“My desire to be a theologian came from my passion for the subject, along with being inspired by faculty when studying. I want to introduce women and men to historic examples of women who have made a difference and have been actively engaged in Christian public engagement. I am particularly keen to highlight the secret lives of prayer and vibrant spirituality of these women, that informed and enlivened their public personas and influence.”
About Robyn
Robyn completed her B.Ed (Hons) at Sydney University before moving to England where she studied her MA (Language and Literature) at the University of London and then worked in religious publishing. While studying her Masters degree in spiritual theology at Regent College in Vancouver, Robyn met her wonderful Kiwi husband. They returned to Sydney where Robyn lectured in Christian Spirituality for 8 years at the Australian College of Ministries, becoming a Mum of three children en route. In 2009, the family moved to Scotland so Robyn could undertake a PhD in theology at the University of St Andrews, graduating in 2013. Since 2014, Robyn has been Senior Lecturer in Theology and Spirituality at Alphacrucis College, Sydney. She is the editor of Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book (2018) and has a monograph forthcoming, The Spiritual Formation of Evelyn Underhill (to be published in March 2020, SPCK London).
Fellowship project: ‘Prayer, passion and courage: Women of influence through the ages’
This project involves researching the biography, context, and public and devotional writings of twelve Christian women for a book publication. As female voices remain under-represented in the public arena and in writing, this project aims to make accessible the stories of a diverse group of exemplary Christian women. Those chosen were leaders and pioneers in the public sphere, who also left evidence of their devotional lives undergirding that influence. This book will explore how their vibrant, prayer lives supported and motivated their active, outward service.
I have selected twelve women from a variety of cultures and historical periods who displayed this mixed life of prayer and engagement in society and Church. I will emphasise how each woman’s external, public influence was birthed and supported by their hidden, devotional lives. The twelve women include Hildegard of Bingen, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux, Josephine Butler, Élisabeth Leseur, Amy Carmichael, Florence Nightingale, Edith Stein, "Etty" Hillesum, Sojourner Truth and Janet Matthews. Their lives tell incredible stories of courageous, public engagement and influence, alongside passionate, devotional writings. Each sketch will include quotes from their personal letters, prayers or journals. Hopefully, providing these excerpts will enkindle and deepen the reader's own passion for God and desire to make a difference in the world. This book will be a reminder that effective public engagement is dependent upon a vibrant life of prayer.