Auckland Community Church
Te Hahi Waka Huihui i Nga Tangata o Tamaki Makaurau

Family Circle August 2007

Hugh in China
Alastair at UNIQ Conference
Book review: Rabble-rouser for peace : the authorized biography of Desmond Tutu
Lesbian Ball
John Carbutt report
Glenn,
Elma Hunt RIP
******* Party 1 September ***********

Hugh goes to China

A couple of years ago, I had been invited, by my Chinese friends Ben & Ying (who had flatted with me when I lived in Mt Wellington) to visit them in China to attend their eldest daughter’s 10th birthday (special time), on the 10th June 2007. As I have other folk over there I started to put together a plan to visit, and some had offered to help with my travel/accommodation costs, so it made it more affordable for me.

While in China I had many interesting experiences and adventures, I will just touch on a few. I travelled via Bangkok to Hong Kong where I was met by my friend Cue Chiu (he has visited ACC) and we went to Qing Yuan which is North of Guangzhou, where he is one of the Managers in a large sports bag/wallets manufacturing company. Some 1000 to 1400 staff. I stayed with Cue in his apartment which is part of the company complex which houses some management and staff. I was introduced to his staff, to other Managers right through to the President of the company. It seemed that the main conversation (in Mandarin) was, I came from NZ, how I met Cue (taught him English!!!) and my age!!

On the Sunday we had a day in Guangzhou, what a city, the two main things for me was to visit the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, built in the 1800s. It is a “Patriotic Catholic Church” and is not recognised by the Vatican. The other was out visit to the Peoples Park, a huge area of gardens, places where thousands of people gather in groups to play games, perform and enjoy the outdoors. While we were there we spotted a large group of people listening to a singer, so we went over, he was singing in Taiwanese (Cue comes from Taiwan). After a short time Cue went over to the guy and after a very brief discussion had the microphone and was singing. Wow, what a voice, I was so amazed. They sang a duet, I recognised the tune, and then they sang in English. It was “I love you more than words can say”, yes, the crowd at that stage was looking at me and at Cue, I guess that some must have understood when it was in Taiwanese, others may have picked up some English.

That evening we were to have the use of a company vehicle to go to a restaurant, it was dark by then and raining, so when Cue found no vehicle he turned up on a scooter!! Yes I climbed on the back, one arm around Cue, the other holding an umbrella, my legs dangling everywhere, as we dodged other scooters, cars, pushbikes, puddles and even a dog! I had not been on a motorbike for some 40+ years when I had my own, let alone be a pillion rider! We arrived at the little (4 tables) home made noodle restaurant, where I was the first foreigner to have eaten there. The owners had two little children who were just not sure about this “alien”, until I pointed to my nose and did my bugs bunny nose wiggle thing, that got lots of laughter and then they were game enough to come close and start pulling the hairs on my arm!

I travelled from Guangzhou to Jiaxing (near Shanghai) on a 20 hour train journey. I was going to Jiaxing to be with Ben & Ying for Hong’s 10th Birthday. Briefly, I was given the role of the “wise one” as I was expected to give words of wisdom to the 5 children at the party, hopefully such wisdom that they would not forget, Yeah Right!!

My next place to stay was at Shanghai where I stayed firstly with Rudy (who also has visited ACC), he took me on a whirlwind tour of parts of Shanghai, all by taxi as they are so cheap. First to the 87th floor of the Jin Mao Tower for “tea”, to the movies, to a Gay Massage place, this was very up market. Sorry no pictures, but the experience was GREAT!! (www.gmenclub.com ) He also took me to the Tongli Ancient Village some distance out from Shanghai, where apart from general “tourist” places, we visited the Chinese Museum of Sex, (see photo) a large complex with all sorts of ancient paintings, sculpture, enamel works and artefacts used by people down the through the ages. Very explicit!! Yes, I was cruised a couple of times in Shanghai, much to Rudy’s envy.

I also stayed with James & Lucy in Shanghai and enjoyed their hospitality etc. Then to Beijing, where the two main memories were, also being cruised twice, I have the business card of one of them, he was disappointed that I was not able to be with him as I was going out! He spoke perfect English. The other guy only spoke Mandarin, I didn’t have my Mandarin/English phrase book to understand him, what a shame, and he was so cute!

The visit to and the walk on the Great Wall was an experience I will (I hope) never forget. It was such a time of deep emotion as I was aware that this is the place where so many people lost there lives to build it, and that it was built thousands of years ago, all by human hand! I walked for 5 Towers, which are about 500 meters apart, I felt very proud of my effort. My guide assured me that people of my age only went about to 2 or 3 Towers!.

I also visited Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. After Beijing I retraced my steps, back through Shanghai, Qing Yuan, Guangzhou, and Cue and I had 2 days in Hong Kong together before I flew out for Auckland.
Hugh Dyson

UNIQ Conference

The 2007 UniQ conference was held early July. There were a variety of presentations and discussion groups on the issues relevant to young LGBT people, for instance: how we can become involved in the wider community; acceptance of transgendered people in society; and how sexual health is promoted. I met passionate, proud people from across the country, and I am grateful to have attended. My thanks to University of Auckland UniQ and Out at AUT for hosting it. Alastair Priestley

Review: Rabble-rouser for peace : the authorized biography of Desmond Tutu, by John Allen. New York, Free Press, 2006.
It was evident from the first two pages that this was not going to be an objective review - a number of people whom I knew whilst living in Grahamstown were mentioned there!! Reading this book became deeply personal for me.

Desmond Tutu, like Nelson Mandela, became known throughout the world for his brave fight against apartheid and injustice against people everywhere. This book documents his life. It gets to the essence of what it is like for people on the receiving end of bigotry, hatred and cruel political policies that keep a people captive - a system that kept people from being educated in the language of their choice, from living and working where they chose to, and denied so many people hope!

Desmond Tutu faced physical danger many times when he tried to calm angry crowds. His compassion was always right at the surface. Despite what was being done to his people, he was tolerant towards, and knew how to negotiate with those in power in order to achieve his objectives. To see this man of huge integrity and intellect, sob at some of the revelations during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's process, was unforgettable.

His integrity was evident in his continued criticism of acts of injustice - even when it was the ANC he was pointing a finger at!! He also came out strongly in defence of gay rights, likening their struggle to that of blacks to gain equality in the eyes of the law.

I had huge gaps in my knowledge of the "real South Africa" filled by reading this book. It turned out to be an enormous privilege, and I highly recommend it to anyone with more than a casual interest in South Africa and a great man!!

Liz

Briefs

Check out Express for pictures of the Lesbian Ball, and ask Liz or Cathy for the highlights.

John Carbutt will soon leave hospital after several days recovering from a kitchen accident, his braced arm will need 6 weeks to heal fully. He is grateful for all the visits and attention.

Glenn in the news. There was a NZ Herald report on his work at Sunnydene on 15th August.

RIP - Elma Hunt, mother of John and special friend of Hector. May she rest in peace.

Party

Spring is here, Charles turned 50 (just under a month ago), and Craig is having a birthday in a few week's time. & Donald Finlay on the day! So, you are all invited to bring something to drink and a plate of something to eat along to Craig's and Geoff's house for a pleasant social start to Spring on Saturday 1 September at around 6 pm with the goal of sharing a meal about 7 to 7.30 pm.

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Contacts:
curl by email: info@aucklandcommunitychurch.org.nz
curl by phone: Cathy and Liz (64)(09)578 1292 or Hugh Dyson (64)(09)579 1850
curl by snail mail: c/- 187 Federal Street, Auckland, New Zealand.