Reframe the Narrative – Shift your Perspective

Changing the narrative for women in the Bible In my previous post, August 2025, I discussed reframing the narrative or shifting our perspective on Martha and Mary. I would like to continue this month with the story of Martha and other women we find in the New Testament. Last month, we concentrated on the firstContinue reading “Reframe the Narrative – Shift your Perspective”

Reframe the Narrative – Shift your Perspective

Changing the narrative for Martha and Mary This is the first of a two-part post based on a seminar and academic paper I gave at the International Christian Dance Fellowship conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, in April 2025. The questions I posed were: Changing perspectives may take some digging to find a different story, andContinue reading “Reframe the Narrative – Shift your Perspective”

Doctor Luke talks to Aemilia Metella

The Journalist who tells women’s stories Luke was a doctor and travelling companion of Paul. At the start of the gospel which bears his name, he says he carefully investigated everything before writing the account of Jesus’s life up to the resurrection. Luke is gathering information to write the sequel to his gospel, the ActsContinue reading “Doctor Luke talks to Aemilia Metella”

Aemilia Metella interviews Euodia and Syntyche

The women who put friendship over disagreement Philippi is one of my favourite cities, and after docking at the port of Neapoli, it is a pleasant seven mile walk along the well paved Via Egnatia to the city of Philippi. A stroll in the sunshine around the streets, baths, temples and market squares made meContinue reading “Aemilia Metella interviews Euodia and Syntyche”

Aemilia Metella Interviews Mary of Jerusalem

The woman who refused to flinch in the face of danger The woman put down the scroll she was reading and stood as I entered. “Aemilia, welcome, please sit.” Rhoda, Mary’s servant, placed a silver tray with a jug of wine and two cups on a small table and, with a nod, left the room.Continue reading “Aemilia Metella Interviews Mary of Jerusalem”

The Historical and Biblical Background to Advance from Antioch

In the past two posts, I have looked into the Biblical and historical background of my novels. In January I looked at Leaving Bethany and last month, Return to Caesarea. Now it is the turn of the final book in the Leaving Bethany Trilogy, Advance from Antioch.   The story picks up one year afterContinue reading “The Historical and Biblical Background to Advance from Antioch”

The Historical and Biblical Background to Leaving Bethany

With the launch of Advance from Antioch, my third and final book in the Leaving Bethany trilogy, I thought I would write a mini-series of blogs, examining the historical and Biblical background of the stories. This month we begin with the first, Leaving Bethany. The novel opens with house-proud Martha sweeping the dust out ofContinue reading “The Historical and Biblical Background to Leaving Bethany”

God the Midwife

I was thinking what to write for my Christmas post and wondered about the things less said. Have you ever wondered about the time between Mary and Joseph arriving at the inn or stable, on the (supposed) donkey and the appearance of the shepherds? This is the actual moment of Jesus’ birth. It always raisesContinue reading “God the Midwife”

Celebrating Women Pioneers of the Early Church

Women Church Leaders Welcome to the third of the series celebrating women pioneers of the Early Church. Part 1 Women Martyrs Part 2 Women Theologians and Bible Translators When we read about church leadership roles in the New Testament, it can be difficult to understand what they refer to without the following 2,000 years ofContinue reading “Celebrating Women Pioneers of the Early Church”

Aemilia Metella Interviews Mary of Bethany

The woman who anointed Jesus’ feet Sunlight streamed through an open window, and the gentle breeze brought the smells and noises of Larnaca Harbour into the bright and cheerful room. I sat on the edge of a couch nursing a cup of wine, wondering about the woman I had come to see. Despite interviewing manyContinue reading “Aemilia Metella Interviews Mary of Bethany”