Mary Redmayne ©Mary Redmayne Self-publishing a book, by Mary Redmayne Leaning on God through the painful journey of grief “The journey of grief can be terribly hard. So painful.”[1] The sudden loss of a loved one – especially one’s child or grandchild - is a bitter, protracted agony. Three years ago, my grandson died suddenly. Out of the blue. And the world, life, and the future changed for so many people. Here in New Zealand, there are, tragically, many healthy young lives lost suddenly and unnecessarily. “We don’t learn how we should handle such a loss of a loved one or close friend. It fills our life with no warning, with a wail, disbelief, confusion, despair. With … [Read more...]
Thinking theologically about the Pandemic
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19 https://unsplash.com/@thecreative_exchange COVID-19 changed our lives suddenly and dramatically. As the crisis unfolded, immediate responses at individual, community, national and international levels naturally focussed on the actions needed to treat the sick, limit the spread of the infection and bring it under control, care for those who were particularly vulnerable, manage the economic impact of the pandemic, and so forth. At the same time, many people’s time and energy were consumed by sudden and major changes to working and domestic life, combined with the personal impact of the pandemic on them and their loved ones. For … [Read more...]
Prayer among the Pandemic, with Podcasts
Pandemics and Plagues have been part of the Christian story from the beginning. Discover some podcasts which talk of Catherine of Sienna, Julian of Norwich and Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz and many others, and learn how they coped in times of plague and sickness. Catherine of Siena Catherine of Siena was born a year before the Black Death Much of Catherine of Siena’s life was defined by sickness and plagues. The future saint was born in 1347. The next year, the Black Death began—an epidemic that killed more than 20 million people over the next five years. Despite growing up surrounded by death, Catherine was unafraid. When a plague struck again less than two decades later, the … [Read more...]
Covid-19 perspectives from Buddhist, Muslim and Christian theologians
What are some ways that people from the Buddhist, Muslim and Christian faith traditions can reflect upon the coronavirus pandemic using a theological lens? How can Buddhist, Muslim and Christian practitioners respond in practical ways to the coronavirus pandemic, utilizing resources from their faith traditions? Photo by mostafa meraji on Unsplash This contribution offers reflections on the worldwide suffering and challenges that the pandemic has caused from the perspectives of Buddhist, Muslim and Christian practitioners. Each writer offers practical resources and theological reflection from their vantage point as spiritual care providers and as people of faith. Photo by Forja2 … [Read more...]
Is Contemplative Spirituality for me?
Looking for a place for timeout?Planning a retreat in 2021??Want some training in Spiritual Direction? You can read all about possibilities in the 2021 handbook from Spiritual Growth Ministries. See their website www.sgm.org.nz Spiritual Growth Ministries is a network of people from diverse Christian traditions and experience who find depth and meaning through the whole Christian heritage of contemplative spirituality. The Spiritual Growth Ministries Trust* aims to enable people to develop spiritual resources for their life and work by deepening their relationship with God in Jesus Christ through spiritual direction, formation of spiritual directors, retreats and other … [Read more...]
Ko Tōku Mana Wahine
A theological reflection on mana wahine and how it can address gender based violenceThe Rev Ruihana Kaylene Marama Paenga rangatahi@tpoa.nz 3 Nov 2020 Images are property of Robyn Kahukiwa, PaengaWhanau Colletion, Michael Tubberty and Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou Mana Wahine as a faith- based expression of indigenous female leadership was the concept explored in a fascinating virtual theology chat on 4 December. Speaking from a Tuhoe perspective, Ruihana Paenga wove the Maori and Biblical creation stories together into an illuminating discussion of the concepts of mana and tapu. You can hear the recording … [Read more...]
Intersectional feminism: what it means and why it matters right now.
image from the UN website This article is from the United Nations UN Women, which in turn is linked with the Commission on the Status of Women. AWSC has mentored several leading women from the Anglican Church to attend the global consultations. Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 Originally published on Medium.com/@UN_Women From the disparate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis in communities around the globe to international protests against racism and discrimination, current events have shown that we are far from achieving equality. Trying to interpret and battle a multitude of injustices right now may feel overwhelming. How do we take on all these issues, and why should we? … [Read more...]
Ko Toku Mana Wahine- virtual theology chat with Ruihana Paenga
Ruihana Paenga Thursday 3 December 2020. 7pm-8pm Join by Zoom Ko tōku Mana Wahine: A theological reflection on mana wahine and how mana wahine influences Gender Justice and reduces Gender Based Violence. This talk will discuss the Māori concept of Mana Wahine as compared to gender equality and women's leadership in the Bible. We will examine the execution of the concept by a range of individuals and how this concept of feminist leadership can be influential in eradicating gender based violence in New Zealand. Everyone is welcome to Zoom in , to hear Ruihana Paenga. She will talk for around 20 minutes, then invite comments and questions. Zoom Link: … [Read more...]
Lock down Bread Again
photo: Unsplash Revd Anne Priestley: Every loaf has turned out well with this recipe! 5 cups flour (3 wholemeal/rye, 2 white: or use all white) extra flour for kneading 2 teaspoons brown sugar or honey 2 teaspoons salt 1 tablespoon dry yeast 2 cups lukewarm water 2 tbs vegetable oil * Reactivate the yeast with sugar and one cup of the water. * Meanwhile, in a large bowl sift and mix the flours and salt. * When yeast is frothy, add to the bowl, along with the other cup of water and the oil. Stir well, then tip out the dough onto a floured surface and knead it till the dough has become resilient (springs back if … [Read more...]
Unsung lives-discerning our ministries
photo: Austin Kehmeier Unsplash The Woman’s Prayer (from the Episcopal Women's History project https://www.ewhp.org) O God, Creator of all life, bless the unsung lives of countless Christian women in every century who were your hands and feet, who kept alive your compassionate presence by feeding the hungry, nursing the sick, clothing the naked, comforting the sad, praying and petitioning, strengthening those in prison, teaching the stories, sewing and singing, weeping and rejoicing. Grant us the wisdom to discern our ministries in this day as our foremothers found theirs; lead us in new and timeless forms of discipleship; and let us joyfully find our place in this … [Read more...]
