Dear Friends,
It is good to be back with you today. Johnann and I have had a restful holiday, long though interrupted, as I had to return for several weddings, a funeral and a baptism. As it was often too hot for outdoor pursuits, we managed to read a lot of good books! We were at home, at Pines Beach, in Wellington, and for the last few days, I was on Otago Peninsula, sailing. I am glad though to be back in the S. Michael’s community again, as when I am away for a time I feel I am missing out on something good.
Today we celebrate Candlemas. Candlemas is the fortieth day after Christmas, when according to the Gospel story, the infant Jesus is taken by his parents to be presented in the Temple, and Simeon recognises him as “the light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of God’s people Israel.” The light theme, which is so pervasive in the celebration of Christmas and its associated festivals, is undoubtedly more telling at this time in the northern hemisphere. But of course light is a universal symbol of all that challenges the darkness of much human experience, and speaks of the hope that there is in Jesus Christ and the Gospel he embodies and proclaims.
Primary schools, including S. Michael’s Church School, begin again tomorrow. Here we shall gather at 8:40 am in the atrium to pray God’s blessing on the new school year. Then we shall move to each classroom, blessing them and those who will teach and learn there. We welcome back our pupils and our hardworking staff.
Tomorrow the builders will begin making the planned alterations to the sanctuary area of the church. This will take about three weeks, and there will have to be makeshift arrangements for some of our uses of the church during that time. The painting of the outside is almost complete, and the new north porch doors are ready to be hung.
Friday is our National Day, Waitangi Day. This will be celebrated at appropriate sites around the country. In Christchurch, there will be a special service at 10:00 am in the Cathedral and all are welcome to attend this. At S. Michael’s there will be the usual Low Mass at 8:00 am. We are fortunate in Aotearoa-New Zealand that, so early in our story, some people had the wisdom to frame and promote a Treaty between the indigenous peoples and the new European settlers. It gives us some bearings today when we have to face what we have become, and the chequered history that has brought us here. And we can be proud that it was the Christian leaders of the day who largely brokered the Treaty. Whatever political issues surround it today, we can all honour the Treaty on our national Day as the expression of a mutual intention of respect and justice towards each other.
May God bless you all.
Peter Williams
