Our Workshops
9.45-10.45am Workshop Session 1
About the Workshop
I don’t have the answers. Let’s talk about what we’ve experienced. What has worked? What has failed spectacularly? I’ll bring some of my own learnings, especially of the latter, but I hope that the room itself will be a key source of wisdom.
Meet the Facilitator
Stu McGregor is a Baptist minister at Cityside Baptist in Tāmaki Makaurau. His faith is his bedrock while his beliefs are in flux. He is an avid Tiriti advocate and also a potter, painter and poet (and appreciates alliteration apparently). His most prized possession is an old electric bar heater from the 1960s.
About the Workshop
Tēnā rā koutou, he uri māua nō Ingarangi me Kotirana, heoi e noho ana a Matt Deverell māua ko Ash Deverell ki Kirikiriroa i ēnei rangi. Āna, he tangata tiriti māua. E kimi ana māua, e hoe ana hoki māua i te awa hāpai ake i te Tiriti o Waitangi, hāpai ake i te iwi Māori. Our ancestors are from England and Scotland and we, Matt and Ash Deverell are now living in Kirikiriroa. As Tangata Tiriti, we are forever seeking out and doing our best to paddle down a river which lifts up the Treaty of Waitangi and te iwi Māori.
But how do we do that?
That is what this open table discussion will focus on, the ways in which we, as Tangata Tiriti can take up positions which uplift the Treaty and te iwi Māori. What should we say for Pepeha? When should we keep our mouths shut and when should we use our voice? How can we connect, learn, grow? How can we honour mātauranga Māori? And of course, we would love you to bring your questions to the table of how we can be treaty partners.
Meet the Facilitator
E mihi nui ana ki a koutou ko ngā kaipānui o tēnei. Nau mai haere mai ki te tēpu kai, ki te tēpu wānangananga. Ko te kaupapa ko te ara hāpai ake i te Tiriti, hāpai ake i te iwi Māori.
Ko Ash, māua ko Matt Deverell ō māua ingoa. He uri māua nō Ingarangi me Kotirana.
Our names are Ash and Matt Deverell. We have both been youth workers for around 10 years each with Matt spending some time as a youth pastor. We are now living in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton). Matt works as a counsellor in one of the kura and Ash works at the University of Waikato whilst doing some supervision of youth workers. We are passionate about the journey of being Tangata Tiriti, what does that look like and how do we do that? At the workshop we would be happy to share more of our journeys of learning te reo Māori, speaking on marae, working in a wharekura and how we are currently seeking out how to live and be Tangata Tiriti. However, first and foremost, we have a beautiful daughter who is our world.
About the Workshop
Understanding desire, and figuring out what you actually want after purity culture can be tricky. This workshop is the sex ed and relationship chats you need and deserve. Let’s talk s-x ed, creating safety and desire and a whole lot of practical tools. If you’re curious about how desire actually works, what it means to really choose in your relationship or how to support yourself or a partner struggling with this topic join us. We’ll explore how to figure out and own what you really want in this area of life. For all humans, single, married or otherwise.
Meet the Facilitator
Meg Cowan is a registered sexologist and relationship coach, specialising in supporting people recovering from church and purity culture teachings. As a church kid turned questioner, Meg brings both clinical grounding and intimate understanding of purity culture's long shadow, how it shapes desire, partnership, shame, and the following beautiful work of reclamation and coming home to yourself.
About the Workshop
What would it look like for faith and cultural communities to become places where people do not have to choose between belonging, identity and spirituality. This workshop explores how alofa, dignity and relationship can help more inclusive communities for Rainbow people across faith, family and culture. Drawing from lived experince, human rights work and community diagoue, Andre reflects on the tensions many people navigate today, particularly where inherited beliefs, exclusion and fear have weakened connection and trust. Rather than debating who belongs, this session focuses on how communities can create safer spaces for honesty, compassion and relationship across difference. Together, participants will explore practical ways faith communities can contribute to social cohesion, wellbeing and belonging in Aotearoa.
Meet the Facilitator
Andre Afamasaga is an ex-Pastor, with more than 25 years' experience across human rights, government and community leadership. A survivor of conversion therapy, his work explores the intersections of faith, culture, human rights and rainbow inclusion, particularly within the Pacific communities. He's worked at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission for several years, and has goverence roles at faith-based organisations such as Zeal, Praxis, and Bishop Action Foundation. He is passionate about creating spaces where people can remain connected across difference with dignity, honesty and alofa, and is a sought after voice in the media and conference space.
About the Workshop
In this workshop we’ll explore some of the questions that come up around faith and parenting. For many folk who have experienced some kind of shifting, deconstructing and/or re-forming faith, this can feel complicated. What happens if my kids ask a question but I don't have a concrete answer? What should I be telling my kids about God? How do we parent without fear or control? What do we hold onto, and what do we let go of? And how do we create spacious, life-giving environments for our kids while our own beliefs and frameworks are changing?
Meet the Facilitator
Michael Frost is a New Zealand theologian, host of the In the Shift podcast, and co-leads the Edge Kingsland church community in Auckland.
About the Workshop
This session explores the idea of “unicorns” as an archetype for people and practices that live at the edges—of institutions, identities, and communities—and how these edges become “third spaces” of transformation.
Here, unicorns symbolise those who don’t quite fit existing categories: at the boundaries of work and vocation, sacred and secular life, mental health and recovery, and cross-cultural identity. These edge spaces are not just in-between—they are sites of encounter where meaning shifts and something new can emerge.
Drawing lightly on thinkers such as Homi Bhabha (third space), Winnicott (potential space), Anzaldúa (nepantla), and Turner (liminality), the session explores how these spaces hold tension, creativity, and possibility.
In this space, unicorns:
Resist binary thinking.
Bridge worlds and perspectives.
Carry both vulnerability and generative potential.
Together, we will reflect on third space as a lived, relational experience—less about resolution and more about becoming—and consider where these generative edges might exist in our own lives and work.
Meet the Facilitator
The Rev’d Petra Zaleski CPE, SCA (BTheol, Post Grad Dip Theol UoA, Grad Dip Health Sciences AUT) was ordained as an Anglican priest following work in social services and addictions support, before serving as a parish vicar and later moving into tertiary chaplaincy. She is currently an accredited Spiritual Care Practitioner (Spiritual Care Australia) and Lead Chaplain at Ratonga Pā Whakawairua | Maclaurin Chaplaincy at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland, where she works across spiritual care, wellbeing, and interfaith engagement in a diverse university context. Her interests include spirituality and mental health, addiction and recovery, religious diversity awareness, and interfaith dialogue. Drawing on practical theology and pastoral practice, her work explores “the margin as a site of resistance” — attending to the transformative possibilities that emerge at the edges of institutional, social, and spiritual life.
11.30am - 12.30pm Workshop Session 2
About the Workshop
I often find myself wondering if leading a community that doesn’t share all of the values I have is faithful or fake. In this workshop, I’m keen to connect with pastors and church leaders who are choosing to remain in communities that don’t fully share their values, and are leading with honesty, care, and integrity. I don’t have the answers. Let’s talk about what we’ve experienced. What has worked? What has failed spectacularly? I’ll bring some of my own learnings, especially of the latter, but I hope that the room itself will be a key source of wisdom. Let’s name the tensions we’re navigating: when to speak and when to stay quiet, how to be truthful without being needlessly disruptive, how to hold conviction without losing relationship, and what it looks like to stay grounded when we’re not fully aligned with our community. We’re not going to fix the tensions, but maybe become more resourced to live in them.
Meet the Facilitator
Steven Goulstone is a Baptist pastor and podcast co-host dedicated to the idea that the church should be a primary catalyst for human flourishing. Driven by a vision of a more just and equitable faith community, he is committed to dismantling systems of power and domination within religious structures. When not doing that, Steven is likely exploring the depths of an excellent coffee or revisiting the glory that is the Star Wars galaxy, finding inspiration in stories of hope and rebellion.
About the Workshop
This workshop is an open invitation to engage with Māori philosophy and its interactivity with; everything. Māori cosmology/ontology provides an impressively deep framework for understanding the unseen world, the interrelation between spiritual and physical realities, and the eco-consciousness born from seeing the world through whakapapa.
Meet the Facilitator
Dr. Eugene Fuimaono has long been an advocate for Māori philosophy, which was catalysed when he participated in the protest at Ihumātāo. Through his PhD Thesis: De-colonizing Mana and Tapu, he has grown an intricate understanding of the relationships that intersect the spiritual and physical within a Māori intellectual framework. While an avid decoloniser, Dr. Fuimaono - through whakapapa - understands that Christianity was not adopted through trickery - there has been much Māori theological work to underpin this. However, colonization was an unwelcome part of the package - despite being intertwined with it. Thus, his base assumption is always that Māori made a rational decision in accordance with their understanding of the world regarding Christio spirituality. The aftermath however, continues to leave much to be desired.
About the Workshop
We’ve all inherited stories about sex—from purity culture, family, lived experience and society—that often leave us carrying more shame than freedom. What would a healthy, modern sexual ethic look like? This workshop takes a fresh, compassionate look at what a modern sexual ethic can be when we view it through a theological, psychological, and anthropological lens. We’ll explore what a values-shaped sexual ethic looks like and ask what it takes to heal from "legacy burdens." We may leave with more questions than answers, but we will move closer to experiencing freedom and shalom in a part of our humanity that is all too often hidden in shame.
Meet the Facilitator
This workshop brings together a unique mother-daughter dynamic, combining clinical expertise with lived next-generation experience to unpack inherited beliefs around sexuality. Dr. Ruth McConnell is a counsellor in private practice, supervisor, and speaker specializing in neuropsychotherapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and healing attachment and betrayal trauma. Born in the Amazon region of Brazil to Scottish missionary parents, Ruth earned her PhD in Counselling Psychology in Scotland and studied theology at Regent College in Vancouver. After 8 years as a Senior Lecturer in Counselling at Laidlaw College, she continues to be deeply passionate about human flourishing at the intersection of psychology and theology. Ruth lives in Tāmaki Makaurau with her partner and their legendary 20-year-old cat,
Sammy.
Alana McConnell is Ruth’s youngest daughter and co-presenter. Born in Scotland and raised in Vancouver before moving to Aotearoa, Alana’s own experiences with religious ostracism sparked a lifelong journey of questioning faith, religion, and identity. With a BA in Psychology and Media Studies from Victoria University and a Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy from AUT, her diverse career spans harm reduction in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, puberty education, and youth work. Currently completing a secondary teaching degree at Laidlaw, Alana is deeply interested in the intersections of faith, feminism, and sexuality. In her spare time, she loves thrifting, music, and cats.
About the Workshop
Does our faith inform our politics? Or our politics inform our faith? It's Election Year. Do we vote? How do we decide what the important issues are? What do we do if no single party has our ideal policies?
Meet the Facilitator
Glen Bennett is a Labour MP, but long before he entered Parliament, his heart belonged to the community. The son of Salvation Army officers, Glen grew up learning that faith is best expressed through service and hospitality. With over two decades in the community sector—spanning youth work, social enterprise, and fostering troubled teen boys—Glen has always stood with those on the margins. Today, as a Member of Parliament and Senior Whip, he brings those grassroots values into New Zealand politics. Openly gay, married to his husband Jon, and deeply committed to progressive change, Glen is passionate about how we can ground our lives in real-world justice.
About the Workshop
Exploring the intersection of faith, sexuality, identity, and belonging. This interactive workshop invites LGBTQ+ people of faith to explore the stories, identities, and messages that have shaped their journey. Through reflection, conversation, and shared wisdom, participants will map their identities, examine messages they have received about faith and sexuality, honour the moments that have shaped their spiritual journey, and explore how community and lived experience influence growth and belief. This is a space for honesty, curiosity, and hope — recognising both survival and strength, while creating room to imagine what flourishing can look like for LGBTQ+ people of faith. Participants do not need to share personal experiences publicly; opportunities for both private reflection and group conversation will be provided.
Meet the Facilitator
Craig Watson is a community leader, advocate, and speaker passionate about creating spaces where people can belong fully — particularly at the intersection of faith and LGBTQ+ identity. Growing up in a conservative Christian environment in Aotearoa New Zealand, Craig spent many years navigating the tension between faith and sexuality before eventually coming out at 30 and building the supportive community he wished had existed for him. Craig is the founder of Diverse Church NZ, a network supporting LGBTQ+ Christians and those exploring faith, which has grown to connect hundreds of people across New Zealand and contribute to conversations about inclusion in churches and faith communities. He also serves on the board of Rainbow Wellington, helping lead initiatives that strengthen connection, visibility, and belonging across rainbow communities. Alongside his community work, Craig works in diversity, equity, and inclusion and is passionate about building environments where people can thrive and contribute fully. His work spans community leadership, events, advocacy, and creating spaces that move people beyond survival and towards flourishing. Craig brings warmth, honesty, and lived experience to conversations about faith, identity, belonging, and hope — helping people imagine what Christianity can become when there is room for everyone at the table. For fun, Craig loves travel and hiking and is working towards completing all of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Great Walks.
About the Workshop
Staci McLean, founder of The Neurocollective NZ, explores neurodiversity, belonging, and inclusion through personal story, lived experience, and practical insight. Together we will unpack how communities, churches, and organisations can move beyond awareness to create spaces where people feel safe, valued, and able to participate fully, particularly those navigating neurodivergence, and the complexity of feeling “different.” This session invites open conversation, empathy, and hope for more inclusive communities where everyone has a place to belong.
Meet the Facilitator
Staci McLean is a New Zealand Christian speaker, author, coach, and founder of The Neurocollective NZ, where she advocates for neurodiversity, inclusion, and belonging within churches, communities, and workplaces. Drawing from her lived experience and faith, Staci speaks with authenticity and compassion, encouraging people to embrace identity, wellbeing, and purpose with courage and hope.
About the Workshop
A shared space for youth and the adults who want to support them to explore how we navigate an age of polarization, misinformation, cancel culture, AI, and decision fatigue—together.
Meet the Facilitator
Sophia Nobbs is the Youth Pastor at Ponsonby Baptist Church. She has been in youth ministry for nearly eight years and holds a Bachelor’s in Applied Theology, a Diploma in Pastoral Leadership (Youth), and a Diploma in Christian Studies. Additionally, Sophia has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapy and is currently completing her Master’s in Clinical Creative Arts Therapy. She is deeply passionate about supporting young people to live full, values-driven lives of inclusion and care.
1.45-2.45pm Workshop Session 3
About the Workshop
Let’s name the tensions we’re navigating: when to speak and when to stay quiet, how to be truthful without being needlessly disruptive, how to hold conviction without losing relationship, and what it looks like to stay grounded when we’re not fully aligned with your community. We’re not going to fix the tensions, but maybe become more resourced to live in it.
Meet the Facilitator
David Sander is a mental health counsellor and supervisor who also serves as part of the leadership team at West Baptist Community Church. He is passionate about creating spaces where people can safely explore spirituality, identity, healing, and belonging. His areas of interest include supporting members of Rainbow communities, walking alongside those who have experienced religious trauma and/or spiritual abuse, and supporting people leaving high-control or coercive religious environments, including cults. He is also deeply interested in recognising and deconstructing systems of oppression within both faith communities and wider society.
About the Workshop
What if the ways we learned to seek safety and connection as children are still shaping the way we engage spiritually? In this session we’ll use attachment science as a compassionate lens for reflection and conversation.
Meet the Facilitator
Lou Gane is a health coach and former tertiary chaplain based in New Plymouth, who has spent time sitting with people in the midst of hard stuff, including the complex, messy edges of faith and identity. She brings both lived experience and a deep curiosity to the intersection of psychology and spirituality.
About the Workshop
Most of us want our lives to make a positive difference, but in a complex and busy culture, it can be hard to know how to make a meaningful impact. What does it look like to follow the radical Jesus today in practical, effective, deeply compassionate and counter-cultural ways? This session explores how we can align our lives to do the most good we possibly can. Together, we’ll share practical stories and simple, encouraging frameworks that help us move from good intentions to real-world impact.
Meet the Facilitator
From engineer and missionary to minister, Bible College Principal and house church leader, David’s journey has been anything but boring. Currently a business owner and charity leader, he is often described as a "social justice entrepreneur" who loves helping people find practical, everyday ways to align their lives and resources for good. David is a dedicated advocate for rainbow equality and the poor, firmly believing that even with a gold card in his wallet, the work of changing the world is just getting started.
About the Workshop
Trans and disabled people, who often live at the sharpest edge of bodily change and uncertainty, may have something vital to offer theology that the wider church is still finding words for: a God who is met differently on different days, in different flesh, through different pain and different joy.
Meet the Facilitator
Cr. EJ Barrett (they/them) is a Taranaki-raised disability advocate, and the first openly trans-nonbinary person elected to New Plymouth District Council. They bring a Disability Justice framework to their work in local government and community leadership, understanding disability not as a fixed state but as a lived, changing relationship with the body and the world. EJ is rooted in Catholic and Anglican traditions while actively engaging across the broader ecumenical community. They speak and write at the intersection of relationship, justice, and civic life.
About the Workshop
The Psalms are a beautiful template for all of our joys, hurts, fears, hopes, longings, and the messiness of life. This is a practical session where Andy shares some tools to help us as we spend time writing our own psalm-like prayers. No experience needed.
Meet the Facilitator
With years of song-writing and poetry experience, including performing at the national poetry slam, Andy Dickson is an Anglican priest, host of the Down to Earth Conversations podcast, children's author and spoken word poet.
About the Workshop
Jeremiah 29v 11 has been a popular verse to encourage us that God has a plan for our lives. And yet how do we make sense of where God is when life unravels? In this discussion we will explore through personal stories, how we can develop more expansive language that can speak to our lived experience and hold us in the painful and liminal parts of our lives. Rather than just using familiar phrases like 'God has got this', to relieve our anxiety.
Meet the Facilitator
Cathy Marston has trained in theology, counselling and pastoral supervision. She co-hosts the Changes Ahead Podcast. After 10 years of youth pastoring with her husband at a Baptist church she has been leading an intergenerational faith community for 25 years. She is curious about a spirituality that befriends our reality and loves honest conversations around a good coffee.
