Tēnā koutou katoa ~ We Welcome You.

A message from our Dean :

The proximity of this Sunday to Waitangi Day is echoed in our services on Sunday 5th February; through the hymns; the singing of the Lord's Prayer in Te Reo Maori; and through the blessing of our Gospel reading in particular, as this Sunday begins a weekly series of readings which tell of the wonderful works of healing of Jesus.

So often the lectionary content is so full of the Holy Spirit's work (the lectionary is the collection of readings set for the year). I was most struck by this as we begin to plan for a special service of prayer on Wednesday 22nd February at 12.30pm. On that day we will gather to remember the Christchurch earthquake that struck at 12:51pm last year.

Please join us that day in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Canterbury. We will be blacking out the Cathedral windows and conducting part of the service in darkness, remembering the times of fear there have been, and continue to be; identifying with the times when there is no electricity.... and that Christmas night services were held outside by torchlight. Those who have a torch with them on the 22nd will be able to read the prayers at that point in the service (but there is a catch - the request of a $5+ donation towards our Christchurch Appeal!)

In preparing for this service, then, I was deeply moved to open the reading of the day from the book of Daniel : "Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, and for your own sake, Lord, let your face shine upon your desolated sanctuary.Incline your ear, O my God, and hear. Open your eyes and look at our desolation and the city that bears your name. We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act and do not delay! For your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people bear your name!’" Amen indeed.

I am delighted to share the news that, through the grace of God, a Youth Ministry Enabler has been appointed to serve at Taranaki Cathedral and for the Taranaki Bishopric. Karen Teo - who has experience as a social worker, in youth ministry, and is a person of prayer and faith - has accepted a calling to this new role. Please follow this link for more information. You can contact Karen on : youth@taranakicathedral.org.nz

With aroha,

Jamie

Thought For The Month

PAYING ATTENTION

Learning to pay attention to God's presence and leading in the flow of our days is the foundation of a life of prayer. Our spiritual life will be no deeper than our capacity to pay attention. And our capacity to pay attention to God will be no greater than our capacity for and practice of paying attention to that which is within and beyond our self in the present moment.

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Events

• 11Feb

  Quiet Morning
  “God is both Present and Gift”   9.30 am to mid-day   SATURDAY February 11th 2012   AT   Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary  NEW PLYMOUTH   conducted by   Mary Harker   Everyone welcome. Bring Bible, writing materials,  koha,...
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