My name is Emma

I’m a Queensland g girl, though I’ve spent most of my life in New South Wales. I have four sisters who are some of my closest friends. Even though I grew up in a small coastal town, my parents were intentional about making sure we understood the world - its people, its beauty, and its challenges.

That upbringing shaped me, and it’s led me to volunteer and work in all sorts of programs-food security, youth empowerment, refugee services, disaster relief, supporting survivors of human trafficking, poverty reduction. I’ve been blessed to do this both here in Australia and overseas.

Just before 2019, I walked the Camino de Santiago, 1000km across Spain. That experience was life changing. When I came home, I was searching for a faith community that felt more expansive, diverse, and contemplative.

A friend invited me along to Breath, a contemplative service at Annandale Creative Arts Centre. After my first visit, I never looked back.

At Newtown Mission, I feel heard, included, and supported. I love how people from so many walks of life gather here. I hope anyone who walks through our doors feels welcome and knows they can bring their questions and ideas without judgment.

Outside church, I love being in nature-a long bushwalk, a swim in the ocean, snorkeling, or just sitting on my back patio watching the sky. And I also love a good boogie!

This past year has been busy-COVID fog is finally lifting, and I got married! Some of my contemplative practices have been pushed to the side, and in the next year, I’m keen to find my way back to them - or maybe explore some new ones. I want to reconnect with that sense of stillness and reflection in my life.