Awhi Mai Awhi Atu: Women in Creation Care
Announcing a new book: telling the stories of Kiwi women of faith, from a wide range of cultures, doing a wide diversity of environmental actions.
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Awhi Mai Awhi Atu: Women in Creation Care will be available for purchase in a couple of months. For now, some excerpts as tasters ...
Foreword by Ruth Valerio Introduction Silvia's Chapter: "Expanding Vision" Book List |
Reflections on the process of writing Awhi Mai Awhi Atu: Women in Creation Care.
Silvia discusses her experience of noticing God at work. Eliala's Chapter: From a Mother's Heart: Climate change impacts in the Pacific
Eliala Fihaki works with Tearfund New Zealand as Senior Programme Specialist, and is also doing a PhD through the University of the South Pacific. Silvia interviewed Eliala about her childhood in Tuvalu, her faith, her work with Tearfund, her experience in Aid and Development in the Pacific, her current research into the Tuvalu diaspora, and her thoughts about faith and climate change. |
Endorsements
“This is an astonishing book. The living water of the Spirit ripples through its pages in the lives so generously shared, the stories gifted, the poems and prayers offered, the invitations extended to walk with others on pathways to fuller, more just and fruitful participation in the life of the earth and its creator, life-giver and restorer. This kete taonga could not have been assembled anywhere else than Aotearoa, nor by anyone else than those, tangata whenua and tangata tititi, who have known and are learning to know God and the ways of God in this land. In its diversity and creativity this collection is a stunning witness to that persistent bubbling and way-making of the water of life. I am grateful for this rich gift and pray that it may be widely and warmly received.”
-George Wieland, Director of Carey Centre for Mission Research and Formation
“In our time of planetary and human crisis, the words and witness of this book speak of hope, nurturing us to new life in the midst of chaos – even in the darkest of times. They stir us to renewed vigour in caring for earth, caring for people. The diversity of voices expresses the interwoven fabric of our multicultural society founded on Te Tiriti. I am delighted and moved that these words have grown out of the wellspring of life – te puna o te ora – within this land of Aotearoa New Zealand. May they inspire all who read them.”
- Julianne Hickey, Director of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, 2012-2022
“Awhi Mau Awhi Atu is a precious gift to our church and our world. Filled with honesty and vitality, this collection honours and creates holy ground for women, men and children to stand in humble and hopeful relationship with each other and God’s earth. As a geographer, my life has been shaped by ‘earth-writing’. This collection of women’s writing is the best type of ‘earth-writing’; written from, and written for, incarnational embodiment. Here women reflect deeply and powerfully on their own embodied relationship with the earth and with the Creator and Redeemer of all. Each reflection ends by grounding this wisdom in a gift of incarnational invitation for the reader – practical steps we can all take to live more humbly and hopefully in loving relationship with God’s earth. This collection is a beautiful celebration of the loving compassion perceived and expressed by the women of these islands as well as a clear call to join with the work of God’s Spirit in safeguarding the integrity of God’s creation and to sustain and renew the life of the earth.”
- Bishop Eleanor Sanderson (Pihopa Awhina, Diocese of Wellington)
“I am impressed with the variety of women whose voices we hear in Silvia Purdie’s book, their depth of faith, and the innovative ways they care for creation as an expression of their love for the Creator. The poetry and hands-on suggestions make the book both evocative and practical. These wonderful women encourage and challenge me.”
—Rev. Dr. Lynne Baab, author of a host of books including Joy Together: Spiritual Practices for Your Congregation; Nurturing Hope: Christian Pastoral Care in the Twenty-First Century; and Sabbath Keeping: Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest.
“We need not just theology but stories. This book is full of vibrant stories of women of God, caring for creation in many different ways. They come from varied backgrounds in age, culture, and life experience, but I find myself challenged and inspired by them. I hope you will too!”
- Rev. Dave Bookless, Director of Theology, A Rocha International
and Lausanne Global Catalyst for Creation Care. Author of Planetwise: Dare to Care for God’s World and God Doesn’t do Waste: Redeeming the Whole of Life.
-George Wieland, Director of Carey Centre for Mission Research and Formation
“In our time of planetary and human crisis, the words and witness of this book speak of hope, nurturing us to new life in the midst of chaos – even in the darkest of times. They stir us to renewed vigour in caring for earth, caring for people. The diversity of voices expresses the interwoven fabric of our multicultural society founded on Te Tiriti. I am delighted and moved that these words have grown out of the wellspring of life – te puna o te ora – within this land of Aotearoa New Zealand. May they inspire all who read them.”
- Julianne Hickey, Director of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, 2012-2022
“Awhi Mau Awhi Atu is a precious gift to our church and our world. Filled with honesty and vitality, this collection honours and creates holy ground for women, men and children to stand in humble and hopeful relationship with each other and God’s earth. As a geographer, my life has been shaped by ‘earth-writing’. This collection of women’s writing is the best type of ‘earth-writing’; written from, and written for, incarnational embodiment. Here women reflect deeply and powerfully on their own embodied relationship with the earth and with the Creator and Redeemer of all. Each reflection ends by grounding this wisdom in a gift of incarnational invitation for the reader – practical steps we can all take to live more humbly and hopefully in loving relationship with God’s earth. This collection is a beautiful celebration of the loving compassion perceived and expressed by the women of these islands as well as a clear call to join with the work of God’s Spirit in safeguarding the integrity of God’s creation and to sustain and renew the life of the earth.”
- Bishop Eleanor Sanderson (Pihopa Awhina, Diocese of Wellington)
“I am impressed with the variety of women whose voices we hear in Silvia Purdie’s book, their depth of faith, and the innovative ways they care for creation as an expression of their love for the Creator. The poetry and hands-on suggestions make the book both evocative and practical. These wonderful women encourage and challenge me.”
—Rev. Dr. Lynne Baab, author of a host of books including Joy Together: Spiritual Practices for Your Congregation; Nurturing Hope: Christian Pastoral Care in the Twenty-First Century; and Sabbath Keeping: Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest.
“We need not just theology but stories. This book is full of vibrant stories of women of God, caring for creation in many different ways. They come from varied backgrounds in age, culture, and life experience, but I find myself challenged and inspired by them. I hope you will too!”
- Rev. Dave Bookless, Director of Theology, A Rocha International
and Lausanne Global Catalyst for Creation Care. Author of Planetwise: Dare to Care for God’s World and God Doesn’t do Waste: Redeeming the Whole of Life.
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Blessing
by Silvia Purdie May you know God’s call through all your story. May you hear God’s Word through all your soul: “This world matters to me. You matter to me!” “Jesus is well pleased with you!” “You will be alright. I am with you.” May you feel the embrace of God, and so reach out to awhi others. May God bring you friends, young and old, of different cultures, to partner with you in caring for creation. May God stir you with holy fire for our beautiful fragile world and sustain you with courage for the challenge. May God give you peace with every breath, a still centre in the building storm. Kei a koe te mārie o te Atua, te pono o te Atua, te ora o te Atua. The grace, the truth and the life of God be yours. Mā te Atua koe e manaaki. God bless you and keep you, so you will be a blessing to the people and the places you connect with. Amen. |
E Tū Kahikatea
Song by Hirini Melbourne[1] E tū kahikatea Hei whakapae ururoa Awhi mai, awhi atu Tātou, tātou ē E tū kahikātoa Karekau e hinga Awhi mai, awhi atu Tātou, tātou ē E tū pūriri Toha rā o peka Awhi mai, awhi atu Tātou, tātou ē Translation by Silvia Purdie (can be sung to the tune) Stand tall, kahikatea Brave in the face of the storm We are loved, we are loving We will stand as one Stand proud, mānuka tree You will not fall, we are with you We are loved, we are loving We will stand as one Stand strong, puriri tree Reach out your beautiful branches We are loved, we are loving We will stand as one [1] Hirini Melbourne. Used with permission from the Melbourne Whānau. |