Week +6
Children’s Universal Worship Service
As someone who is passionate about the spiritual development of Children and Youth, this online service was super enriching. Religious Pluralism is one of the new written values of the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) and has long been a value we as UUs hold deeply, so this type of service, though one I had not ever experienced, was very applicable to my discernment. The Children’s Universal Worship, founded by Murshida Vera Corda in the early ‘70s, aims to foster spiritual development in children by introducing them to the stories of masters, saints, and prophets from various traditions. These interactive services allow children to learn from these people, using music, dance, and art. Each service features a candle lighting for different traditions followed with songs, dances, and storytelling. The services promote unity across religions and traditions, emphasizing our shared humanity and the ubiquitous message of hope and peace.
Shadowing the Hospital Chaplain
One of my primary goals in coming to New Zealand was to engage in a diverse exploration of career opportunities, which has included parish ministry with the fellowship, service ministry at the Tauhara Centre, and now, clinical ministry through my shadowing of the chaplain at the local hospital. The Rev’d Jacqui Leyden, an Anglican priest and chaplain at Taupō Hospital, graciously agreed to meet with me so I could ask questions and then later shadow her in a shortened version of her daily pastoral care activities. During our discussions, her answers and insights revitalized my understanding of the necessity for broader ministerial experience beyond clinical settings before I pursue work in hospitals or hospices. However, my time shadowing her affirmed my interest in this line of work. Her daily routine involves reviewing the hospital's patient roster, noting their religious affiliations recorded upon admission, and consulting previous notes for patients who have been hospitalized for an extended period. She then visits each patient, engaging in meaningful conversations about their concerns, whether they are joyful, heavy, or anywhere in between. Many patients request prayer, which she tailors to their unique circumstances.
I am forever in awe of the beauty of the Tauhara Centre, and that I get to come here every day.
Tauhara Centre Volunteering
I have continued my near-daily volunteering at the Tauhara Conference & Retreat Centre, which has given me a meaningful routine (which has proven important for my health) and a supportive community grounded in love. Preparing meals for the large groups that use the facility for spiritual retreats has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to appreciate the significant effort involved in accommodating diverse dietary needs within a food ministry context. The individuals I have encountered who attend these retreats have been both kind and enlightening, offering valuable insights into their various traditions and experiences that fall under the umbrella of spirituality. The WWOOFers continue to come and go, arriving from different countries around the world, living and working here, then departing to other WWOOFing opportunities around the country. I have made a broader variety of friends and connections than I could ever have imagined.
Future Plans
As my time in Taupō draws to a close – just 10 days remaining as I write – I find myself reflecting on my plans for the upcoming months and possibly years. Through discussions with Rev’d Sally, my internship advisor, I have come to recognize that I can impart knowledge and universal values to younger generations in contexts beyond just religious and spiritual. Considering this, along with my family's historic penchant for education, I am planning to pursue my substitute teaching certification as soon as possible. I am also (very lightly) contemplating a teaching career, which was one of my childhood dream jobs, so things might be coming full-circle.
Furthermore, I hope to begin volunteering at my home congregation or at other churches in Colorado, particularly in their Faith Formation programs, because religious education is still my goal, whatever form it may eventually take.
Week +7 & 8
Here is the graphic I created to advertise our next online gathering.
Planning Our Upcoming Online Beltane Gathering
My final contribution to the Taupō UU Fellowship will be to help plan our Zoom gathering recognizing Beltane and other renewal festivals from around the world. Beltane is a traditional Gaelic festival celebrated on May 1st welcoming Summer, though since Ireland is in the Northern Hemisphere, it makes sense that those in the Southern Hemisphere would celebrate it during the start of their Summer season. Beltane celebrates fertility and the blossoming of life, often marked with dances around Maypoles, which symbolizes the union of the Earth and sky. Our gathering, on October 28, will focus on these themes of renewal and nature. We'll enjoy songs from different cultures celebrating the warmer weather and hopefully share a short reflection on the importance of community during the summer months.
Week +9
The Auckland Diwali Festival was incredible: sights, smells, & sounds galore.
Auckland Diwali Festival
Since my mother just flew into Auckland to spend my final 2 weeks here in New Zealand with me, we were lucky enough to be able to sight-see in the big city. Much to our surprise and delight, the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival was happening right when we were there! The festival was filled with live music, traditional dancing, and some of the tastiest Indian food I have ever had the joy and privilege to eat.
The sound of the Auckland Unitarian Church’s 120 year old Pipe Organ was the perfect way to start my Sunday morning.
Waikato Interfaith Coalition (WIFCO) Peace Service
Since the Rev’d Sally was unable to attend the annual WIFCO church service in Hamilton, she asked me to represent the Unitarian Universalist faith and the Taupō Fellowship. The service was a vibrant celebration of the similarities of the world’s religions, featuring readings, practices, prayers, and songs from various religious traditions represented in the Waikato region of New Zealand.
The service began with an Anglican brother and chaplain at Waikato University, who introduced the gathering with a reading from the Anglican liturgy, setting a reflective tone. Following this, a Quaker woman led us in a moment of silent prayer, emphasizing the importance of the still, small voice within each of us.
Next, a group of Baha’i women shared a song titled “Rose of Love,” which conveyed a powerful message of peace and love, countering hatred and conflict. They also read a prayer for humanity, calling for unity among all people under God.
An Ahmadiyya Muslim man recited verses from the Holy Quran, specifically Chapter 5, verses 8-10, singing in both Arabic and English. His message highlighted the Golden Rule, a fundamental tenet that resonates across all religious teachings.
A Buddhist woman then guided us through a brief meditation, discussing how the personal peace we cultivate can radiate outward, influencing the broader world. Following this, a Methodist woman reflected on the origins of Methodism in song, inviting the group to join in singing the beautiful hymn “Let Our Earth Be Peaceful” by Shirley Murray.
A representative from the Church of Latter-Day Saints provided a reading and reflection that emphasized the futility of anger and the importance of building bridges of understanding, advocating for mutual respect and understanding in the face of differing opinions.
For the Unitarian Universalism segment, I introduced our tradition, highlighting its focus on individual spiritual growth, inclusivity, and social justice. I explained how we draw from diverse religious backgrounds, encouraging exploration of personal beliefs while fostering community and shared values. Central to our practice is a commitment to human dignity and the interconnectedness of all life. I then led the group in my favorite UU song, “Meditation On Breathing,” with its repetitive lyrics, “When I breathe in, I breathe in peace; when I breathe out, I breathe out love.”
A Jewish woman followed with a reflection on Sukkot, sharing insights from Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), traditionally read during the festival and attributed to King Solomon. She spoke of life’s unpredictability, comparing it to the wind, and discussed how opposing forces interlock in the world, with war and peace as the outcomes rather than the processes.
A family of Hare Krishna practitioners then sang an incredible chant, conveying the message that peace is the soul's natural state. They emphasized that true change must come from within and that we are all part of one universal family.
A Catholic priest shared a reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, written from prison, making a heartfelt plea for unity through the bond of peace and led us in a song based on the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace.”
The service concluded with the Waikato Interfaith Coalition choir, which performed four diverse songs:
This interfaith service not only showcased the expansiveness of spiritual traditions in this community but also fostered a deeper sense of unity and shared purpose among all people.
Here’s me onstage introducing UUism as a faith and leading the group in Meditation on Breathing. I had to edit it so my name was spelled correctly, but I love this image.