In Brief
Farmers, Flooding and Community Support Farmers and rural Cantabrians have been having a tough time lately—changes in expectations and regulations, a rural–urban disconnect, disease (Mycoplasma bovis and COVID) and isolation (roads cut off, no tourism)—and then there were the “once in 100 years” floods. We see it on the news but the reality of what the rural communities are still dealing with is enormous. The clean up is ongoing, the financial impact too, and within the Christchurch Diocese our farming and rural parishioners and communities still need our understanding, help and support. So, here are two good news stories about communities responding to the floods.
The concert organisers—Margaret Foley, Helen Hayes, and Audrey Rule. Photo credit: Cathy Maslin
Glenys Whittington singing at the Pop-Up concert. Insert: Bishop Peter and Teresa Kundycki-Carrell enjoying the concert. Photo credit: Cathy Maslin
Pop–Up Fundraiser In Temuka, at St Peter’s Church, a Pop-Up Concert was organised in a whirlwind 10 days and people responded providing items and logistics so that the concert held on Sunday 20 June was a fantastic success. It even hit the papers! Approximately $1500 was raised and is being distributed as a collaborative response by the Anglican Church and the Rural Support Trust. Bishop Peter affirmed the concert as an expression of the call to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.
Turning the tide—those whom the City Mission have helped, now helping others Christchurch City Mission (CCM) helps tens of thousands of vulnerable people every year. Immediately after the floods, men in emergency accommodation at the CCM jumped at the chance to give back and help out a farmer who himself donates beasts to the foodbank (through the Meat the Need programme). Cleaning up debris from the flood and reinstating fences might be cold, dirty and tiring work, but the men didn’t hesitate to assist. Giving back to people in our community, especially ones that help others, is what community is all about. Men at the City Mission helping in the flood clean-up. Photo credit: CCM
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In Brief | Words — Jo Bean, Editor
