ROUTE 66: Empowerment of women through literacy
BOOK OF REFLECTIONS BY BISHOP MICHAEL BURROWS TO BE LAUNCHED ON MAY 10TH 2018 AT GENERAL SYNOD
Remember the Route 66 preaching marathon last September? Well, after May 10th you will be able to read and enjoy all the reflections. That’s because the collection of short sermons will be available in book format very soon. As well as the reflections from each book of the Bible it will also include a list of questions at the back that will enable the book to be used as a Bible study resource if you wish.
Please see the press release below:
A book of reflections on the subject of the empowerment of women through literacy will be launched at the General Synod on May 10th 2018.
It is the result of a whistle stop preaching tour by Bishop Michael Burrows, Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory in his Diocese in September 2017.
Over seven days he visited 66 churches and schools in his Diocese giving a short sermon at each venue related to one of the 66 books of the Bible – hence the title Route 66 – and focussing on women’s issues in Old and New Testament times as well as in the present day.
€40,000 was raised for Bishops’ Appeal by this project and the money forwarded to Mothers’ Union and Feed the Minds women’s literacy projects in Ethiopia and the Congo.
The sermons, now in book form and published by the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, provide a 2017 social, spiritual snapshot as well as an insight into the Church of Ireland mind set of the present day.
Bishop Burrows’ goal was also to highlight the less-read books of the Bible and to remind us to ‘read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the message that Scripture offers us, near and far.’
“This was a journey through all the books of the Bible,” he says, “with an emphasis on what is often hidden – the presence and the role of women. Not only do we consider the gifts and potential of women as humans sharing the image of God, we also explore feminine imagery surrounding the divine.”
The calling of Mary, the God-bearer is celebrated, for example, and the special friendships which Jesus himself valued with women are also remembered.
“We also recognise that among the best ways in our time to strengthen the witness of the Body of Christ is through the empowerment of women,” he adds.
“Particularly in the developing world, it is women who share the benefits of their education with their families, who work effectively for equality and opportunity and who together hasten the breaking in of the Kingdom of God.”
Profits from the book will be added to the Knox Bequest Fund which offers grants to individuals and groups in the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory wishing to publish work related to their parishes or to the wider Diocese.
In the past Bishop Burrows has undertaken ‘peregrinations’ every two years and similar marathons have included his Good Friday rapid rail trip ‘Stations at the Stations’, a cross-county vintage vehicle event and a church organ playing tour.
Route 66: Empowerment of women through literacy costs €5 (plus p & p) from:
The Diocesan Office, The Palace Coach House, Church Lane, Kilkenny.
*Republic of Ireland – Cheque or Postal Order for €8
*Northern Ireland/UK – Cheque for £10
Tel: 056 7761 910. (AFTER MAY 10th)
A Diocesan launch will take place in Christ Church Gorey on May 16th after the Mothers’ Union Festival Service which begins at 7.30 p.m.
Books will be available for sale at this launch and at the Diocesan Council Meeting on May 17th and from the Diocesan Office (see above)