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May 2016 Volume 6, Issue 4 Vashti’s Banquet: Voices From Her Feast On Wednesday evening, 20th April 2016, the shines light in other areas giving hope for a new latest AWSC publication ‘Vashti’s Banquet: Voic- ways, and for this the Anglican Women’s Stud- es From Her Feast was launched at St Peter’s on ies Centre supporters are very grateful. Willis Parish in the heart of Wellington. This Jenny writes, “I really just wanted to share that I publication has had a long and unexpected ges- will be thinking of those gathered this evening tation period and so the Council is very happy with fondest aroha. I count among so many of for it to be out in the world. We are also very you those I have known and treasured as happy to have the opportunity to honour in per- friends, colleagues and sisters in the struggles son The Right Revd Dr Penny Jamieson whose we have known and continue to be challenged life and work was the inspiration behind this by within our beloved Church. While Bishop collection of essays from Anglicans around the Penny’s very special ministry is the focus for the Communion. Everyone needs a role model, someone who has been brave enough to have taken the first steps, led the way, given light to a new pathway. Bishop Penny has been a role model for many female Bishops and ordained women. Being the first female Diocesan Bishop in the Anglican Com- munion over 25 years ago was not an easy path to take. The jour- Photo: Jessica Hughes ney was not without some struggle and diffi- Co-Editor of Vashti’s Banquet, Revd Jenny Chalmers presents the first copy of the culty but as one of the book to The Right Revd Dr Penny Jamieson, looked on by Revd Jenny Dawson, The essayists in this collec- Venerable Carole Hughes and The Most Revd Philip Richardson. tion, Dr Jenny Te Paa Daniels attests below when sending her congrat- celebration of this evening, I know she would be ulations to Bishop Penny and those launching first to agree that none of us ever stands alone the book, sometimes witnessing one struggle in our ministry journeying. I know too that she Anglican Women’s Studies Centre Studies Women’s Anglican The Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia VOLUME 6, ISSUE 4 - Page 2 Anglican Women’s Studies Centre I recall with such poignancy the last General Synod which marked the official end of Bishop Penny’s ministry. I well recall how lacking in grace and generosity was the mood of the Synod itself, and even more distressingly how the great tikanga divide was being invoked by the men in charge with respect to a num- ber of key issues not least the role of the Archbishop. The same crazy politics were then invoked by way of limiting official acknowledgement of the extraordinary contribution which the first ever female Diocesan Bishop in the entire Anglican Com- munion had made. It was set to be arranged as solely a low key tikanga Pakeha only affair—that is until women intervened! As one of the few female members of General Synod at that time, it was such a low moment and I was so grateful to have support from Erice Fairbrother as I determinedly sought leave of General Synod to have a meeting with only the women members present together with the wives of many members of the entire General Synod who were also in attendance. My only thought was that we as women, irrespective of our eccle- sial or tikanga status, had to ensure that Synod’s acknowledge- ment of Bishop Penny was fulsome, dignified and appropriately appreciative. It is important to note that as President of the Synod at that time, Bishop John Paterson was unequivocal in his support of our appeal. It was such an ironic situation and I mention it now because it was later that same afternoon when Photo: Jessica Hughes the legislation allowing for the establishment of the Women’s Studies Centre was approved! Upon reflection, now I think The Venerable Carole Hughes, Convenor of the Anglican what transpired that day was, as is so often the case, a Holy Women Studies Council blesses the book at the book launch Spirit moment of great angst out of which emerged a wonder- ful sign of future hope and possibility for women. I tell this would agree that for many women a profound sense of alone- little story by way of remembering with great affection Bishop ness also too often characterises the leadership experience of Penny, all she stood for with such formidable courage and yet women within the Church. deep faith filled vulnerability. I thank her again for clearing VOLUME 6, ISSUE 4 - Page 3 Anglican Women’s Studies Centre some of the thorns from the pathway and certainly I thank her without whose support we could not have done this, thank for enabling Women’s Studies to become a reality! I don’t you. think she realises how fortuitous that pain-filled moment for My Vashti’s Banquet Co-Editor, Erice Fairbrother is not espe- her was destined to be for so many other women. We are indebted to you Penny, we are indebted to one another for standing in solidarity with one another. May God continue to richly bless us all in our efforts for gender justice, for a place for all women at every table of decision-making, in every place of leadership within the Church, within which we are blessed to belong.” Revd Jenny Chalmers, Co- Editor of Vashti’s Banquet: Voices from her Feast, book launch speech I happened to be looking for something on my computer recently and discovered that Erice and I started emailing each other about this project in 2011, so it’s certainly been a long time in the coming. However good things take time and it’s been worth taking the time to pro- duce something worthy of Bish- op Penny. Before I get too much into what Erice and I want to say, let me thank Saint Marcus Thomas, not cially well, but not especially unwell, and is unable to be with us only for his patience and good humour, but also for his amazing tonight so she sent these words about the process we under- cover design. Erice and I said “Plain white with black lettering. took. “The process involved looking for writers who would Then later, during the same coffee I said ‘maybe I want some- bring to the book aspects of the gifts that Penny brought to her thing authentically New Zealand - make it like a Colin McCahon Bishopric. For example Penny’s commitment to being a prayer- painting’. I think it’s fantastic. I hope you do too, Penny. ful bishop is taken up in Bishop Victoria’s chapter on the role of Thank you to the contributors, here and overseas. Setting aside prayer and spirituality in the life of a Bishop. the time to write an essay such as yours was no mean feat. I Others were invited because they worked closely with Bishop hope you feel we have done your work justice. Penny and from her leadership went on to be in leadership Other thanks to the Anglican Women’s Studies Centre who themselves, that reflect her inspiration and influence – Arch- took on board our project and funded it with the whole of the bishop Philip refers to this in his chapter about developing rural publications budget for at least a year, if not two. To Karena, ministry in Taranaki. And staying with inspiration, the only who mistress minds the world, thank you; Michael and the peo- woman Bishop who was educated at St John’s Theological Col- ple from the General Synod Office, who juggled the budget and lege in Meadowbank, Episcopal Bishop, Mary Gray Reeves, re- VOLUME 6, ISSUE 4 - Page 4 Anglican Women’s Studies Centre ceived a sense of how a woman could be a bishop, an inspira- tion that she carried with her into her own election. Others like Storm Swain and retired Archbishop Katharine Jeffert Schori reflect the academic and research background that Penny brought to her episcopacy. Penny was valued for her educational skills and her love of scripture – you will find that beautifully brought together in Anne van Gend’s work with Hosea. It would not be a full gathering of aspects of what Penny brought to her episcopacy without also acknowledging her Church of England roots. Both Nichola Slee and Paula Gooder, lay scholars from the UK, offer reflections about the long jour- ney the Church of England has taken towards the consecration of women as Bishops. In this process what we were not asking for was any kind of hagiography! However, small though it is, the cameo by Sue Halapua de- scribes very truly the affection that Penny inspired in so many women, and her ability to “see” children as fully part of her pastoral ministry. Some initially began the journey to contribute, but life and workloads overtook them. We do regret those who had to withdraw. Similarly, we as editors were disappointed that de- spite invitations, the number of contributions from Tikanga Photo: John Reid Maori was less than we had hoped”. My job came later, and what a long job it turned out to be. The Right Revd Dr Penny Jamieson Eventually it was my task to read and reread the essays, trying not to change their meaning or the authentic voice they repre- ment in the New Zealand church, “We have discovered that in sented, so from a professional point of view the editing might every community there are people who are working for the seem patchy.