Women in the Bible:
What Do They Mean for Faith Today?
Presented by Esther Menn
Adult Vacation Bible School
Tuesday, Aug. 5– Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025
9:00 a.m.– Noon
Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa City
Description
Women appear throughout the Bible, and their stories of courage and agency deserve greater attention. Seldom holding official leadership roles, biblical women provide different perspectives on history and daily affairs, in which events and social structures are viewed from below. These counternarratives reveal the wisdom, tenacity, and worth of women and others without formal power in patriarchal cultures. They also highlight the central values of preserving life and human thriving through times of adversity and peril. Women in the Bible still speak to us today, when many feel powerless within challenging social and political circumstances. Their narratives inspire us to seek alternative models of faithful living and flourishing for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Together over three days we will look at biblical women who initiate new beginnings, bring salvation from unexpected places, and practice community building through conflict and across difference. In addition to looking closely at biblical texts with fresh eyes, we will draw on art, poetry, music, interfaith interpretations, and liturgy to learn what the women in the Bible mean for faith today. Eve, Zelophehad’s daughters, Mrs. Lot, Lydia, Sarah and Hagar, Leah and Rachel, Ruth and Naomi, Thecla, Mary Magdalene, and Pharaoh’s daughter are eager to teach us!
Register Here!
Presenter
Esther Menn is the Ralph W. and Marilyn R. Klein Professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where she teaches courses in Old Testament and organizes events in Jewish-Christian relations. She joined the faculty of LSTC in the 2001-2002 academic year and has served as Director of Advanced Studies (2006-2013) and as Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs (2014-2023). She taught previously in the department of religious studies at the University of Virginia (1995-2001), where she was promoted to associate rank and granted tenure in 2001. She has a longtime interest in biblical narratives of hope and courage during times of crisis, women in the Bible, King David in early Christian and Jewish interpretation, and the Psalms.
Weekly Calendar
June 19, 2025
Friday, June 21
10:00am Visitation for Warren Boe's Family
11:00am Funeral Service for Warren Boe
Luncheon following the service
Sunday, June 22
9:30am Worship
6:30pm Youth Group @ the Meehan's
Monday, June 23
6:30pm Zion Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 24
11:00am Staff Meeting
2:00 pm Goosetown Food Pantry
Wednesday, June 25
7:00am Lost Boys
8:30am Shalom Bible Study
9:00am Quilters
Friday, June 27
9:30am Fiber Arts Group online
Saturday, June 28
2:00pm Frank & Mary Scamman's 60th Anniversary Party at Zion
Sunday, June 29
9:30am Worship
Quick Links
From the Desk of Pastor Marsha
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