Cathedral News December 2007

From the Dean

Lift high the Cross

Excited chatter gave way to a hushed whispering as the first procession of ordinands, accompanied by their presenters, made their way to their seats. Then the organ burst forth and a thousand voices were raised to sing “Lift high the Cross, the love of God proclaim, let all the world adore his sacred name.” Down the aisle came the cross followed by the boys of Huntley School Choir and then, in a sea of white with red stoles, the clergy of the Diocese. Canons and Archdeacons in colourful copes followed with Dean and Bishop bringing up the rear.

In the opening words of the ordination service we are reminded that all who believe and are baptised receive a ministry to proclaim Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and to love and serve the people with whom they live and work. Like salt and light, they are to permeate society. (ANZPB pg 890)

But while the ordination service begins with a reminder that all who are baptised are called to ministry, it quickly moves on to focus on the specific ministry to which a few are called: that of deacon, priest and bishop. This is the historic pattern of ordained ministry followed faithfully down the ages. It’s worth taking a moment to remind ourselves of the unique characteristics of each of the three – deacon, priest and bishop.

A deacon is called primarily to serve in the name of Christ. The stole is worn across one shoulder. It could be seen as a symbol of the towel Jesus used to wash his disciples feet. While the deacon has a traditional liturgical function within our services – that of reading the Gospel, the deacon is particularly called to seek out those who are forgotten or overlooked in society, even as Jesus did. Deacons in the church remind us that Christ calls us to serve one another.

Priests have a different role, though all remain deacons. Priests are to build up the people of God, strengthening and encouraging those who have been baptised and leading them to witness to Christ in daily life. It is the privilege of a priest to be a pastor, to share the peoples’ joys and sorrows, to encourage, to recall, to help and heal, to pray. They are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, being part of Christ’s prophetic work in the world. (see ANZPB pg 901).

To the Bishop is given the calling of being an example of servant leadership, of caring, reconciling and working for peace. A Bishop must exercise leadership and act as a yardstick for the church. The unique clothing of a bishop reminds us of some of these things. The mitre, shaped like flames, recalls Pentecost and the tongues of fire that accompanied the outburst of the Holy Spirit’s power and energy falling on the Apostles. The lappets or ribbons behind the mitre recall the Bible, the Old and the New Testaments. The traditional amethyst of a bishop’s ring puns on the Greek word meaning ‘we are not drunk’ (see Acts 2: 15) The crozier is a constant reminder that the bishop is to be the pastor, a faithful shepherd, to all God’s people.

Thank God for our Bishop. Thank God for our priests. Thank God for our Deacons. Thank God for our calling as God’s people in this place, this city and this world.

Advent - new beginnings

May the God who was, is and is to come continue to love, guard, guide and challenge each one of us. May you look forward in excitement and awe to celebrating the birth of the Christ child. Christine joins me in wishing you a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

Frank Nelson

General News

Cathedral Choir News

Fund-raising for next year’s Cathedral Choir tour to the UK and France continues apace. As we go to press the half-way mark has just been reached: $50,000. Choir members are expected to pay over $2000 each for their living costs while on tour. Thank you to all who continue to support and encourage the choir.

The new CD “A Service of Shadows” is on sale for $30 in the Cathedral Shop and at Parsons’ Bookshop, Lambton Quay.

Congratulations

Roy Towers celebrates a unique mile-stone this December – 60 years of service to God and the Church as a licensed Lay Reader. Well done Roy – your Cathedral family is proud of you! Please see the latest edition of LinkWell.

Cathedral Staff

At the time of writing Ellie Sanderson is still a ‘lady in waiting’. While she is on maternity leave Judy Hardie will return to being a full time member of the clergy staff for a few months. Susan Weehuizen begins her role as Cathedral Bursar on 3 December in the Cathedral Office. The Cathedral will be open for shortened hours during much of January, enabling staff to take holidays.

Patronal Festival

• 2nd Feb Saturday
  • 5.00 pm Companions’ Garden Party
• 3rd Feb Sunday
  • 10.00 am Choral Eucharist with Dean Emeritus Michael Brown preaching. A plaque giving thanks for the leadership and vision of all involved in completing the Cathedral will be unveiled. Parish lunch.
  • 5.00 pm Choral Evensong for AAW Sunday

Lent 2008

• 6th February Ash Wednesday (Waitangi Day)
  • 8.30 am Eucharist and Ashing (Wellington Cathedral)
  • 11.00 am Diocesan Eucharist to mark the beginning of a year of pilgrimage celebrating 150 years of mission and ministry in the Diocese of Wellington (Rangiatea, Otaki)

• Lent Lecture Series
  • Sunday 2 March - 6.30 pm Canon Peter Stuart: Recovering Holy Week – an historical survey of liturgy and theology
  • Sunday 9 March - 6.30 pm Jonathan Mane-Wheoki: Ritualism and the role of the arts in Anglican worship: 1840-1900.

Arts Festival Service

Sunday 24 February - 5.00 pm Choral Evensong for the International Arts Festival

Arts Encompassing

Arts Encompassing returns to the Cathedral next year, and for the fifth time. This enterprising biennial arts and crafts show brings many visitors into the building. Artists and visitors alike find the Cathedral a beautiful place in which to display art works. Last exhibition some 3000 visitors experienced this special space.

The exhibition, which will have a formal opening at 5.30 pm on Friday 22 February, is already attracting enthusiasm from artists - some well-established, others just making their mark. Arts Encompassing exhibitions offer you the chance to view a wide range of works by talented artists. The 2006 exhibition showcased over 400 works including painting, pottery, glass-ware, jewellery, sculpture and textiles. All works are for sale. Money raised by the 2006 exhibition enabled repainting of the Lady Chapel.

2008 will be significant as it marks the 150th birthday of the Diocese of Wellington. On Sunday 24 February at 5 pm, there will be a special Festival Evensong to celebrate the Arts.

Registration forms for Arts Encompassing 2008 were mailed to artists in November. If you would like to exhibit and have not received a form please contact artsencompassing@yahoo.co.nz, or phone Elizabeth Kay 04 380 1991.

The Arts Encompassing Committee would welcome any Cathedral members or friends to help host the exhibition. Hosts work in teams of two or three for two hours and have an enjoyable and stimulating time. Anyone interested please ring Helen Prothero on 473 8383 or Elizabeth Kay on 380 1991.

Cathedral News Archive

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