Helen Roud recently made the tough decision to step down from her position as Convenor of the Anglican Women's Studies Council. The Revd Canon Helen Roud says NO, in order to say YES It happened on a Sunday morning, not long ago, Passion Sunday. As I took a gentle walk to the local river (while recovering from strained back muscles and unable to preside and preach at Eucharist), I reflected on the gospel of the day: photo: Luca, Unsplash ‘Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.’ John 12:24 The effect of these words was both powerful and confronting. It was time to let some of the seeds … [Read more...]
Virtual Theology Chat with Jane Simpson
7 pm 20 May Dr Jane Simpson: The Farewelling of a Home: writing and publishing a new liturgy. https://youtu.be/gyHbsQVCObc Last year, as I was writing an academic article, a new liturgy was born. Unlikely as this sounds, reviewers have said that ‘The Farewelling of a Home’ is grounded in scholarship, the rigour of a poet and the restraint and beauty found in our Anglican liturgies over time. Published as a book this year, the liturgy was written to meet an expressed need, for people leaving their homes for last time. For it to be used by those who need it most I became a publisher. I dream that every parish in our Anglican Communion and beyond will have a set of five copies to … [Read more...]
Blessing and Struggle: Bridie goes to the United Nations, by Zoom
This year Bridie Boyd had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Sadly, she could not actually go to New York, because of Covid-19, but being online for two weeks was the inspiring virtual alternative . Being able to participate in UNCSW 65 was an amazing experience. The priority theme for this year was “Women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls” and the review theme was “Women's empowerment and the link to sustainable development.. As a person with passion for encouraging … [Read more...]
It’s here! Talanoa, Telling our stories, Kōrerohia a tātou pūrakau
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...]
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...]
THEOLOGY SLAM
Photo by Gabriel Valdez on Unsplash Theology is exciting. It is about God’s word, God’s world and God’s people. It is vitally important for the church to nurture young Christians into thinking, speaking and writing about God and the world, and it is even more important that the Church listen to their voices. #TheologySlam encourages us to do just that: listen to God, listen to the world, and listen to the voices emerging within the Church, so we can join into God’s work in the world today. Archbishop Justin Welby Three young women won the The first Theology Slam on 7 March 2019 at St John’s, Hoxton. Hannah Barr spoke on Theology and #MeToo, Hannah Malcolm on … [Read more...]
Women of Influence: Dr Siouxsie Wiles on why the Covid-19 pandemic may have boosted her public image but has made things worse for women
Siouxsie Wiles is a calm, logical interpreter of the science of Covid-19, but she believes that, in spite of being a strong female voice, her high visibility does not indicate a parallel increase of women in leadership, or even in work. Read her challenging analysis here. https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/inspire-me/121841395/women-of-influence-dr-siouxsie-wiles-on-why-the-covid19-pandemic-may-have-boosted-her-public-image-but-has-made-things-worse-for-women AWSC would love to hear your response to this article- you may even be inspired to write one yourself. Just email anglicanwomenstudies@gmail.com … [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...]
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...]
Talofa lava, Zita!
Zita Reid is one of two new Tikanga Pasefika Council Members Zita Reid, Samoa My name is Genevieve Rozita Reid and I am the President of the Association of Anglican Women in the All Saints Anglican Parish in Samoa. I married into the Anglican Church over 30 years ago and have been President for about 6 years now. In 2019 I was elected and became the first Samoan to become President of the AAW in the Diocese of Polynesia. Adrian Reid, ny husband, is the current people’s warden and my son is the current President of All Saints Anglican Youth. Our family is very dedicated to the parish through our leadership roles. Being a member of the Anglican Women’s Studies Centre is a … [Read more...]
