‘Light Over Liskeard’ by Louis de Bernieres’

One of the perks of owning a bookshop is that you can get your hands on advance copies of books. Book reps will often bring a small stack of pending titles to our meetings and my staff and I get to read ahead. It makes us better booksellers, better at recommending books to customers. 

‘Light Over Liskeard’ is one of those advance copies which is due in stores this month, but I read it in August and loved it. I’ve been holding off reviewing it until it was available to buy.

So here goes…

Set sometime in the not-too-distant future where cars are self-driving, bots take care of most menial things, children have only virtual friends and national security is increasingly fragile, Q (not his real name) is a quantum cryptographer for the British government. 

Q becomes aware that he knows how to end the world and that if he knows, so too do a number of others scattered across the world. But he isn’t sure that he knows what it means to live and he’s running out of time. He leaves the city, buys a derelict farmhouse on the moors and begins to prepare for what is to come.

The absolute delight of this book is the light touch of the author and his introduction of weird and quirky characters already resident on the moors: a hermit, a knight, a ghost, a widowed South American environmentalist and his lusty daughter, and a range of ‘reintroduced’ species roaming at large. 

I think what I liked most is that it isn’t what you think its going to be – there’s no doom, no wailing and gnashing of teeth, just good story telling and compelling characters that leave you strangely happy to have met them.

‘Women Remembered – Jesus’ Female Disciples’

First Church community hall will be the place to be later this month if you’re interested in learning about the role of women in the Bible.

Come to what will be a fascinating lecture by Prof. Joan Taylor. She is eminently qualified for this modern topic having served in senior academic positions at Uni of Waikato, Harvard Divinity School, Kings College London and latterly at Victoria and currently Prof. at the Centre of Religion Melbourne. She has a PhD in early Christian archaeology.

Do you think Jesus surrounded himself exclusively with men?

Inspired by their popular documentary ‘Jesus Female Disciples’, historians Helen Bond and Joan Taylor explore the way in which Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary, Martha and a whole host of other women have been remembered by posterity, noting how many were silenced, tamed or slurred by innuendo – although occasionally they got to slay dragons.

Women Remembered digs into the biblical texts, the representation of these women in art, and the way they have been remembered in inscriptions and archaeology – exposing misogyny and offering alternative and unexpected ways of appreciating them as disciples, apostles, teachers, messengers and church-founders.

At a time when both the church and society more widely are still grappling with the full inclusion and equality of women, their book is a must-read for anyone interested in the historical and cultural origins of Christianity.

Upcoming Events:

• Two-day Kirk Fair is scheduled for 25 – 26 November with a fine array of cakes, produce, clothes and tasteful bric à brac on display. See you at the Waihinga Centre.
• Book Sale on 28 October, 1.30 – 5pm at the Church Hall. 
• Women Remembered – Prof. Joan Taylor, 22 October at 12.45pm – 1st Church Community Hall.

NEWS FROM FIRST CHURCH

As the rain beats down and high winds howl we’re told that Spring has sprung and benign weather is just around the corner. Maybe. In Martinborough one sure sign of renewal is seen every September in the vineyards, with new season buds and nascent leaves now making their first appearance.  Anyone passing First Church on a Sunday will also be struck by the lusty spring induced singing emanating from within.  Linger and listen to the tuneful standard hymns (better still, come in!) but be prepared to quicken your stride for any of the more challenging psalms which challenge a congregation’s musicality.

People are still buzzing about the Spring Fling fashion show last month which was financially rewarding and a huge success.  With 126 tickets sold the Town Hall was full to bulging.   The high fashion clothes being modelled were a great hit with discerning punters and the event is bound to become an annual hardy.  Entertainment from the fabulous Maynard girls was an added bonus.

Upcoming Events

• The trusty 2-day Kirk Fair is scheduled for 25^th and 26^th November and will have a fine array of cakes, produce, clothes and tasteful bric à brac on display.  Any donations welcome.  See you at the Waihinga Centre.

• You’ll need to stock up on decent books to ride out the last of the wet weather.  Come to the Church Hall for their Book Sale on 28^th October, 1.30 – 5pm.

• Women Remembered – Prof. Joan Taylor, 22 October at 12.45pm – 1^st Church Community Hall.

If you’re interested in learning about the role of women in the Bible, come to what will be a fascinating lecture by Prof. Joan Taylor.  She is eminently qualified for this modern topic having served in senior academic positions at Uni of Waikato, Harvard Divinity School, Kings College London and latterly at Victoria and currently Prof. at the Centre of Religion Melbourne.  She has a PhD in early Christian archaeology.

Do you know why I joined Rotary?

“I joined South Wairarapa Rotary because I like to help people and make a difference in our communities – that’s why. (Anne Atkinson, Rotarian).

Want to know more?

www.swrotary.org.nz

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