Justice, Divinity, Hope:

A Litany for International Women’s Day 2000

and the Commencement of Lent

International Women’s Day (IWD—8 March 2000) provides a focussed opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, to consider the contemporary social and economic concerns of women and to seek for justice for women all over the world. The Uniting Church affirms the full participation of women in the life of the church as faithful servants of Christ (Basis of Union Para. 13) and looks for the fulfilment of justice for all people in the "final reconciliation of humanity under God’s sovereign grace" (Para 18).

This year IWD coincides with Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. The following litany has been prepared for use within orders of service on either Ash Wednesday or the first Sunday in Lent. For those congregations who follow the custom of extinguishing candles during Lent, this litany provides a means of lighting the candles prior to their extinguishment over successive weeks.

5 purple candles, 1 green candle and a white candle are required for the litany. In a liturgical context, purple is the colour of Lent, and white the colour of the Christ candle. The inclusion of the green candle (also a liturgical colour) relates specifically to International Women’s Day on this occasion and replaces what might normally be a pink (light red) candle.

The colours purple and green are associated with International Women’s Day. They were the colours worn by the suffragettes who struggled for women’s right to vote during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. In the context of International Women’s Day, purple stands for justice and dignity, and green stands for hope. The colour white is also sometimes used as a symbol of commitment.

The litany is based on Isaiah 58:1-12—one of the readings for Ash Wednesday, Year B.

The Lighting of the First Purple Candle

In recognition of International Women’s Day

and on this first (Sun)day of Lent,

we light a candle for justice.

Wherever women are deprived of education,

economic resources and independence,

simply because they are women,

there is no justice for women.

The only fast that is pleasing to God

is loosing the bonds of injustice.

May God satisfy our needs in parched places

and repair the breaches in our lives.

The Lighting of the Second Purple Candle

In recognition of International Women’s Day

and on this first (Sun)day of Lent,

we light a candle for dignity.

Wherever men are insulted

by being compared to women,

or taunted because they are "girls",

there is no dignity for women.

The only fast that is pleasing to God

is undoing the thongs of oppression.

May God satisfy our needs in parched places

and repair the breaches in our lives.

The Lighting of the Third Purple Candle

In recognition of International Women’s Day

and on this first (Sun)day of Lent,

we light a candle for freedom.

Wherever women are bound

by inappropriate laws and restrictions

or the chains of social expectations,

there is no freedom for women.

The only fast that is pleasing to God

is letting the oppressed go free.

May God satisfy our needs in parched places

and repair the breaches in our lives.
 
 

The Lighting of the Fourth Purple Candle

In recognition of International Women’s Day

and on this first (Sun)day of Lent,

we light a candle for peace.

Wherever women are the victims of violence

because they are vulnerable targets

of others’ frustrations,

there is no peace for women.

The only fast that is pleasing to God

is breaking the yoke of violence.

May God satisfy our needs in parched places

and repair the breaches in our lives.

The Lighting of the Fifth Purple Candle

In recognition of International Women’s Day

and on this first (Sun)day of Lent,

we light a candle for security.

Wherever women go hungry or homeless

in order to support their families

or simply because there is no food or no shelter,

there is no security for women.

The only fast that is pleasing to God

is sharing our bread with the hungry

and bringing the homeless home.

May God satisfy our needs in parched places

and repair the breaches in our lives.

The Lighting of the Green Candle

In recognition of International Women’s Day

and on this first (Sun)day of Lent,

we light a candle for hope.

Wherever women find justice,

wherever women find dignity, freedom and peace

wherever women find security,

God delights in the restoration of God’s people.

The only fast that is pleasing to God

is restoring the household of God.

God satisfies our needs in parched places

and repairs the breaches in our lives.
 
 

The Lighting of the Christ Candle

In recognition of International Women’s Day

and on this first (Sun)day of Lent,

we light the Christ candle and recall that:

"There is no longer Jew or Greek,

there is no longer slave or free,

there is no longer male and female;

for all … are one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28 NRSV)

At this Lenten time, we offer the fast

of our commitment to justice, dignity,

freedom, peace and security

for all people

in the name of Christ.  Amen.

A Note on Extinguishing the Candles During Lent

If you do not have an order available for the extinguishing of the candles during Lent, the following template is offered for you to adapt to your situation:

On this … Sunday of Lent,

we extinguish the candle of …

as we recall ….
We lament …
We confess …
We look with hope for …

The only fast that is pleasing to God is ….

God satisfies our needs in parched places

and repairs the breaches in our lives.

© 2000 Gospel and Gender, National Assembly, The Uniting Church in Australia. Permission is granted for reproduction for orders of service for congregational use.