The three-day programme began on Friday 28 April with a Whakatau and Minita a Iwi, Te Papara Kopa-Katene opened in prayer and with a blessing. Revs Tau Lasi and Bob Franklin (Super team and organising committee) also spoke then all present introduced themselves. Speeches were supplemented with waiata (songs) sung by all from the synod Te Reo resource booklet 2019.

Attendees were able to choose to participate in any two of three excellent workshops:

· “It’s Ok that you’re not Ok” Navigating Grief Rev Dr Susan Thompson

· Changing World Changing Church Rev Bob Franklin

· Our Green Journey /Eco Church Sione Molitika, Amanda Williams and Alilia Molitika, Hamilton East and Anna Casey-Cox, Chartwell.

The evening finished with games and a Sing Along.

On Saturday we gathered for devotions “Who is our neighbour?” led by Rev Bob Franklin then Shirley Rivers from Methodist Mission Northern (Te Taha Maori) shared an interactive presentation on 40 years of the Bicultural Journey. Rev Norman Brookes, retired presbyter, in “Evolution or revolution- the Bicultural journey from a Pakeha Perspective[LW1] ” shared the history/s leading up to the conference decision in 1983 and after.

We reflected on the journey. What has been achieved in the past 40 years and where to from here? Many interesting thoughts were shared in different conversations.

We can all support and encourage each other as parishes on this journey and grow the relationship with Te Rohe Waikato. We were reminded by Te Rohe that it is a two-way conversation. This hui was a time to reflect before moving forward.

I extend our thanks to all who attended and acknowledge our workshop facilitators and our special guests. It was wonderful to have Te Papara for one day and the Te Taha Maori Liaison person, Waikato Rohe, Faye Blossom and her team present throughout the hui. Faafetai lava to Rev Bob Franklin, for all his hard work in bringing this year’s Refresh together. I know we were all blessed in some way.

Ma te Atua tatou katoa e tiaki. May God continue to watch over us all.

[LW1]Not sure about all this bold – up to you