E te whānau a te Karaiti, tena koutou katoa,
Greetings all. It’s been another busy week with some special highlights along the way and a few important things coming up next week to mention.
All Saints’ Day in Greater Hastings
Last Sunday I joined the congregations of The Parish of Greater Hastings at St Matthew’s Church in Hastings for the celebration of Confirmation at the Eucharist in the morning. We confirmed two members of the parish and recalled the faithfulness of the many saints who have gone before us all as pilgrims along the Christian pathway in life. At the end of the service we also blessed a memorial outside St Matthew’s Church which will be a place where the names of those whose ashes are interred in the whenua tapu can be memorialised. It was a very appropriate day to be remembering and celebration the journey of faith and the memory of those who we no longer see but still remain as inspiring examples of faith in our lives.
Hukarere says farewell to Eskdale
On Sunday afternoon a supportive group gathered with the students and staff of Hukarere at the Eskdale site which had been destroyed during Cyclone Gabrielle. The group gathered in prayer to give thanks for all that had been gained in education, faith and fellowship over the years Hukarere had been at home there. This was the last time the kura would have a meaningful presence on this site before the demolition crews arrived on Monday to begin to clear the site which is now in the hands of the insurers. The mood of the gathering was peaceful with a sense that it was timely to be able to let this site go secure in the knowledge that Hukarere continues with the safety of the students and staff well established in Havelock North. I think the whole village of Havelock North is appreciative of the warmth and joy the students exude as they walk to school with often with poi in hand and a waiata on their lips.
Welcome to Rawhia, our Kaihautū for Anglican Care Waiapu
On Monday morning a large group from across Waiapu gathered in the Aotearoa Chapel at Waiapu Cathedral to celebrate the arrival of our new Kaihautū/CEO for Anglican Care Waiapu. Through karakia, speech, song and warm hospitality we welcomed Rawhia and her wider whānau into the life of our Church. Rawhia has a busy few weeks ahead of her as we assist her to orient to the Diocese of Waiapu and the many parishes and services throughout the diocese. We look forward to seeing Rawhia out and about and rejoice in welcoming Rawhia and her whānau into Waiapu.
WASSTB Board Members Rev'd Jo Cross, Chris Malcolm, Rawhia Te Hau-Grant, Dr Russell Wills and Bishop Andrew Hedge
Diocesan Vision and Strategy
At the end of last week I announced the appointment of Graeme Brock to the Strategic Lead Role for the Diocese, on secondment from Anglican Care Waiapu. Graeme brings a wealth of experience in community development, leadership formation and training, theological education and of course the many positive relationships he has nurtured within Waiapu over the past five years. I look forward to working with Graeme and Colleen as we help to further develop the action plans for implementing the Vision and Strategy. The ability to work with both Colleen and Graeme on areas of strategy and vision will help to embody one of our priorities about Connection – the importance of communication and modelling good leadership and relationality across all aspects of our life in Waiapu.
Cathedral update
On Tuesday a small group representing the Waiapu Board of Diocesan Trustees and the Cathedral Parish joined me to appear before the Napier City Council Proposed District Plan Hearings. I was very grateful for the support of Cathedral Parishioners Martin Williams, our legal counsel, Dale Meredith, providing planning expertise, and Dean Di Woods as we presented to the Commissioners our requests for the assistance of the NCC to help provide a pathway for us to repurpose the Waiapu Cathedral. After several years of attention to the issues of seismic strengthening for the Cathedral it is clear to the working group leading this kaupapa that a sensitive repurposing of the Cathedral building is our only viable way forward. We are hopeful that with the support of NCC staff and the Commissioners for the hearings that we will be able to find a way to achieve this outcome. There is a long road ahead still and we are not likely to confirm that pathway for many months, but this was a significant step forward. We are pleased that the Commissioners are supportive of our team working with the NCC staff to look at possible ways ahead.
Standing Committee
The first meeting of our Standing Committee following the Diocesan Synod was held today via ZOOM. It was good to welcome on board those who are new to that committee and prepare ourselves for the work ahead for the next two years.
National Apology
Next week on Tuesday 12 November the nation will hear a public apology from the Prime Minister to survivors of abuse in care. This comes as part of the outcomes of the final report of the Royal Commission. There are opportunities for survivors and their supporter to meet in four public settings in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and as well for the apology to be viewed online with a livestream. The link for the information about the livestream and plan for the day can be found here. As a Church we are continuing to work with the survivors network and across the province on our responses to the recommendations of the final report. A small group is spearheading that work on behalf of the whole church and drawing on the particular skills and experiences of many people around the Church to inform and support their work. I invite you to hold the work of this group in your prayers. I invite you also to take time on Tuesday next week to hold in prayer survivors of abuse, their supporters, those gathered at Parliament and around the motu, and our Prime Minister as he makes the formal apology on behalf of the Parliament.
November is well and truly upon us now and it seems that every year the days seem to accelerate as we close in on Christmas and the New Year. Next week I will be spending some time in Wellington for the Tikanga Pakeha Ministry Council meeting where we will be discussing our relationships across the province between tikanga. I won’t have a chance to provide an update for eNews next week, but look forward to touching base the following week.
Go well and God bless.
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