Dear Friends
Today at the 10:00 am Mass, Claire Anstice will speak about the work of the Interchurch Hospital Chaplaincy Service, which provides and guides the ministry of chaplaincy in most hospitals in New Zealand. Christchurch Hospital, which is on our doorstep, is a major centre for this work, employing a team of chaplains, some of whom are in paid positions and some of whom are unpaid. They are all trained and accredited by the service, as well as by the Churches they come from.
The Health Department recognises the value of chaplains to the extent that it provides half of the funding for those in agreed positions. The Churches have to provide the other half of the funding. Much of their work is in supporting people who are forced by a health crisis to face difficult life issues. We have brochures for distribution and encourage donations (envelopes provided) towards the costs of the chaplaincy service. Claire Anstice, our People’s Warden, is part of the chaplaincy team at Christchurch Hospital, which is also her place of work.
At the recent Vestry meeting, the first for two months, we received the Revd Lynne Horwood’s generous offer to work as a non-stipendiary priest in the Parish next year while she works on a Bachelor of Theology. We envisage a strong chaplaincy to the School and some new growth initiatives which are impossible with only one priest, as well as her liturgical and preaching and pastoral duties. The parish also received a generous legacy from the estate of the late Janette Lewis.
We are determined to share our resources with other congregations and people who have been deprived by the earthquakes. Yesterday we hosted a funeral from elsewhere, and we have been able to assist the Romanian Orthodox Church whose building in Phillipstown was badly damaged, and then further despoiled by some vandals. In the weeks and months ahead we may receive further requests to use the church and hall for various events.
Our annual Patronal festival, Michaelmas, is on Wednesday and will be celebrated here with a Low Mass at 7:00 am and the Solemn Mass at 6:30 pm. The preacher and presider will be Bishop Victoria. This will be followed by the Michaelmas Dinner. This is an opportunity to welcome friends and enquirers to S. Michael’s, and for all of us to have a good time together.
May God bless you all.Fr Peter Williams
Vestry Notes
September Meeting
- Parish goals set at the away-day now approved for distribution
- Affirming Catholics Symposium to go ahead on 30–31 October
- New church heating installation completed and proving very effective
- Directions on heater use being prepared for sidespeople
- Earthquake damage:
- Some cracks have appeared but no structural damage has occurred
- The organ is intact
- Diocese supplying checklist for damage assessment of buildings
- Letter of thanks to be sent to firms responsible for recent successful strengthening work on the church
Solemn Festival Mass of Michaelmas
Wednesday 29 September at 6:30 pm
Celebrant and Preacher: Bishop Victoria
Tickets for the Michaelmas Dinner are available today
(adults $10, children $5)
To supplement the meat and vegetable dishes and the bread being provided,
members of the congregation are asked to bring a salad,
and members of the choir to bring a plate of dessert finger food.
There is also a Low Mass of the Feast at 7:00 am
