Women from Dunedin and Southland gathered for the first ever CAWS POP UP HUI on 5+6 April 2024. Above are some of the 40 women who met at St Peter’s Church in Caversham, where Natalie Milliken (front row, second from left) is the Vicar.
Beautiful weather, brilliant speakers, good food and time to connect and think- all these ingredients added up to a very highly rated event.
It has re- sparked my energy & enthusiasm
After a generous meal of local fish and chips with bowls of organic salads from the garden of Jenny Campbell, we welcomed The Revd Lois Warburton to speak on Being Church in Times of Crisis and Disaster.
She has personal experience and connection with
*Napier earthquake of 1931
* Cyclone Bola in 1988
*Clyde fire in 1999
*Christchurch Earthquakes 2012-2012
*Cyclone Gabrielle 2023
She spoke of the trauma when ‘Mother Nature turns violent, when she rocks and rolls ’. She asked, ‘Is faith in an omnipotent God is shaken in disaster and destruction?’
Lois talked of the gathering of community in churches and local buildings, just to hear the stories, and to offer support and pastoral care. She believes we need to rethink our theology of land, especially as our country is so young and still forming. We are an island on the Pacific Rim- we need o listen to the land, and to the people.
Lois also introduced a book launched just last week, by Dr Jane Simpson, Shaking the Apple Tree, which is a book of poetry ‘shining a piercing light on sexual abuse by clergy’.
She also brought copies of Jane’s previous book, A Farewelling of a Home- a Liturgy Both were enthusiastically snapped up as very relevant, inspired and pastorally highly valuable.
These books can be ordered from info@poema.co.nz
Saturday saw some other local women attending, but others who had come on Friday were unable to be there- so we had 26 in total for the day on Saturday.
In the morning, the Revd Ruihana Paenga presented a very engaging and informative session on Leadership, based on her considerable reading and training and experience. We were all able to share our experience and to connect our new learning with our own context.
After a delicious and varied Subway lunch, we had time to meet in groups, to enjoy a quiet meditative walk or create candles , using left over alter candle wax. The speaker from A Rocha was unable to come but people really appreciated the extra time to connect, network and discuss. .
The afternoon concluded with a Eucharist led by Natalie in her parish church of St Peter.
THis POP UP HUI has inspired two follow up Hui. All women are welcome to attend for more opportunities intheology, leadership and networking.
Contact Te Ata Roy shari.roy@outlook.com
