Just Breathe...

31 October 2005

For many of us, as we rush around trying to cram more and more into our already busy lives, a little breathing space is a luxury we don’t think we can afford. Yet during the first weekend in October, over 60 women made time for the Gospel and Gender retreat on the banks of the Swan River.

They came together from around Australia, women of all ages with different cultures and nationalities, to take some time out from the bustle and explore the theme of ‘a breathing space’.

The Uniting Church Commission for Women & Men was established in 1990, and became known as Gospel and Gender in 1997. Enthusiasm has waned over time, but this year’s event attracted many more participants than expected, especially considering the cost for people travelling to Perth for the weekend.

Rev. Marion Millin, one of the organisers, believes the success of this year’s event was its holistic approach, which allowed people to engage with the theme at their own level.

“For me there is an aspect of God that we in the Church rarely engage with, which is the in-dwelling, interior aspect of God,” says Marion. “This weekend offered people a chance to experience what I call the feminine face of God and to do that in a holistic way that involves intellect, emotion, body and spirit.”

Her only regret is that there were no male delegates. “Gospel & Gender has come to be seen as a female thing,” Marion acknowledges. “But the feminist way of looking at things is not to do with being female. It is a way of being in the world that is inclusive, respectful, and recognises that everyone has their wisdom.”

As well as worship sessions and a chance to listen to the keynote speakers, the programme included electives in writing, music, art, and dance or discussions on feminist liturgy and social justice issues. Free time gave delegates a chance to get to know each other and develop their networks.

Friday evening began with a welcome to country by Dorothy Eats, an Aboriginal woman whose traditional land is the area that is now King’s Park. She shared a story passed down to her from her Grandmother, who as a child witnessed some of the first horses arriving in WA. This gift of a story shared and passed down through generations and across cultures set the tone for the weekend.

On Saturday morning, Marion reminded us that Christianity is a religion that is interested in the body, not just the spirit. We worship a God who has entered into our humanity and who, in the symbol of the cross, is grounded in the earth yet reaches up to the heavens and out to embrace the world.

Rev. Dr Nancy Victorin-Vangeruud led a contemplative session, during which the group explored biblical images of breath. Discussion centred around the tension between the active, Western feminist tradition and the contemplative spiritual traditions, as delegates offered insights into how they negotiate the tension between these in their own lives.

After lunch, Rev. Wid Aryawijaya shared with the group about her experience as a pastor in Bali. Wid spoke of how she tries to empower the women in her community by sharing with them the stories of ordinary women from the bible, but emphasised that feminism shouldn’t burden women by adding another thing for them to worry about. If you look at the teaching of Jesus, she argues, he always treated women as equals and as worthy of being his disciples, but too often culture covers over those teachings and hides the truth from us. Delegates were treated to an example of Balinese dancing as Wid used this to tell the story of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well.

Through Wid, delegates were also able to hear first hand the impact of the Bali bombings on the local community. She explained how the Bali economy was just recovering from the first attacks when the most recent bombings occurred. Most Indonesians believe the bombings are the work of extremists, who are trying to shatter the stability of the Indonesian economy and society. However, she says people in Bali are aware the attacks come from a minority and told how people from all different religions – Christian, Moslem and Hindu – work together in the community.

The third keynote speaker was Sharon Todd, a lay preacher from Port Headland, who offered an Aboriginal woman’s perspective on the theme. Sharon shared her journey as an Aboriginal woman. She reminded the group that there are hurts that run deep in the hearts of the Aboriginal people, but also shared her own strength, courage and passion for life, which have enabled her to take her place as a leader in the Uniting Church in Port Headland.

Sunday worship again involved a holistic approach, including poetry, song and dancing from the participants of the weekend’s electives. The weekend ended with a forum for delegates to share their thoughts and feelings about the weekend. Most people found a breathing space was just what they needed.

The Gospel & Gender group hope the enthusiasm from the event will generate a re-examination of inclusive images of God.

Story courtesy Alison Atkinson-Phillips, Western Impact .

top of page

Return to News Archive

go back