But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice-otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black and blue by her pounding.’”  Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying?  So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help?  Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns
Luke 18: 1-8 (The Message)

Activities – The widow was at a disadvantage, that’s why superheroes always have some kind of special powers or influence – the audience were invited to build their own superhero.

Success comes not just in traditional ways, money, promotion, sporting success, we have heard from four people and their thoughts on four people who have been influential on them.
What made them influential?
What barriers did they have to overcome?
What sacrifices?

God works through men and women, girls and boys.  Sometimes the world we live in can make one half of those voices almost impossible to hear.  There are many women in the world who are doing their best to get themselves heard.  In their own ways they are superheroes.  The women we have heard of this evening are all superheroes in the way they have been able to influence others.  All of the women in the room tonight have the chance to do that so would the men and boys hand out Heroes chocolates to every woman in the room.  Sorry guys but you now how it feels to be part of the 1% of women who own property.

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