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...]
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...]
Want some funding for innovative initiatives post Covid-19?
When the church was locked, what happened? The Covid-19 crisis saw rapid and exciting change in the church. Many of the creative ideas are continuing to be effective. You are invited to apply for funding to implement adaptive, innovative, novel and ministry initiatives that have come to light during the Covid-19 crisis. Additional funding is available for those that clearly demonstrate there will be a significant long term benefit to the ministry and mission of the church . The funding will be provided by the St John’s College Trust Board and Te Kotahitanga. Contact the Trust’s Secretary for more details: ghope@trustmanagement.co.nz … [Read more...]
A cabbage and a couple of carrots for Mothers’ Day
Val Riches describes her life as a Parish priest during Covid 19 lockdown. photo: Jan Kaluza, Unsplash First week of lockdown I was faced with a funeral on the Friday – what could I do, what was expected of me? This was followed closely by Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter. This Easter I identified more with the disciples choosing to stay inside with the doors locked for fear of death and the beautiful moment when Jesus comes into their midst offering Peace. I hoped that had been something of a reality for us in our bubbles. All the Easter events usually required a lot from me re planning and leading services of very different kinds. This year I was at home … [Read more...]
Baking Bread: a spiritual act
Revd Anne Priestley Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” (Matthew 13:33) Bread became one of the themes of life in lockdown. Even before Level 4 arrived, loaves were disappearing fast from supermarket shelves - flour and yeast likewise. But I’d managed to lay in basic supplies, because for medical reasons our little family went into lockdown early. I planned to bake most of our bread - and can report success! Beautiful loaves, golden brown, hot from the oven, scenting the kitchen. They’d be eaten up within a couple of days, and then the … [Read more...]
Family Easter Lock-down in Fiji
The world came to a standstill, there were no social gatherings. This was one of the pinnacle principles in fighting the Corona Virus. But our lives revolved around having cultural family gatherings, visiting the sick and loved ones, going to church on Sundays, inviting our extended family for a meal… we were in a dilemma. We set up our home for Communion services, we made Palm crosses, we marched around the house with shouts of Hosanna- it was like nothing we have ever experienced before! The children and grandchildren practised action songs, family joined us by video call- the Corona virus did not cancel the Church! A LIFE’S JOURNEY THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN At a time … [Read more...]
Hold us close in your arms
photo: Anne Nygard, Unsplash A Covid-19 liturgy for young people. Lesley Mouat, Chaplain at St Matthew's, Masterton, prepared DIY chapel services for students at home during the lockdown, and sent them out through their school app. Be sure to watch the video! Put yourself into a space where you can be still and quiet for 5 to 10 minutes. If your parents will allow – light a candle (please remember to put it out carefully before you leave your chapel service) and settle into silence for a moment. A Pilgrim Song 131 God, I’m not trying to rule the roost, I don’t want to be king of the mountain.I haven’t meddled where I have no … [Read more...]
Covid – 19: time of self-assessment and God’s evaluation.
Akanesi Folau writes from Tonga of her family experience during the Covid-19 lockdown. On one afternoon, during the lock-down we were sitting down as a family for our family prayer and my eldest son was leading us into a bible verse, then we shared how it touches our lives and what message it gives us. Then there was an argument between us parents. My son intervened and spoke softly to make both sides happy in a Godly way, saying we are both right. Covid-19 taught us parents that having to listen and give space to our children for they are the messengers for whom God always speaks through to guide and direct us at our most extreme moments. John 14:1 “Don’t let your heart be … [Read more...]
And the People Stayed home
Who is Kitty O’Meara? Kitty is a retired teacher and chaplain, who lives in Madison, WI, USA. She spoke to Oprah magazine. "I was getting kind of sad. There was nothing I could do. I couldn’t help my friends. I was very worried about them. My husband said: ‘Write. Just write again,’" O'Meara recalls. So, she did. "I just kind of sat down and wrote it," O'Meara says matter-of-factly, crediting "spirit" with the process. "I saw the maps of the receding pollution over China and Europe. I thought, ‘There you go. There’s something of blessing in all suffer-ing.' And I thought with my passionate love for the Earth, maybe that’s one good thing." Immediately after … [Read more...]
Resilience in times of Change: Spiritual Principles that apply to our current crisis
Manaakitanga - may we value it into the future- without the need of a crisis! That is a key message from the on-line panel discussion led by Waikato's Religious Diversity Centre trustee, Marc Rivers, on Monday 6 April 2020. From his Spirit of Work series: ‘Resilience in times of change: Spiritual principles that apply to our current crises’. During an uplifting online Zoom discussion panel, four speakers from different professions and different spiritual back-grounds responded to questions concerning the challenges of the present pandemic, the tools and approaches they have drawn on to deal with those challenges, and the major opportunities we can take advantage of as a direct … [Read more...]
