The Christchurch massacre sent shock-waves across the world. It demonstrated racism at its ugliest. It is in sharp contrast, however, to my weekly experience in Lane Cove amongst the Meeting House playgroup. Serving coffee and cake to the mums (mainly) for over 4 years now, I hear their joys and sorrows amidst the demanding early parenthood journey. Over this time, there has been a wonderful and changing multicultural mix of people there. I gave up on trying to identify each race and accent long ago! I observe more of a ‘common story’ of being a parent, often in a new land, than differences amongst them. As I watch the ever-changing group from the kitchen servery, my heart warms to see children of different ethnicities playing together, while their watching mums share tips and tales.

Another pre-schooler’s mum has been a standout over this period: Jacinda Ardern. What wisdom and grace this younger woman has shown leading New Zealand’s response to the massacre. What has made her so outstanding? I saw a huge amount of empathy, as Ardern hugged a grieving Muslim lady. She wore black and a loose head scarf – a sign of identification with Muslim people – whilst maintaining her own identity. She showed courage, no doubt aware that many may not appreciate this solidarity. Decisiveness and wisdom were present in large measure – refusing to name the perpetrator to discourage copycat behaviour, sending off an envoy to Turkey to quickly end a diplomatic crisis, changing gun laws in a week! She named her country’s positive values for all to hear. To name a few.
In the midst of hate, the light of love appeared and spread. Other faiths and peoples embraced Muslims in a public show of support.

A younger generation is dispensing with outdated hostilities and fears regarding race and religion. By discussing what we have in common – rather than our differences – the light of truth reveals misplaced fears. Be a leader and a peace maker by choosing to identify our common humanity amidst difference. 

基督城Christchurch屠殺震憾遍全世界。這事件暴露了種族主義最醜陋的一面。相反，我每星期在Meeting House的遊戲班裏的經驗卻具極端的對比。四年來奉咖啡和糕點給孩子的母親（主要的監護者）的經驗，我聽到她們初為人母的喜樂與傷感。多年來，那裏添了受歡迎而面貌一新的多文化成員。我放棄辨別種族和口音已經很久了！我觀察到她們為父母者的“共同故事”，大多為身處異地的經歷而并非她們的差異處。在那人手不斷變動的廚房裏，我暖心地看到不同種族的小朋友們混在一起玩耍，照顧著他們的母親則閑話日常。
 
在那些學前兒童的母親中有一名矚目者：Jacinda Arden。她對紐西蘭屠殺原由的反應表現她的智慧和善意。有什麼令她與眾不同？我見到高度的同情心，發放於她給與一名悲傷的穆斯林婦女擁抱之時。那名婦女穿著黑袍和頭巾－穆斯林的表記－用以保留她的身分。她表現勇敢，無可懷疑地感到這團結一致的表記不為大多人認同。果斷和智慧的決斷辦法不少－拒絕公開侵犯者姓名來挫折模仿者、派節者到土耳其來了結外交沖突、於一星期內改變槍法！她還把祖國的正面價值道出來讓世人認識。
 
於仇恨泛濫中，愛的光芒出現了還擴散。其他宗教和民族公開地擁抱穆斯林教徒來表示支持。
 
新的世代正擺脫過時的，對種族和宗教的仇視和恐懼。討論我們共同的好處－有異於差異處－真理就能顯明迷途的恐懼。在別異中選取認同普遍人道，當一名領袖及和平製造者吧。
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充透着希望        （译自Karen牧师的‘Hope Shines Through’）
 
基督城Christchurch屠杀震憾遍全世界。这事件暴露了种族主义最丑陋的一面。相反，我每星期在Meeting House的遊戏班裏的经验却具极端的对比。四年来奉咖啡和糕点给孩子的母亲（主要的监护者）的经验，我听到她们初为人母的喜乐与伤感。多年来，那裏添了受欢迎而面貌一新的多文化成员。我放弃辨别种族和口音已经很久了！我观察到她们为父母者的“共同故事”，大多为身处异地的经历而并非她们的差异处。在那人手不断变动的厨房裏，我暖心地看到不同种族的小朋友们混在一起玩耍，照顾着他们的母亲则闲话日常。
 
在那些学前儿童的母亲中有一名瞩目者∶Jacinda Arden。她对纽西兰屠杀原由的反应表现她的智慧和善意。有什麽令她与众不同？我见到高度的同情心，发放于她给与一名悲伤的穆斯林妇女拥抱之时。那名妇女穿着黑袍和头巾－穆斯林的表记－用以保留她的身分。她表现勇敢，无可怀疑地感到这团结一致的表记不为大多人认同。果断和智慧的决断办法不少－拒绝公开侵犯者姓名来挫折模仿者丶派节者到土耳其来了结外交冲突丶于一星期内改变枪法！她还把祖国的正面价值道出来让世人认识。
 
于仇恨泛滥中，爱的光芒出现了还扩散。其他宗教和民族公开地拥抱穆斯林教徒来表示支持。
 
新的世代正摆脱过时的，对种族和宗教的仇视和恐惧。讨论我们共同的好处－有异于差异处－真理就能显明迷途的恐惧。在别异中选取认同普遍人道，当一名领袖及和平制造者吧。