With theologian and writer, Dr. Nicola Slee

St Alban's Centre, Baldwin Gardens, Holborn, LONDON EC1N 7RD

The Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement was delighted and honoured to be able to host well-known and respected theologian, writer and academic Dr Nicola Slee as the Keynote Speaker at our Annual Conference on Saturday 12 April 2008.

The topic of her address was:
"The Work of Standing, the Joy of Dancing:
A Spirituality to Sustain the Long Haul"

Summary

Nelson Mandela has written memorably of his own particular 'long walk to freedom'. For those of us committed to the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons (LGBT/Qs) within the churches, it seems to be a similarly long haul. While civil society - at least in the UK and some other European and western countries - has taken major steps in the last decade to affirm the legal and civil standing of LGBT/Qs and to celebrate their place in public life, the Church seems racked with indecision, hostility, anxiety and compromise. LGBT/Qs are made to feel that we are a 'problem', an embarrassment, a hindrance to the kingdom, a running sore that needs to be healed, or even a positive evil that requires exorcism - instead of the joyous, diverse, wounded but still singing children of God that we are, with unique gifts and stories to share.

Given that radical shifts to a more welcoming and inclusive stance on the part of Church leaders and councils seem highly unlikely, at least in the short to mid-term, how do we resource ourselves for the long haul? What are the essential marks of a mature and liberative spirituality that will enable us to stand, and to keep standing? What is the work of prayer and of witness to which we are called, and how does this work relate to the strategic and political campaigning in which LGCM is engaged? And is there a way in which, as some have suggested, we may not only stand but also dance in the struggle towards freedom?

The full text of Nicola Slee's presentation can be downloaded here in PDF format.

You may also chose to listen to the podcast (in MP3 format, approx 40 minutes).

About Dr Slee

Dr Nicola Slee is Research Fellow and Co-ordinator of the MA in Applied Theological Studies at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, Birmingham. A feminist theologian and a poet, Nicola has been involved in adult theological education in a variety of contexts and roles for some 25 years. She is also engaged in spiritual direction and retreat work. She has published widely in the fields of feminist theology and spirituality, liturgy and religious education. Her most recent books are The Book of Mary (SPCK, 2007) and, co-edited with her partner, Rosie Miles, Doing December Differently: An Alternative Christmas Handbook (Wild Goose, 2006). She is also the author of Praying Like a Woman (SPCK, 2004), Women’s Faith Development: Patterns and Processes (Ashgate, 2004) and Faith and Feminism: An Introduction to Christian Feminism (DLT, 2003). She edits the annual daily Bible reading series, Words for Today, published by the International Bible Reading Association. Nicola is a lay Anglican and has been a member of LGCM for many years.

Other speakers

Other downloads