Happiness, sadness, reflection, anger and laugh out loud humour -all can be found in our latest publication. Deep spirituality, theological reflection, profound faith and aroha are also in these pages. Over forty Anglican women , ordained and lay, have written their stories, contributing to a beautiful, moving account of their lives, before during and after the history making decision to ordain women as Priests in the Anglican Church of these islands. Women were encouraged to write in their own voice, thus revealing the texture of our three tikanga church, and the sacredness of each story. from the foreword Order your copy now for $25.00. Orders of 5 or more are $22.00. Plus postage … [Read more...]
Heard of Tui Motu?
Poetry by year 12 students, great insights from Uni student, Shanti Mathias, 'Waking up to the Big Picture' with Mike Riddell, other writers weaving real issues with intelligent Biblical exegesis, plus beautiful contemporary art- the December issue of Tui Motu is a great read and excellent stimulating resource . You can see more on their website www.tuimotu.org Tui Motu-InterIslands is a thought-provoking, reflective and informative magazine. ‘ We invite readers to question, challenge and contribute to its discussion of spiritual, social and ecological issues in the light of gospel values, and in the interests of a more just and peaceful society. Inter-church and inter-faith … [Read more...]
Christchurch breakfast book celebration:update
The Anglican Women's Studies Centre hosted a breakfast book launch at the Anglican Centre in Christchurch on 17th December at 8am. This exciting event has been held and you can read all about it . https://www.anglicantaonga.org.nz/news/common_life/awsc_history40yrs Following the Provincial launch in Rotorua recently, where Bishop Ngarahu Katene blessed the books, we are going to have a local book launch for 'Talanoa, Telling our Stories, Korerohia a tatou Purakau' celebrating the 40 years ordination of women priests. There will be a number of guest speakers along with Bishop Peter. The book will be available to purchase on the day for $25.00Please RSVP to Rev'd. … [Read more...]
Watch the Book Launch on Zoom
https://anglicanchurch-nz.zoom.us/rec/share/d1y-1TcvNCxu350dLUm9xXRx09ncZzIcH4QPwn4Ciyds2g758Ayq6KVkCN5_sK4.saqZDctNbufNjx6N Dean Wendy Scott blesses and launches our new book. Passcode: eU2+yGu5 Here is a list of times when people were speaking- you can just slide along to get the right place on the video. Bishop Rahu welcomes everyone to Rotorua and to St Luke’s Church. 10.00 Revd Canon Helen Roud 14.00 Dean Wendy Scott blesses and launches the book 24.00 Revd Dr Patricia Allan: May it be so 36.00 Revd Jenny Quince: E hara taku toa 47.12 Revd Sonja Hunter: Love Supercedes All 55.00 Revd Jekheli Singh: A Sulimi’s Story of Ordination 1.08 … [Read more...]
Is this really me?
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...]
