Week +2: There’s No Such Thing as a Stranger in New Zealand
During the mountain retreat, we went on some incredible bushwalks, like to this waterfall.
As I forge new friendships at the Tauhara Centre and engage with my fellow Unitarians during the ski mountain retreat I’m currently attending, a profound realization has dawned on me: I find that I know no strangers. It is striking how many smiling faces greet me on the daily, eager to connect even in fleeting moments, like brief encounters on the street. People are more than willing to take pictures of me, engage in conversations about life abroad, and simply make new human connections. These interactions are rejuvenating my personal Unitarian Universalist philosophy, which holds that divinity resides in every human soul and body. It often takes just a simple, genuine moment of connection to witness this divine essence. Our first Unitarian Universalist Principle is to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals, and I am finding this principle instrumental in my experience here in New Zealand. This foundational belief fosters a sense of trust and love, both given and received, creating a supportive and enriching environment as I navigate this new chapter.
The geothermal activity here is just amazing to behold!
Week +3
Volunteering at the retreat center has been a journey of self-discovery, teaching me that I find fulfillment in service through simple, domestic acts. I love the idea of ministering through cooking, gardening, and contributing to community life in practical, grounded ways. This insight is shaping my thoughts about my future path, as I find joy in service that feels deeply personal and connected to everyday life.
Even during the winter, Tauhara's gardens are beautiful (and very rewarding to weed and maintain)
My first service with the Taupō UU Fellowship was a success! Over Zoom, we managed to build a meaningful, worldwide connection through singing and chanting together. As part of my internship, I've been developing graphic design and flyer copy to promote the Fellowship both locally in New Zealand and internationally. In order to get people to attend the services, they need to know when and where! It's become clear to me that designing visuals for spiritual gatherings brings together my two lifelong loves: art and spirituality. Having spent years creating logos and managing the social media presence for our regional UU camps, I sometimes doubted whether this work fully expressed my skills. But now, I see that it perfectly aligns with my passions and values, giving visual form to the spiritual work I deeply care about.
An example of my work
Recently, I experienced my first in-person service, at the Four Seasons Steiner Kindergarten, where the fellowship holds its monthly gatherings. It was a wonderful opportunity to contribute by setting up tea and snacks, hanging the flags of the various faith traditions we draw from, adding harmonies, and meeting the congregants. Since it's late winter transitioning to spring in New Zealand, we welcomed the season with Dances of Universal Peace—a tradition I hadn't encountered before my connection with Rev’d Sally Mabelle, my internship advisor. These dances, rooted in North American Sufism, incorporate sacred phrases from various world religions, aiming to promote peace and spiritual unity. Although I struggled with coordination at first, the music and intimate group made it easier to embrace the movement, deepening my appreciation for how music connects and transforms us.
Out here, flexibility is the name of the game. I started my journey expecting, perhaps just wishfully, that youth recruitment and programming would come easily. Logically, I know this is not the case - all around the world, different faith traditions are finding it difficult to connect with young people - UUs included. I have been so grateful to my advisor for helping me find other discerning paths, so that my experience here was not marred by the lack of youth. I am still in the process of trying to advertise my half day workshop around town. I understand that coming to the workshop of a faith tradition you are not familiar with can be daunting, so I am trying very specifically to create my workshop in a way that is non-religious and more about values that people of all backgrounds can use to live a healthy life. Here’s my little blurb:
"Upcoming Youth Workshop: Exploring Values for Personal Growth:
Are you a high school student interested in self-reflection, balance, and healthy communication? Join us for a half-day retreat/workshop, designed to explore the overlap between International Baccalaureate (IB) and Unitarian Universalist (UU) values. Led by Lorne Casebeer, a volunteer intern at the Taupō UU Fellowship, this workshop will focus on key values like Reflection, Balance, Open-Mindedness, and Healthy Communication.
Highlights:
- Interactive activities fostering personal growth
- Insights into how these values create a positive impact on individuals and communities
- Practical tools for healthy communication and open-mindedness
- A non-religious, inclusive environment welcoming students from all backgrounds
Date & Location: TBD
Time: Half-day event during the high school holidays.
If you’re interested in personal development and values that contribute to community well-being, this workshop is for you. Stay tuned for more details!"
Overall, I hope this comes to fruition, but if not, I am loving what I’m learning here regardless!