anglican life oct/nov 2013

ISSUE TWENTY-SIX – OCT/NOV 2013

Diocese of Christchurch

A Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of Anglicanism in AotearoaCreative Collaborations

Perspectives on Mission

Synod Genuinely Engaging

AnglicanINVITING / FORMING / SENDING / SERVINGanglicanlife.org.nz

He Oranga Mihinare

1AnglicanLife Issue 26

WORDS: +VICTORIA MATTHEWS PHOTO CREDIT: FIONA SUMMERFIELD

Transitional Cathedral Open to All

The Transitional Cathedral has opened. It was close to 3 pm when we heard that we could reasonably expect to receive the consent from the City Council by 4:30 pm and so receive the keys from Scott Watson, of Naylor Love, for the building that has become popularly known as the ‘Cardboard Cathedral’. A quick email went out to the Diocese and the media and we gathered for Scripture (Psalm 127.1; 2 Chronicles 6.12-21; and Matthew 21.13b), prayer and praise before the ‘cardboard’ key was presented. The order of events was not accidental. The building is for worship, and gathering for prayer, first began how we intend to continue. There will be concerts and many tourists will visit we suspect but first and foremost the Transitional Cathedral is about having a designated place in the life of the city for prayer and worship. The presence of the Cathedral in the city is again in clear view.

The location of the Transitional Cathedral is very important. Beside the site of many deaths at the former CTV building, and the 185 empty chairs of the earthquake memorial and across the street from where the Emergency Services set up their international camp for first responders. I cannot think of a better location for a beacon of light in a city that continues to experience much dissension and anger. I pray the Cathedral on Latimer Square will provide a place for peaceful reflection for people who are under stress, find ways of reminding the population that there are still too many people living in compromised housing in our city, and speak the Good News of Jesus Christ to all who enter her doors.

This issue of Anglican Life, under the editorship of Fiona Summerfield, is dedicated to Christ Centred Mission, one of the priorities of the Strategic Plan

Bishop’s Address

EDITORIAL

ContentsBISHOP’S ADDRESS 01

CURRENT EVENTS 02

SYNOD - Photo Essay 06

FEATURE: A Pilgrimage to Birthplace of 08Anglicanism in Aotearoa

DIALOGUE: Creative Collaborations 12

LIFESTYLE: Perspectives on Mission 14

WORKPLACE: Ecosystems inspire Awe, Faith and Research 16

LIFESTYLE: Theology and Marriage 18

CULTURE 19

CLOSING ESSAY: Bearing Fruit in Mission 21

ISSUE 26October/November 2013

AnglicanLife is published bi-monthly by the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch.

Editor Fiona Summerfield

Contributing Writer Megan Blakie

Contributors +Victoria Matthews, Katrina Hill, Rev Heather Stewart, Glenis Pluck, Louise Landess, Jean Smith, Brian Carrell, Caleb Anderson, Paul

McDonald, Ollie Alexander, Annette Maw, Ali Ballantyne, Robson Munyuku, Bob Henderson

Advertising Enquiries Ivan Hatherley – [email protected]

Editorial Enquiries [email protected]

Design – www.baylymoore.com

Printed by – Toltech Print

Sustainability – AnglicanLife is printed on recycled paper using vegetable-based inks.

Cover - Anglican School’s Director, Ali Ballantyne, with her Pilgrimage booklet

getting ready for the Pilgrimage.

Growing Forward. I believe it is by grace alone that we chose the three priorities of Christ Centred Mission, Faithful Stewardship and Young Leaders for the Diocese of Christchurch because when the earth began to move and shake, buildings fell and people badly injured and killed, there was no place better to be than centred in the only begotten Son of God, Jesus the Christ. In the words of Matthew 11.25-27: “Come unto me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

www.christchurchcathedral.co.nzCathedral Worship and Events | Details on our website

The Transitional Cathedral Project is progressing steadily toward completion . Details regarding an opening date and celebration events will feature on the Cathedral’s website: www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz soon.

OPENING SOON

ChristChurch C a t h e d r a lTransitional

The presence of the Cathedral in the city is again in clear view

“I pray the Cathedral on Latimer Square will provide a place for peaceful reflection for

people who are under stress.”

www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz | www.cardboardcathedral.org.nzCathedral Worship and Events | Details on our website


THE TRANSITIONAL CATHEDRAL

‘the history of christianity in ten objects’ series of sermons starts in october

the full weekly schedule of services has resumed

please see OUR web site for details and to download a copy of “cathedral Extra”

1AnglicanLife Issue 26

WORDS: +VICTORIA MATTHEWS PHOTO CREDIT: FIONA SUMMERFIELD

Transitional Cathedral Open to All

The Transitional Cathedral has opened. It was close to 3 pm when we heard that we could reasonably expect to receive the consent from the City Council by 4:30 pm and so receive the keys from Scott Watson, of Naylor Love, for the building that has become popularly known as the ‘Cardboard Cathedral’. A quick email went out to the Diocese and the media and we gathered for Scripture (Psalm 127.1; 2 Chronicles 6.12-21; and Matthew 21.13b), prayer and praise before the ‘cardboard’ key was presented. The order of events was not accidental. The building is for worship, and gathering for prayer, first began how we intend to continue. There will be concerts and many tourists will visit we suspect but first and foremost the Transitional Cathedral is about having a designated place in the life of the city for prayer and worship. The presence of the Cathedral in the city is again in clear view.

The location of the Transitional Cathedral is very important. Beside the site of many deaths at the former CTV building, and the 185 empty chairs of the earthquake memorial and across the street from where the Emergency Services set up their international camp for first responders. I cannot think of a better location for a beacon of light in a city that continues to experience much dissension and anger. I pray the Cathedral on Latimer Square will provide a place for peaceful reflection for people who are under stress, find ways of reminding the population that there are still too many people living in compromised housing in our city, and speak the Good News of Jesus Christ to all who enter her doors.

This issue of Anglican Life, under the editorship of Fiona Summerfield, is dedicated to Christ Centred Mission, one of the priorities of the Strategic Plan

Bishop’s Address

EDITORIAL

ContentsBISHOP’S ADDRESS 01

CURRENT EVENTS 02

SYNOD - Photo Essay 06

FEATURE: A Pilgrimage to Birthplace of 08Anglicanism in Aotearoa

DIALOGUE: Creative Collaborations 12

LIFESTYLE: Perspectives on Mission 14

WORKPLACE: Ecosystems inspire Awe, Faith and Research 16

LIFESTYLE: Theology and Marriage 18

CULTURE 19

CLOSING ESSAY: Bearing Fruit in Mission 21

ISSUE 26October/November 2013

AnglicanLife is published bi-monthly by the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch.

Editor Fiona Summerfield

Contributing Writer Megan Blakie

Contributors +Victoria Matthews, Katrina Hill, Rev Heather Stewart, Glenis Pluck, Louise Landess, Jean Smith, Brian Carrell, Caleb Anderson, Paul

McDonald, Ollie Alexander, Annette Maw, Ali Ballantyne, Robson Munyuku, Bob Henderson

Advertising Enquiries Ivan Hatherley – [email protected]

Editorial Enquiries [email protected]

Design – www.baylymoore.com

Printed by – Toltech Print

Sustainability – AnglicanLife is printed on recycled paper using vegetable-based inks.

Cover - Anglican School’s Director, Ali Ballantyne, with her Pilgrimage booklet

getting ready for the Pilgrimage.

Growing Forward. I believe it is by grace alone that we chose the three priorities of Christ Centred Mission, Faithful Stewardship and Young Leaders for the Diocese of Christchurch because when the earth began to move and shake, buildings fell and people badly injured and killed, there was no place better to be than centred in the only begotten Son of God, Jesus the Christ. In the words of Matthew 11.25-27: “Come unto me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

www.christchurchcathedral.co.nzCathedral Worship and Events | Details on our website

The Transitional Cathedral Project is progressing steadily toward completion . Details regarding an opening date and celebration events will feature on the Cathedral’s website: www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz soon.

OPENING SOON


The presence of the Cathedral in the city is again in clear view

“I pray the Cathedral on Latimer Square will provide a place for peaceful reflection for

people who are under stress.”

32 AnglicanLife Issue 26

LOCAL / NATIONAL / WORLD

Current eventsBeing Part of it All

This month’s participation by St Faith’s for mission in community took the form of “The Talk Tent”.

WORDS & PHOTO: KATRINA HILL

The talk tent was a colourful tent within the Gap 33 space in New Brighton Mall. Parents of young children were able to chat with early childhood specialist, Alice. Alice’s skills range from practical advice on toilet training to behaviour issues, through to conversation on spiritual and family values.

The project was a collaboration between SKIP (Presbyterian Social Services Support), Te Waka Aroha and New Brighton Project, initiated by Mary McCammon, (St Faith’s community worker).

All participants talked positively about the experience. St Faith’s were excited to be part of this project supporting the families of our community.

There will be more “Talk Tents” in the Spring and Summer.

Ad

Partying in RakaiaA new lounge is dedicated for use by the church family and the local community.

WORDS: REV HEATHER STEWART & GLENIS PLUCK PHOTO: ANNETTE MAW

There was a party mood on a glorious evening recently when Bishop Victoria Matthews dedicated the new parish lounge building at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Rakaia.

Assembled were approximately eighty-five people including parish members from the Rakaia, Dorie, Chertsey and Barrhill congregations, friends from the other churches, community representatives, past clergy, preachers and organists past and present.

In her address the Bishop reminded us that the Christian life is “Prayer and Party” in equal quantities! We did both giving thanks, to praise God and to pray for the future use of our lounge in the church

family and in the Rakaia community. The Tongan choir enriched our worship with their beautiful singing.

Clipping the church is an English tradition. ‘Clip’ comes from an Anglo-Saxon word ‘clyppan’ meaning ‘to embrace’. So we ‘embraced’ our new church complex by processing right around it led by the processional cross and singing “All things bright and beautiful”.

Terry Hurford has made a magnificent table from swamp redwood – this was also dedicated. Then the choir sang and we concluded the ceremony with prayers and a final hymn before feasting and ‘christening’ the room by partying in it.


LOCAL / NATIONAL / WORLD

Current eventsBeing Part of it All

This month’s participation by St Faith’s for mission in community took the form of “The Talk Tent”.

WORDS & PHOTO: KATRINA HILL

The talk tent was a colourful tent within the Gap 33 space in New Brighton Mall. Parents of young children were able to chat with early childhood specialist, Alice. Alice’s skills range from practical advice on toilet training to behaviour issues, through to conversation on spiritual and family values.

The project was a collaboration between SKIP (Presbyterian Social Services Support), Te Waka Aroha and New Brighton Project, initiated by Mary McCammon, (St Faith’s community worker).

All participants talked positively about the experience. St Faith’s were excited to be part of this project supporting the families of our community.

There will be more “Talk Tents” in the Spring and Summer.

Ad

Partying in RakaiaA new lounge is dedicated for use by the church family and the local community.

WORDS: REV HEATHER STEWART & GLENIS PLUCK PHOTO: ANNETTE MAW

There was a party mood on a glorious evening recently when Bishop Victoria Matthews dedicated the new parish lounge building at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Rakaia.

Assembled were approximately eighty-five people including parish members from the Rakaia, Dorie, Chertsey and Barrhill congregations, friends from the other churches, community representatives, past clergy, preachers and organists past and present.

In her address the Bishop reminded us that the Christian life is “Prayer and Party” in equal quantities! We did both giving thanks, to praise God and to pray for the future use of our lounge in the church

family and in the Rakaia community. The Tongan choir enriched our worship with their beautiful singing.

Clipping the church is an English tradition. ‘Clip’ comes from an Anglo-Saxon word ‘clyppan’ meaning ‘to embrace’. So we ‘embraced’ our new church complex by processing right around it led by the processional cross and singing “All things bright and beautiful”.

Terry Hurford has made a magnificent table from swamp redwood – this was also dedicated. Then the choir sang and we concluded the ceremony with prayers and a final hymn before feasting and ‘christening’ the room by partying in it.

www.andrewswift.harcourts.co.nz


CURRENT EVENTS

Co-operation to Help Reunite CommunityChristchurch Community Response continues to work for those suffering from the earthquakes’ ongoing consequences.

WORDS & PHOTO: JEAN SMITH

Synod Genuinely EngagingHaving never been to a Synod meeting, Louise Landess was dispatched to St Christopher’s in Avonhead to shed some light on what for many of us is a mysterious unknown.

WORDS: LOUISE LANDESS

A chance meeting outside Southshore Community House has led to two groups working together to help Southshore residents.

Christchurch Community Response (CCR) set up by eastern suburbs’ Anglican churches with support from St. Christopher’s, Avonhead and now an ecumenical group, started door knocking in the eastern suburbs after the February 2011 quake to ensure that people were safe and secure.

The Southshore Community House was set up to help and support the local residents as they battled land and insurance issues. As well as helping sort out the issues caused by the quakes,

What I discovered is that Synod is essentially an AGM-come-planning meeting. It’s an opportunity for clergy and parish representatives to come together to report on activities, air concerns, explore solutions and share ideas on a Diocesan-wide scale.

With some complex and controversial issues on the table I had wondered if sparks might fly and I smiled when the Vicar General opened the (very formal) proceedings with a reminder for all present, that Synod is “a process which relies on us being nice to each other”.

Reassuringly however despite some diverse opinions being aired, only once did I hear someone voice their displeasure and sense of umbrage at what had been said. While the odd whispering huddle added a slight sense of intrigue come election time, overall I thought it was a good-natured, friendly gathering.

It does require some intense thinking and I found I really had to concentrate to keep up with the intellectual play. There were, however, just enough moments of light relief amidst the sea of reports and motions to hold my attention. The overseas mission team snuck in a NZCMS presentation and we were transported momentarily back to 1814 and the Bay of Islands and invited to attend Gospel 2014.

There was also a healthy portion of prayer and worship throughout to keep us God-honouring and Christ-centred.

Overall I found Synod to be thought provoking, motivating and in just enough measure, laugh out loud funny. It really does cover a lot of Diocesan ground so talk to your Synod reps and make sure they keep you up to speed with what’s happening. Ask them about the proceeds of gambling motion, the Structural Review Bill or the nature of marriage motion.

Synod... genuinely more engaging than it sounds!

the Community House has a varied programme bringing together isolated and lonely people. The area around Southshore has been divided into red zone along the estuary side and TC3 along the sea side, dividing the community.

Though still door knocking around the city to check on people’s well-being, CCR were also able to support the work of the Southshore Community House. Repairs and make safe work were no longer a priority so CCR were able to donate a television and DVD player to enable the community to come together to enjoy sport and films. The money used to buy the equipment was from donations.

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CURRENT EVENTS

Co-operation to Help Reunite CommunityChristchurch Community Response continues to work for those suffering from the earthquakes’ ongoing consequences.

WORDS & PHOTO: JEAN SMITH

Synod Genuinely EngagingHaving never been to a Synod meeting, Louise Landess was dispatched to St Christopher’s in Avonhead to shed some light on what for many of us is a mysterious unknown.

WORDS: LOUISE LANDESS

A chance meeting outside Southshore Community House has led to two groups working together to help Southshore residents.

Christchurch Community Response (CCR) set up by eastern suburbs’ Anglican churches with support from St. Christopher’s, Avonhead and now an ecumenical group, started door knocking in the eastern suburbs after the February 2011 quake to ensure that people were safe and secure.

The Southshore Community House was set up to help and support the local residents as they battled land and insurance issues. As well as helping sort out the issues caused by the quakes,

What I discovered is that Synod is essentially an AGM-come-planning meeting. It’s an opportunity for clergy and parish representatives to come together to report on activities, air concerns, explore solutions and share ideas on a Diocesan-wide scale.

With some complex and controversial issues on the table I had wondered if sparks might fly and I smiled when the Vicar General opened the (very formal) proceedings with a reminder for all present, that Synod is “a process which relies on us being nice to each other”.

Reassuringly however despite some diverse opinions being aired, only once did I hear someone voice their displeasure and sense of umbrage at what had been said. While the odd whispering huddle added a slight sense of intrigue come election time, overall I thought it was a good-natured, friendly gathering.

It does require some intense thinking and I found I really had to concentrate to keep up with the intellectual play. There were, however, just enough moments of light relief amidst the sea of reports and motions to hold my attention. The overseas mission team snuck in a NZCMS presentation and we were transported momentarily back to 1814 and the Bay of Islands and invited to attend Gospel 2014.

There was also a healthy portion of prayer and worship throughout to keep us God-honouring and Christ-centred.

Overall I found Synod to be thought provoking, motivating and in just enough measure, laugh out loud funny. It really does cover a lot of Diocesan ground so talk to your Synod reps and make sure they keep you up to speed with what’s happening. Ask them about the proceeds of gambling motion, the Structural Review Bill or the nature of marriage motion.

Synod... genuinely more engaging than it sounds!

the Community House has a varied programme bringing together isolated and lonely people. The area around Southshore has been divided into red zone along the estuary side and TC3 along the sea side, dividing the community.

Though still door knocking around the city to check on people’s well-being, CCR were also able to support the work of the Southshore Community House. Repairs and make safe work were no longer a priority so CCR were able to donate a television and DVD player to enable the community to come together to enjoy sport and films. The money used to buy the equipment was from donations.

Ad

“Talk to your Synod reps and make sure they keep

you up to speed with what’s happening.”


CURRENT EVENTS

SYNOD - Photo EssayThe first weekend of spring saw about 200 clergy and lay representatives gather at St Christopher’s, Avonhead, Christchurch for Synod 2013. As well as a time of formal reporting, discussion, debate and decision-making, Synod provides a wonderful opportunity to meet and worship with other people from throughout the Diocese.

PHOTOS: LOUISE LANDESS


FEATURE

A Pilgrimage to Birthplace of Anglicanism in AotearoaIn early August, students and adults from Anglican schools in the Diocese joined about 115 others from all over New Zealand as they converged on Northland. Megan Blakie spoke to the director of the Anglican Schools Office, Ali Ballantyne, as she was making preparations for a very special event.

WORDS: MEGAN BLAKIE PHOTOS: MEGAN BLAKIE, ALI BALLANTYNE & ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY, WELLINGTON, NZ

Mention the word ‘pilgrimage’ and most people think of long air flights and arduous days trekking ancient pathways in Europe or the Middle East.

Luckily for representatives of our diocesan schools, blisters and long-haul journeys won’t be part of their 2 1/2 -day pilgrimage in the Bay of Islands in early August.

Called “Behold! A pilgrimage to our birthplace”, the journey involves visiting a series of sites that are significant to Anglicanism in Aotearoa. The event has been arranged by Ali Ballantyne, the director of the Anglican Schools Office. The Christchurch-based resource centre supports school chaplains and religious education providers throughout the three tikanga of the Anglican Church.

“The exciting thing is that we’re running a parallel student pilgrimage at the same time as the adults’ pilgrimage; it’ll be really fun,” says Ali, who is expecting about forty school students to attend the Northland-based event from 7th to 9th August.

“We invited each [Anglican] secondary school to send two year 12 or year 13 students. It will be wonderful for their NCEA history: we’ll be focusing on the period 1814 to 1830 – that very early missionary period,” explains Ali, who also devised the event to fit within the context of New Zealand schools social science curriculum.

For the adults in attendance – another seventy or so school principals, staff, chaplains and other clergy - the pilgrimage replaces the usual biennial conference that is hosted by the office.

The student and adult pilgrims will start their journey on Wednesday 7th August by being welcomed on to Waitangi marae by the local Ngapuhi. During the following two days, they will be bussed to sites of historical interest and don walking shoes (or gumboots, depending on the weather) to retrace the steps of early missionaries.

“That very early missionary period has been very neglected by history. Schools have the most wonderful teaching programmes on the Treaty [of Waitangi]. There’s marvellous material on the Treaty; there’s very, very little – diddly squat – on the first missionaries except for historians who mention in a passing sentence or two what a disaster [the missionaries] were,” says Ali.

“It’s so unfair,” she says, referring to the lack of appreciation for some of what the early European settlers achieved.

From her research, Ali believes the main ‘success’ of the early period of missionary settlement was the building up of inter-racial

“The moment I started researching I just knew that we have the most wonderful stories of courage and

untold kindnesses.”


FEATURE

understanding, the introduction of metal utensils and the written form of Te Reo.

“There was no way that those early missionaries were going to have successes that you could tick in a box and say ‘we’ve had 50 baptisms and 20 confirmations’: you just can’t do that when two races are busy trying to learn to understand each other,” she says.

Ali’s contemporary pilgrims will visit about ten sites in and around Paihia, Kerikeri, Waimate North, Waitangi and Oihi Bay. Each person will be given a specially produced Pilgrimage Journal - containing a map, challenges and site-related information - in which to write their personal reflections.

‘Behold!’ is the result of a request by General Synod for the church to mark the 200th anniversary of the first Christian service on New Zealand soil. The Anglican Schools Office is celebrating prematurely - not only because its next conference is not until mid-2015, but the timing allows the schools to be ready at the start of 2014 to study this early period of our history.

It was on Christmas Day in 1814 that Rev. Samuel Marsden, with the help of local Maori chief Ruatara as translator, conducted a worship service on the foreshore of Northland’s Oihi Bay (less than 40km from Kerikeri). About 400 Maori were in attendance. The historic spot is marked by a large Celtic-inspired stone cross.

Marsden was an English farmer turned cleric and a member of the Church Missionary Society. He had sailed to Northland from Parramatta in New South Wales, Australia, where he and his

family had lived for the previous 10 years (and to which, after some months, he returned). All up, Marsden made seven trips to New Zealand.

Adventurous Ruatara, who had worked on whaling boats and had travelled to England by sailing boat, met Marsden on his voyage from England to Australia. At Marsden’s Parramatta settlement, Ruatara studied carpentry and European methods of agriculture.

(Ruatara introduced wheat, given to him by Marsden, to New Zealand. Marsden is responsible for establishing the first vineyard in Aotearoa!)

Participants in the pilgrimage will also learn about the missionaries John King, William Hall, Thomas Kendall and their families, who accompanied Marsden on his

voyage from New South Wales. “The moment I started researching I

just knew that we have the most wonderful stories of courage and untold kindnesses: the sharing and all the lovely things that went on,” says Ali about the early contact between Maori and the missionaries.

“We hear about Hongi Hika getting muskets [for use in Maori warfare] …but don’t hear the stories of his many kindnesses to the young [English] mothers and their children.”

As a momento of the August pilgrimage, students will be given modern replicas of relics that represent something pertinent to each site visited.

Participating schools from the Christchurch Diocese are Craighead Diocesan School in Timaru and St Margaret’s College, Christ’s College and St Mark’s School in Christchurch. The schools were responsible for setting their own criteria for selecting the senior students to attend.

“Some schools have made the students raise their own money; some schools gave them [the opportunity to attend] as a reward.”

Former diocesan youth worker, Phil Trotter, who is now the National Youth Adviser for Tikanga Pakeha, is part of a small team that will accompany the school-age pilgrims. It’s the first time the national youth adviser has collaborated on an event with the Anglican Schools Office.

Ali Ballantyne is considering making the Journal available to others who might like to make the pilgrimage as part of the 200th anniversary celebrations, and beyond.

Backler, Joseph, 1815-1895. Backler, Joseph 1815-1897: Revd Samuel Marsden. First missionary to New Zealand. Born 1764. Died 1838. [Between 1832 and 1838 or later]. Ref: G-620. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.


DIALOGUE

Creative CollaborationsWhen a stranger walked in off the street to ask about hiring St. Martin’s church for a mid-winter concert and in lieu of paying for the hire offering tickets to sell instead, the parish saw God at work. For the parishioners it was another way to raise money for overseas mission work and they grabbed the opportunity, little knowing where it would lead.

WORDS: FIONA SUMMERFIELD PHOTOS: ROBSON MUNYUKU

The first concert was in 2012 when the Chapel Brass band was trying to locate a suitable venue after options were restricted following the quakes.

Vicar, Rev’d John de Senna says when the band heard the parish planned to use the money for building a school house in a village in Zimbabwe, the band not only offered a donation of their own but also offered to come back again in 2013.

A few weeks ago St Martin’s again hosted the Chapel Brass band, this time with the Christchurch City Chorus. “It was very high quality music and the place was full,” he says. “Both groups offered to return in 2014 to fundraise further for this mission project.”

Sitting down with vicar, Rev’d John de Senna, mission coordinator, Lyn Smith and parishioner, Robson Munyuku, Lyn describes how providing financial support to mission projects is part of “the parish’s DNA”. In the last fifty years, well over one hundred people have been sent out from St Martin’s - either

they are helping to build school houses to accommodate the seven teachers provided by the government. The villagers made the bricks for the school and teacher accommodation buildings, built on village land, while St Martin’s provides the money to buy the building materials that have to be purchased such as door and window frames.

Giving to such projects is “the heart of who we are”, says Lyn. It has “never been optional”, it is “part of our ethos”.

“God gives us the ideas,” she says. But it is very clear talking to John, Lyn and Robson, this parish is quick to take up any opportunity God might suggest.

The parish has a supplier of tulip bulbs and every year they sell tulip bulbs through workplaces and door knocking. Lyn tells of

onto mission fields overseas or into ordained ministry in New Zealand. The Zimbabwean school project is only one example and began in 2010. “Robson and his wife Ndana told us about the school they dreamed of, for their village,” says Lyn. “Their vision became ours.”

Robson says when he was a kid going to secondary school, he needed to run 10kms to another village. He would leave at “4am to go to school and not get back until 7pm. It was a long day”. In the 1980s the age children started school in Zimbabwe changed from 7 to 5 years old. There were primary schools in his home village of approximately 800 people, which bears his surname, but there was no school for the equivalent of years 9-12. Now the children were starting school at an earlier age, “it can be difficult to run these distances,” he says.

The first year the parish began helping with this project, they provided textbooks, the second year polythene water pipes so the school building would have water, last year and this year

a plumber she required to do work at her house. She asked if he wanted any tulip bulbs. Initially he turned her down but the following week, he called asking if he could buy some. He became interested in the work, the parish was doing in Zimbabwe. Robson takes up the story, smiling saying “I had to visit him and he asked if I could leave my photograph album. He had it for four weeks and took it to work showing my pictures.”

“It blesses us as well as the people,” Lyn says, “Mission has a human face.” She says they learnt it is “no good to do smaller projects - takes too much energy,” so they are constantly trying to think bigger. “If we could get a company onboard that would sponsor 5c from every product they sell…” she muses.

“The creativity is from the

Holy Spirit.”

John describes their mission giving as a “multi-faceted industry” and they mostly raise money outside the church family, including: growing and selling tomato plants, making marmalade and in the past, parishioners training and working as security guards at Jade Stadium - the wages being donated to missions.

“The creativity is from the Holy Spirit,” says Lyn. But the parishioners are also very willing listeners and workers.

Through Robson’s enthusiasm, his employer, Downers, now also supports the fundraising for the Zimbabwean school by encouraging the purchase of the tulip bulbs by his colleagues.

The Munyuku Secondary School

Students enjoying piped water at the school


Perspectives on MissionA remarkable occasion discussing Anglican missions drew 250 people from around the Diocese.

WORDS: BRIAN CARRELL PHOTOS: BOB HENDERSON & FIONA SUMMERFIELD

FAMILY / SOCIAL JUSTICE / ENVIRONMENT / SUSTAINABILITY / SPIRITUALITY

Lifestyle

St Christopher’s Church, Avonhead, was packed for an Anglican ‘Mission Festival’ at the end of May. Participants came from every corner of the Diocese.

Highlight of the programme, arranged by the Diocesan Council for World Mission, was an impressive presentation by Bishop Justin Duckworth (Wellington) on the core calling of Christians to be people of mission, and the nature of that mission today.

“By his very nature, our God is a God of mission, so we who own the name of God carry that same mark of mission in our calling. … the question is not whether we are people of mission, but where and how we are called to express that mission.”

Drawing both on his own experience and on how God has reached out to us in Christ, Bishop Justin presented five features of the mission that will cut ice in today’s world.

First, ‘incarnational mission’ – sitting where people sit, living as they live, enduring the difficulties they encounter, entering into their poverty and powerlessness. “Glory to the gutter”, Justin colourfully described this kind of mission. The way Jesus came to us.

Secondly, having a bias towards the most vulnerable, whether in lands far away or at home, for example in earthquake shattered Christchurch. God’s mission begins with the least and lowest.

‘Proximity’ is a key word in contemporary mission. Not a fleeting visit to look on poverty or need, only as a spectator, but living with them as a participant. Our lives as well as their lives are likely to be transformed. It is mission with mutuality.

He reminded those gathered that the face of global mission

is constantly changing. Mission past was often rural focussed; nowadays most people live in cities. Our mission needs to reflect this.

Finally, in discovering how best to communicate the gospel of Christ in an ever-changing world, we need to find the grain of the Spirit. Like splitting firewood, you first find the natural run of the grain before chopping. God always works ahead of us, preparing the way for the gospel. Where has the Holy Spirit already created an entry point for God’s grace?

The Great Commission in Matthew’s Gospel was the theme of a reflection by Bishop Victoria.

She noted how Jesus first claimed the highest authority for the commission he was about to set before the Eleven. That commission was ‘to make disciples’ throughout the world, to help others know and follow him. “Sometimes Christians close the deal on evangelism too quickly,” said the Bishop. The Great Commission continues, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And that does not mean instruction in

the laws and rules of the Old Testament, but application of the Golden Rule, Love one another. Jesus had already demonstrated what this involved when at the Last Supper he had washed his disciples’ feet.

In effect he was telling them, ‘Now you are to go out and be as Christ to others’. In the end it is not we who make disciples, but Jesus who makes disciples through us. Our transparent ‘companionship with Jesus’ draws others to Him.

The Great Commission finishes with an assurance that this work is of God as much as it is of ourselves; And note that I am with you at all times and in all places. You will not be on your own.

Bishop Victoria concluded with two challenges. First that we be less concerned to share the Jesus we know about, and more to share the Jesus we know. Her final words: “I ask each of you to consider going on a short-term mission trip in order to both share with others and learn from others what it really means to be a disciple-in-Christ.”

The Festival also included reports from people on several short-term mission trips, and the Commissioning of Parish Mission Motivators.

The feedback afterwards showed many were not aware of the opportunities for youth and ‘golden oldies’ short-term mission trips.

CD recordings of the talks available from Bob Henderson, [email protected] term mission opportunities, www.nzcms.org.nzUpcoming A Focus on Mission event: Sat 2 November 10.30 am – 12.30 pm, St Barnabas, Fendalton

Steve Maina, NZCMS National Director, introducing 3 women who went on a short-term mission trip.

“The question is not whether we are people of mission, but where and how we are called

to express that mission.”

Glory to the gutter

16 AnglicanLife Issue 26 17

WORKPLACE WORKPLACE

Ecosystems inspire Awe, Faith and ResearchA café-full of Christchurch people listened attentively as locally based and internationally respected, freshwater scientist, Don Jellyman, spoke about faith and fish as part of a series of talks organised by St Luke’s Spirituality Centre.

WORDS & PHOTO: MEGAN BLAKIE

“One of the paramount things about working in the natural sciences has been a sense of awe and respect: understanding how things are linked together and integrated and inter-dependent,” says the semi-retired scientist with specialist knowledge of freshwater eels and lampreys.

“Water is the medium I work with. For me the aquatic ecosystem is a great example of how integrated things are.”

Three days a week, Don heads into the Christchurch office of the Crown-owned research company NIWA, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. The keen outdoors man – who relishes tramping, cycling and fishing – is now working on contract, finishing a few research projects he’d embarked on while employed there.

“Science, too, is all about seeking the truth; I chose to do it and interpret it within a Christian context,” he says.

“But there have sometimes been issues of ‘morality’,” he says about the possible implications of some of the research projects he’s been involved with during his career. “The importance and integrity of science is paramount and if you start pandering to what [companies] want, you do start to lose your integrity.”

Don says he’s constantly amazed by the scale of the natural world, from the sophistication of ecosystems down to a fascination for what happens at a cellular level in animals and plants.

“We have a broad understanding of a lot of the ‘glue’ that

holds all these things together …but there’s a lot of unknowns and uncertainty. For me as a Christian, it’s been a privilege to add to the pool of understanding and provide explanations for some of the things we see,” he says about his work.

Don’s parents were a huge influence on his faith during his childhood in Blenheim (his dad was a Methodist lay preacher), as was a sports coach whom he admired for his ‘practical approach’ to Christianity.

After leaving school and working for a while, Don embarked on a university degree, majoring in zoology and botany, and went on to complete a doctorate at Victoria University of Wellington.

“My faith provides some security and boundaries and reasons for my scientific exploration,” he says.

While the perceived tension between science and religion has not eroded Don’s faith, it has tinged it with a little pessimism.

“Sea-level change and diminishing resources and the loss of biodiversity – there’s a huge list of problems. … It looks like we’re at some tipping points [environmentally], and some things are irreversible,“ he says.

He believes the worst thing people can do is to feel paralysed, think the problems are too big and so do nothing.

“As Christians we’re not called to do that [to do nothing]. We’ve lost sight of the mandate for stewardship and what it means to be accountable to God for the earth.”

“We can agree to disagree about the cause and effect [of these problems] …but let’s accept we’re in deep shtuck!”

He draws a sense of hope from seeing people seek a renewed connection with their environment and each other, and responding to Christ.

“Faith is all about relationships: seeing the way that lives can be transformed as people come to understand the reality of Christ.”

Don is one of six Cantabrians, from a diverse range of professions, to be asked to speak on the theme of ‘spirituality @ work’. Each month of the series, which started in May and continues through to November, a different person takes the microphone.

Company director Murray Jones and filmmaker Gerard Smyth will speak at the remaining ‘spirituality @ work’ events. The series is part of a wider programme of retreats, courses and talks offered by St Luke’s Spirituality Centre, which was formed by the inner city parish as a way to foster and encourage spiritual growth.

“For me as a Christian, it’s been a privilege to add to the pool of understanding and provide explanations

for some of the things we see.”

Ad

16 AnglicanLife Issue 26 17

WORKPLACE WORKPLACE

Ecosystems inspire Awe, Faith and ResearchA café-full of Christchurch people listened attentively as locally based and internationally respected, freshwater scientist, Don Jellyman, spoke about faith and fish as part of a series of talks organised by St Luke’s Spirituality Centre.

WORDS & PHOTO: MEGAN BLAKIE

“One of the paramount things about working in the natural sciences has been a sense of awe and respect: understanding how things are linked together and integrated and inter-dependent,” says the semi-retired scientist with specialist knowledge of freshwater eels and lampreys.

“Water is the medium I work with. For me the aquatic ecosystem is a great example of how integrated things are.”

Three days a week, Don heads into the Christchurch office of the Crown-owned research company NIWA, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. The keen outdoors man – who relishes tramping, cycling and fishing – is now working on contract, finishing a few research projects he’d embarked on while employed there.

“Science, too, is all about seeking the truth; I chose to do it and interpret it within a Christian context,” he says.

“But there have sometimes been issues of ‘morality’,” he says about the possible implications of some of the research projects he’s been involved with during his career. “The importance and integrity of science is paramount and if you start pandering to what [companies] want, you do start to lose your integrity.”

Don says he’s constantly amazed by the scale of the natural world, from the sophistication of ecosystems down to a fascination for what happens at a cellular level in animals and plants.

“We have a broad understanding of a lot of the ‘glue’ that

holds all these things together …but there’s a lot of unknowns and uncertainty. For me as a Christian, it’s been a privilege to add to the pool of understanding and provide explanations for some of the things we see,” he says about his work.

Don’s parents were a huge influence on his faith during his childhood in Blenheim (his dad was a Methodist lay preacher), as was a sports coach whom he admired for his ‘practical approach’ to Christianity.

After leaving school and working for a while, Don embarked on a university degree, majoring in zoology and botany, and went on to complete a doctorate at Victoria University of Wellington.

“My faith provides some security and boundaries and reasons for my scientific exploration,” he says.

While the perceived tension between science and religion has not eroded Don’s faith, it has tinged it with a little pessimism.

“Sea-level change and diminishing resources and the loss of biodiversity – there’s a huge list of problems. … It looks like we’re at some tipping points [environmentally], and some things are irreversible,“ he says.

He believes the worst thing people can do is to feel paralysed, think the problems are too big and so do nothing.

“As Christians we’re not called to do that [to do nothing]. We’ve lost sight of the mandate for stewardship and what it means to be accountable to God for the earth.”

“We can agree to disagree about the cause and effect [of these problems] …but let’s accept we’re in deep shtuck!”

He draws a sense of hope from seeing people seek a renewed connection with their environment and each other, and responding to Christ.

“Faith is all about relationships: seeing the way that lives can be transformed as people come to understand the reality of Christ.”

Don is one of six Cantabrians, from a diverse range of professions, to be asked to speak on the theme of ‘spirituality @ work’. Each month of the series, which started in May and continues through to November, a different person takes the microphone.

Company director Murray Jones and filmmaker Gerard Smyth will speak at the remaining ‘spirituality @ work’ events. The series is part of a wider programme of retreats, courses and talks offered by St Luke’s Spirituality Centre, which was formed by the inner city parish as a way to foster and encourage spiritual growth.

“For me as a Christian, it’s been a privilege to add to the pool of understanding and provide explanations

for some of the things we see.”

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Theology and MarriageCaleb Anderson attended the recent Tough Questions Today; Exploring Theology of Marriage Conference organised by Theology House*, he shares his thoughts on signs of hope, what he heard and what he would have liked to have heard.

WORDS: CALEB ANDERSON PHOTO: COURTESY STOCK.XCHANGE

The conference framed the topical question of same-sex marriage within a rich understanding of the theology of marriage.

Bishop Tim Harris, Adelaide, outlined agreed and debated characteristics of Christian marriage. In essentials, he sees marriage as a committed, publicly accountable, exclusive, lifelong relationship between two mature adults, blessed by their families. These two become one in soul, mind and body and forge a distinctive household unit that safeguards from sin. Commonly, but perhaps not essentially, marriage involves procreation and nurture of children, merging of possessions and interweaving of extended families. Traditionally, marriage has also been blessed by both church and state, and included a man and a woman. There is some disagreement about whether these last two should be considered essential or not.

The other two sessions each explored one of these characteristics. Rev’d Dr Sue Patterson, Nelson, read Gen 1-2 as teaching that the male-female binary is integral to the creation of humankind, sexuality and marriage. She also suggested that the relationship between man and woman is necessary for the “differentiated unity” whereby marriage images the triune God.

Bishop Victoria Matthews, Christchurch, discussed companionship, which can also be seen to image the triune God, in Scripture and Christian tradition. She noted that intimate, sacrificial, covenantal companionship is not unique to marriage, but is the call to all Christian disciples, in friendships and community.

Bishop Tim and Rev’d Dr Peter Carrell, Christchurch, identified two broad theological “taproots” underlying the debate; creational and evolutionary marriage. The former sees marriage as a gift from God with certain essential, permanent characteristics; often including gender roles. The latter sees marriage as a human

institution that has evolved throughout Scripture and can evolve again with the Spirit’s leading; perhaps shedding gender roles.

I would venture to suggest that the real debate is not between these strands; Christian marriage is both creational and evolutionary. The debate is whether one particular evolution – the removal of the traditional gender requirements – is in line with God’s (re-)creational intent.

Consequently, I would have appreciated more exploration of Christian understandings of the meaning and significance of gender. Speakers discussed whether marriage is ‘essential’ or ‘constructed,’ but the same question was not put to gender: are binary, complementary gender roles an essential creation from God or a patriarchal human construction?

While speakers mentioned the case for ‘evolutionary marriage,’ the conference lacked a scriptural and theological case for the specific evolution to remove gender restrictions.

I also would have appreciated more discussion of pastoral, practical implications; this was mostly confined to a final panel session. A question about people who do not easily identify as either female or male was met with a general feeling of ‘that’s above my pay grade,’ which again indicated the need to explore gender more closely. Intriguingly Tim, Sue and Peter, all traditionalists on the question of same-sex marriage, indicated openness to the church blessing monogamous homosexual unions to order sexuality and limit sin (cf. 1 Cor 7:9).

Of course, there is always more to be said. Peter described the conference as a “contribution to an ongoing conversation,” and it certainly served this purpose. The tone of presentations and discussions was very encouraging. All involved seemed willing to respect those with whom they disagree, learn from them and even help strengthen their arguments. There was no caricaturing

opponents as having thrown out the Bible, or abandoned compassion and justice.

Peter provided four intriguing analogies for possible ways forward, each somewhat comparable to this debate. Must same-sex marriage blessings be made compulsory, as with infant baptism for Anglicans, or ruled out, as with infant baptism among Baptists? If so, differing positions cannot co-exist and the church must split. Could the church respect both positions, remain in union yet allow variance on individual or parish levels, as with pacifism vs. militarism? Or could a consensus develop that some are called to marriage, others to celibacy and others perhaps to monogamous same-sex unions, each honoured – as with our callings to ordained or lay ministry?

Whatever happens, we can pray that the debate proceeds like this conference; constructively, respectfully and with deep respect for biblical truth and Christian love.

The talks and papers from the conference can be found online: http://www.theologyhouse.ac.nz/marriage-conference-2013/

* Theology house is an independent charitable theology and ministry resource centre, it has strong links to the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch, with the Bishop being the Chair of the Board.

LIFESTYLE

CultureFILM / MUSIC / LITERATURE / WEB / FOOD / EVENTS

In 2010, Aaron Gillespie stepped out from behind the drum kit of Christian metalcore giants Underoath for the last time in an attempt to focus on his solo projects, most notably his rock project The Almost, for which he provided lead vocals and rhythm guitar.

After 11 years behind the drum kit of Underoath, gaining gold and platinum album successes, becoming his own man in the music industry and shaking the tag of just being “Underoath’s old drummer” was not going to be easy.

However, Gillespie has made large strides towards shaking this tag by releasing his third record with The Almost, ‘Fear Inside Our Bones’.

While the first two releases from The Almost seemed to pride themselves on poppy radio friendly hits, Gillespie and his band mates have produced a solid rock record that they can be proud of.

From the opening track and first single ‘Ghost’ to the closing ‘Lonely Boy’, ‘Fear Inside Our Bones’ is an album with a distinct groove to it and will see you tapping along to it on your steering wheel.

With this release Gillespie can hold his head high as he stands on his own two feet, making a mark in a whole new way in the Christian music scene.

PAULIE’S RATING 7/10

Tap Along on Your Steering Wheel Fear Inside Our Bones The AlmostWORDS: PAUL MCDONALD


CULTURE CLOSING ESSAY

Bearing Fruit in MissionOllie Alexander reflects on his journey in faith since returning from the 2012 Haerenga Internship.

WORDS & PHOTO: OLLIE ALEXANDER

“Slow down Ollie, spend some time with Him and together we’ll be fruitful again, not just busy.”

Faith Inside and Outside the ChurchIs God still an Englishman? How Britain lost its faith (but found new soul), By Cole Moreton, Published by Hachette Digital

WORDS & PHOTO: FIONA SUMMERFIELD

The title of this book comes from the George Bernard Shaw quote, “The ordinary Britisher imagines that God is an Englishman.” Cole Moreton sets recent events and societal changes against the story of his own faith. The book is superbly written and quite a page turner. It also has neat quirks such as most of the chapter titles are from songs that were popular in the year detailed in that particular chapter.The book is primarily about the Anglican Church in England and while the Anglican Church in Aotearoa is different, especially in the role it plays alongside the state, many of the influences on Cole’s faith have reached New Zealand shores. If you were part of the church from the early 1980s onwards, there is a lot in this book you will recognise. There is also much to learn about and from the history of the Anglican Church in England.Cole is very open about his faith experiences, letting the reader make their own decisions about how to interpret what he encountered. The book describes how his faith has changed through the years and what influenced those changes.This book is thoroughly worth reading, providing some challenging ideas on the future of faith. The book can be purchased as an e-book from Amazon for only US$10. It is also available in paper form.

If you ever get to stay a few nights in a Fijian village then you’ll be sure to experience a stomach full of starchy cassava. Cassava may not be the tastiest vegetable in town, but you’ll find plantations of it scattered in jungles and coating the hills. If there’s dirt, you can plant it there, and it will be sure to grow. Simply take an old cassava stalk, stick it in the ground the right way up and within ten months a chunky white root will be ready for boiling.

This journey from being a stick in the ground to having big nutritious roots is one way to describe my ten months on the 2012 NZCMS Haerenga Internship.

I’ve been called a stick a few times before (being the skinny kid on the rugby field), but in my spiritual life I yearned for these deeper roots to hold me firm. Too many times I had sprouted up at some Christian event and withered away after returning home. This illustration came up the other day in Alpha as we read through The Parable of the Sower in Mark 4. Together we talked about the plant we would like to become and the type soil we would need in our life - one fertilised with prayer, scripture and fellowship.

Looking back at the four months I spent at Laidlaw Bible College and the following six in Fiji, I realise what rich soil I was placed in. I was immersed in God’s Word and had a Christian community to support me, to pray with and to help me grow my roots and faith in Christ. Jesus says ‘If anyone remains in me and I in them, they will bear much fruit’ and to me this sums up the term Christ Centred Mission. It is our mission to grow in Christ and He will produce the fruit in our lives, fruit that will feed us, and others, as we head out and make disciples.

By the end of the internship I felt I had grown some big cassava roots in my faith, and because of that God used my team and me to touch the lives of others. Since leaving Fiji it has been an on-going journey to re-establish these roots in New Zealand soil. A few months after returning to NZ, I found myself having a mini breakdown, feeling as though I wasn’t achieving enough for

Christ. Many of the spiritual rhythms I cherished in Fiji seemed lost and parts of my life I had buried were finding their way to the surface. At that point God clearly showed me the passage of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. He simply reminded me to slow down Ollie, spend some time with Him and together we’ll be fruitful again, not just busy!

As God remains faithful and leads us into new opportunities, I look forward to the day that our land, towns and cities are scattered with plants rooted in the love of Christ.

Phone 03 389 7999Ferry Park Chapel, 297 Ferry Road

Christchurchwww.belllambtrotter.co.nz

BELL, LAMB & TROTTERFUNERAL DIRECTOR LIMITED

Suzanne & Ian BellCanterbury owned and operated since 1872

anglican life oct/nov 2013

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