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Presiding Like a Woman

Reviewed by Johanna Clare.

This book explores what it means to ‘preside as a woman’, primarily at the Eucharist, but in a variety of other contexts too. Do women do things differently? And if so, how and why? To answer these questions we are offered a smorgasbord of poetry, autobiography, history and academic critique.

Given the title, this book is most likely to appeal to women with responsibilities as liturgical leaders, but I hope it gains a wider audience, not least because of its demands that we should reflect on how we include or exclude the most marginalised. This culminates in analyses of how humanity is represented at the altar. Is the place behind the table only for idealised, de-sexed priests, or is there room for our whole selves? How does our brokenness resonate with the meaning of the sacrifice being re-enacted? And beyond the altar, how do we maintain authenticity and integrity in every aspect of our ministries?

The editors, Nicola Slee and Stephen Burns, are both research fellows at theological colleges, one in England, the other in Australia. Contributors are both lay and ordained, male and female, and include some very well respected feminist theologians. There is significant diversity in their assumptions about gender and ecclesiology. The contributions vary greatly in style as well as content. In consequence I think many readers will find plenty to inspire and frustrate, to challenge and bring hope.