Mo Mansill is the newly appointed National Youth Co-ordinator for the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. Fresh from St Luke's, Auckland, her motto this year is 'accessibility' so she has started visiting churches around the Wellington region and establishing youth networks nationwide. We chatted over coffee soon after she made the big move from Auckland to the capital.

MJ: So, Mo, what is your all time favourite way to chill out?

Mo: That would have to be outdoors, climbing and tramping. I've done bits and pieces all over the country. Indoors, my favourite thing to do is indulge my obsession with my year-old Fender. And I love to hang out with friends. I'm a people person.

MJ: What about music?

Mo: Music is one of my biggest passions. My previous work has involved being a worship leader and I love seeing that 'connect' thing happening, especially in unlikely places like school assemblies. I spent four months with the Iona Community in Scotland and I love the way they use really simple music to involve everyone, even people who say they can't sing.

MJ: Are you listening to anything interesting at the moment?

Mo: I've got this disco tape that my dad recorded years ago playing in my car at the moment, all that 70's music like the BeeGee's. It's really cool although there are a couple of tracks that I fast forward...

MJ: Have you been to the movies lately?

Mo: I am possibly the only person in New Zealand NOT to have seen 'The Lord of the Rings' yet. I really enjoyed 'Keeping the Faith'- I thought it was funny allthough I never saw a good review.

MJ: What are you reading?

Mo: I'm reading 'Deep Stuff' by Mike Rissell. It's a book that I've given as a gift to several people but I've never actually read it myself.

MJ: Has the explosion of multi-media influenced the way you spend your leisure time?

Mo: Actually I'm into snail mail. There's nothing like a letter in the letter box to make you feel special.

MJ: What brings beauty into your life?

Mo: The Grace of God and the dreams of people who still believe they can make a difference.

MJ: What's your favourite place to hang with God?

Mo: On top of a Mountain peak marvelling at the wonder of creation...( and it has to be siad, I often call on God's presence when I'm lost in a white out too...)

MJ: Do you have a definitive cultural event or ritual that you absolutely have to be part of on a yearly basis?

Mo: A while ago I turned 25 and entered into the wonderful world of being in my mid-2o's' I was lamenting one day about how quickly the years were passing me by when a friend commented "You can lament all you want Mo but there's nothing you can do about getting older..." So I guess if there's a yearly ritual that I ABSOLUTELY HAVE to be a part of it's the annual age accumulation day. and for the record I love being 26...