One hundred and forty women attended the annual North New Zealand Women’s Ministries retreat in Wellington on May 8 and 9, the largest turnout in history.
“I am amazed that the numbers of women attending, continue to grow each year, with this year being our biggest,” said Lynelle Laws, Women’s Ministries and Prayer Ministries coordinator for the North New Zealand Conference. “I’m pleased word is getting around that women are valued and catered for at this church event and it is an inclusive event they are happy to recommend to their friends and daughters.”
The retreat, now in its 10th year, was held at Silverstream Retreat in the Lower Hutt valley, and caters largely to women in the southern part of New Zealand’s North Island. It attracted women from all around the Wellington area, and as far north as Hamilton.
Melody Tan, project manager of Mums At The Table spoke at the conference, encouraging attendees to transform the church’s posture from one of “purity protection” to a “scandalous welcome” by “following Jesus’ pattern of radical inclusion and boundary-crossing”.
Drawing from the Bible and her research into psychology and parenting, Mrs Tan urged the women to choose “connection before correction”. Using the “At the Table” theme as a metaphor, Ms Tan moved from deconstructing religious jargon to the practical application of building relationships through belonging before belief.
“I found the retreat rejuvenating, especially through Melody’s speaking. Her message about welcoming everyone to the table, just as Jesus did, felt both relevant and long overdue,” said retreat attendee Toni Strawbridge. “I loved the conversations, crafting and connections shared among the women throughout the retreat.”
Worship during the service reflected the multicultural group as attendees sang the hymn “It is Well with My Soul” together, but in their own languages. The event also gave attendees the opportunity to exert their creative skills by decorating a journal using decals featuring Bible verses.
The retreat also marked a personal milestone for attendee Mirriam Lungu and audio visual volunteer Carl Williams—one of only two men present—who announced their engagement during the weekend after meeting at the event two years ago.
