I was ordained as an Anglican Priest and have contributed as a non-stipendiary priest in several parishes and at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland. Since ordination in 1990 I have worked in private practice as a therapist, facilitator, trainer and more recently in ministry and business development. I have recently become a certified Sageing Leader for Sage-ing International.
As director of Spiritual Care, I am responsible for the development and refinement of Selwyn’s operational expression of Faith and Tikanga, which is written into our Constitution and is the basis for all that we do and exist for as an organisation. I also lead our strategic development of the spiritual wellbeing dimension of The Selwyn Way — which is our approach to the care and wellbeing of all who connect with us — so that spirituality is made accessible across everything we do as a charity, in our villages, through our community services, and through education and knowledge exchange for staff, older people and their families.
Wendi Tiedt
I joined The Selwyn Foundation chaplaincy team in January 2020, ministering at Selwyn Village. I felt called to ordained ministry in South Africa, the land of my birth. Having completed my academic studies with the Theological Education by Extension College and fulfilled the Methodist Church of Southern Africa’s probation requirements, I was ordained in September 2014 into the Order of Deacons. I recently decided to seek orders as an Anglican, and was ordained to the Diaconate on Saturday 1st April 2023 at the Chapel of Christ the King at Selwyn Village. I married Vincent in 1991, we have two adult daughters. Our family immigrated to New Zealand in 2018 and settled in Auckland.
Prior to ministry I worked in administrative and project management positions. I bring many of these skills into ministry with me. The call to ministry was shaped by the many social issues prevalent in South Africa, especially in regards to women, children and the elderly. Being a spiritual companion and offering pastoral support became very important to me. I was often a trail-blazer encouraging others to join opportunities that presented themselves to bring well-being to individuals and communities. Psalm 139 reminds me that...
we are all wonderfully and fearfully made, knit together in our mother’s womb, at hand of the marvelous workmanship of the Creator
v.13-14 paraphrased)
God’s desire is for wholesome, healthy, vibrant communities. This is my desire for those who are most vulnerable, and is what attracts me to the role of Chaplain and spiritual companion. My favourite phrase is to remind myself to “walk intentionally at the speed of prayer”, so that I take time to be still, listen and to hear God’s voice gently guiding me.
In 2020 I completed a CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) course, which strengthened my pastoral skills. I have always loved doing craft work. This love has opened up opportunities to be creative in ministry, offering to those in my pastoral care different experiences of spirituality. I love discovering what brings meaning to people, and enjoy learning from others across our diverse cultural backgrounds. My warm-hearted, open, kind and compassionate nature lends itself toward sharing good conversations with others, listening and connecting with residents and staff around the Village.
The Reverend Diane Hopping
I became chaplain with The Selwyn Foundation in the Waikato in January 2016. I’d just completed two years at St John’s Theological College in Auckland. I was ordained as a deacon in 2015 and Priested in 2016. I am currently at Wilson Carlile Village and Metlifecare St Andrew’s. I spent many years teaching in primary schools in the Otorohanga area, while also holding a lay license at St Bride’s church in Otorohanga. I’m still an associate priest in the Parish of St Bride’s.
I am married to Laurie, a Vocational Deacon in Otorohanga and live in a converted woolshed on a small lifestyle block north of the town. I have three children and seven grandchildren. I also have three cats. Over the years I’ve gained many life skills to assist me in my position as chaplain. I’m finding similarities between my teaching years, journeyingwith young people as they learn new skills and now, journeying with an older generation at the other end of the rainbow of life.
I find this passage from Jeremiah 29 pulls me back from the edge when needed. He is there when you need him.
"I will show my concern for you and keep my promise to bring you home. I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me, and you will seek me with all your heart. Yes, I say, you will find me, and I will restore you to your land."
Jeremiah 29:10b
Megan Alley
I became a chaplain here in Maunu Whangārei in November 2020. I came from being a manager for a shop in Whangārei for two years. Before that I ministered to Kaurihohore Parish for five years. I was ordained as a deacon in 2012 for the Methodist Church of New Zealand. I was the first Methodist lay preacher to be ordained as a deacon in the 21st century. I was accredited as a Lay preacher in 2006.
Prior to training for ordained ministry, I worked as a senior pharmacy assistant. As part of my job, I got to visit people in their homes to deliver their medications and chat. Sometimes I was the only person they saw each week and sometimes each month.
The Reverend Saluni Tonga
I’m an ordained Anglican Priest in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. I became a Deacon in 2005, and a Priest in 2006. I served as a non-stipendiary Priest at the Parish of St George’s, Papatoetoe and at the Tongan Anglican Mission Papatoetoe, and Grey Lynn. I grew up in Tonga with my grandparents in a communal setting. I looked up to them and thought they were special; my grandfather was huge like a mountain but a softie, caring, loving and fun. I always cherished my great grandmother as a child. They’ve now passed on. I knew one day I’d be giving back to the community by serving elderly people as I really admired them.
After my studies, I pursued a career in social work; at the same time I studied theology part time at Auckland Uni and St John’s Theological College. I graduated with a Diploma in Social and Community Work in 1999 and completed several theology papers from Auckland Uni. Years later, I graduated with a Bachelor in Applied Social Work from Manukau Institute of Technology. I worked as a statutory social worker for Child, Youth & Family now called Ministry for Children – Oranga Tamariki with vulnerable children and youth at risk.
After 20 years, I came to understand that I needed to fulfil my dream to become a Chaplain for elderly people. It was God’s call. In May 2022 I resigned as a Senior Youth Justice Social worker for Ministry for Children – Oranga Tamariki, Manurewa and accepted a position (in June) as a Chaplain at Selwyn Village. My journey reminds me of the story of Jesus with two Apostles as they walked on the road to Emmaus.
and how sweet to walk with Jesus, whether you know it or not. He’s always there to lift you up and warm your spirit. I see working with the elderly as a journey and as you walk with them in thick and thin, and assure them they are not alone especially when it comes to near the end of their journey. Lastly, I’m a proud granddad married to Ilaisaane for 32 years, with two daughters and six grandkids.
Holly Walton
I was once an architect living and working in Johannesburg, South Africa. A move to Cape Town with my husband and the arrival of three daughters gave me the opportunity to reconsider my vocation. I wasn’t passionate about buildings and decided to do a year of Bible School followed by a BA (Psychological counselling). Some years of volunteer counselling and Spiritual Direction training ensued and suddenly I found myself with three teenage daughters and an opportunity to immigrate to New Zealand along with my husband – what an adventure it’s proven to be. After almost four years at St Peter’s Anglican Church (Takapuna), I moved into pastoral care and chaplaincy to the older persons at Windsor Park Baptist church. During these years I also trained and registered as a member of the Association of Christian Spiritual directors of Aotearoa New Zealand and completed a Post Grad Certificate inChaplaincy from Otago University.
And that brings me to this point in time where I find myself with adult children, a husband of almost 30 years and the privilege of starting a new chapter with The Selwyn Foundation. The greatest privilege as a chaplain is in the sharing of life stories and the meaning that is found through these stories. There is a poem by Jennifer Hoffman entitled “Our Stories” which begins:
It is our stories Our sacred, chaotic, blessed stories: It is our stories That are the stones Of God’s language On the rocky, jagged, radiant Path of life.
However the stones of your stories might look – rough, smooth, colourful, large or tiny – they are unique and they are sacred. It will be a privilege sharing in these stories and journeying on the path of life with you.
The Reverend Marianne Hornburg
I have worked for The Selwyn Foundation since 2000. First, as a chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator. Here I provided spiritual and pastoral care for residents at Selwyn Village and Selwyn Heights, as well as strategic planning and oversight of the chaplaincy team. I ‘retired’ to work part time as chaplain at Oaks in 2019.
Chaplaincy is my passion and especially chaplaincy with older adults. It is wonderful to have the time to journey deeply with residents on their spiritual and life journey, whatever their ‘faith’ or spirituality might be. It is a privilege to be alongside residents who have such a rich life experience and to assist them to become aware of and claim that richness as their own as they experience their elderhood.
I was ordained in 1978 and I worked as an Anglican parish priest in Auckland and a hospital chaplain in Auckland and Waikato until joining The Selwyn Foundation in 2000. I have a B.A. (psychology) from Chapman University in California, a LTh. from St. John’s College, Auckland and a Certificate from the Gerontological Pastoral Care Institute at the Center for Aging and Spirituality, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota.
I have chosen a quote from C.S. Lewis because no matter how ordinary people think they are, everyone is extraordinary in their own special way. It enriches our experience to open our hearts to the depth of each other.
