Active Participants in the Christmas Story Elizabeth is a name that’s come down my family line. One grandmother was called Elizabeth and the other, like me, had it as a middle name. I even chose it as my daughter’s name. Despite all that, and even knowing that Elizabeth is a character in the Bible, andContinue reading “Elizabeth and Mary”
Author Archives: leavingbethany
Jesus’ Engagement with Women
How can we tell what a person thinks of you? We sense this not only by what they say but how they act towards us. Nonverbal communication is as important, is not more than verbal. Examining how a person interacts with you supports, or even contradicts, what they say. People’s lives in first-century Judea couldContinue reading “Jesus’ Engagement with Women”
Aemilia Metella Interviews Priscilla
The Woman Who Saved Paul’s Life The hot August days of Rome were now passed, and it was a pleasant walk through the busy streets. Priscilla and her husband Aquila were friends of my parents and I’ve visited their shop many times. Aquila looked up from his work, and with a needle in his hand,Continue reading “Aemilia Metella Interviews Priscilla”
Priscilla and Aquila – When is teaching not teaching?
Welcome to the third of my blogs in the series on how Women (also) Built The Church. So far we have looked at Junia and Andronicus, this time, its the turn of another power couple mentioned in the New Testament, Priscilla and Aquila. I recently spoke at a church meeting on a Thursday afternoon aboutContinue reading “Priscilla and Aquila – When is teaching not teaching?”
Aemilia Metella Interviews Junia
The Woman Called an Apostle By Paul August days in Rome are sweltering, and this day was no exception. Even at such an early hour, I pushed past residents and visitors to Rome, going about their business before the day became too hot. Already sweating, I arrived at Junia’s house and fanning myself with myContinue reading “Aemilia Metella Interviews Junia”
Junia: The Invisible Apostle
How women (also) built the church In my last blog, I looked at Paul’s female co-workers, and how women also built the church. This month I will examine Andronicus and Junia, likely to be a married couple, ministering together in Rome. “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison withContinue reading “Junia: The Invisible Apostle”
How women (also) built the church
Paul’s female co-workers When you think of Paul’s journeys around the Mediterranean world, do you have the same image as I do? Paul, with his exciting, Spirit-led, dynamic, all guns blazing mission including the likes of Barnabas, Silas, Timothy and other men walking along a dusty road or preaching to a crowd? I recently googledContinue reading “How women (also) built the church”
Mary Magdalene in Art – Fallen Woman or Redeemed Saint
Mary Magdalene, Jesus’s disciple and follower, called the Apostle to the Apostles and held in high esteem by the early church has for the last fifteen hundred years in the West been remembered with a different reputation. So often reduced to a stereotype of the prostitute and fallen woman, her character defamation is reinforced byContinue reading “Mary Magdalene in Art – Fallen Woman or Redeemed Saint”
Lent Pilgrimage Week 7
The Never-Ending Story A group of friends trudge up the winding path in the dismal light of dawn. Their destination is an opening on the side of the hill. Three days before they saw the dead body of the man they loved laid in this rock-hewn tomb. But now it is empty. Later they seeContinue reading “Lent Pilgrimage Week 7”
Lent Pilgrimage Week 6
Change your perspective – Images of the crucifixion What do you imagine when you read about Jesus’s crucifixion? Have you seen films and TV series which portray it and imagine it in a similar way? Jesus may be the centre of our thoughts, but what about those who witnessed it? The gospels tell us ofContinue reading “Lent Pilgrimage Week 6”
Leaving Bethany 