More Than a Cake Stall: Recent Episodes
PCNSW Women's Ministry Committee
A podcast exploring the many ways women in the PCNSW have used the gifts God has given them in service of the Kingdom.
In episode 2, After Union, we consider the impact of Union and how it framed the debates on ordination of women to the eldership; and how the Federal and State Assemblies worked out who had the authority to make decisions about the office elders.
In Season 4, episode 1, we follow the debates on women elders in the GAA and GANSW through the 1940s until Union.
In this Mother's Day Special, Sylvia Siu shares a word of encouragement to our listeners through the story of Hagar, who named God 'El Ron ', "the Lord who sees".
In Season 3, Episode 7, Anna Moss reflects on the seventh of Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross from Luke 23:46, "Into your hands I commit my spirit."
In Season 3, Episode 6, Sylvia Siu reflects on the sixth of Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross from John 19:30 - "It is finished."
In Season 3, Episode 5, Jenny Allen reflects on the fifth of Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross from John 19:28 - "I thirst."
In Season 3, Episode 4, Sylvia Siu reflects on the fourth of Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross from Matthew 27:46 - "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
In Season 3, Episode 2, Sarah Bell reflects on the third of Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross from John 19:26: "Woman, behold your son."
In this episode Sylvia Siu reflects on the second of Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross from Luke 23:43: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
In Season 3, Episode 1, Sylvia Siu reflects on the first of Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross from Luke 23:34: "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
In the final Episode (7) for the season, Sylvia Siu reflects on the story of Anna. Anna is a prophetess who meets the baby Jesus in the temple, and recognises Him as the long awaited Messiah. You can read more of her story in Luke 2.
In Episode 5, Sylvia Siu reflects on the story of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist, and was Jesus’ maternal aunty. You can read more of her story in Luke 1.
In Episode 4, Sylvia Siu reflects on the story of Uriah’s wife. She is the fourth woman mentioned (although not by name) in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 1:3). Bathsheba is another ethnic outsider (the wife of a Hittite) who is woven into Jesus human DNA. You can read more of her story in 2 Samuel 11 & 12.
In Episode 3, Sylvia Siu reflects on the story of Ruth. Ruth is the second woman mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 1:3), another ethnic outsider who is woven into Jesus human DNA. You can read more of her story in the book of Ruth.
In Episode 2, Sylvia Siu reflects on the story of Rahab. Rahab is the second woman mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 1:3), and you can read more of her story in Joshua 2.
In Episode 1, Sylvia Siu reflects on the story of Tamar. Tamar is the first woman mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 1:3), and you can read more of her story in Genesis 38.
In Episode 10, Carin Cumberlegefrom St Aiden’s Presbyterian Church Wagga Wagga shares how the Lord both equipped her and directed her to offer up her gifts in service of Him. Carin has served as a GP, specialised in adolesecent & youth health, and family and children’s ministry worker in her local church before she Juvenile Justice chaplaincy. Carin’s story will serve as an encouragement to every woman to glorify God with the gifts He has given her in every season of life.
In Episode 9, Hazel Nisbett from Woonoona Presbyterian Church shares how God brought her to alongside a variety of people who have struggled with addiction, and how that inspired a ministry partnership with Overcomers Outreach .Hazel reflects on both the practical challenges of this ministry and the way that Jesus has transformed her life through His love. We trust that this conversation will inspire you, and your Church, to see the needs of the most vulnerable God has placed around you, and utilise them for His glory.
In Episode 8, Nicole Mannyx shares how God allowed an abundant grapefruit tree in the manse open the way for the church at Penrith Presbyterian to serve their community through Sydney’s lockdown in 2021. Nicole reflects on God’s desire, specifically throughout the Old Testament, for His people to care for the poor, widow, and stranger among them. We trust that this conversation will inspire you, and your Church, to see the needs of the most vulnerable God has placed around you, and utilise them for His glory.
In Episode 7, Rochelle Wainwright shares about her chaplaincy work at Westmead and Allowah Children’s Hospitals.Rochelle speaks with authentic vulnerability about the steps of faith she takes each day in ministering to the children and families at Allowah. We trust that this conversation will grow your compassion and resolve to support the needs of Allowah Children’s Hospital.
In Episode 6, Julie Murray shares about the Easy English Bible Study that has been operating out of Hurstville Presbyterian Church for the last twenty years. Julie’s passion is evident in this conversation, and the intentional steps taken to ensure cohesion and mutual fellowship between the HPC congregation and International and ESL students who attended the class.
In Episode 5, Ruth Myors shares about her 20+ years in Somalia and Ethiopia, where she served as a midwife and nurse, and the traumatic experiences that led her to establish a pioneer ministry on her return to Australia: equipping and supporting missionaries and ministry workers. Just a note, in this discussion, Ruth shares about a traumatic experience in Ethiopia, in which she was kidnapped and raped. The conversation is not explicit, but we understand that this discussion might be distressing for some listeners. If you do find it distressing, we encourage you to reach out to a trusted Church member or Christian counsellor to talk about the impact of this conversation on you.
In Episode 4, Joan Thaux shares about the incredible Park Patrol ministry, where PCNSW women fed and clothed homeless men in Sydney parks for over 30 years. President of the Dorcas Committee of the Presbyterian Women’s Association (PWA), Joan shares beautifully about what it means to faithfully follow Jesus’ calling to bring His love and the hope of the gospel to those in need.
In Commissioned to Serve, Deaconess Nicole Mannyx takes usa little deeper into the Settlement Ministries, and the commissioning of the first deaconesses in the PCNSW over 100 years ago. We also discuss the importance of the Word always being connected to justice and mercy ministries.
In Episode 2, we continue our conversation with Liz McClean, CEO of Jericho Road. We explore her journey to CEO of Jericho Road, and discover how God has shaped her experiences to equip her for this role. We also hear how the ministry of “filling the gaps” played out in real life, as she and her church family promptly responded when their hometown (Winmalee) was affected by bushfires in 2013.
In Episode 1, we hear from Liz McClean, CEO of Jericho Road, who shares how how a ministry formed by a group of PCNSW women, over 100 years ago, eventually became Presbyterian Social Services. Over the years, the Presbyterian Women’s Association (PWA) have been integral in supporting this ministry, even in it’s current phase today (as Jericho Road).