Sophia Network

Women's ministry

Stuff Christian Culture Likes is a website that gently pokes fun at the Christian subculture - I saw it first on Maggi Dawn's blog. I liked Stephy's item about 'women's ministry' and the images used to advertise it. She says: 'The photographs and graphics used to promote the women's ministry almost always feature

1. flowers (especially sunflowers)
2. coffee mugs
3. a jubilant woman or a group of women experiencing fellowship. 

Promotional materials for a women's ministry never represent the side of Christian life where things aren't happy and calm, or when you just plain feel like death warmed over and want to kick everyone in the balls.'

She points out that adverts for women's ministry like the one on the left often have a lot in common with ads for feminine hygiene products, like the one on the right! 

Rumblings at the WI

There are rumblings at the Women's Institute, according to this report in the Telegraph. A new group, calling themselves WI Lite, has been set up with the blessing of the organisation near Bramley in Reading where there is already an established group of older WI-ers. WI Lite is aimed at younger women and their activities will include burlesque dancing, sex therapy sessions and art classes with nude male models.

The president of Bramley WI, Pat Jones who is 70, is said to be a bit shocked by it all. "I was disappointed when they said they could start up," she said. "It was also a pity these women didn't want to join us but we are probably too stick in the mud for them. I believe they had a painting session with nude models - that's not the sort of thing we would do. It all seems a bit strange to me."

The article recycles lazy stereotypes about the traditional WI, accusing them of making jam while humming Jerusalem. I'm sure there's more to them than that. But the whole situation will be familiar to those of us in the church who struggle with tradition and want to do something that fits with the rest of our lives. Anyway, must go and put my plum chutney into jars.