At a distance

I have always been fascinated by the women who followed Jesus, both up close (the woman with perfume) and "at a distance" (Luke 23:49, Matt. 27:55-56,) etc. They encouraged him, and supported him "out of their own means (Luke 8:2). Some are named: several Marys, including his mother and Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and Salome (Mark 16:1) and "many" are not named (Mark 15:41, Matt. 27:55, Luke 8:2).

It is challenging to think of 13 men traveling along the dusty roads of Galilee without women to cook, wash, etc. That DiVinci rendering of The Last Supper is missing women who were probably there too.

Following the death of Jesus, however, some of these women jumped from the distance to the forefront as they first observed his resurrection and broadcast that news, (M. M.) as they went out as missionaries (Priscilla) and served in the young churches (Romans 16:16).

It has been a blessing for me in my lifetime to see women in the church of Christ move from the distance to the front of the stage. Sunday morning at Otter, the "Shepherd's Welcome" was given not only by Steve Adams, but also by his wife Jeanine.(YES, SHE SPOKE!) I could not help but think that visiting women and girls could see that women are indeed a part of the ministry at Otter( as are the women praise team members, the women Children's Ministers, and the woemn head ministry teams.

Although there are still many steps to be taken before true inclusiveness, I am thankful for these first steps in that direction.

Gal. 3:28