Editorial: Women, Faith and Action

By Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda

As a movement, our core identity is framed in four simple letters: YWCA. The Y stands for our commitment to young women’s leadership and participation. In addition to young women, the YWCA purpose is to develop the leadership of women—all women. The W reminds us of this commitment to women regardless of their nationality, race, religion or status. We also have a Christian heritage. The C is important to our identity and we must continue to articulate and explore what it means to be a movement founded on and inspired by the Christian faith. The A reminds us that the YWCA is a membership movement of many associations across the world with varying context in their communities. It is each of these letters and what they represent that together makes the YWCA movement unique.

The YWCA is not a church, as Rev Pirjo-Liisa Penttinen, General Secretary, YWCA of Finland, reminds us in the Feature in this edition of Common Concern. We do not convert people to Christianity, but we are part of the faith community. As early founders of the ecumenical movement, the YWCA still plays a role in the faith community. From the early twentieth century, the YWCA provided women of different Christian traditions a safe space to work together in unity to bring social change.

Today, YWCA members come from all faith traditions, religions and belief. In the Leading Change section of this edition, YWCAs in the Middle East share their experience of working as Christian organisations in a region where Christians are the minority. Their stories demonstrate how, through a common vision and with compassion and commitment, women from different faiths can work together. Their stories bring us hope for a future where peace with justice can flourish.

In the Young Women on the Move section, two young women share what being a Christian today means for them and affirm the importance of a Christian heritage in the YWCA movement.

As we prepare to explore the theme ‘Women Creating a Safe World’ at the World YWCA Council in 2011, we need to understand what ‘safe spaces’ mean from a Christian perspective. In the Take Action section, Jessica Notwell, World YWCA Vice-President (North America), challenges member associations to consider how safe YWCAs are, especially as we address sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Rev Dr Letty Russell, who was a leading feminist theologian and YWCA member, offers insight into what a ministry of hospitality means. Quoting from the Bible, she reminds us of the words of Paul to the Hebrews: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to the stranger, for by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

For YWCAs to be a safe space we must welcome strangers for we have been strangers ourselves, welcomed by God.

 Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA General Secretary