Sunday, February 28, 2010
National Interfaith Forum
Friday, February 26, 2010
Attended a national Interfaith forum today in Christchurch. It was amazing. I was there with women who work with the ministers (cabinet members) of New Zealand...women who represent New Zealand at the United Nations. It was fun to be a fly on the wall. I even got to present to the group about what my break-out panel talked about. I was also asked by the church PR person to write a short blurb about what we did. I guess New Zealand has an insert they put in the Ensign magazine. Nothing like jumping right in with your clothes on whether you are prepared or not. It was an amazing day.
A group of LDS sisters joined women from around New Zealand to participate in the 5th National Women’s Forum, Friday, February 26, 2010. The forum was part of the 7th National Interfaith Forum held this weekend in Christchurch. A panel of women speakers represented several religions and spiritual affiliations. Melanie Riwai-Couch, a member of the Cashmere Ward, Christchurch New Zealand Stake, represented the LDS church, sharing LDS beliefs around the theme, “Living My Faith in the Modern World.” Sister Riwai-Couch ended her presentation with a statement, reiterated throughout the day as participants divided into small groups to further discuss the theme; ‘It’s about conversation, not conversion.’ Being able to talk to others about faith, religion and tolerance is needed in today’s world. Women left the forum feeling they had the strength and courage to change the world. This seemed apropos as LDS women around the world celebrate the birthday of the Relief Society.
Attended a national Interfaith forum today in Christchurch. It was amazing. I was there with women who work with the ministers (cabinet members) of New Zealand...women who represent New Zealand at the United Nations. It was fun to be a fly on the wall. I even got to present to the group about what my break-out panel talked about. I was also asked by the church PR person to write a short blurb about what we did. I guess New Zealand has an insert they put in the Ensign magazine. Nothing like jumping right in with your clothes on whether you are prepared or not. It was an amazing day.
A group of LDS sisters joined women from around New Zealand to participate in the 5th National Women’s Forum, Friday, February 26, 2010. The forum was part of the 7th National Interfaith Forum held this weekend in Christchurch. A panel of women speakers represented several religions and spiritual affiliations. Melanie Riwai-Couch, a member of the Cashmere Ward, Christchurch New Zealand Stake, represented the LDS church, sharing LDS beliefs around the theme, “Living My Faith in the Modern World.” Sister Riwai-Couch ended her presentation with a statement, reiterated throughout the day as participants divided into small groups to further discuss the theme; ‘It’s about conversation, not conversion.’ Being able to talk to others about faith, religion and tolerance is needed in today’s world. Women left the forum feeling they had the strength and courage to change the world. This seemed apropos as LDS women around the world celebrate the birthday of the Relief Society.
Friday, February 26, 2010
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Discovering Jane
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Happy Birthday, Kathryn Ann!
For those of you who don’t know about Jane Rowntree Thorley, she was my Great Grandmother and was born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1868. Here is a genealogy update:
This week I have made three trips into Christchurch, which has been an adventure in driving on the left side of the road. The LDS genealogy library is located on Fendalton Road in the center of town. Not only that, there is only one way to get into the church and it is on a busy road, across a narrow bridge. It is a beautiful location.
Charles Watson Rowntree, from Yorkshire, England, came to New Zealand by way of the gold fields of Australia. Hannah Parks, orphaned at a young age, came to New Zealand from Ireland with her two older sisters who raised her. Charles and Hannah were married in 1863. Elizabeth was born in 1864, Hannah in 1865, Charlotte in 1866, Jane in 1868, Emily in 1869, Mary Ann in 1871, and Esther in 1873. Hannah, Charlotte and Jane immigrated to Utah. Mary Ann immigrated to California. What I have done thus far is to verify information through the registration districts; I have gone through birthdates, marriage dates, and deaths of Charles, Hannah, Elizabeth, Emily, and Esther. They all lived, married, and died in Christchurch. This next week I will go to the Canterbury Library in downtown Christchurch and look for property records and verify what information I have from our family genealogy. My goal is to find where these five are buried, if the family home is still standing and what family is still here.
Jack and I took a “check out the area” excursion Thursday. We have located some possible cemeteries and farm location. But what we did find is the Harewood School, where she started school, is still there. Well, the original school was torn down, but another one was built in its place and the tree-lined lane is still there. I will go back when there is more time to snoop around in their records. It would seem that all the girls would have gone there. Jane write in her journal that she went to the Harewood School for a few years and then to Papanui School. A teacher at the school said the children would begin at the Harewood School and transfer to Papanui School for the older grades…possibly ages 10-13. Jane mentions that she only went to school until she was 13 years old. That was pretty common. If you are following this on Google map, Papanui is a section of Christchurch that is north and west of the city center. Harewood school is almost at the intersection of Harewood Road and Russley Road (hwy 1), close to the airport. This was a fun day!
Later tonight I was looking to see where the girls were christened. We have records of only about three of them, but they were christened in St. Paul’s Anglican church. I think it is still standing. I will go by there next week as well. I’ll keep you posted. Fun! Fun!
Happy Birthday, Kathryn Ann!
For those of you who don’t know about Jane Rowntree Thorley, she was my Great Grandmother and was born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1868. Here is a genealogy update:
This week I have made three trips into Christchurch, which has been an adventure in driving on the left side of the road. The LDS genealogy library is located on Fendalton Road in the center of town. Not only that, there is only one way to get into the church and it is on a busy road, across a narrow bridge. It is a beautiful location.
Charles Watson Rowntree, from Yorkshire, England, came to New Zealand by way of the gold fields of Australia. Hannah Parks, orphaned at a young age, came to New Zealand from Ireland with her two older sisters who raised her. Charles and Hannah were married in 1863. Elizabeth was born in 1864, Hannah in 1865, Charlotte in 1866, Jane in 1868, Emily in 1869, Mary Ann in 1871, and Esther in 1873. Hannah, Charlotte and Jane immigrated to Utah. Mary Ann immigrated to California. What I have done thus far is to verify information through the registration districts; I have gone through birthdates, marriage dates, and deaths of Charles, Hannah, Elizabeth, Emily, and Esther. They all lived, married, and died in Christchurch. This next week I will go to the Canterbury Library in downtown Christchurch and look for property records and verify what information I have from our family genealogy. My goal is to find where these five are buried, if the family home is still standing and what family is still here.
Jack and I took a “check out the area” excursion Thursday. We have located some possible cemeteries and farm location. But what we did find is the Harewood School, where she started school, is still there. Well, the original school was torn down, but another one was built in its place and the tree-lined lane is still there. I will go back when there is more time to snoop around in their records. It would seem that all the girls would have gone there. Jane write in her journal that she went to the Harewood School for a few years and then to Papanui School. A teacher at the school said the children would begin at the Harewood School and transfer to Papanui School for the older grades…possibly ages 10-13. Jane mentions that she only went to school until she was 13 years old. That was pretty common. If you are following this on Google map, Papanui is a section of Christchurch that is north and west of the city center. Harewood school is almost at the intersection of Harewood Road and Russley Road (hwy 1), close to the airport. This was a fun day!
Later tonight I was looking to see where the girls were christened. We have records of only about three of them, but they were christened in St. Paul’s Anglican church. I think it is still standing. I will go by there next week as well. I’ll keep you posted. Fun! Fun!
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