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Knowing that I'm reading it through a cultural lens isn't the same as being able to see how that lens affects my reading of it

// BIBLE READING – Ezra 1:1-4 (NRSV)In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom, and also in a written edict declared:2 “Thus says King Cyrus of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3Any of those among you who are of his people—may their God be with them!—are now permitted to go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem; 4 and let all survivors, in whatever place they reside, be assisted by the people of their place with silver and gold, with goods and with animals, besides freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.”

// BIBLE READING – Esther 4:15-16 (NRSV)15 Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.”

powerful testimony, thank you Bishop Guli

I love that perspective. We can read and re-read to find new revelation.

Such powerful words, thank you Bishop Guli :)

Thank you Bishop Guli.

Happy new year Mark!

yes i can hear

Yes

yes I can hear you

// BIBLE READING – Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,[b] and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah[c] was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for from you shall come a rulerwho is to shepherd[d] my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men[e] and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising,[f] until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Remember to post your questions using the Q&A function. You can also vote up the question that most resonate with you.

Very powerful and beautiful, Bishop Guli. Thank you. Coming from Iranian background, it was really encouraging for me to have a voice among the people of God.I would like to ask that how we can keep our original identity as well as British identity when the church and in fact the society pressurise us is to chose one. It might not be said in the public arena but if you are different and not be like the majority, you are going to be pointed out or made guilty because you are different. How to resist to be a person with just a single identity?

very true Mohammad

Fantastic insights - thank you so much

So good! Powerful

Thanks Mark

Amen! Thanks Mark.

Powerful. Thank you, Mark.

Amen indeed and thank you Mark and Bishop Guli as well

Really insightful, thank you Mark :)

Thank you Mark. it was great.

Wonderful to hear Katie Geneva Cannon remembered. Amazing womanist theologian. Thank you Rev Sharon.

// BIBLE READING – Matthew 15:21-28 (NRSV)21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

can the author and book that Sharon mentioned be put into the chat please

Postcolonial Feminist Interpretation of the Bible - Musa Dube

thank you

Rediscovering the beauty and power of being part of something bigger than ourselves and our own identities - definitely something to get reconnected with and excited about :) Thank you Sharon :)

Profound Sharon, Thank you!

Thank you Sharon.

inspirational faith, "those who are happy to receive the crumbs under the table will find themselves at the wedding feast"

Thanks Sharon

Really appreciate these three presentations, thank you very much for your shared wisdoms.

This is wonderful, I am a 2nd generation Northern Irish woman, child of the 1970s. So much of what is shared resonates. Thank you :)

Is there something to be learnt from the three strands of the ANglican church in Aotearoa/New Zealand?

oo yes Carys good thought

In many churches in the US, especially black churches, we have testimony services where people share their stories openly. We designate specific times for this to occur. It is a form of therapy for those who don’t have access to a therapist. Testimony service has been a powerful way for black Americans to tell their stories, for many years.

Yes, I think that's hitting the nail on the head Bishop Guli. Out idenity in Christ SURPASSES other ways by which we define ourselves, but does not do away with them.

My sense is we become more our true selves in Christ, our best selves, through the validation and love we receive in Christ and in community

AMEN!

Jesus, son of Mary, a Jew and son of God-Incarnation in its fullness.

Thanks Eboni for your comment about Testimony Services I didn't know that

Should we ALWAYS qualify the word theology then? If a neutral perspective is impossible, then how can we best recognise this.

All theology is contextual!

I trained for ministry in Kenya and African Christian Theology was taught in contrast to white western theology.

I was not asking out of a place of criticism of Mark's use of the term, but out of curiosity.

No, your responses were very helpful. thank you

// FEEDBACKPlease give us your feedback on today’s webinar:https://us19.list-manage.com/survey?u=cbd6384064124b364f971d785&id=2f8ad04d53// NEXT GLOBAL VOICES WEBINARKeep the date: Thursday 29th April, 7:30-9:00pm on intercultural voices in Liturgy. Keep an eye on Leicester Cathedral Eventbrite, Diomail or sign up for Discipleship at Leicester Cathedral email updates: https://mailchi.mp/5986fcd943f7/lcdiscipleship

Thank you so much!

Thank you all for your wisdom and stories :) Lots to reflect on.

Asante

Thank you Lusa, and all panelists

Thank you!

Thanks to all of you

is the video file going to be public?

Thank you to panellists and all!

I loved having the BSL interpretation I don't sign, but I find it beautiful to watch

Thank you looking forward to the next one already

many thanks

and to you! Thank you very much yo all

yes, sincere thanks