Home away from Home

Sung Eun Bae

14 Feb 2010

Our diocese is home to many people who have left their birth countries & now call an Anglican church home. Here are 3 adopted kiwis with a few suggestions on how to make new immigrants feel welcome.


Sung Eun Bae: Left South Korea 12 years ago, now worshiping at St Michael and All Angels



“My parish is inviting and inclusive and full of nice people. Some of the traditional rituals and old English hymns provide me with constant learning experiences. Immigrants often find local churches challenging due to language problems and unfamiliar worship, so a little bit of modern technology can help. Recorded sermons on church websites with translated script would be great. In New Zealand, I’ve noticed more emphasis on the community, with less on personal health and wealth, and more tolerance for different opinions and denominations or faith.”

The Jouberts:Left South Africa 8 years ago, now worshiping at Hinds Co-operating Parish – St Luke's



“We were welcomed by the parish and the support that we have received from members of the parish was so overwhelming – they really welcomed us with open arms. When you immigrate, it is easy to replace your material stuff but it is very hard leaving your family and friends behind, so sometimes you just need an ear to listen. Parishes can help immigrants by making them aware of local issues and giving them contacts. In South Africa (in the Reformed Church) the Reverend is in control of the whole service. In the parish in New Zealand the scripture reading and the preaching is handled by different people in the parish, so ordinary members are more involved in the service.”




Stanley Chung: Left Malaysia 19 years ago, now worshiping at St Peter’s in Upper Riccarton



“Arriving as a shy, young new immigrant with my immediate family, I found it quite easy to find new friends through their young children’s ministry. If it weren’t for the warm and friendly reception, I would have found it difficult to reach out and take part. If you make the first approach, smile, strike up a conversation and make them feel welcome – it goes a long way in making any visitors welcome. I remember feeling like I just wanted to fit in and didn’t want to create a fuss. 

“I found some churches at home tended to tackle spiritual growth and learning on an individual basis – your own private challenge to deal with and not something that you could generally share comfortably. Here it’s quite the opposite. I know that if I do stumble on a problem or a challenge, either spiritually or otherwise, I have a whole congregation ready to share my burden.”