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Women - Church Collection - NJSN_AC-014 1985 - 2007

By: Series: Series 1: Women - Church Journal letters to Editor and articles, published and unpublished; Series 2: Photographs and video; Series 3: Attendance books, 1985 – 1995; Series 4: Journal Collective Annual General Meeting minutes, 1990-2007; Series 5: Correspondence, 1985-1993; Series 6: Press clippings, 1987-1992; Series 7:. Directories, 1988-1989; Series 8: Mailing lists, 1985-1990; Series 9: Meeting minutes, 1985–1997; Series 10: Women - Church Protest Creed papers, 1986; Series 11: Women - Church handouts, 1985-1997; Series 12: Directory Introduction pamphlet, 1989; Series 13: 'The Goddess' audio tape, Glenys Livingstone, 31.10.1991; Series 14: Women - Church draft brochures; Series 15: Women - Church: Minutes of meetings, 1985-1997; Series 16: 'Magdalene' No 1, March 1987; Series 17: Correspondence, 1987-1988; Series 18: Women - Church Journal Group: history, minutes, reviews, correspondence; Series 19: Women - Church membership list, 1994; Series 20: Women - Church activities; Series 21: Photographic Album: Women - Church SydneyDescription: 1.1 linear metres Paper, audiotapes, photographs. 5 x (H)25cm x (W)18cm x (D)40cm Photographic album = (H)32 cm x (W)32cm x (D) 5 cm Cardboard tube = (H)45 cm x (W)6.5 cm Standard archive boxes; non-standard items. 1.1 linear metresContent type:
Media type:
Carrier type:
Subject(s): Online resources: Production credits:
  • CREATION/PRODUCTION CREDITS NOTE: Library permission and acknowledgement required.
Summary: ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: In April 1985 the Women and Religion group began in Sydney. The group adopted the name Women - Church to identify itself as writers of a Protest Creed published at the time of Pope John Paul II's visit to Australia in November 1986. However, the name Women - Church was a worldwide feminist movement of religion and spirituality at that time. Members of Women - Church shared interests in feminism and spirituality, some coming from a variety of religious traditions, others with no such affiliations. Women - Church Sydney generally met twice a month. One meeting focused on information-sharing, group activities, general business, a women-centred ritual and supper. The alternate meeting presented a particular topic, followed by discussion. At each meeting members volunteered to chair, prepare supper, devise a group activity and lead the ritual. Special interest groups were an integral part of the organisation. Members initiated groups to explore issues such as spirituality, empowerment, liberation, affirmation, creativity and celebration. These groups included a Justice Group, Liturgy Group and Reading Group , as well as the Journal Collective, which was responsible for producing the 'Women - Church Journal: An Australian Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion'. The Women - Church Journal provided an Australian forum for feminist thought in relation to religion and spirituality. The Journal's first issue was published in August 1987 and continued to be published for twenty years until its final Issue [No. 40] went to press in 2007. Women - Church conducted a range of activities and functions in a supportive environment which were designed to challenge and nurture members. Annual residential retreats, regular social activities and special occasion rituals were celebrated with other members encouraging the development of friendships; and conferences with various feminist groups, including national feminist theology conferences in 1989 and 1991, provided the forum for sharing of ideas and strategies.
Holdings
Item type Current library Collection Call number Status Date due Barcode
Archives - Collection Archives - Collection Jessie Street National Women's Library Archives Women - Church Collection Compartment 1/Bay 7/Shelf 3/Position 1-Compartment 1/Bay 7/Shelf 4/Position 3 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available for reference in the library

Box 1

Series 1: Women - Church Journal letters to Editor and articles, published and unpublished:

This series comprises letters responding to the 'Women - Church' Journal, as well as articles and poetry associated or proposed for future inclusion in the Journal. The material is both handwritten and typescript and dated within January 1987 to December 2002.

File 1. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles for Issue 14, Autumn 1994;
File 2. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 12, Autumn 1993;
File 3. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 13, Autumn 1993;
File 4. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor, Spring 1992;
File 5. Women - Church Journal articles published & unpublished, Spring 1992;
File 6. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor, 1990-1991;
File 7. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor, 1989;
File 8. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor, 1988.

Box 2

File 1. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 31, Spring 2002;
File 2. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 30, Autumn 2002;
File 3. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 28, Autumn 2001;
File 4. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 29, Spring 2001;
File 5. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 26, Autumn 2000;
File 6. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 27, Spring 2000;
File 7. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 25, Spring 1999;
File 8. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 23, Spring 1998; Issue 24, Autumn 1999;
File 9. Women - Church Journal letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished for Issue 22, Autumn 1998.

Box 3

File 1. Women - Church Journal: Letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished Issue 21, Spring 1997;
File 2. Women - Church Journal: Letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished Issue 20, Autumn 1997;
File 3. Women - Church Journal: Letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished Issue 18, Autumn 1996;
File 4. Women - Church Journal: Letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished Issue 19, 1995;
File 5. Women - Church Journal: Letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished Issue 17, Spring 1995;
File 6. Women - Church Journal: Letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished Issue 16, Autumn 1995;
File 7. Women - Church Journal: Letters to the Editor and articles published and unpublished Issue 15, Spring 1995.

Box 4

Series 2: Photographs and video.

This series comprises photographs and video of Women - Church ceremonies and functions dated 1986 to 1992.

File 1. Photos (3 packages); Video - Playback theatre & Women - Church '7.30 Report' ABC production.

Series 3: Attendance books, 1985 – 1995.

The series of Attendance books details those present at Women - Church meetings and covers the period of 1985 to 1995. Attendance books are written by hand and attendee names are sometimes accompanied by addresses.

File 2. Attendance Books – 1985 – 1995.

Series 4: Journal Collective Annual General Meeting minutes, 1990-2007.

This series documents the agenda and minutes of the Annual General Meetings of the Journal Collective.

File 3. Annual General Meetings, 1990-2007.

Series 5: Correspondence, 1985-1993.

This series contains both inward and outward correspondence created between 1985 until 1993. This material is a combination of typescript and handwritten pages.

File 4. Correspondence 1985-1993.

Series 6: Press clippings, 1987-1992.

This series is comprised of newspaper and magazine clippings of various sizes created between 1987 and 1992.

File 5. Press Clippings 1987 – 1992.

Series 7: Directories, 1988-1989.

This series contains Women - Church member directories from 1988 to 1989, compiled to provide information for members of the Sydney Women - Church group. The material is composed of A4 typewritten sheets, numbered and dated.

File 6. Directories, 1988-1989.

Series 8: Mailing lists, 1985-1990.

This series contains mailing lists created between 1985 and 1994 for distribution of Women - Church mail out material. These lists generally comprise of A4 sized paper but there are also a small number of foolscap sheets.

File 7. Mailing lists, 1985-1990.

Series 9: Minutes of meetings, 1989-1997.

This series comprises the minutes of regular Women - Church meetings which have been created between 1985 and 1997. Generally the material is typewritten on A4 sheets although there are some inserts which have been produced by hand and duplicated. File 8 is titled 'Meeting notes 1989-1997', however it appears to be the 'Minutes of meetings' series and its listing has been retitled to reflect this.

File 8. Minutes of meetings, 1989-1997.
Box 5

File 1: Meetings, 1985-1988.

Series 10: Women-Church Protest Creed papers, 1986.
This series documents the development of a feminist statement by members of Women-Church at the time of the Australian visit of Pope John Paul II in November 1986. 'A Protest Creed' was published in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on Saturday 22 November 1986 to publicly protest at the marginalisation of women in most Christian churches. The material in the series comprises of typewritten and handwritten A4 sheets, together with newspaper clippings, event booklet and other papers.

File 2: Women-Church Protest Creed papers, 1986.
File 3: Women-Church Protest Creed papers, 1986.
Item 4: Women-Church Protest Creed papers, 1986 [Note: this item is stored in a tube].

Series 11: Women-Church handouts, 1985-1997.
This series comprises a range of loose sheet handouts, booklets, invitations, directories and mailing lists created for Women-Church programs, such as liturgical ceremonies, conferences, discussion groups, workshops and retreats. Documents have been created primarily on A4 typewritten sheets, created between 1985 and 1997. Four copies on A3 paper of “A Protest Creed” are part of this series, contained within a cardboard tube.
File 5: Women-Church handouts, 1985-1997.

Series 12: Directory Introduction pamphlet, 1989.
The series contains the directory compiled for use by the women of the Sydney-Church group to aid communication. The directory has been produced on typewritten A4 sheets and contains names and addresses of the monthly meeting group.

File 6: Directory Introduction pamphlet, 1989-1991.

Series 13: 'The Goddess' audio tape, Glenys Livingstone, 31.10.1991.
The series is comprised of one audio tape on which the case label reads: 'Glenys Livingstone “The Goddess”, 2 ser (sermons?) 31.10.91'. [This audio tape needs to be transferred to archival media].

File 7. 'The Goddess' audio tape, Glenys Livingstone,31.10.1991.

Series 14: Women - Church draft brochures.
This series contains draft typewritten material with some handwritten notes. Sample sheets have been pasted onto cardboard in preparation for the publishing process to provide information in relation to the functions, purpose and activities of Women - Church.

File 8. Women - Church draft brochures.


BOX 6

Series 15: Women-Church: Minutes/Notices of meetings, 1985-1997.
This series is comprised of three manila folders primarily containing A4 typewritten sheets of the minutes and notices of mostly twice-monthly meetings entitled 'Women-Church Notes'. A explanatory note describes the evolution of title as 'A Women's Conversation' at the first meeting on 10 April 1985; 'A conversation on Women and Religion' on 7 November 1985; and finally in November 1987 'Women-Church Notes'.

File 1. Women-Church Notes, 1985-1988.
File 2. Women-Church Notes, 1988-1990.
File 3. Women-Church Notes, 1991-1997.

Series 16: 'Magdalene' No 1, March 1987.
This series is comprised of the first edition of 'Magdalene', published by Women-Church in March 1987. The publication takes the form of a booklet of 16 typewritten pages registered by Australia Post as publication no NAR 2616. The Editorial identifies 'Magdalene' as the first publication by Women-Church designed to provide “education, stimulus and support denied us by patriarchal church”. Note that only the first edition is present in the folder.

File 4. 'Magdalene' No 1, March 1987.

Series 17: Correspondence, 1987-1988.
This series comprises of a variety of material, mostly handwritten letters predominately responding to 'Magdalene' and reactions to a media interview about the publication, as well as proposals for written articles to contribute to future editions.

File 5. Correspondence, 1987-1988.

Series 18: Women-Church Journal Group: history, minutes, reviews, correspondence.
This series contains a variety of early material in relation to Women-Church including reviews, correspondence, publications and Journal Group meeting minutes.

File 6. Women-Church Journal Group: history, minutes, reviews, correspondence, 1988-1989.

Series 19: Women-Church membership list, 1994.
This series contains typewritten material in relation to the 1994 membership of Women-Church and a note detailing subscription details.

File 7. Women-Church membership list, 1994.

Series 20: Women-Church activities.
This series is held within a manila folder primarily containing typewritten and duplicated material in relation to a large variety of Women-Church activities and events. The material includes booklets, brochures, poetry, musical scores and event programs.

File 8. Women-Church activities: rituals, events, 'treat weekends';
File 9. Feminism and religion;
File 10. Erin White and early days of Women-Church. Series 21: Photographic Album: Women - Church Sydney.

This series contains photographs both labelled and unlabelled which document significant events and people of the organisation over a ten-year period.

Item 1: Photographs of the highlights of the First Ten Years, 1985-1995.

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS NOTE:

Restriction on publication: Library permission required and acknowledgement to be given. CONDITIONS FOR PHYSICAL ACCESS:

On appointment available for research. Not for loan.

CREATION/PRODUCTION CREDITS NOTE:

Library permission and acknowledgement required.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY:

In April 1985 the Women and Religion group began in Sydney. The group adopted the name Women - Church to identify itself as writers of a Protest Creed published at the time of Pope John Paul II's visit to Australia in November 1986. However, the name Women - Church was a worldwide feminist movement of religion and spirituality at that time. Members of Women - Church shared interests in feminism and spirituality, some coming from a variety of religious traditions, others with no such affiliations.
Women - Church Sydney generally met twice a month. One meeting focused on information-sharing, group activities, general business, a women-centred ritual and supper. The alternate meeting presented a particular topic, followed by discussion. At each meeting members volunteered to chair, prepare supper, devise a group activity and lead the ritual.
Special interest groups were an integral part of the organisation. Members initiated groups to explore issues such as spirituality, empowerment, liberation, affirmation, creativity and celebration. These groups included a Justice Group, Liturgy Group and Reading Group , as well as the Journal Collective, which was responsible for producing the 'Women - Church Journal: An Australian Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion'. The Women - Church Journal provided an Australian forum for feminist thought in relation to religion and spirituality. The Journal's first issue was published in August 1987 and continued to be published for twenty years until its final Issue [No. 40] went to press in 2007.
Women - Church conducted a range of activities and functions in a supportive environment which were designed to challenge and nurture members. Annual residential retreats, regular social activities and special occasion rituals were celebrated with other members encouraging the development of friendships; and conferences with various feminist groups, including national feminist theology conferences in 1989 and 1991, provided the forum for sharing of ideas and strategies.

TERMS GOVERNING REPRODUCTION:

Library permission is required to copy material for research purposes.

14.3.2011.
5 x std archive boxes + photo album; tube.

JSNWL.

English.

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