Lyn Heine, is Local Ordained Ministry Probationer at Greymouth Uniting Church, reviews a book written by a Black American theologian, pastor and Hebrew biblical scholar.

‘For those who have searched for themselves in the scriptures and did not find themselves in the masculine pronouns.’

Wilda Gafney has written this book with lectionary readings for a full year and provided both brief text and translation commentary and preaching notes for each. In the commentary notes she explains why she has chosen particular translations of the Hebrew words and gives examples of where else they are found in our scriptures. She has very deliberately used a feminine expression of God in the lectionary psalms and uses a wide variety of titles for God throughout all the readings.

The author started this lectionary book and project by asking the question: “What would it look like to tell the Good News through the stories of women who are often on the margins of scripture and often set up to represent bad news? How would a lectionary centring women’s stories, chosen with womanist and feminist commitments in mind, frame the presentation of the scriptures for proclamation and teaching?“ In answering these questions she has produced something that invites all men, women, non-binary readers and hearers to engage with the scriptures in new ways and find themselves within.

I have been using this for much of this lectionary year and have found it to be enlightening, challenging, disturbing, confronting and comforting. It has certainly drawn me into stories and perspectives that I was previously unaware of; has made me rethink assumptions and narratives that I thought I knew well; and has given me things to consider and conversation starters with others.

How often are we aware of the number of women who stand up to power at risk to themselves – the midwives to the Hebrews; Pharoah’s daughter; Esther; Abigail; Judith? And usually, but not always, non-violently. The preaching notes offer introductory material to themes that we often otherwise avoid – such as slavery, use and abuse of power, marginalisation of all kinds and violence. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to delve further into preaching and knowledge places that are not commonly on offer. And to those who are prepared to be uncommonly moved.