 Memories of the Role of Women in Lenten Services |
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by Josephine Deere |
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When I was a little girl back in the early 50’s, I really didn’t know much about the season of Lent. However, I did know about Good Friday. We had the day off from school, and Dad didn’t have to go to work. When Mom woke us up, there weren’t any of the normal morning smells of coffee brewing or breakfast being prepared about the house. Instead, Dad was gathering his yard tools and Mom was getting groceries, bedding, and clothing together. We were preparing to go to our church, which was approximately 12 miles from where we lived. The reason Mom and Dad were fasting and carrying out these non-routine activities was that we were preparing to spend the Easter weekend there. Some of the families had “camp houses,” and it was in one of these that we stayed. Most were two- room houses, one for cooking and eating, and the other for sleeping. But some were more modest, with just one room for all activities. During the afternoon on Saturday, the women would gather to do the cooking for Easter Sunday, and that evening, there were testimonial services. The Easter Sunday Sunrise Service was also an event that was planned and led by the women of our church community. At the time, I may not have known a lot about the observances, but my mother and my aunts, in their own quiet and humble ways, were constantly teaching all of us children. Because of them, and because of those that were addressed as “aunt” and “grandma” out of respect, and because of their Christian faith, I, my sisters, and cousins had that “flame” ignited within us, where it has remained. Josephine Deere is a director of the Women’s Division of Global Ministries
Date posted: Mar 30, 2007 |
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