Femailings — Reclaiming Language

Femailings March 2007
Reclaiming Language — Discussion Guide

General Questions from the Newsletter
In this issue, we try to reclaim language that has been used against us. Some of the words and phrases we explore are ‘feminist,’ ‘liberal,’ ‘Christian,’ ‘queer,’ and ‘consciousness-raising.’
· Are any of these words you want to reclaim?
· What are some other terms that have been used to harm, that you would like to reclaim?
· Are there words or symbols not worth reclaiming?
· Is it okay for some people to reclaim language if other people don’t want it reclaimed?
In this issue, we also explore the denominational name, Church of the Brethren, and why some of us would rather change the name than reclaim it. Have you discussed the church name in your congregation? With friends from other denominations or religions? Do you think the name is worth retaining or reclaiming? (For more discussion of the denominational name, please see the unit called “What’s in a Name?”)

Reclaiming the Language of Love, by Audrey deCoursey
· How have you seen language used to empower and enlighten? How have you seen it used to oppress?
· How have you used language to deepen your experience of the world, to ‘magnify the divine language of love?’
· Church services are often all words, from the opening prayer, through hymns and scripture reading and sermons all the way to the benediction. Some people seek to counter that tendency by seeking spiritual disciplines in silence, in meditation, or in chant, where the words spoken are not the focus of the experience. Is expression through words important to your faith life? Do Brethren services you have experienced rely too much on words, or do they have a balance of different ways of experiencing spirituality and expressing it?

Why I Call Myself ‘Evangelical,’ by Deb Peterson
· Do you identify as evangelical? Is evangelism important to your faith as Brethren?
· How many evangelicals do you know? Do they all have the same politics? Do you associate the term evangelical with certain other philosophies or political orientations?
· How are evangelicals represented in the mass media? Is their diversity explored? Is their representation changing?

Actions Speak Louder than Words, by Carissa Fralin
· Do you call yourself a feminist? Why or why not?
· Does the word ‘feminist’ need to be reclaimed? Are there other words with less negative connotation that you would rather use?
· Have you heard or been called the term ‘femi-nazi?’ Why does this word have such power? What other words can, single-handedly, challenge a whole movement growing for decades?
· What is the value of people deciding for themselves what they are called?

Consciousness-Raising in the 21st Century, by Carla Kilgore
· Do we need feminist consciousness-raising now as much as we did in the 1970s when it started? How might we need different kinds of consciousness-raising?
· What consciousness-raising do feminists need about men and what consciousness-raising do men need?
· Were you a part of feminist consciousness-raising groups in the 1970s and 80s? What were your experiences of such groups?

Inclusive Language, by Marilyn Lerch
· Do you use inclusive language at your church? How has it impacted your worship experience?
· Do you think it is important for churches to use language inclusive to people of different genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and other social categories? Why?

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a project of
the Church of the Brethren
Womaen’s Caucus…
and you!

Do you have your own stories to share?
The Brethren Consciousness-Raising Group Curriculum Project hopes to serve as a network for groups, and invites you to create your own discussion curriculum, with videos, articles, and/or questions, for other groups around the country and world.

For more copies of this curriculum, for more information, or to submit your own discussion group curriculum, please contact: Audrey deCoursey, womaen at gmail.com.

Videos available online at www.womaenscaucus.org and www.youtube.com/Womaen