CTICR final report on Women's Ordination. Sept 1999

Online self study course - aiming to help people understand why it's important that the LCA does not continue to restrict Ordination to men only. (Thanks Pr Keith Stiller)

From the cowardice that dares not face new truth,
from the laziness that is contented with half truth,
from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth
Good Lord, deliver us.

(Prayer from Kenya)

Women's Ministry Network

in the Lutheran Church of Australia

Women's Ministry Network (WMN) is a network of women and men throughout Australia who are interested in exploring ways in which women can contribute to the ministry and mission of the church, in particular the Lutheran Church of Australia.

We want to affirm the work and ministry of women in the past, encourage participation in the present and actively seek out the exciting possibilities for service in the future, including ordination.

The aim of WMN is to link people interested in women's issues.

News
We have a volunteer who will look at updating our webpage and making it easier for various people to contribute to it (thanks Gerhard).

IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY
What kind of church do we want to be? This question underpinned the discussion when the Women’s Ministry Network met in Adelaide on Saturday 6th October, 2007. Under the title, “United in Christ: Voices in the Silence,” a relaxed gathering shared their dreams for the church with optimism and freshness.

Following an opening liturgy which moved from lament to hope, Geraldine Hawkes of the South Australian Council of Churches spoke about tools for maintaining integrity in the face of silence. Tool number one was “be who you are” and tool number two was “don’t be who you are not.” She shared her own use of meditation for wholeness and keeping her sense of humour.

The group established its agenda for the day using the “marketplace” approach of “Open Space Technology”. It led to a healthy exchange of ideas and hopes, with careful listening to each other, valuing of the diversity of ideas and people. Some of those participating had said when they arrived that they were hoping for rest and refreshment, and all left having found supportive collegiality and joy.

Flossie Pietsch had come from Melbourne to share her creativity. The multimedia presentation she gifted us with at intervals through the day – in video clips, poetry and liturgical symbolism – arose from her doctoral study in fine art over the past four years. After pulling together the threads of the day she challenged each of us to find a way to express something of our own Christian journey. We were encouraged to find a fresh way to express our spirituality using imagination, creativity and design.

Resources
Aug 2005 Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ) edition (.pdf) containing pro and anti women's ordination argument (again).

A 'popular' (lay) version (.pdf) Aug 2005 The use of exclusive God language - from John Cobb 1983
Aug 2005 B.A.S.I.C. BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST Ireland. Praying and Working for the Ordination of Women in the Roman Catholic Church
United in Christ - (WMN 2000) . A myriad articles and stories presenting the theology and need for women's ordination.
Courageous Voices Conference Jan 2002 (WMN 29th Sept 2002)
Reports and images. Women's ordination remains on the agenda ... (more)
Women Leaders of the Bible (www.religioustolerance.org)
Women clergy in Orthodoxy, Protestantism, and other religions (www.religioustolerance.org)
Seven ways to celebrate the witness of women in your community.
Books and worship resources. Please forward your creative ideas so that they might be shared.
Uplifting stories updated 8/2005. Not sure about Women's Ordination? These stories will reassure you.
Women making history today. A current affairs site on women and the churches - possibly the best and therefore needs to be included despite our reservations on Christian Science.
News feed on women's issues (www.religioustolerance.org) Updated every 15 mins (that's what they say anyway). We can't vouch for the theology but find it useful to be open to what is happening around the world.
Screensaver from a Catholic website for women's ordination
An excerpt from a 1972 report to the US Lutheran Churches considering women's ordination.
Note: Both sides dismiss 3 key arguments that the Australian male-only pastorate people hold.

Songs for Worship. Feel free to use the following songs in worship with copyright info included. Please contact the authors for inclusion in permanent publications.

Songwriters please submit your women's ministry related songs to Leigh Newton (PRlnewton@adam.com.au - cut and paste address but remove PR at the front).

She has ten silver coins (.pdf) "She has ten silver coins, every one is special..." The parable of the lost coin where God is seen as female.
Look at her teardrops. (.pdf) "Look at her teardrops, look at her kisses, that she now bathes her saviour with..." A song suitable for use during confession and in a healing service.

Can you help?
The need is great but the workers are few. The next General Convention is Sept 2006 and much work needs to happen to help educate those around us. Can you...

come to WMN meetings?

write for the web page or join the discussion?

design web pages?

donate to help with the costs of administration? (contact details below)

brainstorm?

encourage those already doing what they can?

This web page needs assistance. There is much that might be done. Can you volunteer web design skills? How can we help each other?

Women's Ministry Network - Australia
C/- Helene Schultz
63 Gage St
ST MORRIS SA 5068

PRwmn@picknowl.com.au
(remove PR at the beginning of the email) State Contacts
We'd love to hear from you.

Keeper of the Web Page. Leigh Newton at PRlnewton@adam.com.au
(remove PR at the beginning of the email)

Leigh's cut and paste bits.