Sitting on the couch, Belinda tried to process the news.

“Oh dear God, what do I do?” she whispered, her heart pounding. A flood of emotions rushed in – fear, confusion, anger, sadness, and an unsettling numbness. She turned to prayer, opening her heart and asking God for guidance.

The doctor had confirmed what she had feared. Cancer. She had suspected it from the moment she found the lump, but part of her had prayed that it was something else. The reality of it all settled in. She wasn’t ready for this. Whoever is?

But she knew one thing: God would give her the courage to take the next step.

Facing the unknown

At 40 years old, Belinda was far too young for this. She had always been a planner, someone who needed a clear path forward and now, she felt like she had none.

Beyond the health concerns, the financial implications weighed heavily on her mind. How long would she be off work? What if she couldn’t return? How would she manage, having only recently bought her first home?

She took a deep breath. Enough sitting here in fear. Lord, help me focus on what I can do.

And so, she did what she always did when things felt overwhelming, she made a plan.

Putting a financial plan in place

Belinda started listing the things she could control.

• Sick Leave and Holidays – Between sick leave and annual leave, she had six weeks covered. Her employer was incredibly supportive, reassuring her that they would be flexible with her recovery.
• Health Insurance – Her basic coverage meant she had options for treatment and specialists.
• Life and Trauma Insurance – While she didn’t want to dwell on worst-case scenarios, knowing she had some financial security if things took a turn gave her peace of mind.
• Christian KiwiSaver Scheme – Belinda had been contributing to Christian KiwiSaver Scheme through Anglican Financial Care for over 15 years. She had heard that a serious illness might allow for an early withdrawal. She made a note to call the Anglican Financial Care team the next day.
• Anglican Financial Care Mortgage – She had been paying her mortgage off aggressively, but perhaps it was time to reassess her payments. If she could adjust the term or find a lower interest rate, it might ease the burden.
• Personal Support – Thankfully, her parents lived nearby and were more than happy to help and she knew the Cancer Society had a range of services she could call on, if she needed to.

With every practical step she noted down, she felt a little lighter. The fear hadn’t disappeared, but faith and action were beginning to replace the uncertainty.

Now, time for a cup of tea and that last piece of chocolate cake. After all, life is too short to leave cake uneaten.

Moving forward with support

We’re happy to share that Belinda’s surgery was successful, and she is now cancer-free. She needed to take extended time off work, but because she had put the right support in place, she was able to manage financially without stress.

When Belinda reached out to Anglican Financial Care, she learned she qualified for a serious illness withdrawal from her Christian KiwiSaver Scheme, helping cover unexpected costs. Anglican Financial Care also worked with her to adjust her mortgage payments, making them more manageable during recovery.

Now, stronger than ever, Belinda is giving back. On April 5-6 2025, she will be walking alongside the Anglican Financial Care team in the Relay for Life in Wellington, raising funds to support others facing cancer.

Do you want to stand with us in supporting people like Belinda? Join “Christian KiwiSaver – Faith in Motion” or donate here.

This story is based on true events, but names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.

Christian KiwiSaver Scheme is managed and issued by The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Board (trading as Anglican Financial Care). The Product Disclosure Statement can be found here: Documents | Christian KiwiSaver Scheme.

This International Women’s Day (March 8th), we’re excited to celebrate a woman who inspires us every day—Assistant Bishop of Wellington, Rt Reverend Anashuya Fletcher, a client and a wonderful inspiration.

Bishop Ana’s journey is one of courage, resilience, and breaking barriers—making her an inspiring figure for women everywhere, especially on International Women’s Day. Her life story is a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, with faith, perseverance, and a heart for justice, you can achieve great things.

From Sri Lanka to New Zealand: Overcoming the Odds
Born in Sri Lanka, Bishop Ana’s early life was shaped by the turbulence of civil war. At just one year old, she and her family came to New Zealand and settled in Auckland, where Bishop Ana’s life as an immigrant began. Growing up in a new country came with its challenges, but the young Ana embraced her new home and worked hard to build a future. Her story is a testament to resilience—the ability to rise above adversity and create something meaningful from hardship.

A Passion for Justice
Bishop Ana’s determination to make a difference led her to pursue a law degree, and she became a solicitor with a strong passion for social justice. She didn’t stop there; lawyer Ana worked with the International Justice Mission, focusing on human rights advocacy. This experience deepened her commitment to fighting for the rights of marginalised people and defending the vulnerable. Her career has always been about more than just personal success—she’s used her skills to stand up for others, to fight for fairness, and to bring about positive change.

Breaking New Ground: Becoming Bishop
Bishop Ana’s journey took a transformative turn when she felt called to ministry. In 2018, she and her husband, Reverend Paul Fletcher, were ordained as priests at Wellington Cathedral and co-led St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Whanganui, New Zealand, building a strong, supportive community. As the second woman and the youngest ever consecrated as the Assistant Bishop of Wellington—Bishop Ana continued to inspire women to pursue their own paths to leadership.

Empowering People through Coffee
Then came the coffee! Bishop Ana and Rev’d Paul helped to found Common Good Coffee, a social enterprise aimed at addressing modern slavery and poverty, through fair-trade coffee. With the catchy tagline ‘Drink Gooder, Feel Gooder, Do Gooder,’ the goal is to raise money to help relieve extreme poverty and modern slavery in India and locally. This initiative shows how business can be a force for good, combining Bishop Ana’s faith, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to social change. You can learn more about Common Good Coffee and their impact at Common Good Coffee | Three Times As Good – Common Good Coffee

Inspiration for Women Everywhere
Bishop Ana Fletcher’s journey is an embodiment of what is possible when you combine faith, passion, and a commitment to justice. From overcoming the challenges of immigration to making a significant mark in both the Church and the community, she exemplifies women who lead, inspire, and create change.

When asked what advice she would give to young women today, Bishop Ana shared:

“I have found Frederich Buechner’s statement that the place that God calls you is where your deep gladness and the world’s hunger meet to be true. Over and over again, I’ve had the privilege to work with people and in places that I am passionate about; following God’s call has taken me on the most amazing joy-filled adventures.”

To be inspired by Bishop Ana and hear her first-hand account of how ‘Jesus changes everything’ click here.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate all the Bishop Ana Fletchers of the world—trailblazers, women with a vision, and living examples of how you can break through barriers, lead with purpose, and shape the future with courage.