Slideshow image

“Hey Little Lady, What’s With the Leg?” 

by Pr. Lisa Rygiel

We continue this week with another excerpt from the ELCA book entitled Forgive Us and Transform Us for the Life of the World. This week’s topic is a personal story of a female pastor dealing with a disability. 

Dear Church, 

My name is Sarah, and I live my life in a wheelchair. I have been living this way since I was 4 years old. I was diagnosed with leukemia as a young child and had an allergic reaction to the chemotherapy that saved my life. I was paralyzed. In more recent years, I’ve also had an amputation of my left leg. Those details are for a different story.

I’m an ordained pastor of more than 10 years in the ELCA. I currently serve as a part-time staff member in my synod’s office, which leaves me the freedom for supply preaching when it’s needed. I love filling in for my colleagues. Experiencing how different churches worship and serve is a joy.

Recently, I was visiting a congregation and having a lovely time before worship began. Maybe 50 people were there, and nearly everyone introduced themselves and chatted with me. Ten minutes before worship, I was in the narthex in my stole and alb when a man came up from behind me and said, “Hey little lady, what’s with the leg?”

I just about fell out of my chair with shock. My reply was a bit cold when I told him quite simply, “I only have one. Is that a problem?” He had just insulted my gender, age, disability, and authority as pastor, yet he didn’t see the problem. He wasn’t even taken aback by my response.

My thoughts were racing. I was genuinely surprised that he hadn’t patted me on the head when he came up from behind me, an experience I have also put up with. However, his one-liner was rude and uncalled for.

Let me be clear: I am not opposed to people inquiring about or commenting on my disability. It happens quite often, and I see it as a learning experience for others. But to call me “little lady,” especially while I am wearing the vestments of the office of pastor, debases my humanity and my call to ministry. I am not a young child wishing she were older, which is where the phrase “little lady” might be appropriate. I am a grown woman who happens to see life from the pocket-height of others. I am not little.

I wish this interaction were unique, but it’s not. As a disabled woman I am continuously harmed by older men trying to cut through any possible discomfort by being cute and familiar when they could simply choose to be respectful. The systems of sexism and ableism overlap regularly. Physical barriers regularly disrupt my ministry. Many sanctuaries are not built for leaders who have physical disabilities, and congregations are unaware that this is a problem until I roll in. May we become better at honoring each other as created in the image of God at all times.

—Sarah Mayer-Flatt

November 23, All Saints Sunday
10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Announcements

 Fifth Sunday Offering: Whenever there are five Sundays in a month (like this November), Zion’s traditionally collects a special offering for various causes and ministries. Next Sunday, our 5th Sunday Offering will benefit Trinidad’s Coalition for the Unhoused. Please consider donating to this program, particularly at a time when there is so much need. You may also make a special donation using the Tithe.ly ap on our webpage.

 Beginning of Advent: Next Sunday, November 30, is the first Sunday of Advent. As in years past, we will be decorating the Sanctuary in stages with the hanging of the greens and decorating the tree with Chrismon ornaments. If you can lend a hand, we will be erecting the tree and hanging lights after service.  Note that we will also begin our Advent soup suppers Wednesday night, December 3 at 6 pm. Sign-up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall.

  • Fellowship Time: Join us after worship for coffee and conversation. All are welcome.
  • The Way Ministry: At 1 p.m. each Sunday, Zion’s welcomes the Way ministry to our fenced lower yard as they offer food and worship to the unhoused and others in need.
  • Children’s Choir: Children’s Choir is at 3 p.m. each Sunday, through Nov. 30, in the Fellowship Hall. 
  • Yoga: At 5:30 p.m. Friday, join Cora Gardiner for yoga in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Thanksgiving: Our annual community Thanksgiving Dinner is just around the corner. We need help with food preparation, packaging, serving, delivery, set-up, and clean-up. Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. We also are identifying delivery drivers, kitchen help, servers, and people to set up and clean up, among other tasks. Monetary donations are welcome. If you have questions, contact Norine Hazen.
  •  FNB Santa Gift Tree: For the 19th year, the First National Bank is sponsoring its senior citizen Letters to Santa Gift Tree. The bank asked seniors to write a letter to Santa sharing their holiday wish list. Requests of up to $25 may include utility bills, food, or personal items. Again, this year, Zion’s will help the bank in support of this program. The request letters will be available at worship on Sunday, Nov. 30, and wrapped gifts should be returned to the bank’s main lobby no later than Monday, Dec. 15. For more details, see Jo Moss.
  • Winter Coat Drive: Again, Zion’s will partner with The Way to provide coats, socks, mittens, knit hats, scarves, blankets, etc. to those who need them most. During November, you can bring new or lightly used items to the Fellowship Hall. Place the donations on the stage and they will be collected and given to Pastor Clay & Mary Mason to redistribute to those in need of additional winter warmth.
  • Toys for Tots: Terri Watson again will be the Marine Corp representative for Toys for Tots in Las Animas County. She has placed a collection box in the Fellowship Hall for new, unwrapped toys. Monetary donations also are welcome. The deadline for donations is Dec. 8. Terri says that baby toys (infant to 3 yoa) are particularly needed.
  • A Celebration of Life: We will be having a celebration of life service for Peggy Gustafson at 11 a.m. on Nov. 29 with a luncheon in the fellowship hall to follow. Julie Wersal needs assistance with some of the food items as well as with the luncheon itself and the cleanup. If you can help, please let her know.

E-formation – Christ the King Sunday, Nov. 23

 This coming Sunday we will close our liturgical year with a celebration of Christ as our king. Come to worship, where together we encounter Christ reigning from his cross with mercy for us all.


Luke 23:33-43

This passage is particularly appropriate for the celebration of the reign of Christ. The Roman authorities claim that they have executed the purported king of the Jews, and the thief asks Jesus for entrance into his kingdom. Christ is king when he reigns from the cross, forgiving our sins.

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Christians interpret this passage as a description of Jesus Christ, who reigns wisely and executes justice. The Hebrew of verse 6 refers to YHWH God, that is, the Lord, as the embodiment of righteousness, and Christians transfer to the Risen Christ the honorific “Lord,” who reigns as king from the cross.

Colossians 1:11-20

The reading from Colossians is most appropriate to celebrate the sovereign Christ: all other thrones or rulers were created through his power and for him alone. As an ideal king would be imagined, Christ holds all things together, has first place in everything, embodies God, and makes peace on earth. God is the strength from which the people derive their strength.