The Not Equal Yet Conference is where we gather both in person and online to campaign for an end to sexism and discrimination in the Church of England.
Date: Saturday 29th March 2025
Location: St John’s Church, Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London, UK
Time: 10.00am - 2.30pm
How to book: Book via Eventbrite - book tickets here
Join us at the Not Equal Yet Conference, where we will address the urgent need to end discrimination against women in our national church. You can expect thought-provoking discussions and practical strategies, exploring ways to create a more loving community of belonging for all, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation.
It will include lunch and the opportunity to meet other women and men who want see equality in our Church.
Speakers include:
The Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon, who is calling for women to show ‘radical candour’ about the sexism they encounter in the Church
Revd Dr Liz Shercliff, academic researcher from the Luther King Centre, who is reflecting on how the Five Guiding Principles are silencing women’s voices in the Church
Revd Dr Leah Robinson, Associate Professor of Religion, Mercer University, USA, who will analyse how we recognise ‘bad theology’ within our own Church
Having a Church that treats women and men equally is not only just, but it is true to the Gospel, where Jesus calls us to proclaim the Kingdom of God in which there is no first, no last.
Furthermore, discrimination against women makes our Church unsafe because it has created a culture in which women are expected to put up with sexism and not report bad experiences.
This live event is hosted by WATCH (Women And The CHurch), where we believe that God's love knows no boundaries and discrimination has no place in our faith. Don't miss out on this important event as we work together towards building a more inclusive future.
In Person (includes lunch): £20 General Admission, £15 WATCH members, Students Free
Online: £10 General Admission, £5 WATCH members, Students Free
I do hope that you'll be able to join us in person or online.
9.30- 10.00 | Coffee & registration
10.00-10.15 | Prayer Rev Jennifer Thomas, WATCH Vice Chair
10.15-10.30 | Welcome and opening words Revd Martine Oborne, WATCH Chair
10.30- 11.00 | Radical Candour The need to speak out about discrimination against women in the Church (20 mins plus
10 mins Q&A) Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon
11.00-11.30 | Does GOD not also speak through us? How patriarchy is stifling women’s voices in the proclamation of
the Gospel (20 mins plus 10 mins Q&A) Elizabeth Shercliff, Doctor of Professional Studies in Theology
and Religious Studies, University of Chester
11.30-12.00 | Coffee
12.00-12.30 | Bad Theology: Oppression in the name of God. How we recognise ‘bad theology’ in our midst and how
discrimination against women fits the parameters of bad theology Revd Dr Leah E. Robinson, Associate
Professor of Religion and Practical Theology in Charlotte, North Carolina
12.30-13.00 | Small Groups conversations .
13.00-13.15 | Plenary feedack
13.15-13.25 | What next? Revd Kristin Breuss, WATCH trustee
13.25-13.30 | Closing words and prayer Revd Martine Oborne, WATCH Chair
LUNCH
14.30-16.00 | Southwark Roadshow:
What is this?
WATCH are looking to get a motion to Synod to agree an end date to the Declaration and Five Guiding Principles. We think one of the most effective ways to do this is to work with each diocese (those that are happy to work with WATCH) and get the same motion to Diocesan Synod's throughout the country to then get the motion to General Synod.
And so, we're organising the WATCH Roadshow, starting with Southwark Diocese on Saturday 29th March, 2.30pm - 4.00pm at St John's Waterloo. During this time, we'll be thinking about and discussing a Southwark Diocese Strategy.
We'd love as many representatives from Southwark there as possible to share what deanery's / people / etc, you think will be supportive of helping the motion get to Diocesan Synod.
So, if you are in Southwark Diocese, please stay after lunch for the Southwark Roadshow. Or if you can’t make the morning, come to the Roadshow in the afternoon. We’d love to know if you are coming, so please let Martine or Georgia know.
For more information on the Southwark Roadshow contact Martine Oborne at chair@womenandthechurch.org or Georgia Ashwell at georgia@stjohnswaterloo.org