An inspiring and wonderful time was had at Reclaiming the F Word on Saturday 8th March and we are excited to be able to provide you with some recordings of talks from the day. Whether you were there or not, we hope these talks will be a valuable resource to you. Do pass them on and share them with anyone who may be interested!
Reclaiming the F Word – Kristin Aune
Kristin started the day off by exploring what feminism is and sharing some of her research about feminists and faith.
Is there a feminist preaching style? – Revd. Dr. Terry Biddington
It may be that the time has come to ditch the sermon as an out-moded and ‘masculinist’ form of communication. Or perhaps there is a fresh approach drawing on the work of so many feminist thinkers.
Sermons both occupy and create what the Scottish poet Don Paterson calls “the space between us.” They occupy a particular space in the worship: different perhaps according to religion, religious denomination, or indeed each specific liturgy. But they also create a space: a space for listening and hearing, a space for speaking and thinking aloud, a space for dreaming and imagining “what-if?”; a creative-regenerative space in which the Spirit can operate. A space that is between:
• the preacher and the congregation
• the preacher, the congregation, and the text
• the gathered community and God
• the present moment and the past, the future, and all eternity
How can we make the “sermon space” a welcome opportunity for collective lingering: an invitation to take a sideways glance, a seeing out-of-the-corner-of-an-eye, and, perhaps, the occasion to catch a glimpse of something unexpected and potentially life-transforming?
Bring on the Crones – Rev. Pam Smith
Wisdom has sometimes been defined as “the knowledge of the elders” and in a time where many seem to believe feminism began in 2010, the crones (wise women) are often silenced in favour of younger women. Revd. Pam Smith shares her experiences of feminism over the last 40 years, and considers the ways feminism can really honour and listen to its foremothers.
Men and the Feminist Struggle – David Benjamin Blower
Why are men rarely feminists?
What is the state of masculinity today?
What kind of masculinity helps men rise to the feminist struggle?
Poetry as Liberation – Christian Feminist Poetics in Action – Rev. Rachel Mann
A combined poetry reading and reflection upon how poetry can be location for feminist liberative praxis.
My Privilege Trumps Yours – Natalie Collins
Michael Kimmel states that “privilege is invisible to those with it”. This session looks at the interaction of inequality and privilege, how each of us may be implicated in and perpetuate oppression, what a right use of power looks like and how to make visible to each of us the water that humanity swims in.
Feminist Liturgy – Rev. Anna Macham
Christian Feminist Network 