headshot of Petra Oomen (nee Roper), communications specialist in the Nelson Anglican Diocese

Petra Oomen

Communications

Serving as the diocese's resident creative, Petra heads up communications and works on a variety of different media projects.

Church and community join to raise funds for cyclone relief

Petra Oomen

Communications

Serving as the diocese's resident creative, Petra heads up communications and works on a variety of different media projects.

Church and community join to raise funds for cyclone relief

people walk through an outdoor market with various stalls and attractions

It’s hard not to be moved by the stories of those left in ruin in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. Thousands of people were displaced after millions of dollars worth of damage, with families reeling from the loss of their homes, livelihoods and even loved ones. Yet sometimes it can feel like we can’t offer much more than "thoughts and prayers" from down here in the South Island.

"How could our church help?" wondered a group of women from Hills Community Church in Māpua, half a thousand kilometres away from the destruction.

An idea sparked from that conversation, and the church quickly got onboard. 

Last weekend, on Saturday March 11, Hills Community Church held a street market in Māpua, raising funds to send up north. Through the efforts of their congregation and generosity from the local community, the market came together in a short time. Māpua Village Hall opened their building to use, while Talley’s brought an ice cream van, Mitre 10 served sausages from a barbeque stand, and Māpua Kids ‘n’ Koffee set up a children’s stall. Locals volunteered their time to serve at the market, while others donated cash and items to sell, lacing tables with cakes, plants, books, art, flowers and more.

"The atmosphere was great," said Heather Hoad, of the church women’s group. "It was so good to be able to join with our community to raise money for such a worthwhile cause."

Through church connections to the community of Te Karaka, near Gisborne, Heather heard from those in the midst of the desolation. "Talking directly to people who have been so devastated, in so many ways, was both very emotional and very humbling."

Te Karaka Area School told the church of the work they have been doing to clear out silt from their damaged buildings. Over the events of last month, the school took in 120 people to sleep on mattresses and had to cope with providing food for 400 people three times a day. Now there is much needed ongoing support for the many school children who have been traumatised by the results of the flooding. 

The church decided to pledge the funds raised from the street market towards helping these children in Te Karaka. To date, they have raised $4,200, with the expectation of more to come.

God’s desire for us as people is to show love – not just in words but also in our actions.

"God’s desire for us as people is to show love – not just in words but also in our actions," said Rev John Sherlock, Hills Community Church vicar. "The way that the community worked together in support of those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle was a beautiful glimpse of what the kindness, generosity and compassion of Jesus looks like when we reach out in faith and love."

The community in Te Karaka have responded with gratefulness. "We are absolutely humbled and overwhelmed by the aroha we are experiencing, and want to extend our thanks to the people of Māpua for what they have done to support the flood relief."

Check out other articles in the

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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.

Church and community join to raise funds for cyclone relief

Petra Oomen

Communications

Serving as the diocese's resident creative, Petra heads up communications and works on a variety of different media projects.

Church and community join to raise funds for cyclone relief

Petra Oomen

Communications

Serving as the diocese's resident creative, Petra heads up communications and works on a variety of different media projects.

Church and community join to raise funds for cyclone relief

people walk through an outdoor market with various stalls and attractions

It’s hard not to be moved by the stories of those left in ruin in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. Thousands of people were displaced after millions of dollars worth of damage, with families reeling from the loss of their homes, livelihoods and even loved ones. Yet sometimes it can feel like we can’t offer much more than "thoughts and prayers" from down here in the South Island.

"How could our church help?" wondered a group of women from Hills Community Church in Māpua, half a thousand kilometres away from the destruction.

An idea sparked from that conversation, and the church quickly got onboard. 

Last weekend, on Saturday March 11, Hills Community Church held a street market in Māpua, raising funds to send up north. Through the efforts of their congregation and generosity from the local community, the market came together in a short time. Māpua Village Hall opened their building to use, while Talley’s brought an ice cream van, Mitre 10 served sausages from a barbeque stand, and Māpua Kids ‘n’ Koffee set up a children’s stall. Locals volunteered their time to serve at the market, while others donated cash and items to sell, lacing tables with cakes, plants, books, art, flowers and more.

"The atmosphere was great," said Heather Hoad, of the church women’s group. "It was so good to be able to join with our community to raise money for such a worthwhile cause."

Through church connections to the community of Te Karaka, near Gisborne, Heather heard from those in the midst of the desolation. "Talking directly to people who have been so devastated, in so many ways, was both very emotional and very humbling."

Te Karaka Area School told the church of the work they have been doing to clear out silt from their damaged buildings. Over the events of last month, the school took in 120 people to sleep on mattresses and had to cope with providing food for 400 people three times a day. Now there is much needed ongoing support for the many school children who have been traumatised by the results of the flooding. 

The church decided to pledge the funds raised from the street market towards helping these children in Te Karaka. To date, they have raised $4,200, with the expectation of more to come.

God’s desire for us as people is to show love – not just in words but also in our actions.

"God’s desire for us as people is to show love – not just in words but also in our actions," said Rev John Sherlock, Hills Community Church vicar. "The way that the community worked together in support of those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle was a beautiful glimpse of what the kindness, generosity and compassion of Jesus looks like when we reach out in faith and love."

The community in Te Karaka have responded with gratefulness. "We are absolutely humbled and overwhelmed by the aroha we are experiencing, and want to extend our thanks to the people of Māpua for what they have done to support the flood relief."

Check out other articles in the

series below.

More articles in the

series are to come.