The Revd Jacynthia Murphy asks an important question in her contribution to the latest publication by AWSC Growing up in a strict Catholic whānau meant that little girls had to be ‘good’ and when you get confirmed, “you will become a bride of Jesus Christ” complete with a veil and white dress! Through my teenage years I believed that it was who I was meant to be becqause I go to church. Formative years at a Māori Girls Boarding School would affirm all the teachings and the years ahead would be immersed in serving the Catholic Church in a way that was appropriate for all Catholic girls. I would ask myself often, “is this really me?” The fulfilling of other’s expectations eventually wore … [Read more...]
Love Supercedes All
The Revd Sonja Hunter from Samoa shares some of the journey of women to the priesthood in Samoa, in her contribution to our latest publication. Progress is a process and our initial positions in society has developed into our becoming a chief or matai in our own families or villages. Women are now accepted to sit together with the men or brothers to discuss and establish good decisions that develop the Aiga. This is not the same for all village communities but is strongly supported by village who have recognised the strong characteristics and intelligence of women to organise and progress the development of the village communities. The same has occurred in the Church where Women … [Read more...]
Playing Hard to Get
Miliakere Oli read from her contribution at the launch of our latest publication. Whilst waiting for the bus along Symonds Street[1], a van went past and written on it was the phrase…Don’t play hard to get… BUT be hard to forget. This phrase resurrected memories of my spiritual journey and I must confess, that I played hard to get. Being born into a Christian family, means going to church from the cradle to maturity. However, when I reached the teenager phase, I questioned God’s existence. Even though I attended the Sunday services, somehow I felt a void in my life and I wasn’t even sure if there was a God. Still wrestling with … [Read more...]
From Nagaland to Aotearoa, New Zealand: A Sulimi’s Story of Ordination.
The Revd Jekheli SIngh Jekheli Kibami Singh read from her contribution at the launch of our latest publication.[1] My story begins with my Sümi context of Nagaland and continues in my current ministry context of Aotearoa New Zealand. Brief Context of Sümi I am a woman of the Sümi Naga tribe (aka Sema), one of various ethnic groups found primarily in Zunheboto district, Nagaland, in the northeast of India. The majority of Sümi profess to be Christians. There is a strong connection between reading and understanding the biblical texts and understanding gender roles and relationships. Women often navigate around these societal, gendered parameters. Despite the male-priority … [Read more...]
Over 800 names so far
Jenny Quince The Revd jenny Quince reads at the launch at St Luke's, Rotorua The Revd Jenny Quince describes her discovery of over 800 women priests, in her contribution ….. When we first started researching just how many women had been priested in Aotearoa and Polynesia we were overwhelmed by the numbers presented. We also thought about privacy issues surrounding this kaupapa and have decided to put all the names collected so far on the Altar, to bless them and to make it “a work in progress.” Many Diocese kept good records and others not so good. This has been a huge learning curve for us because I have over 800 names so far. In 1963 Deaconess Glenys Lewis was … [Read more...]
May it be so
The Revd Dr Patricia Allan Patricia Allan spoke at the launch Talanoa, Telling our Stories, Kōrerohia o tātou pūrakau:40 years of the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia The Revd Dr Patricia Allan told the story of how, after 2000 years, women were admitted to the priesthood of some Christian churches. This was first written for the 40 year commemoration, in Christchurch Cathedral, in December 2017. This is an excerpt from her sermon. You are here today because you are part of that story – my daughters, granddaughters, families, friends and colleagues. Welcome. ‘Women make progress over the dead bodies of their … [Read more...]
Talanoa is blessed and launched!
Talanoa, Telling our Stories, Kōrerohia o tātou pūrakau40 years of the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia Dean Wendy Scott blessed and launched our latest publication with great warmth, on Tuesday 20 October 2020, in the lovely contemporary church of St Luke in Rotorua. Two people from each tikanga were invited to read : Patricia Allan and Jenny Quince read from their chapters, standing in person at the lectern. Then, Zooming in from Fiji was Miliakere Oli, from Auckland came Jacynthia Murphy, from Samoa came Sonja Hunter and from Te Kuiti came Jekheli Singh. Each woman read a selection from their chapter, which you … [Read more...]
Women’s Development Programme at Pacific Theological College
We are looking for a Coordinator of the Centre for Women’s Development Programme. This is a senior management staff of the College. The person appointed shall be an educator and committed to the theological education and advocacy for the dignity of women; is ecumenical, both in relation to the diverse Christian traditions and faiths; a leader with ability to lead and to achieve the ‘leadership for justice’ vision of the college; a team player and able to work with a diverse multi-cultural community, and is responsible for the sustainability of the Centre. Check out more details here. Pacific Theological College Celebrating over 55 years of theological education, 1965-2020 Based in … [Read more...]
Our publications
Have you read these books? Over the years, the Anglican Women's Studies Centre has gathered stories and events into uniquely crafted publications. While most are out of print, they are all available in the Kinder Library.http://www.kinderlibrary.ac.nz/ In 2020 we are publishing Talanoa, Telling our Stories, Kōrerohia a tātou pūrakau– 40 years of the ordination of women to the Priesthood. Over forty ordained women write of their experiences- a beautiful historic record, with equally beautiful photos. To be launched November 2020! 2018 Ka Tuituia Tātou e te Aho Tapu– the Sacred Thread that Weaves us Together 2015 Vashti’s Banquet: Voices from her Feast– essays to mark the … [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...]