Read about Emma's interesting journey toward God and the people of St Barnabas.

Hearing Emma speak about the impact that the rubble of stone churches around the city that fared badly in the earthquakes, had on her was deeply moving. Every time she saw the rubble of a stone church, the feeling that ‘no-one cared’ came over her.

Then, one day out walking with her dog, she was on the boardwalk outside St Barnabas and noticed a child’s picture attached to the safety fencing around the damaged building. “Someone does care,” she thought. Then on a subsequent walk she noticed the image of the fundraising barometer for the St Barnabas restoration appeal.

Deciding she would like to contribute, she later visited the office and enjoyed meeting and talking with Marion. Then she discovered the Mooring Post magazine in her mailbox and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Emma said that she has so much on-screen reading with her work and with medical updates and communication that it was relaxing and totally different to have something physical to hold and read.

Emma attended the Easter service which was that first service in the church after the rebuild. She found that people were friendly and enjoyed meeting Mark. She commented how beautiful the flowers in the church were and how the Easter sermon and readings were spot on.

She really appreciated the positive outlook demonstrated as a way of dealing with things. Emma started attending regularly and was impressed that Mark remembered who she was! Once she started joining in with morning tea in the Tui Room, she was delighted that people were so welcoming and communicative.

Waypoints along Emma’s Faith Journey

Emma attended a Christian Girl’s School, here in Christchurch. Starting the school day with the assembly with its hymns and short sermon by the Headmistress was ‘just right’. Emma enjoys traditional hymns and said the 9.30am service at St Barnabas is very similar to her important school-day memories.

In the porch at St Barnabas, she discovered the booklet ‘Word for the Day’ and has found it a helpful gentle introduction to reading the Bible.

Emma said that this combination allows her to recharge batteries with friendly common-sense principles, teachings and readings - as the past year with all its COVID implications has been very stressful.

Background, hobbies and interests

Emma was born at St George’s Hospital and was drawn to a career in medicine from an early age. She studied at Canterbury University, then went on to Otago finishing her medical training in the Waikato. She lived in the North Island for 20 years before moving back to Christchurch to live and work. The importance of family was clear when Emma spoke about family members drifting to the North Island and then moving back to Christchurch also. She has a niece in Melbourne and used to enjoy trips over there to see her. Having trans-Tasman travel open, albeit off and on, they were fortunate to have a visit from her in May.

Emma has a Jack Russell Terrier, Maisy, who loves interacting with humans but has a short fuse where other dogs are concerned. This sometimes causes embarrassment when taking her out for walks. Emma enjoys her garden particularly growing fruit and vegetables and making goodies from the produce. She also enjoys repairing household items, reading, watching a good film, sharing meals with friends and family and, with her sister Leah, taking Maisy out on walks.