“And everywhere will be the feast.”

I had an interesting conversation with a good friend on World Communion Sunday. She told me about a time when, in a room full of men, she was presenting her thesis on what women experience in ministry, and the question was asked:

“Why are we still talking about this?”

She was stunned. She thought she was in a space where women’s gifts were encouraged and celebrated. She told me that she froze and had a difficult time responding.

So, allow me…

Why are we still talking about this?

Because there are still people who believe the question is valid. It takes a particular kind of arrogance and entitlement to ask that question of a woman whose name was placed on a list created by a man to target and shame her.

Why are we still talking about this?

Because when we celebrate the installation of a woman as an Associate Pastor on social media, there is always someone who feels compelled to accuse us of not reading our Bibles.

Why are we still talking about this?

Because women’s voices are still ignored, interrupted, questioned, and undervalued.

Why are we still talking about this?

Because women are still told there is no room at the table for us.

And in God’s economy, that is simply not true.

Jan Richardson’s poem “And the Table Will Be Wide” begins:

“And the table
will be wide.
And the welcome
will be wide.
And the arms
will open wide
to gather us in…”

Perhaps that is why this conversation felt especially poignant on World Communion Sunday.

The table of Christ reminds us that there is room: for every voice, every gift, every person God has called.

So, yes. We are still talking about this.

We will keep telling women’s stories.
We will keep opening doors.
We will keep building community.
We will keep pulling up chairs.

We will keep setting the table until no woman called by God has to wonder whether there is a place for her.

Until the table is wide.
Until the welcome is wide.
Until everywhere will be the feast.

All love,
Leslie