Dear Friends,
Today we conclude the liturgical year by celebrating with thanksgiving, confidence and hope, the Reign of Christ in all creation. In doing this, we proclaim that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is the measure of all value in the world, and that his way takes us close to the heart and will of God. His rule is not of the domineering, power-over-others kind. Rather it is the compelling power of someone whose integrity in weakness and sacrificial service lures us into following him. His way is open to community and relationship, rather than to competition and isolation. It is that way that Christians are called to follow as they live in the community.
As is customary, we shall conclude the Solemn Mass with the procession of the Blessed Sacrament in the wakahuia.
Next Sunday is Advent Sunday and the beginning of a new year of the Church. At the Sung Mass we shall baptise young James Tiberius Anderson, son of Mark and Katrina and brother of Karenia, Bennet and Fletcher.
Next weekend also brings two important anniversaries. The first is the sixtieth anniversary of Fr Philip Baker’s ordination to the priesthood. Twenty-one of those years were spent in a greatly respected ministry as Vicar of S. Michael’s. Until recently he has served generously as one of our honorary assistant priests, and is still always present at the Sunday 8:00 am Mass. We honour him and give thanks for his service to S. Michael’s and to the wider Church.
The second is the twentieth anniversary of the publication of A New Zealand Prayer Book, He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa. Our Archbishops send this message: “The prayer book has become a taonga of this Church but has also enriched the lives of Anglicans around the world. It is appropriate to give thanks for this treasure on the last Sunday in November this year. Valuing how many people have been supported, resourced and strengthened by over 900 pages of text, prose, poetry and theology. It is truly said that what we orate in prayer we believe, in what we believe we do (lex orandi, lex credendi, lex labore). This is the Anglican experience of common prayer shaped by widely shared liturgical texts and all the faith-based words we use in prayer, contemplation, and Eucharist.
On this anniversary, we can be reminded of the words at the beginning of the book: ‘The Lord’s song has been sung in this twice-discovered land since before Samuel Marsden first preached the Gospel on that Christmas Day in 1814 in Oihi Bay. With the publication of A New Zealand Prayer Book, He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa the song is continued, the task of the Provincial Commission on Prayer Book Revision is completed, and new voices begin to be heard. It is our hope that the use of these services will enable us to worship God in our authentic voice, and to affirm our identity as the people of God in Aotearoa New Zealand.’ ”
May God bless you all.
Fr Peter Williams
Introducing the CWS Christmas Appeal
Theme: “Give us a chance”
Whatever difficulties people are facing in New Zealand, the reality for poorer communities in developing countries is far worse. Their wish is not for hand-outs, just for a helping hand, and a chance in life.
Christian World Service supports thirty organisations around the world, all dedicated to working for better conditions for people in their own communities. This year the Appeal highlights the work of CWS partners in Uganda, Fiji, Gaza and the Philippines.
