At the end of August, fifteen thousand women took part in the 14th national women’s gathering of the Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM) in the central highland city of Antsirabe, where some had traveled for three days by bus in order to praise God together and to learn.
The theme of the gathering was “the righteous shall live by faith” (Rom 1:17).
The gathering, which takes place every third year, ran from August 27 to September 1 and brought together 112 women theologians who led Bible study groups. Since the FLM does not currently ordain women, women theologians have long been an important instrument for drawing the church’s attention to this issue.
During the national gathering, the women theologians reflected together on several critical questions and expressed their firm commitment to building both an all-inclusive church and an abundance for God’s people.
“This was a powerful women’s gathering,” said Rev. Dr. Elaine Neuenfeldt, secretary of the Women in Church and Society desk of the LWF Department for Theology and Public Witness.
“It was an astonishing experience—to feel the energy and dynamism of so many women in these days. The crowd of women affirmed their motivation to share the Gospel, the Good News,” Neuenfeldt added.
No church was large enough for the gathering’s worship services, so the assembled women gathered outdoors and sat on the grass, with some arriving at seven in the morning to get good places.
“Being there, the biblical image of the multitudes that followed Jesus came to mind,” said Neuenfeldt.
“At the gathering, the women sat outside in the camp, listened to the teachings and sermons, and confidently affirmed their commitment and active participation in a living church in this context,” she noted.
Women form the backbone of the church and of Malagasy society; in every congregation there is an important women’s group that meets every week to study the Bible and share experiences with one another. Of the FLM’s three million members, two thirds are women.
At the national gathering, Agathe Mukagacinya, women’s coordinator of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda and regional coordinator of WICAS for the Central and Eastern Africa Lutheran community, gave a presentation on the Christian mission of reconciliation. Neuenfeldt spoke about the responsibility of Christian women in connection with climate change.
The general secretary of the FLM, Rev. Georges Samoela, opened the gathering, while the president of the national church, Rev. Dr. Endor Modeste Rakoto, led the closing worship service.
“Personally, this was an experience that warmed my heart,” said Neuenfeldt of the five-day event.
“Women all over the world experience similar struggles and pains, joys and achievements, and it is a gift to be in a community where these particular contextual questions are discussed and become an affirmation of our shared journey,” she said in conclusion.
The Malagasy Lutheran Church joined the LWF in 1950, and Rev. Rakoto is an advisor to the LWF Council.
Translated from English by Ieva Puriņa, Mag.Theol., deacon of LELBāL
Proofreader Mag. Theol. Milda Klampe