Chine McDonald - Unmaking Mary: Shattering the Myth of Perfect Motherhood

About the event

‘Motherhood has given me the highest of highs and the lowest of lows… [it] has been my most profound altering.’ Chine McDonald

Blending memoir with cultural and social history, Chine McDonald explores the unrealistic pressures on mothers today, and how art, literature, culture and society (including the depiction of the Virgin Mary) have perpetuated ‘the myth of perfect motherhood’ – and what we can do to free ourselves from it.

The evening continues with a drinks reception, book sale and signing. All are welcome, and booking will be essential! 

Wycliffe Hall has set itself the modest task of fostering a New Renaissance of Christian scholarship, leadership and culture. As both a Christian community and a Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford, we want to see transformational scholarship, leadership and culture, born out of Christian community, offering the truth, beauty and goodness of the gospel to the world.

To find up more about the New Renaissance Project and related events and activities, please visit our webpage and sign up for email alerts: Wycliffe's New Renaissance Project continues growing | WYCLIFFE HALL

Event details

Date: Tuesday 28 April

Time: 6 - 8:00pm

Venue: Wycliffe Hall, 52-54 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6PW

Tickets: £6.50 for general admission. £15 for general admission with a paperback copy of the book included.

In order to make this event accessible to as many people who want to come, we have set the ticket price to only cover direct costs, thanks to Chine's generosity in giving her time

Getting here: Wycliffe Hall is on major bus routes. Limited parking may be available on site (please contact us by email if you have any special access requirements) and pay-and-display on-street parking is available close by in Norham Gardens. 

Photography and filming: This event will include photography and filming: please contact us directly if you have any questions about this: conferences@wycliffe.ox.ac.uk. 

All are welcome: the event is open to the public but will require a ticket.

Book your ticket here.

About our speaker

Chine McDonald is Director of Theos, the religion and society think tank. She speaks and writes regularly on issues of race, faith and gender. Chine is a regular contributor to TV and radio, including BBC Radio 4’s ‘Thought for the Day’ and BBC1’s Sunday Morning Live. She has written for various national newspapers, including The Times, Financial Times, Daily Mirror and The Independent. Chine is vice-chair of the Greenbelt festival, a trustee of Christian Aid and a Canon Theologian at Chester Cathedral. She is also the author of God Is Not A White Man: and Other Revelations (Hodder Faith, 2021).

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