All three seasons of the Project Violet Podcast are archived here:
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Project Violet is investigating women’s experiences in ministry whilst developing women ministers. It seeks to understand more fully the theological, missional, and structural obstacles women ministers face in the Baptist community in Great Britain and identify ways forward. These podcasts share some of the findings of the project. See also the website www.projectviolet.org.uk
The Oxford University Research Archive contains all the resources from the project and is available here. Season 1 (click + to expand section)Episode 1 - The story so far
Feb 1, 2024
Episode 1 - The story so far Episode 2 - From Compliment to Affirmation
Feb 8, 2024
Episode 2 - From Compliment to Affirmation Episode 3 - From Criticism to Feedback
Feb 15, 2024
Episode 3 - From Criticism to Feedback Episode 3 looks at how criticism can be experienced as sexist. It suggests ways of giving constructive feedback. Hosts Jane Day and Helen Cameron listen in as Esther, Tim, Nathan and Steve role play a conversation after the Church Meeting. Episode 4 - From all women to this woman
Feb 22, 2024
Episode 4 - From all women to this woman Episode 4 looks at how not all women experience sexism in the same way. It suggests that other identities and experiences contribute and need to be recognised. Hosts Jane Day and Helen Cameron listen in as Esther, Tim, Nathan and Steve role play a Deacon’s Meeting. Episode 5 - From Bystander to Ally
Feb 29, 2024
Episode 5 - From Bystander to Ally Episode 5 looks at how behaviour that undermines women is often ignored rather than challenged. It suggests that we all have a responsibility to change from being a bystander to an ally. Hosts Jane Day and Helen Cameron listen in as Tim, Nathan and Steve role play a conversation about choosing the next minister. It is the last of 5 episodes preparing for the release of the findings of Project Violet on 2 May 2024. Season 2 (click + to expand section)S2 Episode 1 - Sarah Crane
May 2, 2024
S2 Episode 1 - Sarah Crane This episode introduces Sarah Crane who is the Head of Chaplaincy at Milton Keynes University Hospital. Her research compared the experiences of women ministers working as NHS chaplains with those same women’s experience of working in a local church. S2 Episode 2 - Charmaine Mhlanga
May 3, 2024
S2 Episode 2 - Charmaine Mhlanga This episode introduces Charmaine Mhlanga who is a newly accredited minister serving at Sundon Park Baptist Church in Luton. Her research, which also formed part of her NAMs studies, looked at the Baptist Together Equality and Diversity training resources for ministers called, ‘I am because you are’. S2 Episode 3 - Helen Dare
May 4, 2024
S2 Episode 3 - Helen Dare This episode introduces Helen Dare who is both the minister at Broad Haven Baptist Church in Pembrokeshire and a tutor at Cardiff Baptist College. Helen was one of the members of the Theological Reflectors group and she explains how that group contributed to the research. S2 Episode 4 - Denise Dobie
May 6, 2024
S2 Episode 4 - Denise Dobie This episode introduces Denise Dobie who is a newly accredited minister serving at Darkhouse Baptist Church in the Black Country. Until recently she was also a GP. Her research, which was also part of her NAMs studies, looked at the experience of women ministering through the menopause and the support they received. S2 Episode 5 - Beth Powney
May 7, 2024
S2 Episode 5 - Beth Powney This episode introduces Beth Powney who was the Regional Team Leader of the Eastern Baptist Association when she was doing her research. She has now retired in the South East. Beth’s research evaluated the impact of a leadership development programme for women ministers called MagnifyYou. S2 Episode 6 - Alex Ellish and Carmel Murphy Elliot
May 8, 2024
S2 Episode 6 - Alex Ellish and Carmel Murphy Elliot This episode introduces Alex and Carmel who worked together on their research. Carmel Murphy Elliot has a portfolio ministry which includes being regional coordinator for Urban Expression in the North of England. Alex Ellish was at the time of the research the minister of a Baptist church in Peckham in southeast London as well as being a regional coordinator for Urban Expression. Together they researched women ministers’ experience of working in pioneering contexts. S2 Episode 7 - Pam Searle
May 9, 2024
S2 Episode 7 - Pam Searle This episode introduces Pam Searle who is the minister at Sutton Baptist Church in London. Pam researched the experiences of accredited women ministers who had left ministry, or were seconded or on long-term sabbatical within the Baptist Union. S2 Episode 8 - Laura Gilmour
May 10, 2024
S2 Episode 8 - Laura Gilmour This episode introduces Laura Gilmour is a palliative care chaplain at Strathcaron Hospice in central Scotland and so is a minister in the Baptist Union of Scotland. Laura researched the way in which caring responsibilities impact women’s experience of ministry. S2 Episode 9 - Helen Stokley
May 11, 2024
S2 Episode 9 - Helen Stokley This episode introduces Helen Stokley who is the Deputy Vice Chancellor at Spurgeon’s College in London. Helen looked at how women can be better prepared for ministerial training so they flourish as ministers in training. S2 Episode 10 - Clare Hooper
May 13, 2024
S2 Episode 10 - Clare Hooper This episode introduces Clare Hooper who is co-team leaders of the Southern Counties Baptist Association. She also coordinates Childrens’ You and Families learning at Bristol Baptist College. Clare researched how her Association could be more effective at affirming women in ministry. S2 Episode 11 - Claire Nicholls
May 14, 2024
S2 Episode 11 - Claire Nicholls This episode introduces Claire Nicholls who is currently a Regional Minister in the London Baptist Association. When she was conducting her research she was minister of New Addington Baptist Church in Croydon. Claire reflected upon her experience of developing a London Baptist Women’s Justice Hub. S2 Episode 12 - Amutha Deveraj
May 15, 2024
S2 Episode 12 - Amutha Devaraj This episode introduces Amutha Deveraj who is the minister of Ashurst Drive Baptist Church in Ilford. Amutha collaborated with her congregation to better understand the journey into ministry for Asian women. S2 Episode 13 - Hayley Young
May 16, 2024
S2 Episode 13 - Hayley Young This episode introduces Hayley Young who is currently co-team leader of Southern Counties Baptist Association. At the time of her research she was Strategic Team Leader for the Northern Baptist Association and President of the Baptist Union. Hayley’s research reflected upon her experience of being a millennial leader within Baptists Together. S2 Episode 14 - Afi Kirk
May 17, 2024
S2 Episode 14 - Afi Kirk This episode introduces Afi Kirk who is pastor at Blackheath and Charlton Baptist Church in London. Afi researched the financial barriers to training and accreditation for women whose calling is recognised. S2 Episode 15 - Carol Bostridge
May 18, 2024
S2 Episode 15 - Carol Bostridge This episode introduces Carol Bostridge who at the time of her research was a Regional Minister within London Baptist Association. She is now retired and busy! Carol’s research was about the way in which a woman’s marital status affected her experience of ministry. Season 2 (click + to expand section)S3 Episode 1 - Ruth Moriarty
Sep 23, 2025
S3 Episode 1 - Ruth Moriarty How do churches make decisions in a way that includes all their members? This episode explores the work done by Ruth Moriarty on Slow Wisdom and shows how it is supporting the changes requested by Project Violet. S3 Episode 2 - Claire and Brian Nicholls
Sep 30, 2025
S3 Episode 2 - Claire and Brian Nicholls How do churches ensure they act fairly and in line with their beliefs when recruiting ministers? This episode looks at resources prepared by Claire Nicholls and Brian Nicholls drawing on their experience as Regional Ministers. S3 Episode 3 - Beth Bowney
Oct 7, 2025
S3 Episode 3 - Beth Powney A group of Baptist Regional Associations are working together to provide leadership development for women ministers. In this episode Beth Powney talks about what is planned and how it builds on the original MagnifyYou programme. S3 Episode 4 - Ken Benjamin (Part 1)
Oct 14, 2025
S3 Episode 4 - Ken Benjamin Part 1 Larger Baptist Churches are less likely to have a woman as lead minister. Ken Benjamin talks with Ali Summers, Lisa Holmes, Ellen Wild about why that is and their experiences of leading larger churches. S3 Episode 5 - Ken Benjamin (Part 2)
Oct 21, 2025
S3 Episode 5 - Ken Benjamin Part 2 Ken Benjamin digs deeper into the experience of leading larger churches with Ali Summers, Lisa Holmes and Ellen Wild. S3 Episode 6 - David Mayne and Mark Fairweather-Tall
Oct 28, 2025
S3 Episode 6 - David Mayne and Mark Fairweather-Tall How have Regional Associations responded to the requests for change emerging from Project Violet. David Mayne and Mark Fairweather-Tall talk about the responses in their Associations and the way in which some associations are collaborating to support each other in implementation. |
Guide to reflection...A podcast is usually a recording of two or more people having a conversation. So much of church life is sharing conversations with one another. Sometimes we speak to others directly, on other occasions we might listen to a conversation between two people within a meeting. Sometimes a conversation happens and is retold to us afterwards.
In all these examples we are invited to listen and to reflect on what is said. We invite you to listen to these podcast conversations between Jane and Helen and their guests. And we invite you to reflect together as a group: on what is said and what this might mean for your church life together. We trust that your reflections will lead you to encounter God at work in this conversation we share. We offer the following questions to support your listening and reflection:
Adapted from Johnson, Abigail Reflecting with God. Connecting Faith and Daily Life in Small Groups Alban, 2004 www.alban.org |