Celebrating women in leadership

By Bindy Taylor
Editor-in-Chief & Communications Manager

Posted in Leadership

This November, Dr Deidre Palmer will complete her term as Moderator and handover to Rev Sue Ellis who will be inducted into the role at a special service on Wednesday 2 November.  We get to know Sue a little better in a brief Q&A which preludes her own reflections on International Women’s Day, to be celebrated on Tuesday 8 March.

What are five words that best describe you?

Loyal, responsible, inquisitive, reflective, hopeful

What are you most proud of?

Sharing the Christmas story of the shepherds to patrons holding beers and drinks, on the veranda of a small country town pub.

What do you dream about most often?

I dream about flying off to wonderful holidays in First-Class Emirates!

What are 5 things you’d like more of right now?

I’d like more perspective in the church; more time off, more colourful shoes, more grandchildren and more dining out (church lunches count!).

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Raising a family of four children on my own for 11 years.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?

So many, so many…I choose the River Nile with the Pyramids. 

What do you most look forward to in your Moderator term?

I am looking forward to visiting congregations and meeting leaders.  I’m looking forward to the Presbytery & Synod gatherings and regional gathering opportunities. I am looking forward to hearing about what has been planted and what is growing and what is being harvested! 

Sue’s reflections on International Women’s Day

I never did burn my bra – am I showing my age with that statement?

I am very thankful to be able to celebrate International Women’s Day here in Australia, where I am free to be me – woman, made in God’s image, beloved daughter of God, sister of Christ and part of God’s church.  I love it that Jesus valued women.  He moved beyond his own cultural norms to see every person as the beloved of God and looked for the goodness of God within them, affirming it, releasing it, and ultimately redeeming it. 

One of my favourite Biblical stories is that of the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7: 24-30, who comes to Jesus seeking healing for her daughter. The story reads that Jesus infers she is a dog, whereupon she remonstrates, claiming her right to the crumbs of his ministry, and Jesus recognising her worth, heals her daughter immediately, and praises her forthright faith.  She demonstrates to me the plight of women across the world to have their full humanity recognised. 

The treatment of women as dogs is still well known in Australian slang, despite those who burned their bra, suffered in prison, and who still advocate for equality.  As we all follow the ways of Jesus, male and female, we can lead our society in offering to one another, the same unconditional love and understanding Jesus demonstrated towards that woman in Mark’s story.  Such an attitude towards women and girls will be reflected in our actions of justice, as we seek to change the world through participation in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and our own local missional efforts.  A church that echoes Mary and Hannah’s words…he has lifted up the lowly is part of who we are.   

To find out more about International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8 March click here. Clayton Wesley Uniting Church will celebrate the occasion with an event to be held on Friday 4 March from 1-4pm. There will be an opportunity to learn what it’s like to live as a woman in Iran and to hear positive stories from survivors of domestic violence. The Adelaide Zonta Club will also present on the ways the organisation fundraises for local & international projects which aim at making a difference to women’s lives. For more information contact Clayton Wesley Uniting Church 8331-9589 or Turn on Javascript!


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