Thy “Kingdom” Come

A Study of The Kingdom of Godwithin the “Monterrey Consensus”

framework for the sake of all persons

male, female, black, white, young, old, rich, poor,

including Ecumenical Women’s Statement to the UNCSW52February 25-March 7, 2008

Prepared by CSW52 Ecumenical Women Theology TeamRev. Kathleen Stone, Chaplain, Church Center for the United Nations

Christian Albers, Intern, Lutheran Office for World CommunityAlison Killeen, Intern, Lutheran Office for World Community

The Ecumenical Women Coalition is made up of churches and ecumenical organizations at the United Nations, who focus on religion and human rights from a gender perspective.

We Set Out To:

Work within our faith traditions to raise the status of women and human rights

Promote dialogue between the UN and our faith communities

Bring a perspective of liberation and justice for women to the United Nations

Collaborate with other NGOs and organizations in the international community

It’s member’s include the following:

Anglican Communion Observer Episcopal Church (USA)The Lutheran World FederationPresbyterian Church (USA)United Methodist ChurchUnited Church of ChristWorld Conference on Religions for Peace (collaborator)World Council of ChurchesWorld Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church WomenWorld Student Christian Federation; World Young Women’s Christian Association

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INTRODUCTION to Thy Kingdom Come

“I am being driven forward into an unknown land.The path grows steeper

The air colder and sharperThe wind from my unknown goal stirs

The strings of expectation.”Still the question, “Shall I ever get there?”

There where life resoundsA clear pure note in the silence?”

Dag Hammerskjold

There is a heart within those of us who yet believe in the coming of the Kingdom of God which will not rest. (adapted from Augustine, 300 AD)

This study is born from that unrest.

One look at the world as we see it today with its vast inequities of privilege, power, ease of life, and economics, and we know something is vastly wrong. When we understand that women bear the disproportional burden of our erroring ways, the problem is thicker. And when we realize that women of color and indigenous women are excessively loaded with troubling powerful inequity, we must cry out. “This is just wrong.”

As the bearers of children, women have always needed the protection of community. Except for perhaps small pockets of the world, we can not escape this fact. And yet, more and more, around the world, with the direction our economy is taking us, women’s only hope of survival is to be used as a cog in a “liberalized, non-regulated economy”. And the problem? The value system of that economy has little consideration for the unique needs and the multiple responsibilities placed upon women. To see so many suffering at such extraordinary levels is unacceptable in God’s Kingdom and should be unacceptable in any ethical system of governance. There is no doubt that many good people are working tremendously hard to eradicate poverty. The study is an attempt to wrestle what’s so horrendously wrong from another angle. It’s hope is that the cleansing breath of God will give us new insight, new love of this God enough to stand up and fight harder and more passionately for the coming of the Kingdom in the lives of all persons, men, women and children.

First, we look at the contrast between the Kingdom’s Way and the kingdoms’ ways. And we’ll explore what values, what processes, what essential ingredients must be in evidence for the “Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven”.

Secondly, we look at Ecumenical Women’s analysis and statement to UNCSW and see where we find our understandings stretched by having already centered ourselves in the Kingdom’s Ways.

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Thirdly, we let God work – It is our hope that this transforms our process, brings forth the breath of God who was in the silence and awe right before creation . . . and that as we walk forward, cleansed by God’s holding our heart as God’s own, we believe again that the Kingdom, not the fears of the kingdom, is among us. And that we act accordingly, with the emboldened amazing grace of God, in a messy world.

“The more faithfully you listen to the voice within, the better, you will hear what is sounding outside.”

Dag Hammerskjold

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Thy “Kingdom” Come Finding Intersections of the “Kingdom” with the kingdoms

“Mobilizing Domestic Resources for Gender Equity”

Step #1: Thy Kingdom Come, Lord: Recalling our Hope

PREFACE: In this exercise, consider human beings to be who they are today – diverse, of different temperaments, of different abilities . . .. However, consider the kingdom on earth to be as the kingdom in heaven, already.

THE KINGDOM on EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVENBased upon scriptural understandings (please find the scriptural passages) when visualizing this kingdom on earth, how do you see”mobilizing domestic resources” to ensure gender equality in the Kingdom of God? Draw a picture, if it helps to see how everything works.

What does “domestic” mean in the Kingdom?What are “resources” in the Kingdom?Who would be responsible for the “mobilization” of resources?

Would those responsible be a governance structure?Who would have access to the governance structure?What resources would need protection in the Kingdom?How would that happen?

Where are you in the picture?Where is the Church in the picture?

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Step #2: Ecumenical Women:

EW ANALYSIS of the kingdoms on earth’s agreementsAt this point, according to EW’s statement:

The kingdoms of this earth have agreed to make pursuing anti-inflationary and contractionary monetary and fiscal policies very important. This means reining in public expenditures and consolidating public revenues. Military spending has been excessive and so nation-states have reduced resources for social services.

The kingdoms of earth have also recommended the liberalization of financial services but has not recognized the limited access of credit for poor women based upon their inability to own land, especially indigenous and racially marginalized groups.

PROPOSALS:Ecumenical Women have proposed the following to the kingdoms on earth:

Implement progressive taxation measures Implement a stiffer taxation regime for arms to generate revenue for development Protect government budget allocations to critical social sectors including

institutionalizing gender responsive budgeting and accounting for women’s contributions in the care economy.

Ensure poor women’s access to credit especially through the promotion of property rights.

What else might you include if you were advocating for the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven?

Obviously, there is a gap between the Kingdom come and the operations of the earthly kingdoms and our ability to work within it.

i.e. EW is “Standing in the Gap”In order to be taken seriously in negotiations, EW are accepting these earthly realities:

Militaries will continue to protect national resources A person’s value and possibility is based upon “ownership”

Together, over the next two weeks, we’ll be creating a resource for our churches about the Kingdom and the kingdoms . . . .About living out the Kingdom in and amongst the kingdoms of this earth. What are our reference points? How do we live this out in such a messy world?

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Step #3: Listening for the Voice of God in the Gap

As a task for your group, over the next 45 minutes, we want you to stand where its uncomfortable – in the gap -- between the Kingdom and the earthly kingdoms. We don’t want you to rush this space into action. For we believe that God is trying to speak to us “in the gap”.

As a task for your group, begin reflecting through the arts of writing, poetry, song, liturgy, storytelling, and/or painting and drawing upon this:

What would you like church women and men at home to understand about the importance of involving ourselves in the Ways that Domestic Resources are mobilized? Where is God in all this? What is God asking of us? Of the Church? Of you?

By writing, drawing or painting or dramatizing Write or draw or paint or dramatize that heart that you know and love and how it relates

and acts within the realities of political and economic life. o You can use a biblical passage to jump off of or you can use a theologian . . or

your own intuitionso You can share a story of someone from your part of the world who is suffering

because of the compromise of the nations (and even Christian advocates) when it comes “mobilizing domestic resources”

o You can share a story of someone who heroically is addressing such themes as how we mobilize domestic resources.

Your task throughout this week is to focus on this theme of the Monterrey Consensus and think through God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven as a real entity and God’s voice as a voice that will be meeting you each day in the eyes and words of people from near and far away at CSW. Take time to listen.

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Thy “Kingdom” Come Finding Intersections of the “Kingdom” with the kingdoms

Or Faith with Politics

“Mobilizing International financial resources for Gender Equity and

development”

Step #1: Thy Kingdom Come, Lord: Recalling our Hope

PREFACE: In this exercise, consider the kingdom on earth to be as the kingdom in heaven, already. However, human beings are still who they are today – diverse, of different temperaments, of different abilities, skills and experiences.

THE KINGDOM on EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVENBased upon your scriptural understandings (please find scriptural passages), when visualizing the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, how would you see “mobilizing international financial resources for gender equality” in the Kingdom? Draw a picture, if it helps to see how everything works.

i.e. How is “international” defined within the Kingdom? Who is international? What are international resources? Who owns them? Explore “ownable”? Who does the mobilizing? How is it done?

i. Is this a governance structure?ii. If so, what are those outside the governance structure doing?

Where are you in the picture? What are you doing?Where is the Church in the picture?

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Step #2: Ecumenical Women: EW ANALYSIS OF THE kingdoms on earth’s agreements:At this point, according to statement:

The kingdoms of this earth emphasize private ownership of capital and their flow from one country to another through (FDI (foreign direct investments). It is felt this will help others gain a foothold in capital formation, transfer technology and generate employment. And although jobs have been created in labour intensive and export oriented industries, concerns remain, especially: pay inequity between men and women, job loss and unfair demotion and little skill development for these workers. In addition, developing country governments have granted fiscal incentives to foreign investors which strains public revenues and public spending.

The kingdoms of this earth have emphasized this private ownership of capital flows and have not discouraged short term investments. This has caused economic volatility and financial crises for families, communities and nations. Some developing country governments have therefore maintained large foreign reserves to protect themselves from such volatility. But, this, in good times, then works against social spending for those in need.

The kingdoms of this earth have not adequately addressed migrant workers, the private funds they send home, the double taxation, transfer fees and other complex dynamics of exchange rates, export competitiveness, growth and development are still not adequately studied.

PROPOSALS:Ecumenical Women have proposed the following to the kingdoms on earth:

Strengthen the tables which makes decisions about FDI. Impose taxation on the movement of short-term capital flows Review foreign reserve structures to build up global public funds to finance development

with gender equality objectives Call for a review of how resources are allocated for gender equality targets in aid flows

(poverty reduction strategies) Reduce transfer costs, eliminate double taxation for migrants and conduct studies on the

long-term implications of remittances for development and gender equality.

What else might you include if you were advocating for the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven?

Obviously, there is a gap between the Kingdom come and the operations of the earthly kingdoms and our ability to work within it.

i.e. in order to be taken seriously by the kingdoms of this earth, EW is accepting certain earthly realities:

The entire international financial system will stay in place, it needs more regulationo FDI, Short Term Capital flows, Foreign Reserve Structures, Poverty Reduction

Strategies, aid flows and Migration are all assumed systems, here to stay.

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Together, over the next two weeks, we’ll be creating a resource for our churches about the Kingdom and the kingdoms . . . .About living out the Kingdom in and amongst the kingdoms of this earth. What are our reference points? How do we live this out in such a messy world?

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Step #3: Listening for the Voice of God in the Gap

As a task for your group, over the next 45 minutes, we want you to stand where its uncomfortable – in the gap -- between the Kingdom and the earthly kingdoms. We don’t want you to rush this space into action. For we believe that God is trying to speak to us “in the gap”.

As a task for your group, begin reflecting through the arts of writing, poetry, song, liturgy, storytelling, and/or painting and drawing upon this:

What would you like church women and men at home to understand about the importance of involving ourselves in the Ways that Domestic Resources are mobilized? Where is God in all this? What is the risk if we don’t address this issue of “mobilizing international resources”? What is God asking of us? Of the Church? Of you?

By writing, drawing or painting or dramatizing Write or draw or paint or dramatize that heart that you know and love and how it relates

and acts within the realities of political and economic life. o You can use a biblical passage to jump off of or you can use a theologian . . or

your own intuitionso You can share a story of someone from your part of the world who is suffering

because of the compromise of the nations (and even Christian advocates) when it comes “mobilizing international resources for gender equity and development”

o You can share a story of someone who heroically is addressing such themes as how we mobilize international resources for gender equity and development.

But, your task throughout this week is to focus on this theme of the Monterrey Consensus and think through God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven as a real entity and God’s voice as a voice that will be meeting you each day in the eyes and words of people from near and far away at CSW. Take time to listen.

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Thy “Kingdom” Come Finding Intersections of the “Kingdom” with the kingdoms

Or Faith with Politics

“Trade as an engine for gender equality and development”

Step #1: Thy Kingdom Come, Lord: Recalling our hope

PREFACE: In this exercise, consider the kingdom on earth to be as the kingdom in heaven, already. However, human beings to be who they are today – diverse, of different temperaments, of different abilities, skills and experiences.

THE KINGDOM on EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN:Based upon your scriptural understandings (please find scriptural passages), when visualizing the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, how would you see “trade” in the Kingdom? Draw a picture, if it helps to see how everything works.

What would be traded in the Kingdom? What is Fair Trade? What is the purpose of trade in the Kingdom? Who makes the decisions about the value of an item? When a trade is not of equal value, how is it equalized? Are there differences of wealth in the kingdom? How about power? If someone has the

right to make decisions over wealth, do they then have more power? How do we deal with difference of wealth in the Kingdom? Power?

Where are you in the picture? What are you doing?Where is the Church in the picture?

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Step #2: Ecumenical Women:

EW ANALYSIS of the kingdoms of earth agreementsAt this point, according to EW’s statement:

The kingdoms of this earth believe that trade must be liberalized. But with their ideology of liberalization the kingdoms have mostly failed to improve living conditions of those in extreme poverty. While in some cases trade liberalization has expanded employment and income prospects particularly for skilled women in export industries, for the vast majority of women employment has not kept pace with the expansion of trade. Also, the kingdoms of this earth fail to build an analysis from a perspective of racial or gender equality

The kingdoms of this earth fail to tackle the underlying structures that relegate poor economies to exporters of low-value products and importers of high-value products. Developed countries and developing countries are trading at very unequal levels, products of unequal value, with unfair practices. Heavily subsidized agricultural imports from developed countries threaten the already week economy in developed countries.

PROPOSALS: Ecumenical Women have proposed the following on the kingdoms on earth

Conduct comprehensive impact analyses of multilateral and bilateral trade policies on the poor and on women

Implement regulations to end agricultural import dumping; Establish international commodity agreements setting stable base prices for

products; and Implement pro-poor and gender-sensitive measures which ensure equitable access to

productive resources, including land and credit for all women.

What else might you include if you were advocating for the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven?

Obviously, there is a gap between the Kingdom come and the operations of the earthly kingdoms and our ability to work within it.

i.e. EW is “Standing in the Gap”:In order to be taken seriously by the kingdoms of this earth, EW accepted certain earthly realities:

We have accepted that international financial institution will continue to determine “fair value”.

We have accepted that some persons, in some financial institution somewhere, will continue to make the regulations for all about what fair value might be and how trade should be negotiatied.

In an inconsistently gifted and skilled human race, what does this mean to the possibilities for building the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven?

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Together, over the next two weeks, we’ll be creating a resource for our churches about the Kingdom and the kingdoms . . . .About living out the Kingdom in and amongst the kingdoms of this earth. What are our reference points? How do we live this out in such a messy world?

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Step #3: Listening for the Voice of god in the Gap

As a task for your group, over the next 45 minutes, we want you to stand where its uncomfortable – in the gap -- between the Kingdom and the earthly kingdoms. We don’t want you to rush this space into action. For we believe that God is trying to speak to us “in the gap”.

As a task for your group, begin reflecting through the arts of writing, poetry, song, liturgy, storytelling, and/or painting and drawing upon this:

What would you like church women and men at home to understand about the importance of involving ourselves in the Ways that Trade is regulated and organized? Where is God at in all this? What is God asking of us? Of the Church? Of you?

By writing, drawing or painting or dramatizing Write or draw or paint or dramatize that heart that you know and love. OR, Write, draw or paint or dramatize about the gap.

o You can use a biblical passage to jump off of or you can use a theologian . . . . . . or your own intuitions

o You can share a story of someone from your part of the world who is suffering because of the compromise of the nations (and even Christian advocates) when it comes “trade issues”

o You can share a story of someone who heroically is addressing such themes in their actions as how we use “trade” for gender equity and development.

But, your task throughout this week is to focus on this theme of the Monterrey Consensus and think through God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven as a real entity and God’s voice as a voice that will be meeting you each day in the eyes and words of people from near and far away at CSW. Take time to listen.

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Thy “Kingdom” Come Finding Intersections of the Kingdom with the kingdoms

Or Faith with Politics

“External debt, gender equality and development”

STEP #1: They Kingdom Come, Lord: Recalling our Hope

PREFACE: In this exercise, consider the kingdom on earth to be as the kingdom in heaven, already. However, human beings to be who they are today – diverse, of different temperaments, of different abilities, skills and experiences.

THE KINGDOM on EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN:Based upon scriptural understandings (please find the scriptural passages) when visualizing this kingdom on earth, how do you see ”external debt” playing a role in the Kingdom of God? Draw a picture if it helps.

Given the preface(see above) as a truth about human beings, their skills and diversity of talents, it seems that once in a while someone would be in debt to another, does it not?

In the Kingdom, would there be communities / countries being indebted to each other?

If so, would there be a kingdom way of becoming indebted to another? How does a community become indebted to another in the Kingdom? How do we define debt? Who might owe what to who? Why? What makes debt unfair? What if someone needed something they did not have? Would we loan resources to

another?

Where are you in the picture? What are you doing?Where is the Church in the picture?

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Step #2: Ecumenical Women:

EW ANALYSIS of the kingdoms of earth agreements:At this point, according to EW’s statement:

The kingdoms of this earth have acknowledged unsustainable debt burdens on many developing countries and the tremendous constraints they have placed on developing countries public finances. Debt restructuring of Heavily Indebted Poor Countries very often have failed to liberate resources for social and gender sensitive programs.

PROPOSALS: Ecumenical Women have proposed the following to the kingdoms on earth:

Unconditional cancellation of all illegitimate debts being claimed from developing countries

Introduction of gender responsive budgeting to ensure that liberated resources are used for development which ensures gender equality.

What else might you include if you were advocating for the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven?

Together, over the next two weeks, we’ll be creating a resource for our churches about the Kingdom and the kingdoms . . . .About living out the Kingdom in and amongst the kingdoms of this earth. What are our reference points? How do we live this out in such a messy world?

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Step #3: Listening for the Voice of God in the Gap:

As a task for your group, over the next 45 minutes, we want you to stand where its uncomfortable – in the gap -- between the Kingdom and the earthly kingdoms. We don’t want you to rush this space into action. For we believe that God is trying to speak to us “in the gap”.

As a task for your group, begin reflecting through the arts of writing, poetry, song, liturgy, storytelling, and/or painting and drawing upon this:

By writing, drawing or painting or dramatizing Write or draw or paint or dramatize that heart that you know and love and how it relates

and acts within the realities of political and economic life. o You can use a biblical passage to jump off of or you can use a theologian . . or

your own intuitionso You can share a story of someone from your part of the world who is suffering

because of the compromise of the nations (and even Christian advocates) when it comes to external debt

o You can share a story of someone who heroically is addressing through their actions the issues we face as a world around “external debt”.

But, your task throughout this week is to focus on this theme of the Monterrey Consensus and think through God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven as a real entity and God’s voice as a voice that will be meeting you each day in the eyes and words of people from near and far away at CSW. Take time to listen.

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Thy “Kingdom” Come Finding Intersections of the “Kingdom” with the kingdoms

Or Faith with Politics

“International Financial and Technical Cooperation for Gender Equality and development”

Step #1: Thy Kingdom Come, Lord: Recalling our Hope

PREFACE: In this exercise, consider human beings to be who they are today – diverse, of different temperaments, of different abilities . . .. However, consider the kingdom on earth to be as the kingdom in heaven, already.

THE KINGDOM on EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN:

Based upon scriptural understandings (please find the scriptural passages) when visualizing this kingdom on earth, how do you see”International Financial and Technical cooperation” to ensure gender equality in the Kingdom of God?

Given the “preface” above, when a nation is in trouble, what would cooperation look like?

Who makes the decisions about whose in “trouble” and what “cooperation” looks like? What does “cooperation” look like in the Kingdom? How do those decisions get made? Would there ever be a time when a country or a group of people can’t make their own

decisions? When? If so, what safeties would you set up in the Kingdom to moderate such a situation?

Where are you in the picture? What are you doing?Where is the Church?

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Step #2: Ecumenical Women:

EW ANALYSIS of the kingdoms of earth agreementsAt this point, according to EW’s statement:

The kingdoms of this earth have determined that ODA (official development assistance) supports education, health, infrastructure and rural development within developing countries

The kingdoms of this earth have not taken into consideration that if other institutions and mechanisms in the system changed (i.e. debt and the encouragement for nations to spend on social programs), ODA would not be needed.

The kingdoms of this earth need to make transparent and predictable a country’s ability to access ODA when they sense they need it.

Conditions set by the kingdoms of this earth for the receipt of ODA often function in ways which deepen poverty and gender inequalities, raise the cost of goods, services and works.

PROPOSALS: Strengthen and engender institutional aid frameworks so aid is more effective and there’s

mutual accountability between donor and receiving governments Build national ownership of aid policies and programmes especially through broad and

open consultations with civil society, faith based organizations, women’s and other marginalized groups in formulating, implementing and monitoring programmes

Develop mechanisms to ensure that significant amounts of ODA are channeled to social development and gender equality projects identified by the countries themselves.

What else might you include if you were advocating for the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven?

Obviously, there is a gap between the Kingdom come and the operations of the earthly kingdoms and our ability to work within it.

i.e. In order to be taken seriously by the kingdoms of this earth, EW is accepting certain earthly realities:

Although there is a push for more receivers determining their needs and asking for them, there are still donor nations and there are receiver nations. In the Kingdom of God it isn’t all so clear cut. Nor, given history of oppression, stolen resources, western colonialism, etc. is it all so clear cut in the earthly realms.

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Step #3: Listening for the Voice of God in the Gap

As a task for your group, over the next 45 minutes, we want you to stand where its uncomfortable – in the gap -- between the Kingdom and the earthly kingdoms. We don’t want you to rush this space into action. For we believe that God is trying to speak to us “in the gap”.

As a task for your group, over the next 45 minutes, begin reflecting through the arts of writing, poetry, song, liturgy, storytelling, and/or painting and drawing upon this:

What would you like church women and men at home to understand about the importance of involving ourselves in the Ways that International Financial and Technical Cooperation is organized and determined. Where is God in all this? What is at risk if we don’t address this issue for people around the world and even in our pews? What is God asking of us? Of you?

Write or draw or paint or dramatize that heart that you know and love and how it relates and acts within the realities of political and economic life.

o You can use a biblical passage to jump off of or you can use a theologian . . or your own intuitions

o You can share a story of someone from your part of the world who is suffering because of the compromise of the nations (and even Christian advocates) when it comes “cooperating internationally for gender equity and development”

o You can share a story of someone who heroically is addressing such a theme in their lives.

But, your task throughout this week is to focus on this theme of the Monterrey Consensus and think through God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven as a real entity and God’s voice as a voice that will be meeting you each day in the eyes and words of people from near and far away. Take time to listen.

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Thy “Kingdom” Come Finding Intersections of the “Kingdom” with the kingdoms

Or Faith with Politics

“Systemic Issues in Financing for Gender Equality and Development”

Step #1: Thy Kingdom Come, Lord: Recalling our Hope

PREFACE: In this exercise, consider the kingdom on earth to be as the kingdom in heaven, already. However, human beings to be who they are today – diverse, of different temperaments, of different abilities, skills and experiences. THE KINGDOM OF GOD on EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN:Based upon your scriptural understandings (please find scriptural passages), when visualizing the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, how would you see addressing systemic issues for the sake of gender equity and the Kingdom? Draw a picture, if it helps to see how everything works.

How would so many different people of different skills, different bodies, different genders (and therefore needs!) and understandings get on the “same page”?

If they’re not, how do people in the Kingdom do anything together? What about systemic issues such as people having the same idea and doing the same

work, (differently and from different experiences) and as the work grows, suddenly realizing that they’re doing the same work and there’s some collision . .with another group . . . . . how does that get resoved?

What values, ethics, modes of behavior are non-negotiables in the “system” called the Kingdom?

Can you see a time when those same values would become the center of disagreements between diverse people of diverse experiences and skills and therefore needs?

How would the people in the Kingdom resolve conflicts of interest and disagreements? What would be needed from the parties involved? Who gets to determine when one party is “off track”? What is the process by which a

party can get back on track?

Where are you in the picture? What are you doing? Where is the Church in the picture?

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Step #2 Ecumenical Women

EW ANALYSIS of the kingdoms of earth agreementsAt this point, according to statement:

The kingdoms of this earth have determined that there is a need to enhance consistency and coordination between international monetary, financial and trade systems. But that coordination has concentrated productive means and resources, especially capital, in the hands of a few while there have been drastic disinvestment in social development.

The kingdoms of this earth through their agreements have shifted from governments being the crusaders of human rights and development to compromising in order to participate in trade and financial institutions. The international financial and trade systems in place are very rarely looking at redistribution mechanisms.

PROPOSALS Democratize global economic governance structures Strengthen regulatory frameworks to ensure international institutions, governments and

corporations adhere to human rights, labour standards and environmental agreements Strengthen the gender equality architecture at the UN and other international financial

and trade institutions

What else might you include if you were advocating for the Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven?

Obviously, there is a gap between the Kingdom come and the operations of the earthly kingdoms and our ability to work within it.

i.e. in order to be taken seriously by the kingdoms of this earth, EW is accepting certain earthly realities:

There will be some who will be the decision makers about the distribution of resources in the kingdom

There will be others who will build regulatory frameworks There are others who will work in the system but have less decision-making abilities Representative democracy is the operative governance structure.

Together, over the next two weeks, we’ll be creating a resource for our churches about the Kingdom and the kingdoms . . . .About living out the Kingdom in and amongst the kingdoms of this earth.

Where are the intersections?

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Step #3: Listening for the Voice of God in the Gap

As a task for your group, over the next 45 minutes, we want you to stand where its uncomfortable – in the gap -- between the Kingdom and the earthly kingdoms. We don’t want you to rush this space into action. For we believe that God is trying to speak to us “in the gap”.

As a task for your group, begin reflecting through the arts of writing, poetry, song, liturgy, storytelling, and/or painting and drawing upon this:

What would you like church women and men at home to understand about the importance of involving ourselves in the Systemic issues involved in the area of financing? What is the risk if we don’t address this issue of “systemic issues” for gender equity? What is God asking of us? Of the Church? Of you?

Write or draw or paint or dramatize that heart that you know and love and how it relates and acts within the realities of political and economic life.

o You can use a biblical passage to jump off of or you can use a theologian . . or your own intuitions

o You can share a story of someone from your part of the world who is suffering because of the compromise of the nations (and even Christian advocates) because of systemic issues around gender equity and development

o You can share a story of someone who heroically is addressing such themes as these systemic issues around gender equity and development.

Your task throughout this week is to focus on this theme of the Monterrey Consensus and think through God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven as a real entity and God’s voice as a voice that will be meeting you each day in the eyes and words of people from near and far away at CSW. Take time to listen.

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