What is Global Women’s Project?

Rooted in the Church of the Brethren, GWP seeks to educate about wealth, power and oppression, encouraging one another to live more simply, being mindful of our luxuries, and join in empowerment with women around the world, sharing resources with women’s initiatives. Read more about GWP and our founding in 1978.

December E-Links

Are you still searching for a meaningful holiday gift for a special child in your life? Are you looking for a gift that would nurture her or his appreciation for other people throughout the world? Global Women’s Project has just the gift idea for you. Sister Stella Santana from our partner project in Uganda has just published a children’s book entitled,We Are The People Of This World. Beautifully illustrated by Andrea Bear, this 39-page paperback inspires children to acknowledge and celebrate our diversity as well as to work at deepening our connectedness with one another. Sister Stella writes, “An appreciation for all people and everything on earth must begin early in life in order for it to take root and grow in each child’s heart.” To order a copy, simply go to www.omukazi.org.

 

GWP would also like to extend its congratulations to Church Women United as it celebrates its 70th anniversary this month. Since 1941, CWU has organized into more than 1,200 local and state units in the United States and Puerto Rico in its quest to create a more just and peaceful world. We are grateful for CWU’s efforts to educate women about the United Nations and global issues and for their work on behalf of women and children worldwide.

Brethren Woman Honored

Church of the Brethren United Nations representative Doris Abdullah was moderator of a Nov. 10 event in the “Sacred Season Series” sponsored by the Subcommittee for the Elimination of Racism of the NGO Committee on Human Rights. Held at the UN Plaza in New York, the event was on the theme “Spirituality, Environmental Justice, and Human Rights.” Abdullah also has called attention
to Nov. 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The day was designated by the UN General Assembly in 1999 as the date of a brutal assassination in 1960 of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic. For more information about the day go to www.un.org/en/events/endviolenceday.

From CoB Newsline

Gratitude & Romance

With unemployment soaring in the United States, with famine spreading in East Africa, with earthquakes killing in Asia and the Pacific Islands, with drugs, fear and poverty ruining communities in Central America, how we find gratitude in our hearts this Thanksgiving, and generosity in our souls this Christmas?

LOVE.

Wait…. Really?

I mean, that seems like the right answer – it’s the core of the gospel and all, but some days the people I love are the people to whom I show the least gratitude and generosity. They are the people I take for granted and show my weakest, crabbiest, neediest self to. And if we can’t love people well in our most intimate relationships, how will we ever love well the people down the street or around the world?

We’re facing a fierce crisis: the population has officially topped 7 billion, and resources are distributed as unequally as ever. Global Women’s Project seeks to redistribute wealth as Jesus – and our consciences – demand. Our work is a drop in the bucket – only $9,000 or so passes through GWP each year – but our partner projects know how to do a lot with their $1500 annual grants. They can do a lot with this money because they are working side-by-side, hand-in-hand, with their friends and family. I bet they get grouchy with the people they love, too, and still the vision of empowered women, strong families and sustainable communities calls them to live out of the best of themselves.

The inspiration of sweet love has beckoned us out of our fear and greed for millenia. Watch “Meals Ready” for a dose of inspiration for your day. It’s a bit slow at first, but since my mom (one of the people I love the most) sent the link to me, I stuck with it and was glad I did.

In honor of Tamil Nadu, the home of “Meals Ready,” we offer you a Hindu prayer and a classic Indian recipe (below).

As you enter the holiday season, we also encourage you to check out our cards – just print them out and give the gift of GWP and women’s empowerment to the people you love. We have blank cards and cards for specific holidays, all of which share a picture and message from a partner project.

In love – Anna Lisa Gross, for GWP (November E-Links)

 

May the Supreme Lord of the Universe nourish the body so that I may have only auspicious words, that I may see only good things, that I may see the divinity in all things and everywhere experience the many forms of the One Supreme God; that all people on earth may be blessed. Yaju Veda

 

Saag Paneer (Serves 6)

• 4tbsgheeor2tbsmustardoil+2 tbs vegetable oil (optional)

• green chilies (or cayenne)

• 1 onion, grated or finely chopped

• 1 tsp fenugreek seeds

• 2 x 3-inch stick cinnamon

• 5 cardamom pods

• 5 whole cloves

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 1⁄2 tbs grated ginger

cooking time, the greens should be tender and most of the liquid should be evaporated. Turn off the heat, cover the pot and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes (or for a day or two). Check spices and add salt.

Whether you let it sit for 15 minutes or overnight, use food processor or stick blender to get the “perfect” consistency. Be sure to remove the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods (if you can find them) before blending! If you’re planning on freezing, now’s the time to put some aside.

Before serving, fry the paneer in a little bit of oil (or ghee) until browned on all sides.

• 1 tsp ground cumin

Add to the saag and mix gently.

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• 1 tbs tomato paste

• 3 bunches of spinach

• 1 bunch kale or mustard greens, de- stalked and chopped

• 1/3 cup heavy cream (or extra ghee)

• 1 portion paneer, cubed

• salt to taste

In a Dutch oven heat ghee over medium heat. When hot add the chilies, onion, fenugreek, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. Sautee until the onion begins to brown slightly. Adjust the heat if necessary to prevent burning. Add the garlic and ginger and continue to cook for about 1 minute. There should be a nice fragrance coming from the pot. Add the dry spices and mix to thoroughly combine. Add the tomato paste and greens. Mix well. Add about 1 to 2 cups water (the amount will depend on how big your pot is) to give about 1⁄2 inch of liquid above the greens. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to allow the greens to simmer, partially covered, for about 30 to 45 minutes (longer is better). Stir it occasionally. When the water evaporates, add either the cream or a little more water. By the end of the Serve with basmati rice or Indian bread of your choice.

Cultivating Gratitude in Children

What does gratitude mean to you?  What does it DO to you? 

For me, it churns up my insides… but in a good way.  It is a stirring, a turning.  It is a cultivating of my inward parts, the spiritual light and darkness, turned to meet the goodness in the world.  It is a physical sensation.  Butterflies of gratitude.

 I knew I touched gratitude when day after day as I laid to nap with my young son–the windows open and the smell of autumn caressing our cheeks—and the warm stirring consistently returned, like a covenant. I knew I touched gratitude when I sat down to a meal with friends and I felt spiritually full before the fork even touched my lips. I knew I touched gratitude when I saw Sister Stella of Uganda smile the Spirit’s smile when she told us a story of a hard life none of us would be able to smile through, let alone be grateful for.

 It’s hard for us as adults to cultivate gratitude. We see the weeds, the heavy tools, the bugs. But children…children remind us that this tangled garden of life is a joy. They toss out the hoes and dig in with their hands.  They kick off their fancy waterproof boots and plunge their toes in the dirt. For children, gratitude is as close as breath. Likely it’s us—adults—that gradually squash that intimate joy.

 At Global Women’s Project, we are trying to continue cultivating gratitude through our Children’s Giving Project  A stewardship opportunity for your congregation, the Children’s Giving Project introduces children and adults alike to the meaningful work of GWP, and to our very special friends at SITEAW, our partner project in Uganda.

Join us in cultivating gratitude, and let the children show the way!  The giving project will continue through Summer of 2012 and its never too late to start.  Proceeds will go to Global Women’s Project to support remarkable women like Sister Stella and those at SITEAW in Uganda.  Go to www.globalwomensproject.org and click on “Children’s Giving Project” for stories, pictures, and suggestions for starting your project.

Together we will cultivate more than gratitude.  We will cultivate justice.  Together, we will cultivate a New World.

(October E-Links, by Carrie Eikler) 

 

In addition, please enjoy sharing this delicious fall recipe with your family and friends! 

Pumpkin Chocolate – Chocolate Chip loaf

3 ½ cups sugar

1 ¼ cups vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 can (29 oz.) solid pack pumpkin

3 sq. (1 oz. each) unsweetened chocolate melted and cooled

1 ½ teaspoons Vanilla

3 ¾ cups flour

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda

1 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

½ teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine sugar and oil. Add eggs; Mix well. Stir in the pumpkin, chocolate and vanilla; Mix well.  Combine dry ingredients. Stir into pumpkin mixture just until blended. Stir in chips. Transfer to 3 greased 9”x5”x3” loaf pans (or whatever containers you want … just adjust baking time.) Bake 3 larger containers @ 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes.  Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans.

Steering committee holds meeting

Kim, Nan, Anna Lisa, Emily

The Global Women’s Project steering committee held its semi-annual meeting in August in Elgin, IL. GWP was delighted to share stories and successes from their project partners in Rwanda, Nepal, Sudan, Uganda and Indiana. Project partners receive annual financial support from GWP to embolden their work supporting women’s initiatives and strengthening communities. All GWP project partners are cooperative organizations led by local women.

GWP was also thrilled to welcome its newest member, Emily Matteson, a sophomore at Scripps College in CA. Emily’s spiritual and intellectual passion for the health of women and their communities is a gift to GWP. GWP also joined in worship with York Center COB and Highland Avenue COB. GWP enjoyed worship, networking, relationship-building and discernment in this meeting.

The GWP steering committee is Nan Erbaugh, Lower Miami COB (OH), Carrie Eikler, Morgantown COB (WV), Kim Hill Smith, Common Spirit (MN), Emily Matteson, LaVerne and Modesto COBs (CA), Anna Lisa Gross, Yonic Space (MN).

1. Thanks to all of you who stopped by the Global Women’s Project booth in the Exhibit Hall at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan earlier this month! It was great to see and talk with several of you about our current and upcoming activities. It also was good to share a cup of tea and eat some brownies and cookies with you at our annual “Tea Time.” We hope to see you again next year in St. Louis!

2. GWP has developed a new educational initiative focused on introducing children to the learning, giving and growing nature of empowerment work, and we are eager to share it with you! The first program in our series is focused on the country of Uganda in Africa and GWP’s Partner Project SITEAW (Shifting Ideas Through Education for African Women). This new resource would be excellent for use in Vacation Bible School, Children’s Story times during worship, Sunday School or as part of a special congregational giving event. Check it out at http://globalwomensproject.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/childrens-giving-project.

We’ll be interested to hear how you’ve used it and of the children’s response!

(August 2011)

Don’t balance the budget on the backs of the poor

GWP celebrates steering committee member Nan Erbaugh’s recent Sojourners radio ad! Nan draws on the witness of scripture and consciences of our leaders as they make budget decisions. Whether women, children and men are struggling in our local or global communities, GWP is dedicated to faithful justice.

Listen to the ad!

Tea Time

What: Second Annual GWP Tea Time

Where: GWP booth in the exhibit hall (COB Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI!)

When: Tuesday, July 5 @4:45

Stop by for tea and treats to meet other GWP supporters, talk with the steering committee of GWP, pick up a new Children’s Giving Project curriculum and support the fine work of our organization! Hope to see you there!

Children’s Giving Project: Uganda

This new educational initiative of Global Women’s Project seeks to introduce children to the learning, giving, and growing nature of empowerment work!

Through this curriculum, children will learn about the country and children of Uganda, as well as about their own lives in the United States.  They will have a chance to give their resources to support the work children, women, and men, are doing in Uganda.  They will also have the opportunity to grow generous spirits and a feeling of connection to children around the world.

Money raised through the Children’s Giving Project will support GWP’s work with SITEAW in Uganda, which educates girls and strengthens communities, as well as our other project partners.

The Children’s Giving Project Resources include:

• An introduction to the Children’s Giving Project, Global Women’s Project, and SITEAW, our partner project in Uganda (.doc) (.pdf)
• Five stories to use during children’s story or other times to connect children with the theme (.pdf)
• Five pictures to accompany each story: 1) map of Uganda 2) Sister Stella 3) women of SITEAW 4) Sister Stella and child  5) dancing together
• A bank decoration (to be printed, cut out, and taped or glued on a re-purposed can or jar) (.doc) (.pdf)
• A book cut-out (to help mark how much has been contributed)

The Children’s Giving Project Theme Song: “We are the People” sung by Sister Stella, founder of SITEAW  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WklKN7aRarY

Please let us know if you are planning to use these resources so we can keep your initiative and congregation in prayer.  When completed, we’d love to hear about your experience! (info@globalwomensproject.org).  Please write a check for your collected contributions to:

Global Women’s Project

1451 Dundee Ave.

Elgin, IL 60120

Thank you for your support!

Join GWP at Annual Conference!

Global Women’s Project would be delighted to share tea (and stories) with you at Annual Conference! Tuesday, 4:45pm at our booth.

And of course we’ll be at our booth throughout conference to chat with you, hear your ideas and memories, answer any questions, and help you find ways to be part of GWP!

Share this flyer with your sisters and brothers!