The English Church Women's Association (ECWA) : Empowering towards partnership in mission or entrenching gender inequality? : The case of St Mary's Anglican Church on-the-Braak, Stellenbosch 1875-2015

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study discussed how the fundraising role of the Anglican Church Women's Association helpedempower women to develop self-esteem, self-confidence and solidarity. It explores how women'sfundraising role influences the relationship between men and women and participated as equal agentsin mission at St. Mary's Anglican Church in Stellenbosch between 1875 and 2015. The study explainshow paternal attitudes and patriarchy in the church have women's supporting roles, leadership roles tosupport roles and deny their theological rightful roles in the mission of God for his people and hisworld.The study also examines issues of partnership and empowerment given the established genderperceptions and role-instruction present in the church and society. These perceptions and attitudes arebuilt on the basis of ancestor's traditional cultural values and beliefs. Important in this discussion is thecolonial paternal attitude toward some, if not all the traditional values and beliefs of both men andwomen in the new evangelized areas. Similarly, the study discusses Christian practices as they areliterally passed by biblical Jewish traditions. In other words, the study explores the development andimportance of mutual cooperation, empowerment of women and how it motivated women to raisefunds for the Stellenbosch University from 1875 to 2015.The study seeks to investigate the socio-economic goals in women's fundraising role in order todetermine whether there is a well-known relationship that women relate to as effective fundraisers andto determine whether women are successful in fundraising because of their experience of poverty andmarginalization? Can the fundraising role of women possibly inspire new generations in South Afr icaand the region of equality and encourage inclusive participation? To what extent can fundraising helpthe Southern Poverty-stricken Church in the development of mutual cooperation, partnership andempowerment between women and men as equal agents in mission? Is this not an area where theChurch and society in developing countries can explore beyond their economic independence for thesuccessful participation in regional and global never-ending transfer of Christianity?The case study is set out in six chapters. The first chapter, introduces the study, presents the mainpurpose, the focus and an overview of the study. The second discusses the conceptual framework, withemphasis on the theoretical concepts of partnerships, empowerment, patriarchy and gender. The thirdchapter explores the historical context / landscape of St Mary's Anglican Church in Stellenbosch inSouth Africa. The fourth chapter discusses the birth and activities of the E.C.W.A. Chapter Fiveprovides data analysis and a summary of the research findings. The sixth and final chapter contemplates the future Church and the future of the Church and draws conclusions and makesrecommendations.In all six chapters, the study aims to cultivate, develop and promote a sense of equality and unity indiversity amongst Christian men and women in the Church and society. It maintains that the creativityand skills of both men and women can be used for effective communication of the Gospel. Throughsix chapters, the study indicates that funds or money are an important aspect in effective mission. Ifmen and women work together as equal agents in mission, the socio-economic story of the SouthernChurch and society will be different. And the fundraising role of women at St Mary's Anglican inStellenbosch can be used as an example for the development of mutual cooperation and empowermentof women in fast-growing but poor Southern Christianity.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University