THE UMTATA WOMEN'S THEOLOGY GROUP: A “HERSTORY”

Abstract

The Umtata Women's Theology Group was established in August 1987. Although many difficulties have been experienced, the group is still meeting and a number of booklets have been published. What makes the group so significant is that it is one of the few women's theology groups, consisting essentially of laywomen, that has maintained its existence over a relatively long period of time and has actually written its own material.(1) The group started as a result of a number of women travelling from Umtata to Johannesburg (about 900km) to attend a conference on the implications of the Kairos document for women in South Africa. On the return journey, it was decided to form a women's Bible study group in order to combat the abysmal lack of theological understanding among women.(2) Despite the fact that the women who were drawn into the group were committed Christians and regular churchgoers, they felt that they had very little theological knowledge. This meant that they were unable to challenge distorted interpretations of the Bible and the use of the Bible to oppress women in the church and society. Once the group commenced its meetings, it was decided to write down the material used by the group in a publishable form. At a later stage, a core of women from the group formed a team whose responsibility it has been to prepare material for meetings and, thereafter, to revise it. This means that the booklets published by the group have been through a process of revision based on insights gained from using the material in small groups. Of whom did the group consist? From the outset the group consisted of black and white women, drawn from a number of denominations. Most of the women in the group had no formal theological education, although a few were either university or Bible college trained. The advantage of this mixed composition was that the group could draw upon a variety of skills and experience. What problems have been experienced by the group? One problem has been the lack of time. All the women in the group participate in it on a part-time basis. All are also very involved with careers, community work, church responsibilities and family commitments. Consequently, regular attendance has not always been possible. This has also meant that decisions can only be made when the group actually meets (approximately once a month) and little time remains between meetings for the writing of studies or the development of strategies. Another difficulty has been that of finances. Up to now the group has operated under the umbrella of the Transkei Council of Churches (TCC), whose staff have provided much in the way of administrative help to the group. Certain funds have been raised from the sale of booklets, but not enough to pay even a part-time staff member who could commit her energies specifically towards achieving the goals of the group. A third difficulty stems from the publishing and marketing of the booklets. Without adequate staff and equipment, the group has not been able to give sufficient attention to these matters. …