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Rita Mayne England Christianity & Cultures in Asia Collection
John & Rita England’s networks were extensive, inter-generational, inter-disciplinary and interfaith, and these are all features of the Collection housed in the Hewitson Library. Their concept of ‘theologies and cultures in Asia’ meant that they studied, and collected the work of both specialists and general participants in different regions and different subject areas, so both theologies and cultures are studied in plural, and in inclusive terms. This collection represents scholars, creative writers, women, youth, professional and lay participants.
There are major bodies of material from China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia as well as material from Australia, Pakistan, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, Burma, Korea, Thailand and Indo-China. There are groupings also relating to Inner Central Asia, Central Asia, Regional Church History and Regional History.
A strength is the inclusion of literature – novels, poetry - that reflects national cultures and presents history and social conditions in a literary embodiment. There are older publications, no longer readily available, and items that were only ever sold locally. There are also significant biographies.
Rev Dr John C England and Rita England had key roles with the Programme for Theology and Cultures in Asia, writing, publishing and presenting workshops for younger scholars/lecturers and librarians in many parts of the region.
From 1987 until 1997 John was the Associate Dean, Programme for Theologies & Culture in Asia (PTCA), based in Kyoto, Japan; Rita the Librarian. For some of this time they were based back in New Zealand.
“Rita & I were engaged for more than 30 years as (as coordinator & librarian) for an Asia-wide Programme for Theology & Cultures in Asia, which was established to assist younger staff members of theological colleges, faculties and Bible Schools.“
There are major bodies of material from China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia as well as material from Australia, Pakistan, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, Burma, Korea, Thailand and Indo-China. There are groupings also relating to Inner Central Asia, Central Asia, Regional Church History and Regional History.
A strength is the inclusion of literature – novels, poetry - that reflects national cultures and presents history and social conditions in a literary embodiment. There are older publications, no longer readily available, and items that were only ever sold locally. There are also significant biographies.
Rev Dr John C England and Rita England had key roles with the Programme for Theology and Cultures in Asia, writing, publishing and presenting workshops for younger scholars/lecturers and librarians in many parts of the region.
From 1987 until 1997 John was the Associate Dean, Programme for Theologies & Culture in Asia (PTCA), based in Kyoto, Japan; Rita the Librarian. For some of this time they were based back in New Zealand.
“Rita & I were engaged for more than 30 years as (as coordinator & librarian) for an Asia-wide Programme for Theology & Cultures in Asia, which was established to assist younger staff members of theological colleges, faculties and Bible Schools.“
Rev. Dr John C. England
The focus in the programmes was the recognition and use of their own Asian resources in their teaching, writing and doing of theology.
The Collection is growing and is available to be borrowed from the Hewitson Library.
Relates to
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Rita Mayne England Christianity & Cultures in Asia Collection. Presbyterian Research Centre, accessed 20/09/2026, https://pcanzarchives.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/2349
