Let's pay off Charlotte's legal fees

As you will probably be aware if you are seeing this link, this year Charlotte Cummings (Pathfinding) was tasked by Arise Church with leading a process to listen to people's experiences within the church, particularly their experiences of harm.

Responding to 617 people, and receiving 545 completed submissions was a tremendous undertaking, especially in a short five week time frame. With a team of trusted colleagues, Charlotte worked around the clock.

Many people expressed their gratitude for the way the team listened to and validated their experiences, which allowed a moment of some healing.

Based on those submissions, Charlotte then wrote what we now know was a tremendously courageous report, clearly and comprehensively representing people's stories. The calls for change in this report will echo through the life in the church in New Zealand for many years to come.

Throughout the process, Charlotte has held the upmost professionalism despite a range of difficulties, battles and abuse directed at her.

Despite the professional cautions she took when setting up this work, she has been left with significant legal and other costs.

A number of people have made offers to assist with these costs over recent months, and as these costs have just continued it is now time to invite support.

Let's stand with Charlotte, but more so stand with those people whose experiences she represented in her work.

Thanks for your contribution, big or small. Every dollar counts.