The Anglican Women’s Studies Centre was set up by General Synod to serve and to advance the interests and needs of the women of this Church particularly those undertaking theological training.
The Anglican Womens Studies Centre is a three tikanga project, with two Councillors appointed at General Synod by tikanga Maori, two from tikanga Pasifika, and two from tikanga Pakeha. Current Councillors
The Link Representatives from each Diocese and Hui Amorangi have been chosen for their leadership ability to identify, gather, facilitate, resource and encourage women in their educational preparation for ministry whether lay or ordained. Current Link representatives
The Anglican Women’s Studies Centre enjoys the support of each Diocese and Hui Amorangi in this endeavour.
Increasing the numbers of women in representative positions across the councils and committees of the Church is seen as a high priority and the practice of intentional mentoring by those already in national and international representative roles is seen as a good way to expose women of this Church to fulfil their potential as leaders.
Ensuring that women’s voices and stories are heard now and in the future is also one of our continued aims – with a regular newsletter, website, Zoom hui, and publication of books.
We remain optimistic that through continued support, the needs of women throughout this Province will be valued and recognized.
National Connections
- The Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia https://www.anglican.org.nz/
- Kinder Library http://www.kinderlibrary.ac.nz/ The library and archive for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia. Membership is open to all Anglicans and Methodists.
- St Johns Theological College https://www.stjohnscollege.ac.nz/The base for theological education for the three Tikanga of the Province with ministry formation onsite as well as diploma level teaching in the regions across New Zealand and Polynesia.
- Education for Ministry http://www.efm.org.nz/An adult learning programme designed to link Christian faith with daily life, and to deepen Christian discipleship.
- CAIRA https://caira.org.nz/ High quality pastoral and clinical supervision for those working in ministry in New Zealand Churches and affiliated agencies and organisations.
- Tikanga Toru Youth Commision https://t3yc.org/Exists to encourage communication and support across Tikanga youth networks; provide and support resourcing, events and education with young people; and speak up about young people and youth ministry across the Church.
- Association of Anglican Women nzaaw.org.nz has more than 3,000 members – the largest organization within the Anglican Church giving a voice and representation to women.
- Mothers Union http://www.mothersunionnz.org.nz/An international Christian membership movement, actively supporting families and communities in need of support in New Zealand, the Pacific and worldwide since 1876.
International Connections
- International Anglican Women’s Network https://iawn.anglicancommunion.org/
- United Nations Commission on the Status of Women https://www.unwomen.org/en/csw
- World Council of Churches Community of Just Women and Men https://www.oikoumene.org/en/what-we-do/women-and-men
- Anglican Communion http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
- Movement for the Ordination of Women in Australia https://mowatch.com.au/
- Episcopal Women’s History Project https://www.ewhp.org/
St John’s College Review 2021
Submission by the Anglican Women’s Studies Centre
The Anglican Women’s Studies Center AWSC is established by Canon as a provincial council for women in the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. The aims of the AWSC are clearly written in Title B Canon XXXV of the Council for Anglican Women’s Studies which can be found https://www.anglican.org.nz/Resources/Canons
The Council agrees that the opportunity to provide feedback to the St Johns College review panel has been extremely valuable and the council acknowledges all feedback from women in the church both verbal and written.
The Council agrees that it was important for a collective statement on behalf of women in the church be furnished by the AWSC. The provision of theological education, research into the equitable access of theological education by women and advancing the position of women in leadership is at the heart of the AWSC purpose.
The Council believes that St Johns College must have a clear relationship with the council of the AWSC focused on delivering clearly defined outcomes to increase the number of women enrolled and completing theological and ministry focused qualifications.
That there be a clearly identifiable strategy for ensuring women, minority ethnicities and groups such as youth, and the disabled, have equitable access to education provided by St Johns College. The safety and rights of these groups are essential values that should underpin any strategic documents policies or procedures developed by the College.
Furthermore as the representative body for 3 Tikanga women in the Church the council would like to see more consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders of the College in the design of courses, development of strategic vision and goals and reporting of the achievements of the college.
We would like to see more commitment and resources go into communicating and coordinating the positive works of the church particularly at the college and other church bodies that promote the leadership development, overall achievement and educational opportunities of both lay and clerical women.
The Council thinks it is critically important for the future of the church to identify educational pathways and scholarship opportunities for young women and girls who have been part of mentoring and programs offered by the AWSC that could be coordinated with the College.