Remembering Marjorie Turner and Claire Hart
Women’s History Sunday this year celebrates the lives of two outstanding Baptist women leaders. Marjorie Turner, from Mt Albert Baptist, Auckland, served among isolated tribespeople in Tripura, NE India, from 1948 living as the sole foreign woman among people who still had the reputation as headhunters (against the preferences of some men on her Field Council). Claire Hart (nee Gilbert) from Mornington Baptist, Dunedin, pastored as a ‘deaconess’ at Oxford Terrace for some years after 1958, was Matron of Manurewa Children’s Home, and then became sole pastoral carer at Tamaki church—with a Baptist College student to preach on Sunday mornings.
This is the third year that BWNZ has celebrated this day.
In the past, women’s achievements were rarely written or discussed, so we lacked the history that modelled women in leadership. One result is that people have thought men are preferable in church leadership. To respond to this gap we are featuring women in leadership, giving role models to inspire and strengthen NZ Baptists as an increasingly inclusive church.
For Baptist Women’s History Day this year, we chose Sunday 12th March as it is close to International Women’s day. Why not use Mother’s Day? Because it has been found problematic for some (e.g. a mother or child recently passed away, women who’ve longed for a child) and not culturally celebrated by others. And of course, it is focussed on motherhood – which is only one of the roles that women hold.
BUT please use ANY SUNDAY that works for your church! It is not essential that we all do this on the same day.
New Service Resources for March 12th 2023
4. Women’s History focus:
- Tell the stories of Marjorie Turner and/or Claire Hart
- Interview or have one or two women of the church speak on something important they do now or have done.
- Have a younger woman speak of an older woman in the congregation (present that day) who has influenced her for good. Then have the second person speak of the person who was their Mentor or Influencer. (Chairperson may speak of influence being passed on like Elijah and Elisha, or Elizabeth and Mary. They could speak of Dorcas as an Influencer.)
5. Short scripture talk—Peter’s Wife’s Mother.
Also see Background resources for the day
2022 Resources
- A sermon by Grace Doak on the topic of Deborah and Jael, from Judges 4-5. It is on YouTube.
- Two overview paragraphs on NZ Baptist Women who have ministered faithfully, as well as their more detailed stories:
- Sermon outline on Deborah – if you want to do your own devotion or make your own sermon, here are some notes.
- Activities for children
- Service ideas: prayers, interview, discussion questions.
2021 Resources
- Rosalie Macgeorge (1st Baptist missionary from NZ),
- Kate Edger (1st woman who graduated from University in NZ and 1st woman school principal),
- Pat Preest (1st woman ordained as a Baptist minister), and
- Dame Vivienne Boyd (1st woman as President NZ Baptist Union).
Children’s programme, which incorporates a child-friendly story of Rosalie Macgeorge’s work that can be used for a children’s talk, as well as Scripture, reflections, games and crafts.
Two narrative sermons on women leaders. They take small mentions of women who are normally not noticed by readers, and add archaeological and geographical detail to fill out our knowledge.
- Huldah sermon 2 Kings 22:14-20, 2 Chron 34:14-33
- Sheerah sermon 1 Chron 7:21—24
Prayer of hope and for justice, that may be read out partly by the congregation.
Other suggestions:
- Honour a woman leader in your own church,
- Honour several women leaders of church ministries,
- Give a special women’s morning tea,
- Have women lead the church service
Some relevant bible readings with various topics in mind are:
- women in: mission: John 4:27-30, 39
- women in education: Proverbs 31:1-2, 8-9
- women in ministry: Romans 16: 1-2, 6-7, 12
- women in community: Proverbs 31:17-20, 25-26, 30-31
Ongoing work
Please note that we will continue to offer postings giving “women of the month” until at least the end of the year!
If you’d like further resources on women’s issues please contact us.