Dear Friends,
This remains a busy period for life in our Diocese and a challenging season for our nation and our world.
Liturgy of Lament: We cannot move forward if we cannot recognise the impact of our past. On Thursday 5 September, at 7pm in the Transitional Cathedral, everyone is invited to attend a Liturgy of Lament in response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. As you are aware, both secular and faith-based organisations have been revealed as places where abuse in many forms has taken place. We the Anglican Church abhor these abusive actions and will enter into a time of corporate lamentation so that we may fully recognise and acknowledge the extent of abuse. While we may wish to rush forward in acts of reconciliation, we cannot do this until we fully face the failings of our past. Included within the liturgy will be an apology on behalf of the Diocese of Christchurch, given by me, and an apology on behalf of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, given by Archbishop Justin Duckworth.
It is the intent of the liturgists responsible for the creation of this service to address what has been, what is, and to give voice to a future for the diocese where we work together for a safe, inclusive church. We acknowledge that there may be ongoing liturgical needs for some who have been harmed within a Church context. It would be arrogant for us to seek to shape what these individuals need. We wish to empower survivors to create liturgical responses which are tailored to their needs as defined by them. Finally, we recognise that this subject can be triggering and deeply uncomfortable to face – yet we cannot turn away. To allow people to decide if this liturgy is safe for them at this time we invite you to click on this link to see the service.
Quite a few suggestions have been coming into my office about “what next” for the Cathedral Reinstatement Project. Thank you. I ask for patience as we consider such suggestions and work on possible next steps. At Synod we have a motion which asks Synod to request a report on the future of the Project for the next session of the Synod, no later than September 2025. We need at least a year to ponder proposals. Our Project is in pause in respect of construction. There is no pause in working on finding a way forward.
Some people have been asking about the specific topics that will be addressed at the Living Faith Conference (our Diocesan Conference on Saturday 26 October 2024). The theme has to do with discipleship and prayer – what it means to be a follower of Christ today and how we can foster the spiritual life. Bishop Eleanor’s first talk will be entitled “What is discipleship and why now?” and her second “How can we foster a culture of discipleship in our churches?’” Dallas Harema will talk about “The art and practice of making disciples – a practitioners perspective” and Grant Norsworthy will speak on “What is worship and how does worship relate to prayer and discipleship?” Please register early and make it a personal goal to invite at least one other person! Register here.
This weekend I will be with about 60 young adults from our diocese at The Abbey, a national Anglican event at El Rancho, Waikanae. Paul Hegglun and a diocesan music team will be leading worship at this gathering. Your prayer support for our hui would be appreciated. On Monday I will be visiting our students at St John’s College.
Please pray for our Synod – our business sessions begin at 9am on Friday 6 September and conclude with a Synod eucharist mid afternoon Saturday 7 September 2024 – all at St Christopher’s church, Avonhead.
As the terrible conflicts continue in the Middle East, with prospects for a ceasefire hanging by a thread (as I write), The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem (including the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem) have issued a statement calling for “the urgent need to conclude the present war, to turn from the pursuit of death and destruction towards the promotion of life and peace.” This statement can be read in full at this link.
Paul Straubel has died and his funeral is tomorrow, 1.30pm, Thursday 29 August 2024 at St Barnabas church, Fendalton. Paul has had deep involvement in many aspects of diocesan and Fendalton parish life. He was a long serving board member, committee member and supporter of Anglican Care and of the City Mission: Anglican Care Trust Board Member Trust Board member 1979 – 88; Anglican Care Trust Board Deputy Chair 1981 – 1988; Social Work Policy & Priorities Sub-committee Chair 1979 – 1987; City Mission Divisional Committee Member 1987 – 2010; City Mission Divisional Committee Deputy Chair 1989 – 2010. Paul was made a Life Member of Anglican Care in 1989. We thank God for Paul’s life and for his service.
I was surprised to find that Defence chaplains are the subject of a scrutinising article in The Press this morning.I am not sure what these hardworking and valued colleagues have done to deserve questioning of costs of their collective ministry!
This Sunday 25 August is Ordinary 22, and we return to the predominant Gospel for this Year C, to Mark 7:1-8, 14-15. Two thousand years later we continue to wash our hands and our dishes but for health and general cleanliness but not for ritual reasons. Jesus’ lesson remains the same then as now: what is going on in the depths of our being is what is important to God.
Arohanui,
+Peter.