Sisters in the Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist God-Talk, by Delores S. Williams
Dates: Mondays, May 25 through July 13
Time: 6:30 to 7:30pm (optionally followed by 30 minutes of contemplative prayer)
Location: Christ Church Cobble Hill (326 Clinton Street, at the corner of Clinton and Kane)
St. Ann’s is joining with our Episcopal neighbors from Christ Church Cobble Hill and St. Paul’s Carroll Street to read Sisters in the Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist God-Talk, a landmark text by Delores S. Williams that helped establish the field of womanist theology—that is, theology centering the experiences, perspectives, and wisdom of Black women. Free copies of the book will be provided to community read participants.
Drawing on the biblical figure of Hagar mother of Ishmael, cast into the desert by Abraham and Sarah, but protected by God Williams finds a proptype for the struggle of African-American women. … Sisters in the Wilderness offers a telling critique of theologies that promote liberation but ignore women of color. This is a book that defined a new theological project and charted a path that others continue to explore. — Orbis Books
All are welcome, whether or not you have participated in previous weeks. We encourage reading each chapter in advance to enrich our conversation (see the reading schedule below). Our discussion time is optionally followed by 30 minutes of contemplative prayer for those who wish to stay.
To learn more, secure a free copy, or arrange transportation to Christ Church Cobble Hill, email Rev. Brendan Nee (bnee@stannholytrinity.org).
READING SCHEDULE
MAY 25 | Introduction and Chapter 1, “Hagar’s Story: A Route to Black Women’s Issues”
JUNE 1 | Chapter 2, “Tensions in Motherhood: From Slavery to Freedom”
JUNE 8 | Chapter 3, “Social-Role Surrogacy: Naming Black Women’s Oppression”
JUNE 15 | Chapter 4, “Color Struck: A State of Mind”
JUNE 22 | Chapter 5, “Sisters in the Wilderness and Community Meanings”
JUNE 29 | Chapter 6, “Womanist God-Talk and Black Liberation Theology”
JULY 6 | Chapter 7, “Womanist-Feminist Dialogue: Differences and Commonalities”
JULY 13 | Chapter 8, “Womanist Reflections on ‘The Black Church,’ the African-American Denominational Churches and the Universal Hagar’s Spiritual Church”
