Spirituality and Chaplaincy Services

Time at university provides opportunities to learn, experience life, and explore ideas and values. AUT’s Spirituality and Chaplaincy Services offers the chance to:

• explore spirituality and spiritual growth
• embrace multi-faith experiences
• enhance one’s own faith traditions and experiences
• explore and extend peaceable community relations.  

AUT Spirituality and Chaplaincy services seek to provide spiritual support to students with all kinds of beliefs. We call this a 'multi-faith' approach. Of course words like 'faith', 'religion' and 'spirituality' mean different things to different people. Some people identify as 'spiritual', but don't belong to any religion or faith group. Others find even the label 'spiritual' doesn't fit.

The Chaplains are open to working with individuals of all belief systems and worldviews, regardless of whether they identify themselves as 'spiritual', or not. The Chaplains also seek to work towards a better world by acknowleding the common ground in many faiths.

AUT’s multi-faith approach recognises the reality of our multi-faith and multi-cultural pluralistic society, and the need to develop understanding, tolerance and harmony in society. The emphasis is not on conversion but upon exploration and support.

Spirituality is defined as follows:-
 “The values and beliefs that determine the way people live and relate to each other and the universe, the search for meaning and purpose in life, and personal growth including development in personal identity and self-awareness. The realisation of these values through practice and action.”
(Derived from the Ministry of Education (1999) Health Promoting Schools in Action in Aotearoa/New Zealand.)

Chaplains

Chaplains can assist people with Spiritual matters and development The meaning and purpose of life and other concerns Life passages, eg. birth, marriage, death Ceremonies and worship Practical or welfare Issues Life crises, like accidents, bereavements, hospitalisation or family crises

Amala Wrightson The Venerable Amala Wrightson, Sensei is a Zen Buddhist Priest and Teacher, who works at the Auckland Zen Centre. Amala was born and grew up in Auckland, worked in rock bands The Plague and Vegetation, and in various theatre projects including The Humanimals with her husband Richard von Sturmer. She completed an M.A. in Italian at Auckland University before taking up full-time Zen training in 1989 at the Rochester Zen Center in upstate New York. She was ordained a Zen priest in 1999, and sanctioned to teach in August 2004 by her teacher Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. Available Times City campus Mondays meditation practice 12 noon-1 pm WZ106C, and also by appointment between 1 pm and 2 pm in WZ106 North Shore campus Thursdays by appointment in AS104A Contact Details Phone 520 0531 or 027 314 9940 Email here Visit the website
Catholic
Leona Garchow Sister Leona Garchow RSM is a Sister of Mercy and has come to Auckland from Dunedin where she has been Tertiary chaplain at Otago for a number of years.  Her background is primary teaching, a BA in Psychology as well as an MA in Pastoral Counselling from Loyola, Chicago. She has worked as a Pastoral Counsellor and is also a trained Spiritual Director. She has worked a great deal in the area of loss and grief with students. Available Times City and North Shore campuses by appointment Contact Details Phone 303 3852 or 021 209 5811 Email here
Catholic
Pat Brophy Father Pat Brophy SM is a Roman Catholic Priest belonging to the Society of Mary. He was born and raised in Taranaki, studied at Mount St Mary’s Seminary, Napier and Victoria University, Wellington. He holds a B.A. in English Literature and an S.T.B in Theology. Pat taught at secondary level before going on mission in Peru and Venezuela. Back in New Zealand he worked for a church young persons’ and social work agency based in Wellington, while developing faith based leadership programmes for youth, giving college retreats and staff development seminars. Pat speaks Spanish. Available Times City and North Shore campuses by appointment Contact Details Phone 303 3852 or 021 728 276 Email here
International Baptist
Chze Pheng Ching Chze Pheng is currently one of the representatives of International Student Ministries (ISM) of NZ based in Auckland . In addition he is also a part-time teaching pastor at Global (a service for internationals) at Baptist Tabernacle. He offers pastoral care to international students, and is keen to meet and talk with international students. Chze Pheng comes from Singapore, has a BA (Economics and Sociology majors) from Singapore, an MBA (Hons) from Massey University NZ, and a Masters in Theological Studies from the Tyndale Graduate School of Theology in NZ. He enjoys travelling, reading and listening to classical and Christian music. He speaks English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien. Available Times City campus Thursdays 9.30 am-12 noon in the International Student Support Centre WU ground floor; also Thursdays 12 noon -1.30 pm and in WZ106 Contact Details Phone 625 7757 Email here
Islam
Rafat Najm Rafat is a Muslim Scholar, who studied Islamic studies at Al Azhar University, and has a BA in Law and Islamic Law (LLB.) Cairo - Egypt. He came to New Zealand in 1997 and worked as an Imam of Christchurch Mosque. He is involved in Muslim youth spirituality, organising camps and trips for Muslim Youth. He has been teaching Arabic and Islamic Studies for the previous 8 years. Rafat enjoys tramping, volleyball, soccer and reading. He is keen and will be very pleased to meet with Muslim students, and guide them spiritually. He is fluent in English and Arabic. Available Times City and North Shore campuses by appointment Contact Details Phone 621 0001 or mobile 021 134 0501 (no answers for text messages) Email here
Pasifika
Dr Winston Halapua (Anglican Minister, Tongan) Dr Sevati Tuwere (Methodist Minister, Fijian) available for semester two only in 2009 Available Times Both Ministers are available at the City campus by appointment Contact Details Dr Winston Halapua phone 521 2725 extn 804 or Dr Sevati Tuwere phone 521 2725 extn 811

Faith Groups/Specialised Groups:
 Click here for a listing of faith groups near campus, specialised groups and other groups

Prayer and Reflection Spaces

Muslim Prayer Rooms near Campus

City Campus A prayer room is available for AUT Muslim students and staff. The prayer room has a separate space for men and women, with full washroom facilities. Location WW Building, Mount Street (at rear of building). Each door has a keypad lock, the code is available at AUT’s Health Counselling and Wellbeing Centre ph 921.9992 North Shore Campus Location Room AP112A – open daily 8am - 5pm

Sacred Spaces (Multi faith rooms) 
The Multi-faith Room is for people from all faith groups to use for prayer, meditation, reflection or faith-based workshops. They can be booked for regular or occasional use, and can be used for drop-in during unbooked times.

Location	Times	Bookings
City Campus WZ106C, 350 Queen St   North Shore Campus AP102	8 am - 5 pm     8 am - 5 pm	Made through Health Counselling and Wellbeing Centre reception ph 921 9992, or email the Spirituality Co-ordinator amanda.lees@aut.ac.nz

 Multifaith room timetable of regular semester bookings
 Multifaith room values and guidelines for use of the room

Activities

Activities like workshops, educational forums, and special events, are scheduled during the year. These are open to students, staff and community members. Below is the provisional list of events for 2009. Orientations – promotional stall with information about services and chaplains available to chat with.Spirituality Forums on Consumerism, Faith leaders, and Humanism and faith. Meditation Workshop in March and ongoing meditation groups Mondays

 Past Activities
 Video Information

Interfaith Calendar
 Interfaith Calendar