28th March 2025

I hope you were able to see the exhibition of Jen Ford’s art that was on display at Tyndale in March. The title was “Silenced women of the Bible” and it aimed to “to change the way in which the church views women, by re-introducing those women in the Bible who have been wrongly shamed, blamed and accused”.

I don’t think anyone counted how many people came through the doors that week but I know that we printed 80 guidebooks and there were very few left at the end. Those who came were invited to leave a comment. Here is a selection of what they wrote.

I saw the exhibition title whilst driving past on the bus, so on my return journey I made a beeline to it. Wow. How powerful. Thank you for portraying these ladies so beautifully and for telling their stories so clearly. Seeing them all together in one display is really important and I will tell others about it.

The paintings are very moving. I had been put off church by the misogyny. I am really pleased to see this exhibition in a church.

It is amazing to see women given a different narrative. I hope this exhibition travels to many churches and helps to promote the message of inclusiveness and equality as well as challenging misogyny and sexism in the church and society. Thank you!

What an extraordinary and interesting exhibition. It encourages us to revisit all the stories we think we know, in a new light.

Such a fascinating exhibition highlighting the many issues faced by women past and present. Thank you for sharing your wonderful insightful paintings.

Some of the conversations that took place during the week were deep, serious and emotionally charged. In a recent “Thought”, Keith wrote powerfully about the importance of the arts as a gift from God that keeps us human. This exhibition was a wonderful example of that and brought those that saw it face-to-face with the humanity of the Bible in a new way. I pray that it will have a lasting and profound effect on us all.

Nick Parsons