Newsletter of the Asian Women's Resource Centre for Culture and Theology
Vol. 8, No. 2, October 2003
AWIT to hold National Assembly
The Association of Women in Theology (AWIT), a nationalist, feminist, ecumenical and grassroots based women's organization in the Philippines, will hold its biennial general assembly on January 7-9, 2004 in Bohol, central Visayas, Philippines.
AWIT, a Tagalog word which means song, is the acronym of a federation of local chapters of Filipino women who are theologically trained or in theology working with other women in enhancing their humanity through "challenging patriarchal powers and principalities in society" and contributing to social transformation in the country in light of their Christian faith.
AWIT aims to:
- help build a community of equals in place of the existing hierarchical and bureaucratic social structures;
- help restore the wholeness of creation;
- help empower women to the end that their femininity is enhanced, translated in the internalization of such virtues as creativity, assertiveness, inclusivity, frugality, humility; and
- develop a disposition for advocating the issues and concerns of the marginalized poor.
The AWIT general assembly will consist of business meeting as well as biblical-theological reflections, conversations with women at the base, women's assessment of the national situation, chapter sharing and organizational discussion.
Incumbent national coordinator of AWIT is Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and a member of AWRC.
Japan's Episcopal women meet
The Gender Committee of the Episcopal Church in Japan (NSKK) held a Women's National Pre-Meeting on Aug. 20-22, 2003, in Hakone, Japan. Sponsored by the provincial office of NSKK, it was the first time to hold a women's pre-meeting of NSKK. A total of 58 women gathered from all the eleven dioceses of Japan.
The meeting included a few small dramas, keynote address, presentations on women's activities/programs, Bible sharing and plenary meeting. The group called this a 'pre-meeting' since the main meeting is still planned a few years later, which is envisioned to in-clude a wider circle of women's groups both inside and outside Japan.
(Reported by Shigeko Yamano)
"Does Jesus' atonement save those who suffer?"
Japanese American feminist theologian Rita Nakashima Brock is set to give a public lecture on the topic, "Does the Atonement of Jesus Liberate Those Who Suffer?" on October 28, 2003 at Kowloon Union Church in Hong Kong.
A visiting scholar at Starr King School for the Minis-try, Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, Brock is author of Journeys by the Heart: A Christology of Erotic Power and co-author of several books including Casting Stones: Prostitution and Liberation in Asia and the United States.
The public lecture is jointly sponsored by the Hong Kong Christian Institute, Hong Kong Women Christian Council, and the Christian Conference of Asia.
Women in religion & science meet
The Women Scholars in Religion and Theology will hold a conference on January 23-26, 2004 at the Australian Catholic University, National Melbourne Cam-pus in Victoria, Australia. The conference is open to all wishing to participate.
Interdisciplinary papers are expected to be shared, including those that integrate scholarship and experiential materials. This time it aims to encourage and facilitate the membership/attendance of indigenous women.
The Association draws membership from the Pacific region.
In the News
Bill to legalise same-sex marriage
Taiwan's Executive Yuan (the Cabinet) is drafting a bill to legalise gay marriages and recognize the right of homosexual couples to adopt children.
The bill is expected to be ready for review in December. If approved, the controversial bill would make Taiwan the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriages.
Twenty-two homosexual groups have planned a march for November 2, 2003 aimed at declaring to Taiwan the existence of gays and lesbians.
CTM and EAC meetings reset
The meetings of the AWRC Coordinating Team Members and the Editorial Advisory Committee of In God's Image have been reset to May 17-27, 2004 and the most likely venue is Malaysia.
As in the tradition of AWRC, there may be a one-day programme for local women for linking and networking purposes, during which some of the CTM or EAC members will serve as resource persons.
Originally scheduled last April in Sri Lanka, the two meetings were postponed due to the problem of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) which restricted travel of some participants.
IGI themes for 2004
The publication staff members of In God's Image are happy to announce the following themes for the four issues in 2004:
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March - Being Church |
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June - Voices of the Unheard |
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September - national issue: India |
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December - Women and Spirituality |
Your contributions of essays, poetry, art, liturgy, etc. are welcome. Please contact: igi@awrc4ct.org.
HSA named to new post
Hope S. Antone, AWRC publications secretary, has been appointed joint executive secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia for the program area of Faith, Mission and Unity.
She is the first woman to be appointed to this position which combines what were separate desks of theological concerns and mission and evangelism.
Hope holds degrees in mass communication (BMC), theology (MDiv), New Testament studies (MTh), and religious education (EdD).
Materials on womenet may be quoted and copied provided that womenet is acknowledged as source. Printed copies of womenet are available on request from the AWRC Office.
