Thursdays in Black

Thursdays in Black grew out of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women (1988-1998), in which the stories of rape as a weapon of war, gender injustice, abuse, violence, and many tragedies that grow outward from such violence became all the more visible. But what also became visible was women’s resilience, agency and personal efforts to resist such violations.
The campaign was inspired by:

• The Mothers of the Disappeared in Buenos Aires, Argentina who on Thursdays protested at the Plaza de Mayo, against the disappearance of their children during the violent dictatorship.
• The Women in Black in Israel and Palestine, who up to now protest against war and violence.
• Women in Rwanda and Bosnia who were protesting against the use of rape as a weapon of war during the genocide.
• Black Sash movement in South Africa protesting against apartheid and its use of violence against black people.

Join this movement of people and organizations that can make a difference to individuals, communities, and national and international policy forums.
 

Listening, Learning and Responding to the Word of God

Led by Thursdays in Black Ambassadors, a series of Bible studies is being prepared for individual and congregational reflection on sexual and gender-based violence. Such reflection will help us listen to the word of God and apply our faith and vision of justice, peace and love in our contexts today. The reflections will address critical topics that arise in our societies and Christian communities that contribute to or respond to gender-based violence. The reflections will provide diverse perspectives from our wide ecumenical fellowship. 
The Bible Studies are available individually, and also as a booklet for easy download and sharing for group study. 

The process is overseen by a core group of Thursdays in Black Ambassadors: Anders Göranzon, Claudia Bandixen, and Karen Georgia Thompson.
 

Additional resources

Biblical reflection on Esther: Victim and Accomplice to Shadowy Patriarchal Violence? prepared by WCC Ecumenical Theological Education.

A Social Message along with a foundational document and group study material for leaders and participants prepared by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Hagar's Journey/Pilgrimage: Bible Studies on the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace by Jennifer P. Martin, United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands

Excerpts from A Biblical Journey for Justice by Fulata Lusungu Moyo (bible studies prepared for the WCC’s Tenth Assembly in Busan, South Korea):

Introduction: Contextual Bible Study to Hear the Vulnerably Loving and Just God

Chapter 4: Peace without Violence against Women:  The Rape of Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-22)

Chapter 5: For Daily Livelihood: Ruth Trafficked and Prostituted (Ruth 1:16-17)

Chapter 6: As Much Justice as She Needed: Persisting for Gender Justice (Luke 18:1-10)

Cries of Anguish, Stories of Hope: A six part study, originally prepared for Lent 2010. Each week's study focuses on a different part of the world and a different form of violence against women.

Biblical reflections on gender equality and violence for individual or group study by Rev. Doreen Wynter, Jamaica Baptist Union

Pray

Pilgrim Prayers for Women in Conflict Situations

Did you know my name? Poem and prayer service based on Genesis 16:1-10 from the Ecumenical Centre, Geneva, November 2018

Service on gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Prayer Service: NoXcuses for Violence against Women and Girls

Prayer on Remembering Women

Poem on gender equality related to the UN Sustainable development goal nr.5

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession related to the UN Sustainable development goal nr.5 on gender equality

Poem: Paramos (ES) / We stop in our tracks (EN)

Litany and symbolic action from the Decade Festival Hearing on Violence against Women (EN) / Dekade-Festival (DE) / Festival de la Décennie (FR) / Festival del Decenio (ES)

Reflection on John 8:2-11: What shall we do with our stones?

Act

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Created in God's Image. From Hierarchy to Partnership: a church manual on gender awareness and leadership development (World Communion of Reformed Churches and World Council of Churches

Gender-based violence and COVID-19

Domestic Abuse and COVID-19: How Churches Can Respond - a joint resource from the Anglican Consultative Council and the Anglican Alliance

Thursdays in Black ambassadors play a vital role in increasing the impact of our collective call for a world without rape and violence. Ambassadors are leaders in their community, committed to being visible and outspoken in the Thursdays in Black movement. By standing together from many sectors and many countries, Thursdays in Black ambassadors are conveying a sense of solidarity against violence and injustice.

To learn more about Thursdays in Black ambassadors, please contact media@wcc-coe.org.

Listening, Learning and Responding to the Word of God

Led by Thursdays in Black Ambassadors, a series of Bible studies is being prepared for individual and congregational reflection on sexual and gender-based violence. Such reflection will help us listen to the word of God and apply our faith and vision of justice, peace and love in our contexts today. The reflections will address critical topics that arise in our societies and Christian communities that contribute to or respond to gender-based violence. The reflections will provide diverse perspectives from our wide ecumenical fellowship. 
The Bible Studies are available individually, with the series also compiled into a booklet for easy download and sharing for group study. 

The process is overseen by a core group of Thursdays in Black Ambassadors: Anders Göranzon, Claudia Bandixen, and Karen Georgia Thompson