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Naomi L. Jacobs

@naomijacobs.bsky.social
2.3K followers 852 following 2.1K posts

Researcher-activist, Manchester Met @learningmet.bsky.social #DisabilityStudies Member, Neurodiversity Working Group of the Church of England Co-author, At the Gates: Disability, Justice & the Churches bit.ly/3YMoUaE Disabled, ND, they/them

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Reposted by Naomi L. Jacobs
Feminist Theology Network @feministtheology.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This special issue of JLCDS is filled with quite a few FTN members... You can access the intro for free via liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/jlcds/cu... but the University of Aberdeen has made @zoestrong.bsky.social's article open access - see the post by @naomijacobs.bsky.social below.
liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
Contents | Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies 20, 3
While disability performance is often understood as a resolutely secular practice, this article suggests that part of the potency of disability arts often lies in the cultural work of claiming disabled people’s lives as sacred. In the acclaimed solo ...
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Delighted to share @zoestrong.bsky.social 's dyslexic autoethnography on barriers to the Bible, from our special issue on religion & disability, Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies (open access). Visual summaries coming soon! #DisabilityTheology abdn.elsevierpure.com/en/publicati...
abdn.elsevierpure.com
“How Can I, Unless Someone Guides Me?”: A Dyslexic Autoethnography Exploring Barriers Constructed by Bible Reading Expectations
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Learning Disabilities & Autism at Manchester Met @learningmet.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Join us for our next seminar on Weds 14th Oct, 12pm BST with Charlie Grosset (@sheffielduni.bsky.social), sharing research with disabled people who care for others, arguing that we must recognise disabled people's contributions & challenge ableism in care systems. www.eventbrite.com/e/dishuman-c...
eventbrite.com
Dis/human - Centring Disabled People in Care as the Driver of Human Inquiry
The Learning Disabilities and Autism Research Group invites you to a hybrid seminar.
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Sharing @krysiawally.bsky.social 's great blog post on why "bums on seats" is not a sign of inclusion or justice in churches (with a cheeky link to my Hook Lecture where I'll be thinking about similar questions - I love when Krysia & I are working on overlapping things!) substack.com/profile/1180...
substack.com
Naomi Lawson Jacobs (@naomilawsonjacobs)
Great piece from Krysia Waldock about why “bums on seats” is never a sign of inclusion, or of justice. When your faith community talks about welcome, are you giving “thoughts and prayers” vibes, or ar...
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
On Tues 13th October I'm giving the annual Hook Lecture in Leeds, on disability, belonging and justice in churches and society. Please share with anyone who might be interested. Hope to see you there! #DisabilityTheology #DisabilityStudies www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-hook-l...
eventbrite.co.uk
The Hook Lecture 2026: Just Belonging
Disability, Justice and Churches by Dr Naomi Lawson Jacobs
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Marc Fischer @marc-fischer.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Librarians! Zine-Makers! This new Temporary Services zine (made with @doormouse12.bsky.social) is for you! We interviewed 4 public librarians that maintain zine collections and the result is a beautiful 44 page booklet. See and learn how they do it! $10.00 (or $3.00 PDF) from www.halfletterpress.com
From the front and back cover of the booklet:

Public Librarians Discuss Zine  Collections

We asked librarians at four public libraries to talk about their library’s zine collection. What advice can they share with zine makers that want to get their work into a public library, or librarians that want to start a collection at their library? Was it hard to convince others that zines are a resource that the library should collect? What collecting models did they follow? How did they build the collection?  

Interviewees:

Tim Devin / Somerville Public Library 
 (Somerville, MA)
Angi Brzycki & Ziba Pérez / 
Los Angeles Public Library 
(Los Angeles, CA)
Alicia Tate / Multnomah County Library 
(Portland, OR)
Alina Josan / The Free Library of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA)
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Getting lost on the way to the Greenbelt Festival is a proud tradition (nostalgia for my 20s before sat navs saved me). Access pass and accessible golf buggy trip. -here we go! #Greenbelt26
Greenbelt golf buggy with drivers beside it
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Interdisciplinary research is just endless arguments about whether your work is social sciences or humanities... with preprint archive moderators, for example. :D
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Anyone I know going to the Greenbelt Festival, drop me a message! I'm not very present online at the moment (trying to make sure my annual leave is real leave, after illness) but I'd love to catch up with friends who'll be there.
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The Canary: The Times should apologise for Kathleen Stock’s shockingly ableist article www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
thecanary.co
The Times should apologise for Kathleen Stock's shockingly ableist article
Kathleen Stock argues that Gen Z women are pretending to have chronic illnesses, painting walking sticks as a social-media trend
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Reposted by Naomi L. Jacobs
Dr Emma Swai @emmajoyswai.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Out now! Special issue of JLCDS, edited by @krysiawally.bsky.social, @naomijacobs.bsky.social and myself. liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/toc/jlcds/20/3
Front cover of JLCDS journal showing the contents page. 

Introduction: Space for Interpretation, by Emma Swai, Krysia Emily Waldock and Naomi Lawson Jacobs 

Disability and the Sacred, by Julia Watts Belser

How Can I, Unless Someone Guides Me? by Zoe Strong 

Toward an Inclusive Theology, by Majd Subih

The Making of a Blind Bhakti Poet, by Aniket Ojha

Power in Whose Hands? by Hannah Lewis
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Really excited to have co-edited this with @emmajoyswai.bsky.social & @krysiawally.bsky.social . On disability & religion, from a range of religious perspectives. Excellent authors incl Julia Watts Belser, @deafhannah.bsky.social & @zoestrong.bsky.social . Illustrated versions of the articles soon!
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Reposted by Naomi L. Jacobs
Living Edge Conference @livingedgeconf.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
It's HERE! Registration for this year’s conference now open. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/loving-our...
eventbrite.co.uk
Loving Our Own Minds: Neurodiversity, Faith, Church and God
Our 15th annual conference focuses on Neurodiversity, faith, church and God, and explores how to learn to love our own minds
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WobblyGoose/Dr Rachel @wobblygoose.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
If you're interested in lino print, I'm putting on a workshop @Leicester Cathedral on Wednesday 5th August 10.30 - 1.30. Come to learn how to make a lino print and make some yourself to take home. No experience needed. Booking and more information: leicestercathedral.org/exhibition-s...
leicestercathedral.org
Exhibition: Seeking the Disabled Christ
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Dr Rachel Holdforth @wobblygoose.bsky.social ‘s Seeking the Disabled Christ exhibition is at Leicester Cathedral for two weeks. Panel discussion with @hannahlewis.bsky.social on 3rd August. One of the prints in Rachel’s groundbreaking series of disabled Christ icons is on the cover of ‘At the Gates’
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
We’d love you to join us for the annual Inclusive Church/SMITF conference on disability and church, which this year (again) focuses on neurodiversity. (I’ll be co-leading a workshop on ADHD, movement and worship.)
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Rebecca (Bex) Chapman @rebeccabexchapman.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Powerful speech from Rev Alice Kemp #synod on how her autism diagnosis helped her 'start being who I am and to stop hiding so much of me. I’ve begun to recognise that I am fearfully and wonderfully made - and it is all of me that God has called into ministry and indeed my whole life' #GeneralSynod
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Dr Ieithydd (Carys) @yrieithydd.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
And if you'd like to see more of @wobblygoose.bsky.social 's artwork come to Leicester Cathedral from 20th July to 5th (?) August
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Fiona MacMillan now speaking at General #Synod in the debate on the 'All Kinds of Minds' motion on neurodivergent people in the church. She tells us that the church is diminished and overlooks abundance when we do not recognise the gifts of neurodivergent members and leaders, 1/
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
On shining a light on dark places, through research and activism - my reflections on today's General #Synod neurodiversity motion and the Social Murder Festival at @learningmet.bsky.social this week. naomilawsonjacobs.com/shining-a-li...
naomilawsonjacobs.com
Shining a Light: Kindness, Hope and Social Justice - Naomi Lawson Jacobs
The Neurodiversity Motion at General Synod & the Social Murder Festival at Manchester Metropolitan University Two groups I'm part of have been doing important, impactful work through activism and rese...
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Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Thanks, Naomi. Really important to have good quality materials to hand. Lots of general resources also available at the national Neurodiversity Working Group's CofE link at www.churchofengland.org/resources/ba... #GeneralSynod
churchofengland.org
Neurodiversity | The Church of England
A definition of neurodiversity and the activity of the Neurodiversity Working Group
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Dr Jo Kershaw @mthrjo.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
The letter Phil answers is extraordinary. I particularly want to stress, though, that as someone who works in a theological college, I’ve had a number of ordinands who either arrived with a diagnosis of neurodivergence or gained one while with us. The church would be poorer without any of them.
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Ann Memmott @annmemmott.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
A quick primer thread ahead of the team's #GeneralSynod Neurodiversity Motion this afternoon, Friday 10th. Very informal, written in a personal, not official group, capacity. but it may be helpful. Neurodiversity is everyone. All kinds of minds/
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
After some criticism of the #GeneralSynod neurodiversity motion, Canon Dr Phil Groves has written this lovely response. Phil is a fellow member of the Neurodiversity Working Group of the Church of England. The motion will be debated at #Synod this afternoon. viamedia.news/2026/07/10/b...
viamedia.news
Be Kind - ViaMedia
by Canon Dr Phil Groves, who was a CMS Mission partner and lecturer in theology at St Philip’s Kongwa in Tanzania. He served at the Anglican Communion Office for 10 years. He has attended two Lambeth ...
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Learning Disabilities & Autism at Manchester Met @learningmet.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
As part of the Social Murder Festival, we're hearing from Lucy Easthope today, on Lessons for Challenging Social Murder from a Lifetime Working in Disaster www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lessons-fo...
eventbrite.co.uk
Lessons for challenging social murder from a lifetime working in disaster
Join Lucy Easthope, Visiting Professor of Social Justice and Bereavement, for a discussion on challenging social murder.
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Privileged to hear from so many activists & self-advocates at the Social Murder Festival at @learningmet.bsky.social today - calling for an end to preventable deaths of people with learning disabilities. Part of a week-long event including lobbying at the House of Lords. @sararyan57.bsky.social
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Sarah Jones @sarahjonestoo.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Here is an Open Letter to the Leadership at Exeter University which urges them to reconsider their decision to make massive cuts to Theology and Religion there. #Exeter Please sign an open letter to our University leadership, to be found at lnkd.in/epiHG76f
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
More coverage of our research for the #Neurodiversity Working Group of the #ChurchofEngland, on Premier. Really great to see the reporting before #GeneralSynod neurodiversity motion debate next week. @brianirvine.bsky.social @krysiawally.bsky.social #CofE premierchristian.news/en/news/arti...
premierchristian.news
Church told to do more for neurodivergent worshippers and priests - Premier Christian News | Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis
The report, All Kinds of Minds, has been put together for the General Synod, the Church's governing body, which meets in York next week.
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
And finally from #SocRel26, a found poem on emergent themes from the conference. Made in @saramch.bsky.social 's (great) workshop on creative methods and sensitive research. Thanks for the space, Sara. SocRel is always an excellent conference, even though it was vulnerable and difficult this time.
A found poem in two columns, using newspaper print on red paper. On the left the column is headed OUT - beneath it are the words "enter the institute / stories from the graveyard / precarious life / the undeniable reality / failure / finale / journey's end." In the middle is a picture of an simian with a tail juggling birds and the word "awakening." On the right is a column headed IN and the words "healing power of / a circle of listeners / memories and disappearances / uncovered / making up the story / redefining / all that is lost"
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Fantastic work being shared on power and institutional harms at #SocRel26 today, incl Jonathan Abernethy-Barkley on the response of religious institutions to abuse in Scotland, and a brilliant, reflexive, feminist panel on researching harms & healing in British evangelicalism.
A presentation slide with a picture of a stone church in a hillside setting on the left, with text "Harm and Healing: The Response of Religious Organisations to Allegations of Sexual Abuse Since 1950 in Scotland" and presenter's details Jonathan Abernethy-Barkley, King's College London
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Hearing from Krishan Anil Chadha at #SocRel26 about research on young South Asian disabled people and their changing religio-cultural identities. Follow-up research after original study with young people converting away from families' religions to Christianity. 1/3
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Fantastic work by Dr Rahmanara Chowdhury #SocRel26 on domestic abuse in Muslim contexts in anti-Muslim climates silencing survivors & communities. Individual, psycho-social, spiritual factors. Macro level harms for already-traumatised individuals. Incl discussion of religion as protective/a resource
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Lovely to be at #SocRel26 conf and to catch up with great people incl @saramch.bsky.social & @krysiawally.bsky.social . Krysia and I are presenting later on positionality for disabled/ND scholars in our field, and on my 'ideal worshipper' theory (that coincidentally the media picked up on today!)
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Research by @brianirvine.bsky.social , @krysiawally.bsky.social & myself, on the front page of the Times (with neurodivergent clergy on barriers to/enabling their flourishing in churches). I'm really glad to see this discussion in the media ahead of General Synod motion on neurodiversity.
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
If you’re in the Church of England, please ask reps in your diocese to vote for our General Synod motion next week, on celebrating ND people in the church & dismantling the barriers we face - by my great colleagues in the Neurodiversity Working Group. (Supported by research I was proud to help with)
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
I'm really excited (and honoured!) to be delivering the St Teilo's Annual Theologies of Liberation Lecture next Friday. Do come along if you're in reach of Cardiff, or please share with anyone who is. :) www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/annual-the...
eventbrite.co.uk
Annual Theologies of Liberation Lecture 2026: Naomi Jacobs
Leadership from the Edge: Disabled People and the Prophetic Renewal of the Church
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Jay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Obviously I couldn't say this on BBC Radio 4 but I think that Ascension Day is possibly the most important Christian Feast for queers, because it marks the elevation of the physical human form. And there's a lot there for us as it's the physical for which we are so often persecuted and condemned...
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Really sad to have to miss the Participatory Autism Research Collective online conference this morning as I’m not well (but I hope I can pop in for a bit later). I hope it goes well, @kmunday.bsky.social and all the speakers!
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
I love Navin Kikabhai’s animated videos sharing a paper on how educational systems respond to diversity, inclusion and justice - worked with a doodle artist to animate the paper. Public/academic engagement events - questionnaire/interviews rating the video & asking questions from the paper #CDS26
A still from an animated video with line drawings including of people, a school and scales of justice, and the title ‘How educational systems respond to diversity, inclusion & social justice’
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Eleanor Smith-Hahn speaking on live literature reviews in PhDs. An expected trajectory to PhDs, starting with a trad lit review - found it prioritised certain forms of knowledge about people with learning disabilities. Lit review is not seen as a political tool & not a lot of scope to critique it 1/
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Now hearing from @krysiawally.bsky.social & @keatesresearch.bsky.social on using iDocs (interactive documentaries) in two edited books on neurodivergence & education. Authors shared work interactively. Subjugated & disqualified knowledges (Foucault) - challenging knowledge hierarchies #CDS26
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
We had a fantastic symposium on critical research on disability and religions at #CDS26 today, looking at what we've been finding in this 'emerging field', and why it needs to emerge! I presented with @krysiawally.bsky.social on our concept of the 'ideal worshipper' in churches and mosques... 1/4
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Some fantastic presentations today at #CDS26 challenging the violence experienced by disabled people in systems - Charlie Grosset’s critical lens on violent systems of (un)care; @sarasiobhan.bsky.social’s work from her vital book on the social murder of people with learning disabilities; 1/2
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Great start to the Leeds Disability Studies Conference #CDS26 with a packed audience for Kirsty Liddiard’s keynote ‘Reimagining the disability research process: Which way to the future?’ @kirstyliddiard1.bsky.social
An opening talk slide with a cartoon image of person at a desk using breathing equipment and the title ‘Take a deep breath: Reimagining the disability research process’
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Dr Emma Swai @emmajoyswai.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
And off I go to the Leeds Disability Studies Conference 2026 for a panel on religion with @krysiawally.bsky.social, @naomijacobs.bsky.social and Brian Irvine. @mbrandonmassey.bsky.social , I am publicising 'Rewriting Jesus: Forgotten Pasts and Possible Futures' as promised!
PowerPoint open on laptop. Planning slides on display. Presentation title is 'Was the Historical Jesus Disabled? Challenging Embedded Prejudice' Dr Emma Swai. Liverpool Hope University; Westcott House, Cambridge.
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Happy Easter! My church shares our the Sunday flowers for congregants and it was my turn today.
Purple and lilac tulips in a glass vase in front of a sunny window
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
I just impulse-bought Greenbelt tickets. Now I just need accommodation (which is looking tricky) and a PA. What have I done :D #GB26
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Naomi L. Jacobs @naomijacobs.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Sarum always have great weekend and one-day courses. I’m looking forward to the Moving into Menopause course on 27th April with Emma Pavey, who has been researching perimenopause and theology. See you there? www.sarum.ac.uk/short-course...
sarum.ac.uk
Moving into Menopause - Sarum College
Exploring theological wisdom and practice for the move into menopause.
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Together Alliance @togetheralliance.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Half a million strong. Together. The biggest march against the far-right in British history.
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