Friend, you’re invited to Regional Women’s Gatherings!
Under The Canopy is the name of Women’s Regional Gatherings planned to take place across our network.
These events will provide an opportunity to build community & encourage each other in our walk with Jesus.
Our next Under the Canopy gathering is coming up on 17 October 2026 and we’d love to see you there.
Read more about the event and register your interest.
An Open Invitation
Under The Canopy gatherings are open for any women in the network to attend – especially if you are passionate about community-building or are yearning for connection with like-minded women.
Why ‘Under The Canopy’?
The Australian native Casuarina Tree also known as the ‘she-oak’ is the inspiration behind the title ‘Under the Canopy’.
The tree’s fine, needle-like foliage was once considered inferior to the oak’s, yet its delicate beauty holds its own power: a bed of she-oak needles creates safe ground, as snakes are reluctant to cross over them. Traditionally, Aboriginal women and children would often shelter beneath the canopy of a she-oak for this reason.
The metaphor can also be explored in these ways:
- She-oaks have a shallow root system that spreads wide – not deep, allowing them to easily absorb water and nutrients from the soil, and tolerate and survive extreme environmental conditions.
- They play an important role in the ecosystem by stabilising the soil with their roots, reducing erosion, and maintaining water quality.
- The fruit of the she-oak matures in winter.
- She-oaks can sprout from existing root systems, allowing them to take over new areas or regrow quickly after disturbances such as fire.
Across our network of churches is a thriving community of women – ‘she-oaks’ – who are providing safe spaces for others to connect and grow. Our regional gatherings are places where those who are the she-oaks of their communities, can meet together Under The Canopy for refreshment, renewal and inspiration.
A History Of Women Meeting Together
For 177 years, women within the Churches of Christ in New South Wales have gathered to encourage one another in faith, friendship and Christian service. From the local women’s auxiliaries of the nineteenth century, to the statewide NSW Sisters’ Conference, the Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF), the Women’s Ministry Team, Fresh Hope Women, Belly & Bones, and numerous regional and local initiatives, each generation has found fresh ways to bring women together for worship, learning, fellowship and mutual encouragement.
The launch of Under The Canopy in October 2026 represents the latest expression of this enduring tradition. While its format reflects the needs of a new generation, it stands within a rich heritage of women who have consistently recognised the importance of gathering together to strengthen one another in faith, develop leaders and equip women for lives of Christian service.
Our Women’s Gatherings Planning Team
Women’s Regional Gatherings are organised by a core team of women who are passionate about building community. With this project starting organically from conversations, the team was formed in the same way – women who felt stirred to be part of this project put their hands up and began the work of coordinating gatherings.
If you feel prompted to be part of this team or host a gathering at your local church, please reach out via email at communications@ccnswact.org.au. We’d love to hear from you!
Currently, our team consists of Di Harrison (Engage Community Church) and Loani Falconer (Southern Church), as well as Julie McGarrity and Di Falkenmire from Connect Church Engadine, and Jenny Fayth and Leesa Brinkley from Living Hope Maitland.
Di Harrison
Loani Falconer