'A privilege to see the ripple effects of Project Violet impact the Baptist global family' 

Participants have been reflecting on the Project Violet International Symposium, which saw more than 30 Baptist women from 10 countries deliver theological papers and engage in plenary discussion  

The aim of the Symposium was to invite academically-engaged Baptist women from around the world to discuss the findings of Project Violet and the actions arising from this investigation into women’s experiences of ministry. As well as British Baptists, there were contributions from women representing Jamaica, Ghana, Nigeria, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

It was organised by the Centre for Baptist Studies in conjunction with Baptists Together on 15-16 January. 

Shona Shaw is a Baptist minister in West Yorkshire, and works for St Hild College. 'Taking part in the Symposium was an experience I don’t think I will ever have again,' she said. 

'I don’t say that in a hopeless way, rather, sharing space with such a diversity of women online, speaking from their lives and learning was an incredible moment in the history of our Baptist life together. 

'There is something remarkable about listening to a woman from another context or country, give voice to ideas and reflections you thought you carried alone. There is something remarkable and liberating to hear her speak in ways you instinctively know and understand. 

'There is something remarkable about a space that feels safe, collaborative and outward looking. For the voices I heard were not looking to cast blame and look inward: they spoke with eloquence, rage, humour and courage. They spoke words of hope and possibility, challenging each one of us to keep working for change. 

'What was remarkable for that moment, online and together, we spoke the same language.'

Shona's paper was entitled: 'Bearing Witness: An Exploration of the Rule of Lived Experience in Theological Action Research'.
 
Gale Richards, Regional Minister with Eastern Baptist Association and Ecumenical Canon, Ely Cathedral, said one of the most helpful aspects of the symposium was 'the potential for transformative learning through reflecting on Violet Hedger’s story in light of the stories of other women, who were first to be recognised as ministers in other contexts or spheres.'

'For example, I presented a paper entitled ‘White women’s Violet and Black women’s Kate’, she explained. 'This sought to highlight the potential for more of the Project Violet co-researchers’ findings to be considered in light of the sizeable gap between Violet Hedger as the first White woman to begin formation for ordained ministry at a British Baptist college, in 1919, and the first Black (or Brown) woman, Kate Coleman, in 1993. 

'Similarly, there was opportunity to learn from a presentation from Atlantic Canadians as they seek to analyse some of the stories of the more than one hundred women who have been ordained since 1954, which was when the first woman was ordained in their context.' 

Baptist minister Emma Nash highlighted Gale's paper and those of others in giving voice to the injustices experienced by Baptist women both in the UK and beyond. 

'Project Violet has been very significant in helping me notice and name the many injustices I have faced as a female Baptist minister. 

'The Symposium was a great opportunity to gather together with other women and do theology out of our particular contexts. 

'One of my own regional ministers, Gale Richards, opened the conference by drawing our attention to the more than 70-year gap between Violet Hedger and Kate Coleman, our first Black female minister. 

'Hearing Black women from the global south, such as Marvia Lawes from the Jamaica Baptist Union, talking about patriarchy was a highlight of the conference for me.'

Emma's own paper was called: 'The Descent of Man? The meaning of Mary's Magnificat for British Baptist Women in Ministry.' 

She added, 'Another highlight was Deborah Rooke’s account of the life of Violet Hedger, the first woman to enter a Baptist college to train for ministry. 

'I’m not much of a crier but it brought painful tears to my eyes. As I heard Debbie describe Violet’s intelligence and quote accounts of her excellent preaching and energetic ministry, it struck me how much better women have to be in ministry to be considered half as good as their male colleagues.'  

Another participant was Michele Mahon, who opened proceedings on day 2 with a paper entitled 'It's Not Easy - But It's Well Worth It!' Michele serves as a mission worker with BMS in Peru.

She said, 'In the winter of 2024, (Project Violet co-lead) Helen Cameron, a lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, where I am pursuing a doctorate in Practical Theology, invited me to participate in the Project Violet Symposium as a speaker.

'After the research findings were published, I immersed myself in the report, resonating deeply with the participants' experiences and feeling among other things gratitude, mourning, anger, and relief. Through this process, the psalms of lament offered comfort, inspiring me to craft my own lament for the symposium.

'With guidance from the Revd Linda Hopkins, I wrote a piece integrating my Nigerian heritage. I incorporated pidgin, an adapted form of English widely spoken in the country, and structured it around Protest, Petition, and Praise. The organisers approved it, and I shared it on the second day of the symposium, receiving encouraging feedback and thought-provoking questions.

'I also attended other remarkable presentations, and particularly enjoyed the contributions from our Ghanaian sisters reflecting on their context. 

'I found the closing plenary session—on "Where do we go from here?" — especially meaningful because I was able to hear how others felt about the event. I’m excited to build on Project Violet and be part of what comes next.'

As Project Violet co-leader Jane Day presented a paper entitled 'Accompanying the 16 Project Violet co-researchers'. Summing up the event she said, 'What an absolute privilege to see the ripple effects of Project Violet cross borders and impact the Baptist global family! Truly inspirational to hear from over 30 Baptist women representing 10 countries. 

'I know many of the women who joined with us felt encouraged with new ideas and inspired to make their own requests for change in their respective spaces. 

'Let the ripples continue as we all seek to bring about cultural change within our institutions.'

 

A list of speakers and their papers is available here: www.cbs-oxford.com/pv.html

Several papers from the Project Violet International Symposium will be accessible in due course