I had the privilege of growing up in a strong church community in rural Whanganui. Being involved and caring deeply for others was something that was modelled for me throughout my childhood. As a young adult, I ventured further afield to QLD Australia, where I found a new church community, a husband and a calling to serve God with the whole of my life.
Returning to New Zealand, I completed a church internship under Alice and Kinyua Kathuri, who now serve in the Diocese of Nelson. When the invitation to join in the St Luke’s Castlecliff replant with Urban Vision was extended, it felt really exciting to be part of a new thing.
I have served my neighbourhood of Castlecliff through our Urban Vision intentional community and St Luke’s church for the past 5 years. This has looked a bunch of different ways, from hosting neighbourhood potlucks and putting on community Christmas and Puanga events, to preaching, prayer ministry and running small groups. Always something new and always something fun. Shout out to Christ Kirby for introducing me to the idea of ordained ministry as a way of answering God’s call to service.
It has felt like both a long and short journey to ordination, and as such I feel so ready and so unprepared. Mostly, I am just excited for this new chapter of life ahead; much love to all of you who have supported me so far along the way, to those being ordained alongside me, and everyone here celebrating with us.
