Hi everyone,
This past weekend I enjoyed a visit to the Parish of Ōpōtiki for the special commemoration and remembrance of Mokomoko and Volkner. The themes for the day were reconciliation and grace as an outworking of the love of God and expression of bringing Oranga Ake o Te Iwi o Te Ao into practice. The tragic deaths of both Mokomoko and Volkner have been recorded in history over many years but remain in the hearts and minds of those for whom the history is inescapable as part of their lived experience today. The people and parishioners of Whakatohea and Hiona/St Stephens live this history and have intentionally sought to proclaim reconciliation and grace into the injustices of the past. The annual memorial to Mokomoko and Volkner is an important reminder of that history for us all, and also an encouragement that we must continue to seek justice, equity, reconciliation through grace not only to heal the hurts of the past for the sake of those who have gone before us, but also so that the lives we live, and the lives of those who are yet to come may be reconciled in peace.
This week has been about board meetings, catching up on a variety of long term projects and preparation for the next few months while I’m on sabbatical. It has been a blessing to have some available space to be able to attend to this work this week.
This weekend I’ll be in Dunedin with the Bishops for the consecration of Bishop-elect Anne van Gend. Please hold Anne, Michael and their family in your prayers, along with the Diocese of Dunedin as they prepare for this significant moment and new chapter in the life of the Diocese of Dunedin.
The ordination service for the Bishop of Dunedin is being livestreamed on https://www.youtube.com/@StPaulsCathedralDunedin/streams
Nga mihi,
+Andrew
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