Generosity Flows at Feilding Fundraiser

Our Feilding whānau gathered recently for a high tea event that served up more than just petit delicacies.  The parish would normally have held a fundraiser around this time of year, but instead chose to use it as an opportunity to give to others.  “This event was all about blessing others – so it ticked all our boxes!” said Rev. Sarah McMenamin, the Priest in Charge of the Oroua Parish.  The parish decided to make their fundraiser “not all about us,” so when they heard about our diocesan COVID-19 Global Response appeal, they decided to throw their support in behind it.

Tickets to the event sold out, with the capacity crowd of about 110 people gathering in the St John’s hall in Feilding to enjoy fine company, fine food, and tea served in fine china.  But the event wasn’t just about raising money – Sarah saw it as an opportunity to bring together people who may have experienced isolation during lockdown and who would benefit from the social gathering.  She told us that some people also sponsored tickets so that others who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend were able to enjoy the festivities.

“We thought ‘how nice would it be to get isolated people into a safe environment but also to do something that’s not about us?’  Then the diocese released news of the COVID-19 Global Response and we decided to support it.”  And support for the appeal was generous – Sarah tells us that money is still being received, but at least $2,500 was raised for the joint appeal with Anglican Missions.

Donations are still being received for the Global Response appeal here.  At last count, the appeal has raised over $60,000 spread fairly evenly across the four projects.