One of the highlights of this year’s Women in Ministry hui was the launch of Leaders like Lydia: ­ a slim, but elegantly-produced paperback which reflects on last year’s  hui, held at Vaughan Park, on Auckland’s North Shore..

Leaders Like Lydia – which is subtitled: a Theological Discourse in Raranga, Siapo and Word – contains gathered poems, prayers and reflections from the women who met together to weave flax (that’s the raranga); paint on fabric (the traditional Polynesian art of siapo) – and to “weave words” about what they were making together, praying about, thinking and sensing.

The book contains a commendation from Bishop Victoria Matthews. “In many places across the globe,” she writes, “we hear a challenge to think outside the box and to re-imagine Church.

“That is exactly what happened at the Leaders like Lydia hui... It is in fact what happens whenever women gather and give each other permission to not only try new and different things but also seek the leading of the Spirit for their gathered community.

 “…The Spirit spoke through the craftwork of the three Tikanga of our Church. Raranga and Siapo assisted those gathered to articulate what was on their hearts and the gathered women heard what the Spirit said to the Church gathered in that place.

“The collected prayers and poems of the hui give glory to God.”

Leaders like Lydia is available from The General Synod Office – price $10, plus post and packaging.