In a year dominated politically by uncertainty, rancour and lies, I want to end the year with joy. Joy is promised by the angels in Bethlehem to the shepherds. You may be a bit surprised by my joy list – it’s not exactly toe-tapping happiness. But it hints at the deep abiding hope and … Continue reading What does Joy look like this Christmas
To have babies or not have babies…. to have them at any time I choose…. to have them with or without a life partner… or freeze my eggs now so I can decide later. A plethora of choices now has legitimacy in western countries where marriage or relationship commitment is coming later and single women … Continue reading Confused.com
We are bombarded with so much that is weird, dangerous or fake, I thought we might need some quiet and positive stories of women and girls who are getting on with life in all its wonder and mess (back to the bad and dangerous next month). It’s the time of year for exam results in … Continue reading Good news week
Sixty women leaders from 18 nations gathered in Amsterdam in June to celebrate the gifting, service and leadership of women in the Church across the globe. They mourned the injustices women suffer and called on Christians to take steps to honour women’s leadership in family, church and community.
Lily, a pastor’s wife from Indonesia was sobbing quietly. She and her husband with their two young children have moved to an isolated part of Java to plant a new church. It is an exciting time for her husband, but she feels left out – she has to spend all her time establishing their new … Continue reading Can you hear the voices of these women?
My mum, Lenore Claire, coming up to her 92nd birthday, had a mini stroke 10 weeks ago that set in motion a spiral (ever downwards) of changes in her life – from overworked but determined provider and homemaker for my 94 year old dad, to a ‘client’ in a nursing home. Mum has cared full-time … Continue reading Legacy of quiet service
I love art galleries – wandering in the muted light and stillness, amazed by the liveliness or colour or beauty of an artist’s imagination. My favourite places are the small gems – the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge, the Frick in NY, or the glory of the Frank Lloyd Wright room at the Met. Or places like … Continue reading A non-passive madonna
I’m fascinated and appalled by the way many people still like to stereotype women and girls as either pure goodness or immoral seductress. In a rape trial last week in Ireland, the defence barrister (a woman) asked the teenage victim to hold up her lace underpants worn on the night of the attack. The implication … Continue reading God’s police
Another week of revelations about abuse and cover-up in the Church. Pope Francis visits Ireland last week and the topic on everyone’s lips was unfortunately sexual abuse. Everyone who admired Willow Creek Church in Chicago, which has influenced thinking about effective church growth for a generation of evangelicals, has been stunned by allegations of sexual harassment … Continue reading An Open Wound
Niceness is an under-rated quality – it tends to be associated with tepid talent and muted colour. The definition of nice (see the Oxford Dictionary) is positive, “Pleasant, satisfying or attractive.” But modern usage also hints at blandness – a nice meal is OK but will not leave you raving. I want to revive the … Continue reading A backlash of civility
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