Cathedral News March 2009

Contents 1 From the Dean 1.1 Cathedral Review - or Re-View 1.2 Dedicated Living and Giving 2 Seven Last Words 3 Stations of the Cross 4 JS Bach - St John Passion 5 Remembering those affected by Bushfires 6 The Cathedral Review 6.1 How was it? 6.2 The Cathedral at its best is like ... 7 Dedicated Giving 7.1 Frequently asked Questions about giving to the Cathedral 8 From the Registers 9 Services at the Cathedral - March 09 9.1 Sundays 9.2 Weekday Services 10 Holy Week and Easter Services 10.1 Palm Sunday 5th April 10.2 Monday - Thursday 10.3 Maundy Thursday 9th April 10.4 Good Friday 10th April 10.5 Holy Saturday 11th April 10.6 Easter Day 12th April 11 Cathedral News Archive

From the Dean

Cathedral Review - or Re-View

Thank you to all (70+) who spent Saturday 28th February together in the Appreciative Inquiry Exercise. We had a good cross-section of people from within and without the Cathedral congregations. Judging by the buzz of conversation and the multitude of newsprint sheets covered in writing there was much to celebrate and many dreams to voice. A good chunk of time will be allocated at the AGM (see below) to continuing the conversations begun. Canon Paul Dyer’s skilful leadership was much appreciated; as was his little parable about walking around his garden – appreciating the hard work of those who built and planted, seeing and feeling the ambience of the present and not getting overly concerned about the occasional clumps of oxalis! Like a garden, a Cathedral is a work in progress, with some things that are urgent and others important – sometimes both together.

Dedicated Living and Giving

Among the urgent and important things recognized is the way in which each person associated with the Cathedral contributes to the whole. Dedicated Living and Giving, with its focus on Sunday 22nd March, is an opportunity to review (that word again) the specific contribution and involvement of each of us – in terms of our time, talents and money.

You don’t need me to tell you that times are tough economically for many. The Cathedral too faces tough economic times – two of our three traditional streams of income are down, largely beyond our control (investments and car-parking income). While congregational giving has seen a small increase in each of the past few years, I am now asking each one of you seriously, and with prayer, to consider your level of financial giving. We have the best staff team (music, admin and clergy) in many a year. Their salaries and stipends need to be paid.

For years Christine and I have struggled to be faithful to the biblical concept of tithing – or proportional giving. It has not always been easy. A tithe is 10% of one’s income (I have always used that to mean take-home pay). For some reason we shy away from talking about tithing (English reserve/ embarrassment??). Now is the time to take it seriously. Until we have the sort of generous, often sacrificial, giving by a wide cross-section of people, the Cathedral will never have that longed-for financial security so eagerly expressed at the Review.

If you are new to the Cathedral – perhaps a chorister family, a newcomer from out of town, or a young person just starting out on your studies or career – I urge you to consider carefully your responsibility to support your Cathedral. If you have not reviewed the level of your giving in the past six months, I encourage you to do so now. The sums are not difficult nor the challenge that big, if we all get in behind it. If each of those 200 people who are already Dedicated Givers gave an extra $5.00 per week every week we would be well on our way to getting rid of the projected deficit for the year. That’s the price of a cup of coffee - and not even a muffin with it!

Money is not the only way to give to God of course. Included in this Cathedral News is a Dedicated Living sheet with suggestions as to how you might be involved in the ongoing life, ministry and mission of the Cathedral. Complete the two forms (and remember the cap on tax refunds for charitable giving has been lifted) and return in the enclosed envelope on Sunday 22nd March, or mail to the Cathedral Office.

“We love because he (God) first loved us” (1 John 4: 19) makes sense when changed to “We give because God first gave – His Son.” That is the focus of our journey through Lent to the joy of Easter Day.

Frank Nelson

Seven Last Words

New Zealand artist Nigel Brown has produced a limited edition of seven lithographic icons to accompany Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words from the Cross” Opus 51.

In collaboration with Chamber Music New Zealand, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul is delighted to offer the public a chance to preview the icons during Holy Week. The icons will be unveiled at Choral Evensong on Palm Sunday 5th April, and will be on view in the Cathedral daily till after the Three Hour Service on Good Friday.

Note: The New Zealand String Quartet will perform Haydn’s work in a concert at the State Opera House, Thursday 23 April at 7.30pm. Bookings through Ticketek (0800 TICKETEK). Dinah Hawken will read her poetry to accompany the music and the icons.

Stations of the Cross

One way of experiencing the Passion of Jesus is to walk the Stations of the Cross – traditionally 14 ‘stations’ where we pause and reflect on the suffering of Jesus. Cathedral family members have been busy constructing their own stations which will be on display in the ambulatories from 15th March. There are two sets – one done by Cathedral Choristers at their recent Summer School, the other by adults. Thank you to all who have painted, knitted, stitched, pasted … and to Christine Nelson whose idea this was. Use these as one focus for your prayers leading up to Easter.

JS Bach - St John Passion

Bach’s sublime masterpiece retelling the story of the Passion according to St John will be performed by the Orpheus Choir and the Cathedral Choir in the Cathedral in place of Choral Evensong at 5pm on Passion Sunday, 29 March. Australian tenor Gregory Massingham will sing the role of The Evangelist, and the other soloists are Nicola Edgecombe (soprano), Ellen Barrett (alto) and Hadleigh Adams (bass). Vector Wellington Orchestra and Douglas Mews (organist) complete the line-up, with Michael Fulcher conducting. This performance will be a very inspirational musical treat in the lead-up toward Holy Week.

The Dean is giving a pre-performance talk on The Passion in the Lady Chapel at 4.30 pm. To support the cost of orchestra and soloists, there is a charge for the audience – at the door $35 (students $15), but tickets can be purchased ahead at the choir discount price of $30. Contact Judy Berryman 04 479 5384 judyb@top.net.nz

Remembering those affected by Bushfires

At one of our recent midweek Evensong services, we remembered all those affected by the tragic bushfires in Victoria. The Dean introduced the service with the following words: ‘One of the roles of a Cathedral is to offer a sacred space where God is worshipped daily. Tonight’s service is one of our regular services. For some of you here it will be the first time to experience Choral Evensong, a service largely unchanged in its format for the past 400 years. There is something comforting about that – as we gather to pray for those whose lives have been so radically, horribly and tragically changed in the past few days. We do not come tonight to find answers – simply to grieve, to show solidarity, to be together. While tonight’s prayers will have a particular focus, the rest of this short service is similar to what we do most Thursdays at 5.30pm. Let yourself be caught up in the music, rest in this sacred space, honour the dead, pray for the grieving, the exhausted, the bewildered.’

The Cathedral Review

How was it?

One parishioner, John Markham, noted the following aspects of the Appreciative Inquiry process we used for the Cathedral Review on February 28th, led by Canon Paul Dyer. Along with about 70 other parishioners, he experienced:

• Companionship
• Seeking improvement in performance
• Support
• Looking ‘outside the square’
• Caring
• Meeting new people
• Trust/faith
• Opportunities for involvement
• Learning
• Love
• Positivity

The Cathedral at its best is like ...

• An anchor
• A fire
• A magnet
• A mosaic
• The dossal hanging
• A star
• A fishing boat
• A jigsaw
• An open door

Dedicated Giving

Regular generous and sacrificial giving to the Cathedral/Church is called Dedicated (Planned) Giving. We promise to give a certain amount to God and the Church each year.

People give regularly in different ways (sometimes using more than one means)setting up automatic payments to the Cathedral with their bank (and reviewing the amount regularly)using the envelope system – weekly, fortnightly or monthly putting money each week into the offertory bags making one-off donations to specific projects, perhaps on an annual basis leaving a bequest to the Cathedral

The hardest part is getting started. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you give, just start!

Frequently asked Questions about giving to the Cathedral

• Does the Cathedral get a grant from the Diocese?
  • No – rather the Cathedral, like all parishes, contributes financially to the Diocese.
• Is there any public sector funding for the Cathedral?
  • No – the Cathedral’s income is from parishioners – past, present and future.
• I give money to other charities, is that not enough?
  • “All things come from you, and of your own we give you.” As Christians we give first to God in gratitude, and then to charity in generosity.
• Who will know how much I give?
  • What you give is between you and God. The only other person who will know is the Cathedral Bursar, who keeps a record and issues a tax certificate in April each year.
• What if I make a pledge and then can’t keep it?
  • Personal circumstances do change. You are free to increase, decrease or stop your pledge at any time. Let the Bursar know.
• Is there a preferred way of giving?
  • No, but the more people who use Automatic Payments, the more stable the Cathedral’s income will be.
• Can I increase my giving?
  • You certainly can – at any time. The Bible suggests the tithing principle – give a percentage of your income.
• Have the rebate rules changed?
  • They have. The IRD has lifted the previous threshold. You can get a charitable giving rebate of up to 33% of your charitable giving. Use an IR526 form, available from the Inland Revenue Department or downloadable from http://www.ird.govt.nz/forms-guides/keyword/rebates/ir526-form-claim-rebate.html

From the Registers

• Baptism
  • Eri Hirose
• Weddings
  • Kate Power and Matthew Browne
  • Alana Arlukiewicz and David Pollock
  • Eleanor Stamp and Clayton Rees
  • Charlotte Harpin and Philip Baynes
• Funerals
  • Margaret Whyte
  • Pauline, Lady Elliott

Services at the Cathedral - March 09

Sundays

• Sunday 1st March: First Sunday in Lent
  • 8.00 am Eucharist
  • 10.00 am Choral Eucharist (Paul Dyer)
  • 5.00 pm Choral Evensong (Raymond Pelly)

• Sunday 8th March
  • 8.00 am Eucharist
  • 10.00 am Choral Eucharist (Jenny Wilkens)
  • 5.00 pm Choral Evensong (Frank Nelson) - RSCM Choir

• Sunday 15th March
  • 8.00 am Eucharist
  • 10.00 am Choral Eucharist (Ellie Sanderson)
  • 5.00 pm Choral Evensong (Jenny Wilkens)

• Sunday 22nd March
  • 8.00 am Eucharist
  • 10.00 am Choral Eucharist (Frank Nelson) - followed by AGM
  • 5.00 pm Choral Evensong Allegri's Miserere

• Sunday 27th March
  • 8.00 am Eucharist
  • 10.00 am Choral Eucharist (Jenny Wilkens)
  • 5.00 pm Bach: St John Passion - Orpheus and Cathedral Choirs

Weekday Services

• Morning Prayer
  • 8.30am Monday to Friday

• Eucharist
  • 12.15pm Monday to Friday in the Lady Chapel
  • 7.30am Wednesday

• Choral Evensong
  • 5.30pm Thursday

• Saturday Services
  • 1st Saturday: 10.30am Eucharist
  • 3rd Saturday: 9.30 am Eucharist (Buggy Service)

Holy Week and Easter Services

Palm Sunday 5th April

8.00am Eucharist

10.00 am Choral Eucharist

• Procession of Palms with donkey
• Mozart: Missa Brevis in D KV 194

5.00 pm Choral Evensong

• Unveiling of icons by Nigel Brown – "Seven Last Words"

Monday - Thursday

• Eucharist at 7.30am, 12.15pm and 5.45pm (Choral)
• Wednesday 8th April: 12.15 pm Diocesan Chrism Eucharist

Maundy Thursday 9th April

7.30 pm Eucharist

• Foot-washing & Stripping of the Altar
• Silent candle-lit prayer vigil (till 10.00 pm)
• Music: Darke in F and Duruflé

Good Friday 10th April

10.00 am Service of Shadows (Cathedral Choir)

12 noon Three Hours at the Cross

• The Seven Last Words (12 – 2pm)
• Veneration of the Cross (2 – 3pm) with the Cathedral Choir

Holy Saturday 11th April

7.30 pm Lighting of New Fire (Paschal Candle) and Confirmation

Easter Day 12th April

7.45 am Eucharist

10.00 am Festal Choral Eucharist

• Preacher: The Rt Revd Dr Thomas Brown
• Mass in G, Franz Schubert

5.00 pm Festal Choral Evensong

• Preacher: The Very Reverend Frank Nelson
• Music: Stanford and Howells

Cathedral News Archive

Past editions of the cathedral news are available here.