Cathedral News February 2011
From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
A pdf version of the February 2011 Cathedral News is available here with colour photos.
Contents |
From the Dean
Greetings to you all at the start of 2011.
While many of us have been basking in the lovely sunny weather, others have not been so fortunate. You will know that two priests from the Diocese of Wellington are currently on secondment to the Diocese of Brisbane. Although Mitchell, the town where Christine and I spent two months on sabbatical last year was not flooded this time (it was flooded last March), many of the towns we travelled through are. Bishop Rob Nolan, area bishop where huge devastation has been caused, included these few comments in an email to me. “Two of the three priests coming over from NZ have arrived with the third getting into Brisbane early tomorrow morning. What a wonderful expression of the Anglican Communion in action!!!!! …..The immediate work of cleaning up and getting utilities, businesses, transport etc working again has overshadowed the long term pain which is now starting to hit home.”
The long term pain Bishop Rob mentions continues to work its way through the lives of people in devastated areas – be they Queensland, Pike River, Christchurch, Samoa or Haiti. Donations to the Diocese of Brisbane’s Flood Relief Fund may be made through the Cathedral – please mark your envelope clearly.
In a hand-written note Bishop Victoria of Christchurch writes: “Thank you so much for the wonderful gift from your Cathedral towards the earthquake recovery work in Haiti. We have now raised $144,000 and it has been sent to TEAR Fund and CWS for distribution. Thank you for being part of our ‘thank you’ for there being no lives lost in the Canterbury Quake.”
Rejoice in the Lord always … by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4: 4 - 6
2011 - a busy year coming
Some special dates and events are listed below. As always the best way to keep in touch with what is happening in the Cathedral is to ensure you are here each Sunday to pick up a “Today Sheet” – and of course, to worship God and enjoy fellowship with God’s people.
- January 29th – 30th Patronal Festival Weekend—Conversion of St Paul
- Saturday 29th from 4.00pm Cathedral Companions’ Garden Party. All welcome. Cost $20, wine $4 glass.
- Sunday 30th 10.00 am Choral Eucharist followed by Parish Luncheon (koha) - all welcome. Make it a great start to the working/school year as we join to give thanks for all our Cathedral community.
- February
- 2nd – Wednesday 7.30pm Blue Sky Dreaming – bring your ideas for the redevelopment of the Loaves and Fishes hall, and listen to those of others.
- 27th - Steve Maina, National Director of CMS (Church Missionary Society) preaches at 8 am and 10 am.
- March
- 9th Wednesday 7.30pm Combined Service for Ash Wednesday at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill St.
- 20th Sunday Day of Dedicated Living and Giving: an annual opportunity to make a commitment to the ongoing ministry and mission of the Cathedral through the offering of our money, talents and time.
Annual General Meeting – 11.30 am (Now is the time to check that your name is on the Electoral Roll. You need to be on the Cathedral Electoral Roll to vote at the AGM.)
- April
- 17th – 24th Holy Week and Easter
- May
- 14th – 18th International Rectors’ and Deans’ Conference hosted by Dean Frank in Wellington
- 15th Sunday, Cathedral Companions celebrate 21 years with AGM, Choral Evensong and Dinner
- June
- 12th Sunday, Pentecost: Parish lunch with an international flavour
- July
- 2nd – 3rd ‘Camp to Nowhere’ – a Diocesan Youth initiative based at the Cathedral
- August
- 11th – 14th Australasian Deans’ Conference hosted by Dean Frank at the Cathedral.
Great Music 2011 Organ Recital series
The first three Friday 12.45 pm organ recitals for 2011 are:
- 18th February, Jeremy Woodside [Assistant Organist, Christchurch Cathedral]
- 11th March, Thomas Gaynor [Richard Prothero Organ Scholar]
- 15th April, Richard Apperley [Assistant Organist]
Children's Ministry at the Cathedral
Children's Worship Centre
The Worship Centre has started for the year. It is a dedicated space where children are encouraged to explore faith and worship through story, activities and play. At the 10.00 am Sunday service, children follow the candle to the crypt and return in time for Communion. Parents are welcome too.
Tots'n'Tunes
Weekly pre school music and movement group starting Tuesday 8th February 10.00 am - 11.30 am in The Brian Davis Room. This group will replace the fortnightly Bumps and Babes group.
If you would like to come along, please speak to Alison Camplin. Help with morning tea would also be appreciated.
Buggy Service
Held in the Lady Chapel on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 9.30 am starting 20th February. We have a short communion service with songs and activities for young children and their families, followed by morning tea and play.
Youth Group
This group for 11-14 year olds meet once a month on the 3rd Friday 3.30 - 6.30pm. The first meeting is 18th February in the Brian Davis Room. Fun, food and friendship together.
Young Adults Group
Welcome to all university students who have arrived for the new academic year. Each Sunday, following 5.00 pm Choral Evensong, the Cathedral Young Adults meet for food, some study and discussion and fun together. Many members of this group also quickly get involved in the life of the Cathedral as choir members, crucifers, servers and vergers. Ask around for some way of taking part.
Young Adults are having a retreat February 25-27th at Magnificat Community near Featherston. Limited places so make a note of these dates now. A great opportunity to make new friends and make plans for the year ahead. Contact Alison Camplin if you’d like to attend.
Adult Education 2011
EfM - Education for Ministry 2011
For the fifth consecutive year EfM is offered at the Cathedral. Those who began in 2006 are coming to the end of the full four and a half year course. Ten Year 1 students (a full complement) begin their EfM journey early February, with other students at all levels. For information about EfM see www.efm.org.nz
Adult Baptism and Confirmation
The Bishop will be at the Cathedral on Holy Saturday (23rd April) to confirm candidates who are meeting regularly now for study, discussion and reflection. It is not too late to join this group. Contact Frank Nelson today.
The DUC (Deepening Understanding of Christian faith) Group
Final Four Meetings: 2nd, 16th, 30th March, 13th April. The Brian Davis Room, 5:35 – 7:05 pm. Contact Raymond Pelly, raymond.pelly@clear.net.nz
St Matthew Passion
The performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion by the Orpheus Choir in the City Hall on Passion Sunday 10th April, invites us to look more closely at the Gospel text.
- Sunday 13th March, 6.15 pm Cathedral, Part 1
- Sunday 27th March, 6.15 pm Cathedral, Part 2
History of Christianity
Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch’s take on the history of Christianity is refreshing, knowledgeable and in-depth without being dry. In the course of 2011 the six session BBC DVD series will be shown in the Brian Davis Room. Each session will last about 90 minutes, including plenty of time for discussion. Look out for more details of this winter series beginning late May.
Cathedral Silent Retreat
7th – 9th October , Magnificat Community near Featherston. Limited places so make a note of these dates now. A great opportunity for ‘time out’ with God in a beautiful setting.
Funeral Homily
Two funerals were held in the Cathedral before Christmas, both involved people dead before their time. Jack Howard died in action in Afghanistan; Sophia and Amelia died after only a few short days following their very premature entry in the world. The following sermon notes from hospital chaplain the Revd David Tannock are offered as food for thought and in the hope they may bring healing to others too. They are printed here with the permission of both the preacher and the parents, Janine and Mark.
The most traumatic and most emotionally demanding events of life are birth and death. They are so fundamentally different, yet so demanding. And here we are, with both together. I want to speak about three groups of people
1. Sophia and Amelia – so tiny, so short a time with us physically. Yet two distinct people; two different personalities; both very beautiful. Created by Mark and Janine, claimed in baptism by God as His for ever. They are with us forever in the Communion of Saints. Pray for them. Keep them in your hearts and in your family life and rituals. You will always remember their touch, their feeling on your skin. Remember the words of St Paul: Nothing in life or death … shall separate us from the love of God.
2. Janine and Mark. When I visit people and see them laughing that’s OK; crying is OK; but wooden emotions make me worried. Emotions take us all over the place. But it is also our emotions which bring us healing. Grief is complex. It does not only feel sad. It can also feel like fear, anger. It can lead us into parts of our lives which awaken bitterness or guilt or blame. Face these things squarely. “If God is on our side who is against us? He did not spare his own Son.” You do not need to face any of this on your own. So what is your job now? ... Some will say it is to get to the point where you can put it all behind you and move on. Some will say it is to find closure. No – your job is to find healing. Some say that time heals. Not really. It is love that heals. Slow, steady, persistent love which percolates your whole being.
3. The rest of us – there is one naughty word: should. It is not our job to say or think: you should be like this now; you should be moving along to this point now; you should be dealing with it all in this or that way now. It is our job to walk with you; to share healing love with you; to look out for you. It may be our job to lead you to a more helpful path. Above all, we must walk with you hopefully. “If God did not spare us his own Son, how can he fail to lavish every gift upon us?” Romans 8: 31b,32 and 38 - 39
From the Registers
Funerals
- Dorothy Faircloth
- Neville Beach
- Jack Howard
- Sophia Melville
- Amelia Melville
- Brian Cunningham
Archives
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