We are delighted that Diana Abercrombie has been able to take on the role of Diocesan Child, Youth and Family Educator for the next 6 months. Diana introduces herself below:

Kia Ora, my name is Diana Abercrombie and I am your new Dunedin Diocese Child, Youth and Family Educator (a six month fixed term contract). I am very excited about working with and for the young people in our churches across Otago and Southland and look forward to meeting you all in person very soon. Until then, I thought I would tell you a little bit about who I am, and what my role is about.

I am 28 years old and have been living in Invercargill for four years with my Husband Chris who is a High School Teacher. I am also a qualified and registered Early Childhood Teacher with a Degree in Theatre Studies and Performing Arts from Otago University. I am also currently completing my Graduate Diploma in Theology from Laidlaw College by Distance study.

I have pretty good knowledge of the Otago and Southland area, I was born and grew up in Dunedin, then moved to Central Otago where I was living for six years before then moving to Invercargill – so I know my way around the Diocese well and have been lucky enough to meet a number of you who live in these areas already.

I have been involved in Church life for around ten years now, experiencing the journey of a young new believer who had very little understanding of Church custom and tradition into someone now who is happily and regularly involved in Worship leading within Church services. My first 'home church' base was with the wonderful team at St Andrews Cromwell who looked after me so well in my early years, and I now attend the wonderful All Saints Gladstone in Invercargill where I am very blessed to be. It is here that I am part of the Leadership Team that runs our Youth Group, I help facilitate PlayBreak which is a Mum and Pre-schoolers coffee and play space run by All Saints, and also help with our Family Services planning resources and activities to support the message being preached every first Sunday of the Month.

I see myself as someone who enjoys interesting and creative things. I enjoy writing and write poetry and children’s stories, I love arts, craft and cooking and make many things from handmade soaps and creams, custom shoes and jewellery to baking Communion Wafers for Church when required. I love to give new things a go and never shy away from a challenge or adventure. I enjoy music, especially singing and I love to travel. I have also been known to take part in some thrill-seeking activities such as Ziplining, White Water Rafting, Zorbing and also enjoy very large Rollercoasters 😊

I am really looking forward to getting to meet you all very soon – my hope is that in this role I can be there to help and support anyone in the Diocese who is working with, or is wanting to work with our young people. I want to be available to help resource and plan with you, as well as give new ideas and help to maintain the fantastic work that is already being done. So, look out for me in my travels around Otago and Southland, you should be able to spot me reasonably easily as I am most likely to have very brightly coloured hair! If you wish to get in touch with me, I will have an official email and contact number very soon!

Blessings

Diana Abercrombie

Diana can be reached at: youth@calledsouth.org.nz