Belly & Bones

In this season, our network of churches of Christ has made it a priority to recover the voices and value of women. One of the first fruits of this intention, is the formation of a creative cohort of twelve women known as Belly & Bones. For a year this cohort has shared stories, engaged in creative journeys and walked together through layers of healing and empowerment.

About Belly & Bones

Twelve creative women in spiritual leadership make up Belly & Bones. With facilitators, Jo Huntington, Abigail Skelly and Kym Dixon, this cohort spent 2024 listening and responding to the Spirit of God stirring within and between them.

So far, in response they have captured a beautiful outpouring of audio, video, digital and artistic creations, all of which are thought-provoking, unique, certain to inspire, delight, challenge and affirm Christ’s Church.

“But if I say I’ll never mention

the Lord or speak his name,

his word burns in my heart like a fire.

It’s like a fire in my bones!

I am worn out trying to hold it in!

I can’t do it!”

– Jeremiah 20:9-10 (NLT)

Click To Meet The 'Bellies'

Abi

Abi - Abi is an encouraging writer and counsellor who creates spaces that bring life and fuel faith. She comes from the lands of the Bundjalung nation in the Northern Rivers.

Amy

Amy - Amy is a generous and discerning, kingdom-focused watercolour artist from Gumbaynggirr Country in Coffs Harbour.

Carly

Carly - Carly is a joy-filled connector of people, and a poet and visual artist who lives on the traditional land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation in Knox, Victoria.

Deb

Deb - Deb is a nature poet who finds herself on the margins of life where she holds light and faith for others and fosters social enterprise on the lands of the Turrbal and Yuggera people in Brisbane.

Jessica

Jessica - Jessica is a theological writer and analytical thinker who lives and teaches on Dharawal Country in the Sutherland Shire, land of the Gweagal people.

Jo

Jo - Jo is an encourager, printmaker and engaging activator/coach who lives on Wiradjuri land in the central west of NSW.

Kym

Kym - Kym is a gentle, kind and wise thought-leader and writer who lives and plays on the lands of the Dharawal People in southern Sydney.

Loani

Loani - Loani is energetic and adventurous, a spoken-word artist and facilitator of prayer and worship who lives on Dharawal Country in the Shellharbour area of the Illawarra.

Naomi

Naomi - Naomi is a listener, seer and teller of stories that make people laugh and think. She leads a faith community on Ngunnawal land where she lives in Canberra.

Tanya

Tanya - Tanya is a multi-faceted visual artist and storyteller full of whimsy and wonder from the lands of Dharawal people in southern Sydney.

Vicki

Vicki - Vicki is a kind, loving and discerning writer of prayer and liturgy who lives and serves on Awabakal Land at Lake Macquarie NSW.

Wendy

Wendy - Wendy is a thoughtful expressive visual artist, poet and spiritual mentor. She was born and has always lived in the Illawarra, Dharawal country.

Our Journey So Far

Stories of milestone moments of our formation together.

“What’s God stirring in our belly and bones?”

Naomi reflects on the Bellies’ first gathering and what this encounter sparked within them.

Read the story.

A Wide Open Space Of Healing

Naomi shares of the Bellies’ formative experience on country near Dalby, Queensland, hosted by the dhiiyaan community.

Read the story.

Announcing The "Taste and See" Journal

This article anticipates the release of the Bellies’ journal, Taste and See, while reflecting on their journey of producing this work together.

Read the story.

Publications

“Taste and See” Journal

What do you get when you put 12 women together and create space for deep listening to the stirrings of the Spirit, connection with country and the stories of each other?

See for yourself as you open the pages of “Taste and See” – a journal of collected works of art, poetry and prose – created as a gift to encourage the people of our network of churches.

The Belly & Bones (Bellies) creative cohort began in March 2024, when a group of diverse women from across the network of churches of Christ in Australia, met to begin a year long journey of listening and responding.

The journal moves through a journey of giving voice to ache, story, wonder, hope and courage.

The Bellies hope and pray this journal will spark the prophetic imagination of the people of God, as they also consider the fire in their bellies and the burning in their bones.

“For a change is coming, so prepare for the flood; There’s a fire in my belly and a burning in my bones. Set a light for new beginnings and a turning of the soil. Cry for justice and redemption in a world defined by hurt; give me courage yet to speak and yet be humble to receive it.”

Lyrics from “Belly & Bones” written & performed by Sarah Su

Click To Experience "Taste and See"