December I 2020 I January — February I 2021 I Issue 68
Supporting Families Let’s support and strengthen whanau / family. Some of our best church experiences occur when we feel church is one of the families we belong to: church as whanau. Families are very significant for churches. From our whanau come our children, our youth, our young adults. When we strengthen and support our church families we help mums and dads, grandparents and caregivers to bring their young ones up in the faith. When we disciple our children we build the church of the present and the future.
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Supporting Families Contents
A Baa–rilliant Adventure
Hope out of Loss
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Vocatio Faith Community Finishes Year Positively
A Mission–Shaped Church
The Bishop’s Message
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On COVID, Christmas, Kith and Kin
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Cathedral Concept Design
Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Activities
Global Mission Partners Hope out of Loss
Theological Thoughts
In Brief
2 God with our Whanau this Advent 2 3 Ignition 3 A Mission–Shaped Church
A Baa-rilliant Adventure Congratulations St David’s 1 year old already! Changes to the Magazine
Our Story
Vocatio Faith Community Finishes Year Positively When I Was Hungry… Cathedral Concept Design Good Old–Fashioned Kindness Family Feuds When Christmas Hurts
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Arts
A Christmas Conversation
4 Hope, Peace, Joy and Love 5 6 Harakeke 10 Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Activities 12 14 Prayer Prayer for Families this Christmas
Cover Image — Christmas Angel, four-year-old Thea, taking part in the 2019 Burnside-Harewood Parish Pageant. Cedit — Jo Bean
AnglicanLife is published bi-monthly by the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch Editor — Jo Bean — editor@anglicanlife.org.nz Design — Leisa Jamieson — jamiesonmessage@icloud.com Contributing Writers — Jo Bean, Edwin Boyce, CMS, Rev’d Joshua Moore, Annemarie Mora, Liz Orr, Ross Seagar, Chris Shearer, Gillian Southey, Strandz, Rev’d Joshua Taylor, Rev’d Jenny Wilkens.
Advertising Enquiries — Jo Bean — editor@anglicanlife.org.nz Printed by — Blueprint Media Print Sustainability — AnglicanLife is printed on sustainably produced paper using vegetable-based inks
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On COVID, Christmas, Kith and Kin I have never known a year like 2020 in which many of us struggle to remember what happened in January-February (Pre-COVID times seem like ancient history) and most of us harbour the delusion that if only we can make it to 1 January 2021 everything will suddenly become better. It won’t! But we do pray that sometime in the course of 2021, a vaccine against the virus will be approved and distributed equitably around the world. I have never known a year like 2020 as Although we have used words like a New Zealander in which our direct “bubble” and “team” to describe experience of Government care and the small and large groups we have protection for the health of its citizens— belonged to in the fight against the virus, essentially we have discovered the all of us—has been exemplary, our Prime importance of being family—reaching Minister so outstanding (and all our Prime Ministers have been exceptional out to care for one another, working people) and (until the time of writing in together to protect each other. No one late October), so few rugby tests. Yes, defeats a virus like COVID-19 by fighting there will be economic consequences in it alone. years to come, but we have been well led, especially in comparison to many other At Christmas we read, dramatize and countries around the world which (again, sing the wonderful story of the Messiah as I write) seem not to know what to do born among us in order to save us from to get on top of the Pandemic. the virus of sin. We see this vulnerable baby born into a family, the Holy Family Our situation has been such that it of Mary and Joseph who form a united seems perfectly sensible to talk about team to both nurture and protect him. Prime Minister Jacinda as the leader The latter required because there is who has saved us. Indeed, in the days enmity against him from the beginning preceding the General Election we of his life. could have been in the time of Jesus in Palestine as people flocked to be part of the crowds following Jacinda, celebrating her as a messianic figure as she journeyed through our communities spreading her message of kindness.
At Christmas many of us (but I acknowledge not all of us) have opportunity to gather as families, to celebrate the Messiah’s birth together, to recount the trials and tribulations of the year past, and to celebrate the moments of joy and achievement that have punctuated the strangeness of this year. As we enjoy the strength which comes from being together around one table of familiar fellowship, may we find encouragement to enter 2021 with hope in God’s power to save us and renewed thanksgiving for God blessing us through the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Christmas at The Transitional Cathedral, Latimer Square
Full details of all services at www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz | admin@christchurchcathedral.co.nz | (03) 3660046 Tuesday 15 December: 12.45pm Choristers Carol Recital 6.00pm Cathedral Chorister recital held at The Piano Sunday 20 December: 7:00pm Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with music by the Cathedral Choir Tuesday 22 December 3:00pm The Children’s Nativity Service with Animals Thursday 24 December ~The Eve and Vigil of Christmas 6:00pm Christmas Carol Recital by the Cathedral Choir 10:15pm Carol Singing by candlelight 11:00pm The Midnight Mass Friday 25 December ~ Christmas Day 8:00am Holy Eucharist with Carols 10:00am Festival Eucharist Music: The Cathedral Choir 5:00pm Festal Evensong Music: The Gentlemen of the Cathedral Choir
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In Brief
A Baa–rilliant Adventure ‘A Baa–rilliant Adventure’ By Jennifer Somervell, illustrated by Zerika van Jaarsveld, Published by Landing Lights Press (2020). This is a dramatic kiwi animal adventure with the charm of ‘Footrot Flats’ blended into the Christmas Nativity setting. It even has a superhero—the ‘Good Shepherd’. This Baa-rilliant Book was conceived after a trip to Israel, by local author, Jennifer Somervell, who wanted to increase the Christ presence in Christmas. However, she waited five years for the right illustrator—and it was worth the wait. The book is a great ‘read aloud’ story with rich language while the illustrations are glossy, gorgeous and engaging, helping the characters and animals to come to life. The twist in the Nativity story comes when three sheep, delightfully called Rumbly, Tumbly and Woolly, visit the Baby Jesus… But No—you’ll need to read it to find out! Suffice it to say that it’s certainly a ram-bunctious adventure with, thankfully, a happy ending, despite the green-eyed hungry wolves and their gleaming gnashers!!
Bishop Peter Carrell, who reviewed the book, enjoyed both the adventure story and the “second blessing” in the back half of the book. Written by Anglican parishioner Ken Fletcher, the handy guide to the history behind the real nativity story is a genuine bonus. “Everything the reader needs to know about the life and times of sheep and shepherds when Jesus was born is provided in this concise, illustrated guide,” says Peter.
series (her sister Margery Fern was the illustrator). Jennifer lives in Oxford with her husband Ken Fletcher, and both are Christians. Jennifer attends Oxford Baptist Church and Ken the OxfordCust Anglican Parish. More information about the author can be found here: www.read-nz.org
A Baa–rilliant Christmas Gift Why not start conversations about what Christmas is really about—you can purchase the book from Paper Plus or online from the Landing Lights Publisher or the author’s website: www. talesfromthefarmpublications.com Author Jennifer Somervell used writing to help her get through cancer treatment. She has published five books in the award-winning Tales From The Farm
In Brief | Words — Jo Bean
Congratulations St David’s Congratulations go to St David’s Church on Main North Road in Belfast (part of the Northwest Christchurch parish). Thanks to two generous grants (a Heritage Incentive Grant (CCC) and a Lotteries Environment and Heritage Committee Grant) and other donations from AAW and parishioners, the church has been extensively refurbished. Designed in the early Arts and Crafts style by architect Samuel Hurst Seager, and built in 1903, St David’s is an appealing wooden church with a Category 2 Heritage listing. The refurbishment project included
repairs to the boards; repainting exterior and roof; cleaning/oiling interior wood; new altar rails; new carpet; new lighting, heating and updated technology.The font loaned to St Thomas’s in Fendalton in 1945 has been returned and rededicated.
Parishioner Anne McMaster is thrilled that the parish can now enjoy the better facilities. “After several years in the making, it is wonderful to celebrate the completion of the refurbishment and also the re-opening of St David’s. It is our hope that as we reach out into the wider community, people will come to faith, and have a sense of belonging in this special place”. Vicar Joanne Latham is both delighted and grateful. “We look forward to it being a light in our community for many years to come.”
St David’s Church refurbished exterior (right) and interior (above). Credit: supplied.
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In Brief | Words — Ross Seagar, Office Manager, CPT
The Northwest Christchurch Parish includes St Silas’ Church in Redwood and St David’s Church in Belfast. They also hold community services in Bishopdale.
1 year old already!
In Brief
“Praise the Lord for his faithfulness, goodness, wisdom and guidance over the last year. We are excited to see what He has for us moving forward.” Head Teacher Liz Orr
What a year! What a wonderful Community! St Peter’s Anglican Bi-lingual Preschool came into being just over one year ago—how amazing is that! On Friday 9 October 2020 they celebrated in style by combining their 1st birthday with a Chinese Mid-Autumn festival. Eighty people (big and small) gathered to join the festivities with games, craft, performances and a wonderful shared meal. We were very blessed to have our local MP Megan Woods and local Council representatives Helen Broughton and Gamal Fouda (and his four-year-old daughter) attend the party.
and a 21st century version of ‘Jesus loves me’ sung in English. The older children made the beautiful icing decorations for our Birthday cake. "The preschool is a dream come true. It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate a year. To gather as many cultures and languages and to give thanks for all the blessings of having the preschool families as part of our church family,” says Vicar Nick Mountford. Above: The children and teachers performing their own special version of the Lord’s prayer at the party. Credit: Supplied
Some highlights include the children’s dramatisation of ‘the Big Turnip’ story and two songs in Mandarin; our version of the Lord’s Prayer
Left: The centre’s 1st birthday cake—the older children helped with the icing decorations. Credit: Supplied
In Brief | Words — Liz Orr, Head Teacher, St Peter’s Anglican Preschool
Changes to the Magazine “The only constant in life is change,” the ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, pointed out. Smart man. Post-COVID-19, the changes our society is facing are constant. Here is another change to note: This Advent/ Christmas/ Epiphany edition will be the last of the bi-monthly schedule. For a variety of reasons, including a desire to slowly but surely move to a primarily digital platform, we will now deliver a printed magazine once per quarter. Broadly speaking the magazine will come out seasonally, in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Bishop Peter’s three key actions for Regeneration will still be featured: Making Disciples, Supporting Families, and Enriching our Communities, coupled with a fourth theme “Celebrating Life”.
Digital Readers Did you know that the magazine is already online in full? You can download the PDF from our website, or you can visit ‘issuu’ online magazine portal and flip through the pages there instead. We also put each story, one by one, up on our Facebook page so people can share them.
Those who prefer hard copy, please don’t worry, as this printed edition will continue, but instead of six magazines a year, there will now be four.
Has your parish got something to contribute? Anyone with articles, photos, book reviews, kids activities, opinion pieces, or ideas for the magazine, especially stories in line with the four themes, please contact the Editor on www.editor@anglicanlife.org.nz
Many Thanks! ✔ Thanks to all who continue to give feedback on the magazine —it’s great to hear from you. ✔ For those of you who continue to use this magazine as a community outreach, who contribute stories and/or advertise—thank you for your missional stewardship and support of the Christchurch Anglican Diocese.
In Brief | Words — Jo Bean
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Vocatio Faith Community Finishes Year Positively Last Labour weekend 70 or so young adults and leaders of the Vocatio community crammed trailers full of food and gear, jumped into vans, and headed for the mountains for a three-day retreat at the Peel Forest Eco-Monastery.
Our Story
After a disrupted year, this was to be the last retreat of the year for Vocatio— an experimental faith community run by Spanky Moore and in its third year. What is Vocatio? It’s a community of young adults who’ve disengaged with church or faith, but who have committed to journeying together for a year to explore vocation, emotional health and contemplative spirituality. This final retreat for 2020 (Vocatio has three over the course of a year) was to specifically explore the area of vocation and personal calling, and a chance to finish off a challenging year on a positive note taking full advantage of the warmer weather. The retreat was framed around a number of key workshop sessions— all of which wrestled with different approaches to the question “What might it look like to have faith and to follow my calling if I struggle to feel accepted in the Church as I am?”
Alistair Mackenzie, a Christchurch based but internationally regarded expert in faith and work (www.faithatwork. org.nz), took a number of workshops exploring the art of discerning vocation and identifying our values. Meanwhile, Doug McNeil (Bi-Cultural team member, South West Baptist) offered workshops exploring the challenges and perspectives of integrating Christian faith from a Te Ao Maori worldview, and artist Pete Majendie offered vivid sessions on the ability for art to move people around issues of justice and faith (www.sidedoor.org.nz) Over the course of the retreat we also shared morning and evening prayer together, experienced a breathtaking forest concert by lantern-light from two of Vocatio’s musicians who had just released albums, broom was cleared and native trees planted as a way of re-creating the whenua of Peel Forest,
a baby was baptized, over 45 one-onone spiritual directions occurred, and it finished with a shared Eucharist. “The retreat was a welcome pause” says Chris, one of the ‘Vocats’. “A chance to breathe in the stillness of Peel Forest and enjoy the company of our whanau. I’ll never forget Pete Majendie's extravagant and moving communion.” “For me this retreat was really special” shares Naomi, another ‘Vocat’. “I think it solidified the trust and friendship that I’ve found in this motley group of humans over the past few years. I loved engaging in korero with people older than us, hearing their wisdom, and being able to share openly and honestly about our perspectives, fears and hopes.”
The mysterious, ambiance-filled, late-night, lantern-lit Forest Concert was held deep within Peel Forest. Credit: Naomi Haussmann nayhauss.co.nz
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Our Story | Words — Rev’d Joshua “Spanky” Moore
Rev’d Joshua “Spanky” Moore is a Chaplain at the University of Canterbury, and the Diocesan Young Adults Ministry Developer. Using skills he developed as a former radio breakfast host, he currently co-hosts an ongoing podcast series called “21 Elephants” with his mate Scottie Reeve. Spanky is also a monasticism/retreat enthusiast and often takes time out to share this joy with others. Spanky is married to Sara and they have three children (two boys and a girl). You can contact Spanky on youngadults@anglicanlife. org.nz
When I Was Hungry…
The focus on food revisits the beginnings of CWS which started when Archbishop West Watson launched the first Christmas Appeal in 1945. He invited support for the “million in the east and the west, who are hungry, cold, and homeless”. Funds raised assisted a team of New Zealanders to go to Greece to provide medical and other help for people who had provided hospitality to New Zealand troops during World War II. Now in its 75th year, the Christmas Appeal is to raise money for people affected by COVID-19 and the loss of livelihoods. Its particular focus is on Fiji and Sri Lanka. For years Surendira (from Sri Lanka) toiled on her small plot of land, growing vegetables and caring for a few goats. With a lot of hard work and the little extra money her husband sometimes earned as a day labourer she could feed her three children. When a herd of wild boar moved into the neighbourhood, the tables tipped. She lost crop after crop, and hunger became more common. A mushroom business she established failed to get approval. Desperate for
Our Story
In this year’s Christmas Appeal ‘When I was Hungry’, Christian World Service (CWS) reminds us that one of the marks of a Christian is our concern for people who do not have enough to eat. CWS was set up by New Zealand churches as an expression of the work of diakonia or loving service to others, a way to make visible God’s love for every person. work, she became a tea picker on a neighbouring tea plantation, but the sector pays the lowest wages. When the tea is ready, she joins other women deftly picking the two new leaves and placing them in a bag on her back. The pay is poor—something CWS partners are campaigning to improve along with living conditions—so if she is lucky, she earns $74 a month for 20 days work. Her dream is to restart her mushroom business but she will need training. By supporting this year’s Christmas Appeal, you can show God’s love for our world where hunger is increasing. CWS alongside partner agency MONLAR (the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform) focuses on the needs of small farmers, teaching regenerative techniques and campaigning for improved wages and living conditions for workers. Please donate to this year’s appeal so more people have food today and every day.
When I was
hungry... Help families struggling to feed their children especially in this pandemic
donate now christmasappeal.org.nz
More information is available: www.christmasappeal.org.nz
Our Story | Words — Gillian Southey, CWS
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Cathedral Concept Design— Fly Through Video Inspires Project Vision
Our Story
To reinstate Christ Church Cathedral, this Whare Karakia Nui, to the glory of God, as an awe-inspiring symbol of life, regeneration and healing, and as a testament to what can be achieved by people working together.
Did you watch the concept design fly through video on Facebook or vimeo? No? go to www.anglicanlife.org.nz and click on the ‘Rejoice’ image. Yes? Inspiring, wasn’t it! The Concept Design for the reinstatement of Christ Church Cathedral, released alongside the flythrough video on 22 October, has given us the first real glimpse of what we will see, hear, feel and experience when the reinstatement is complete. It’s exciting! How will it work? The Cathedral will look very similar, retaining many heritage features, but it will be flanked by new buildings and complementary landscaping to make up the Cathedral Quarter. This will help ensure the Cathedral can be used to its full potential in the near future and into the next century.
To find out more, or sign up for the Reinstate Christ Church Cathedral newsletter, visit www.reinstate.org.nz
What are the key changes?
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Small changes will make the western porch more open and welcoming, but still mostly follow the original design and materials. It will be slightly deeper so it can accommodate more people. Adding a skylight and deeper windows will allow in more natural light. The new vestries, (replacing the 1960s versions), will be built in the same palate of materials as the Cathedral itself, matching the Cathedral roof form. The north vestry will be a first-class rehearsal and library space for the Cathedral Choir. The south vestry will provide space for clergy, vergers and servers to assemble and robe before services, with the first floor reserved as the plant room. The plan is for the organ to be removed, overhauled and reconfigured to improve its performance. The reinstated Cathedral will be more adaptable internally for various sized groups and activities. The overall seating plans will be more flexible so they can adapt to the needs of the service. A section of the central Crossing floor (between the congregation and the altar) can be raised or lowered to improve lines of sight depending on the kind of service or event. Modern, efficient underfloor heating will make the Cathedral more comfortable. The much-loved Tower will be rebuilt in its original position and be very similar in outward appearance to its predecessor. It will be a working belfry, and a new lift will get those less mobile to both the belfry viewing platform and the lower courtyard. A new Visitors’ Centre will be added with a café at ground level, and retail and museum space below ground, which opens into the lowered courtyard. The museum will provide opportunities for visitors to learn about the history of the Cathedral, to view important artefacts, and purchase mementoes at the gift shop.
Our Story | Words — Annemarie Mora, CCRL
Our Story
Hospitality after a service or overflow from a large service or function can be accommodated here. Credit: CCRL
The north vestry is primarily a rehearsal space for the choir but with the added potential to be used for other purposes. It has a separate access which doesn’t require users to go through the Cathedral. Credit: CCRL
Our Story | Words — Words Annemarie Mora CCRL
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Cathedral Concept Design— Fly Through Video Inspires
Our Story The internal space will be more flexible, with improved acoustics, and modern, efficient underfloor heating. Credit: CCRL
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Our Story | Words — Annemarie Mora, CCRL
Our Story
A vibrant, functioning Cathedral Quarter will contribute much needed life and social and economic stimulus to the Square and wider central city. Credit: CCRL
Our Story | Words — Words Annemarie Mora CCRL
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Good Old–Fashioned Kindness Teaching kids kindness is a job that all parents, and teachers strive to achieve. But is it only for kids? I believe that kindness is an integral part of life as an adult that is often misdiagnosed as softness or weakness in society. Adults are not exempt from being required to be kind. In fact, being kind is one way we imitate Christ. Our Story
I remember at Sunday School in the 70s, we had a particular set of stickers that were Bees, that reminded us of the different fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, kindness etc. They said ‘Bee Loving’, or ‘Bee kind’. Recently the Bee Kind images have returned to pop culture. I found these ones, not the same as the old one, but very similar. So why does being kind matter, why is it not just for kids, and how can we be kind at home, church and in our communities?
The dictionary defines kindness as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Wiki says, kindness is a type of behaviour marked by acts of generosity, consideration, or concern for others, without having an expectation of praise or reward. And of course it’s very Biblical. Ephesians 4:32 says: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” True kindness, biblical style, is an attitude of the heart and part of a Christ-like character. So it seems weird to me that in our increasingly secular society, the spiritual fruit of Kindness, is making a comeback. Throughout the lockdown, our leaders were urging us to be kind to each other. It seems that Biblical principles are not so out-dated after all.
An adult demonstrating or modelling kindness at home helps our children to see it in action, and copy our behaviour. When a couple first marries, being kind and thoughtful can be easy. We genuinely want the best for our partner and think of ways to show it and say it. Five to ten years down the track, it’s harder to keep up. But being kind to your significant other is an important characteristic of a healthy marriage. When teaching our children to interact with others, we often say, “be kind”. Sharing and putting others before ourselves is a hard lesson to learn for adults, let alone children!
BLUEPRINT more than ink on paper.
To be fair, there are many ways we can be kind to one another, but I’m going to focus on how an adult can be kind to children. These could be your children, your grandchildren, the neighbour’s children, or your church family children. The list below is just a few ideas I have gathered together that might spark some inspiration for you.
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Stoop to their level. When a child is talking to you, try bending down so the two of you can see eye to eye. It shows your child that you are truly listening which makes them feel like their voice matters. If you can’t squat or stoop, use a stool.
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Our Story | Words — Jo Bean
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you were gentle with your brother just now” help your child to identify the positive behaviours that you would like to reinforce. There’s a great website if you want to investigate that: www.imom. com/10-compliments-your-kids-needto-hear
3. Take an interest. When a child wants 6. to show us things they have made or
drawn, and explain them in great detail, it’s tempting to cut them short because we’re not so interested or have other things to do. But if explaining what they have made in detail, for example a lego creation, is important to your child, then sitting on the floor with them, listening and asking questions, shows the child they are a valued and important part of the family. You may not like lego, but if they do, taking time to listen is important.
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Learn a child’s love language. Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages book was a revelation to me. It explained a lot about unintended conflict in relationships. And with over 12 million copies sold of the book, I’m obviously not the only one it affected. There is a special edition for kids too called: The Five Love Languages of Children. It helps you identify your child’s primary love language so you can speak to them using it. I’m sure many of you are familiar with it. If not, try this website where you can take a quiz and identify the languages your child may be operating in: www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/ child-quiz.
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Compliment their character not their appearance. I became aware that I often told my daughter she was beautiful when I meant she was kind, loving, or gentle. Words like adorable, cute, and gorgeous are fine, but it’s also good to get into a habit of identifying the behaviour you wish to compliment. Phrases like, “I appreciate the way
Catch them doing good. It takes discipline and time to develop this ability, for as parents we can easily slip into the pattern of ignoring the good behaviour and instead, highlighting the bad. Pick me for falling down on this one as a mum! The children might have been quietly playing for 10 or more minutes but only when that stopped and arguments broke out would I pay them attention. But catching them doing good is also a game-changer. Reward the unseen kindness. Sometimes we realise a child has tidied, picked some flowers for you, or brought you a picture they drew. It might also help to have a family catchup every now and then where you identify one thing someone did without being asked, or did for someone else, or helped someone to do, where kindness was shown with no expectation of reward. Display their creations/ artwork. You may have a special wall, display frames or corkboard to hang the work, but pinning it up lets your child know they are valued. It demonstrates that what they do is important to us. Of course, the 100s of drawings that come home each week can be a challenge. But keeping the best of them for wrapping paper, to put on a mug or calendar for Christmas or to scrapbook for their 21st or a keepsake is also
fun. Other ways of displaying artwork can be found here www.atlantaparent. com/display-kids-artwork Of course, there are many ways to show kindness, and not just within the home. We can mow a neighbour’s berm, bring in their rubbish bins, take a friend flowers, baking or any acts of kindness you can think of. The point is to consider others, act kindly, and call out kind behaviours in your family so that kindness is a quality you and your family strive for.
Our Story
Put down your phone. Giving a child undivided attention also helps to reinforce that they are important to you. One mum reportedly shuts off her phone for two hours once her kids get home from school so she’s not tempted to shift her attention.
So, let’s “try a little kindness” as Glen advised back in ’69, take full advantage of the current kindness trend, and really show that to be kind, is to be Christ to the world.
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Resources: www.atlantaparent.com/ways-to-be-kind-to-your-child www.desiringgod.org/articles/kindness-changes-everything www.faithfulmotherhood.com/teach-kidsvkindness www.gcu.edu/blog/spiritual-life/weekly-devotional-fruit-spirit-kindness www.inspirekindness.com/blog/kindness-quotes-from-the-bible www.imom.com/10-compliments-your-kids-need-to-hear www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/child-quiz
Our Story | Words — Jo Bean
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Family Feuds Families! Who’d ‘ave ‘em?!
Our Story
Families are a gift from God. They can also be the best and worst of places to grow up in! Some of us will have good memories, some not so good, while most, in my experience, have a mixture of both. As members of a family we are all human after all. I grew up the youngest in a family of four children. My two older brothers could never work out why they had to do the breakfast dishes, while I was ‘allowed’ to do my piano practice. I could never convince them that scales were not that exciting early in the morning! My mother would say that she loved all us four children dearly, but there were some terrible combinations! I can recall we took turns staying at our uncle’s farm as children, and I was mystified by why it was children 1 and 3, or 2 and 4 that would get to stay on the farm, but not 1 and 2, or 3 and 4. Now I see the wisdom of it! Families are crucibles where we learn to share and get along with others, to teach us we can’t have the world going our way all the time, and to learn how to negotiate and compromise, to give and take. Families are where we learn how to work through conflict, how to say sorry, and how to forgive and begin again, over and over again.
I wonder if any of you as children, like me, often heard the adage “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”? I’m sure I said many words that I shouldn’t have! As an adult, I find this prayer useful: “Lord, put your arm round my shoulder, and your hand over my mouth”!
But ‘don’t say anything at all’ can become a requirement of silence in a family, and we come to believe that harmony, or an illusion of harmony, is the most important thing. We don’t feel able to speak up to say when feelings are hurt, to express those feelings, to sort out misunderstandings and come to a place of reconciliation and move on. That can mean that hurts get buried and fester, that communication ceases, distance grows, relationships break down, and the consequences can remain for years, even generations. Now let’s talk about the church family— you may recall the joke that “Church would be all right, if it wasn’t for all the people!” Sometimes it feels like that, and church might be easier if we were just a bunch of individuals, each coming to worship God in our own little cubicle, but that is not what we are called to be. I sometimes hear stories of people who have stopped being part of church for a myriad of reasons. It might have been that they were annoyed by something one day, or upset by someone, maybe by one of us clergy, perhaps unwittingly. You may know of someone for whom that is the case, and you might like to get in touch with them, listen to them, and invite them to come back to church with you, to meet and talk through their concerns with leadership, so that we and they can be reconciled, begin again and move on together.
Sibling rivalry rears its head very early in the Bible. Families are a refiner’s fire to help us learn how to get along. Credit: Michael Smither
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Our Story | Words — Rev’d Jenny Wilkens
Matthew 18:15-17 “And if your brother sins, go and reprove hime in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But, if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two ro three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer.” God’s purpose, in His conflict resolution plan, as set out in Matthew 18: 15-17 is a plan for gaining back a family member, not getting rid of them.
Perhaps someone you know is waiting or longing for that way back into fellowship, but feels too hurt or sheepish, proud or fearful to do it on their own. We can be that go-between, the one who walks along beside them, who is the bridgebuilder to renewed relationship within the church family. I wonder if Jesus’ instructions (Matt 18:15-17) on how to deal with conflicts in the church family challenge you, as they do me? “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” We’re often not that good in the church about resolving conflict, sorting things out with each other, keeping short accounts. When we feel upset or hurt by someone, we often resort to other tactics, consciously or unconsciously. Do any of these ring true for you? • We try to pretend nothing has happened, we carry on in public as if things are fine, but we bury our feelings, still rumbling away underneath, and end up behaving awkwardly in their presence. That leaves the other person trying to guess what is wrong, particularly if they’re not aware they’ve hurt or upset us.
• We can say nothing to the person who’s hurt us, but let our resentment and hurt rise up to the surface and leak out all over the place. We let it slip over coffee what’s happened, or tell people confidentially for prayer, we go everywhere else but to the person concerned to sort it out. • We feel so hurt that we just withdraw for a while, to lick our wounds. That can be the beginning of slipping away from church and fellowship. We decide it’s too hard to stay, but then it gets harder and harder to come back, and easier to stay away. C.S. Lewis in The Great Divorce allegory (1945) described hell as a vast, grey city, with people only living at the outer edges, with rows and rows of empty houses in the middle. The houses are empty because everyone who lived in them has quarrelled with their neighbours and moved, leaving empty streets and houses behind them. Everyone has chosen distance rather than the risk of sorting out conflict, and starting again. In Matthew 18 Jesus says that is not the way it is to be in the church family. Rather than putting distance between us, when we’ve been hurt by someone, Jesus asks us to go to them, just quietly one on one, and to talk about it. Tell them how we are feeling and what we think is wrong—and part of that is being willing to admit that we might be in the wrong, have been over-sensitive, or misinterpreted something said to us.
Sometimes we need to ask ourselves some tough questions—Have I given the other person the benefit of the doubt? What are my motives in going to talk with them? Am I doing it to make them feel bad, or do I really want the relationship restored? Am I focused on who’s right, and who’s wrong, or is the relationship more important? It can take a lifetime to learn that being right is less important than being in relationship. Jesus doesn’t seem that concerned about who is right or wrong; he just wants to get the family back in relationship again. How will I feel if someone comes to me, concerned about something I’ve said or done? How will I react? Will I bluster and defend myself, will I attack back? What if they bring another person with them who backs them up and also agrees I am in the wrong, will I pause and take this to heart, or will I get on my high horse, and accuse them of taking sides, and go off and find my own allies, and so escalate things into a split? Or what about this scenario: What if I enlist one or two to support me when I approach someone else about an upset, but then find that my supporters take their side, or agree that I have misunderstood things, or that the other person didn’t mean to upset me? What if they suggest a compromise, or a solution where we both have to give a bit? Will I be willing to do that? One last thought: How do we deal with Jesus’ saying, “If the offender won’t listen to you, or one or two others, or even the church, then treat them like a Gentile or tax collector” Are we let off the hook? Can we ignore them? No. Let’s remember that we hear in Matthew’s gospel over and over again about Jesus reaching out to those who are foreigners, outcasts, adulterers and tax-collectors. (Matthew himself was believed to be a tax-collector!) This is not a let-out clause.
Our Story
• We might give them the cold shoulder. We don’t actually tell them what is wrong but make it quite clear that we’re avoiding them, don’t want to be on the same roster with them, won’t pass the Peace to them, or we skirt round each other at morning tea. We want them to figure out how they’ve upset us, we’re not going to help them out!
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Our Story | Words — Rev’d Jenny Wilkens
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Jesus is saying we need to show as much love, care and mercy in reaching out and seeking to bring them back into the family as He did. Even if they’re the one who hurt you. Now there’s a challenge!
We can think this is just too costly, too hard, too much risk. But Jesus reminds us that earthly actions have heavenly consequences, and promises us that in those costly conversations where we
try to sort out the disagreements and hurts and upsets of normal church family life, he will be there with us, to strengthen, to heal, to reconcile, to unite. Thanks be to God.
Our Story
Rev’d Jenny Wilkens, Senior Associate Priest, Parish of Fendalton, and Diocesan Director of Ordination. Jenny grew up in a lively family of 6, we’re still talking! and has ministered in parishes in Christchurch, Nelson and Wellington Dioceses. Disclaimer: all scenarios above cannot be pinned down to any parish or person in particular! Image credit: Mandy Caudwell A prayer asking God to help us forgive others. Credit: Knowing-Jesus.com
Our Story | Words — Rev’d Jenny Wilkens
When Christmas Hurts Not feeling Merry and Bright this Christmas? The holiday season, celebrating Advent and Christmas, and family get-togethers can be hard for those whose hearts are hurting. Grief, pain and loss affects us all and the first time you approach celebrating a special occasion after that loss, can be very difficult indeed. Families may find it especially hard if the parents are sad but feel they have to put on a brave front for the children. It may also be that Christmas just isn’t a magical time—for some it can be a time of fear or deprivation. If you know someone who’s sad this Christmas, we’ve got a ministry to help with that.
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Our Story | Words — Jo Bean
In the northern hemisphere it’s called ‘The Longest Night’ but here in NZ, where our nights are short, it’s commonly called a ‘Blue Christmas’. Many parishes are now having a Blue service to provide a place for grief to be expressed and acknowledged. In these strange times of a global pandemic, we are all adjusting to change, loss of freedom, and an increase of fear, so this therapeutic practise may be what we all need this year. The service is gentle, contemplative, sometimes with candles and flowers, often with soothing music—anything that allows people time to remember and express their love and loss, and come away comforted. A Christmas service traditionally talks about Baby Jesus coming to dwell with us—Emmanuel. It’s about
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
a God of Love and Compassion who comes to us in our humanity, full of mess and pain, into our everyday lives, to bring us peace, forgiveness and hope. There’s no doubt that the world needs to hear this message of comfort now. A Blue service is about nurturing people and is ideal for inviting the non-churched in to a safe, quiet space. It can take some preparation and setup, but it’s worth it. What better time, than at Christmas, to invite the sad or lonely into an encounter with the hope that Jesus’ birth can bring. So let’s use this as an outreach this Christmas time, and invite friends, family and neighbours along to express their very real pain, but be encouraged to shift from loss to comfort and hope.
Want to talk about your grief and loss? South Canterbury: The Oceans Grief and Loss programme is a peer support short course for people of all ages run by our own Anglican Care service out of South Canterbury. Run in small groups with two trained facilitators, each person gets a chance to voice their grief and find ways to move forward. The programme is tailored to meet the individual needs of either children, teens or adults. The environment is safe and focuses on building on each person’s strengths and finding helpful ways for those grieving to adjust their relationship with the deceased while continuing to honour the love-bond itself. Note in 2021, they are hoping to offer some online courses via Zoom to help out those who may have travel or babysitter needs. www.anglicancare.org.nz/ oceans-grief-loss
Westland: During Advent a blue Christmas tree (literally blue) is set up in a café in Harihari and people are invited to write on cards to decorate the tree. Support services including grief counselling are available from Claire Robertson in Greymouth. www.westcoastpho.org.nz
Our Story
If you lost a Christian loved-one this year, “My First Christmas In Heaven” is a poem that may bring some comfort. It has been credited to Wanda Bencke.
Christchurch: The Seasons for Growth programme is also a peer support short course on grief and change run by Anglican Care Community Development in Christchurch. This programme is based on the “Good Grief” programme from Australia and can be done in a one-off seminar, a series of weekly sessions or an intensive retreat-style two-day course. It provides information on how to manage change in our lives, such as the loss of a loved one, job, property, marriage or as a result of illness, and focusses on practical steps to recovery, including better stress management, and personal growth. www.accd.org.nz/ community-activity/seasonsfor-growth
www.dianasdiaries.com
Blue Christmas resources available Clergy and laity interested in finding resources for a Blue Christmas service, please go to our website under resources and click on the Blue Christmas information there. It includes memorial activities, Scriptures, music, art ideas, and links to formats, websites and other resources.
Where can I find a Blue Christmas Service? When this magazine went to print it was a little early to have all the Blue Christmas Service dates and times. However, keep an eye on our website and Facebook pages as once we know who is having a Blue Christmas Service, we will post their details for you. Visit: www.anglicanlife.org.nz or www.facebook.com/AnglicanDioceseofChristchurch Our Story | Words — Jo Bean
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Hope out of Loss
Our contact in Pakistan says: “Thank you Christchurch Diocese! Your gifts are really making a difference. Through God’s wonderful provision the money raised will allow us to complete this current academic year (mid-2021). The students are very thankful, and are committed to using this opportunity to see changes in their lives and those of their families and communities.”
Harry (not his real name) recounts, “We didn’t eat for two days because there was no food and no way of cooking. We couldn’t sleep because there was nowhere to lie down; the water was too deep, higher than our charpais (string beds). In my village in this last month five people have died, including the two young children of my uncle.” Harry’s story makes me think of Job; it is a story of multiple losses, his family started with much less than Job yet hope and faith is still threaded through. After seven months in his village due to COVID-19-related school closures, Harry returned at the end of September to the hostel from where he studies and told his story. Harry’s family work as bonded labourers for a landlord in rural Sindh. Their village is in a saltmarsh area, on the edge of the Rann of Kutch (one of the largest salt deserts in the world). Conditions for agricultural labourers are precarious. Harry’s family live a very basic life in a mud and straw house. He is the first in his family to have an opportunity of education beyond elementary, he is currently a student at a Diocesan Boys’ Hostel.
Harry remembered the beginning of lockdown, when their village had wonderful vegetables ready for selling to the city markets, but due to the strict lockdown they were not allowed to transport them, so all were wasted. Then later the rains came and the rice crop was totally destroyed. The extreme rains of August then created huge floods, with their village so deep in water they had nowhere to sleep and no way of cooking. Later they were able to access some diesel, to help light the wet wood for their stoves for cooking. Barrels were cut and turned into impromptu boats for moving around.
Global Mission Partners
The big old tree in their village fell down on one house, trapping a family inside with bad injuries. There was no outside help, they had to cut away at the tree piece by piece till they could rescue the family. With the water everywhere there was no feed for the animals who also
became weak. The mosquitos were so big and bad this year that there was a lot of disease. In the evenings Harry said they couldn’t sit still, they had to keep moving around because the mozzies. In just the last month Harry said that five people of his village died, from health and hunger related issues. Animals have also died of hunger and disease. As Harry told of these events, and other challenges the community face my heart wept. Yet, in the midst of telling these events other stories slipped out. Over summer Harry had been gathering the children and teaching them about Jesus and how to pray, wanting to them to have faith foundations. Harry mentioned he set up a small class also, to teach the children. Harry also gathered families together and had an early marriage meeting with parents (most of his community expect to be married by 16). They talked
An evacuated village near Mirpurkhas, where the whole community had to migrate to higher ground. Credit: Supplied
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Global Mission Partners | Words — Our contact in Pakistan
together about the problems of early marriage, and how it is more helpful to learn and grow before marriage and taking on the responsibilities. One of Harry’s friends was about to get married, but after talking together he realised he wanted to wait, and the parents also realised it was better for their son to try to establish himself first. It became apparent that Harry had done many other education sessions with his community over summer. He said, “I always take a note book, and any trainings we were given (in the hostel) I write them down—all that I’ve learnt— then when I go to my village I pass it on to others.”
I am so humbled and challenged as I hear Harry’s story; in the midst of the intense difficulties of his family and village, Harry looked beyond himself and was helping others. Today, this year, life is unimaginably hard for Harry’s family and community. Yet, through what has been invested in Harry’s life, he is already making a difference for his
The Anglican Centre closes on Thursday 24 December 2020 and re-opens Monday 11 January 2021 These dates also apply to Church Property Trustees, Anglican Care Office, Theology House and Anglican Resource Centre.
Hostel boys with a charpai (woven string bed) and mosquito net. Credit: Supplied
family and village, spiritually, relationally and in other parts of life. He is strong in his faith and committed to do all he can with the opportunity given to him. When asked how hard it was to return to the hostel, Harry said it was difficult to leave his family, but he knows that this chance for education makes such a big difference for him and his family. Without this hostel education, families such as Harry’s young people in remote areas would have less chance to access learning and skill development opportunities. Skills that bring change into the lives of their families and communities.
Imagine fighting through the barriers of rural isolation, locusts, polio, poverty, a global pandemic and then, more ecently in September, extreme monsoon flooding. Despite the last seven months of disruption, the boys at the Mirpurkhas Diocesan Boys’ Hostel love to come to school to learn and to take their education back to their families and communities.
May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child.
Ray Pritchard.
Global Mission Partners | Words — Our contact in Pakistan
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Global Mission Partners
Harry reflected, “From the trainings there was a lot of change in my village. Before the young people were talking badly, they would use a loud voice with their elders, they were using drugs. After the trainings they are now more polite with others, and they have stopped using drugs. I encouraged all the children to study. One good thing about lockdown, was that drugs were not available, so everyone had to stop using drugs because they couldn’t get them. This also saved them from this bad habit!”
God with our Whanau this Advent This year, due to COVID we have experienced some new phrases— “social distancing” being one of the most memorable. During lockdown, we all experienced isolation in different degrees, but for all of us there was a sense of loss of presence. Being on Zoom with someone is better than nothing but it doesn’t hold a candle to real life presence. There is something deeply human about being in the same room and being able to embrace one another with a hug or a handshake.
Theological Thoughts
What we see in the Christmas story is a story of presence. The incarnation is about a God who is not socially distant but rather Emmanuel, God with us. Recently I read a fantastic book by the preacher and writer Skye Jethani. It’s called “With: Reimaging the Way You Relate to God.” 1 In this book Jethani explores five different postures or ways of relating to God: 1
1.
Life from God: “People in this category want God’s blessings, but they are not particularly interested in God himself”
2.
Life over God: “The mystery and wonder of the world is lost as God is abandoned in favour of proven formulas and controllable outcomes.”
3.
Life for God: “The most significant life … is the one expended accomplishing great things in God’s service”
4.
Life under God: “Sees God in simple cause-an-effect terms - we obey his commands, and he blesses our lives, our families, our nation”
5.
Life with God: Life with God is all about relationship. In Life with God, we do not seek to use God to achieve another goal. In life with God, God is the goal. God becomes our treasure and our desire.
Jethani insightfully names a variety of ways we can relate to God. Perhaps we treat God as a divine butler
(life from God), or maybe we treat God as irrelevant (life over God), or perhaps we just see God as an authoritative figure like Santa, who will bless us if we are good (life under God). Jethani advocates for “life with God” which we see expressed in God’s desire to be in relationship with us. This is why we have the Christmas story in the first place. God reaches out to humanity, to redeem us and reconcile us to Him through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The good news of the Gospel is that we are invited into life with God through the events that the New Testament narrates. So, I wonder if this Christmas we could focus on teaching children in our communities that what Christmas is all about is relationship with God. What if even better than that, we could invite children in our community to experience God with them as they join us in gathered worship and as they experience God’s love in tangible actions of love and caring on our part. May you know the joy and wonder of God with you as you celebrate Christmas this year.
With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God (2011) by Skye Jethan (Nelson Books USA).
Rev’d Joshua Taylor
The Taylor girls getting ready for the Christmas Eve Service at St John’s Timaru in 2019: Phoebe, Esther, Eve. Credit: Supplied
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Theological Thoughts
| Words — Rev’d Joshua Taylor, Timaru
Joshua Taylor is the Vicar of St John’s Anglican Church in Timaru. He's married to Jo with three daughters (Phoebe, Esther, and Eve) and together they’ve been exploring what it means to be a family on mission. In his spare time, he loves to spend his days off being mocked by fish whilst holding a fishing rod or playing in his pottery studio.
A Mission–Shaped Church Gardenvale’s Blueprint for the Brave. How do you grow your church and embed your church’s place in your community? Aging congregations and low attendance are something we are all grappling with in some shape or form. The cry that Anglican churches are inaccessible, unwelcoming and disconnected is also heard. Chris Shearer, a writer for the Anglican TMA wrote an article on the Gardenvale church, St Stephen’s, and the way the church, under Rev’d Paul Carr, has grown from small and aging to flourishing and imbedded into the community. Rev’d Carr took a fresh approach to ministry within the traditionallyminded parish. Instead of being “an old church building hidden behind some trees,” they became a vital part of the local community. He said parishes don’t have to be irrelevant to their neighbourhood, but they need to change their mind-set and take action. He advocates to hit the reset button. What is church? What do people want? “There was lots to do,” he said. Spiritually, numerically, and operationally. The parish undertook a full review of all plant, finance priorities, and mission. “It included as a priority seeking and defining the spiritual direction of the parish and people’s sense of call and engagement within it,” says Paul. The parish then created a new plan called “Towards 2030” which outlined immediate, shortand long-term changes that were needed for the parish to grow.
www.quotesgram.com
One focus was outreach and the church now runs a plethora of different groups like youth, alpha, prayer, and music groups and the like, alongside less traditional groups like cycling, a barista club and some alternate worship groups. As well, new community groups have taken up partnerships with the parish for the betterment of the community. These changes are bearing fruit for the parish and attendance, for example, has risen from less than 20 to regularly more than 80 in just over two years. “The old and new parishioners are blending well and their enthusiasm is infectious,” says Rev’d Carr. It seems an inspirational plan for growth for those not afraid to take up the challenge. And I love that Rev’d Carr says he didn’t do much really: “just watered, encouraged and re-framed a little.” Let’s bring it on?!!
Rev’d Carr’s Tips for revitalising a parish: • Don’t be afraid to challenge and change. • Keep the doors to the church OPEN as much as possible. • Be present in the community. • Don’t stick to hard and fast ritual at the expense of creativity and faith expression that is compassionate listening open and welcoming— but don’t deny tradition either. • Don’t tolerate poor behaviour. • Grow new leaders. • Encourage, encourage, encourage! • Be comfortable giving away control— if the priest takes a monopoly control of everything, this is poor management and leads to nil growth. • Listen to others, listen to the community. • Fail well! In other words, try something new and if it fails just learn why. Accept that you will never be all things to all people. • Accept that people fear change more than we realise but don’t let dissent dampen the direction of change. People may leave, but that’s ok too because change and trimming often brings new growth to the garden. • Remember that it’s God that does the conversion; we just create the spaces for people.
Source: This article in its original form (titled “Gardenvale Growth a Blueprint for Revitalisation” by Chris Shearer) was first published in The Melbourne Anglican Magazine (TMA) on 20 July 2020, page 5. You can read the full newspaper including this article online at www.issuu.com or visit the TMA website www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au St Stephen’s Church, Gardenvale, Melbourne, Australia is led by Rev’d Paul Carr. • www.ststephensgardenvale.org.au • www.facebook.com/ststephensgardenvale • www.vimeo.com/465235192 (This vimeo video is the Rev’d Carr talking about being the hands and feet of Christ in our neighbourhood) Ignition | Words — Jo Bean based on a TMA article by Chris Shearer (used with permission)
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Ignition
This was radical change that included a new ministry team, worship team, and a parish council where people’s roles, expectations, and responsibilities were clearly
outlined. Rev’d Carr believes that people need to be released and encouraged into a sense of mission vocation. He believes it helps people find a place and a purpose in their church life.
St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Gardenvale, Australia, is bravely transforming itself into a mission-shaped church. Credit: www.ststephensgardenvale.org.au
A Christmas Conversation Paul and Lynda were not great fans of pre-Christmas shopping, but today was slightly different as they wanted to buy a new set of nativity figures for their church. Brenda, and her friend Kate, in comparison to Paul and Lynda, loved the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping. Brenda, was Paul’s cousin, and she and Kate would visit all the malls and department stores in the city at Christmas just to immerse themselves into the experience. Little did any of them know that on this particular day that experience was going to be very different from any other. Brenda and Kate were visiting one of the larger department stores in the central business district. This store was wellknown for its Christmas shop that sold the greatest range of Christmas trees and baubles in the city. The shop was set out in little Christmas tree forests that displayed different themes of decorations. Some areas focused on the colour of the decorations, others on the latest children’s movie theme and others in the more traditional theme. Soft music played the well-known Christmas tunes and the aroma of the candles on sale made it easy for Brenda and Kate to feel that they had been transported to another world. This was the same store that Paul and Lynda were going to buy their nativity figures.
The nativity figures that the store sold were the best in the city but because they were not a popular item, they were displayed at the back of the Christmas shop. Brenda and Kate were not familiar with the true Christmas story as neither of them had ever attended church, so when they came across the nativity figures are the back of the shop they were intrigued as to what they represented. It was at this time Paul and Lynda arrived and overheard Brenda say to Kate, “I’m not sure, but I think the baby is Jesus.” “You are right,” said Paul taking both Brenda and Kate by surprise.
Arts
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Arts | Words — Edwin Boyce
| Image Credit — Alasdair Elmes/ Unsplash
“Hi Paul and Lynda. What are you doing here? I thought you didn’t like Christmas shopping?” asked Brenda. “We don’t, but we’ve come to buy some nativity figures for our church,” said Lynda. “We were just looking at these figures and trying to understand what they meant as we often see them in the shops,” said Kate. “You mean you don’t know that these figures represent what happened on that very first Christmas?” asked Paul. Brenda and Kate looked at each other, then at Paul and Lynda, and shook their heads.
“Well,” said Paul, “If you give us time to make this purchase then we will take you for a coffee in the café in the store and tell you about the very first Christmas and what it means to us and to you.” Brenda shrugged her shoulders, looked at Kate, who was doing the same and said, “Sure why not. I am always up for a free coffee.” After Paul and Lynda made their purchase of the nativity figures that met up with Brenda and Kate in the café and bought them coffee and told them about that first Christmas. “But why then do you have these nativity figures?” asked Kate. “The nativity scene is an attempt to place the emphasis of Christmas upon the worship of Christ rather than upon the secular materialism and gift giving.” said Lynda. “But these are not our words but the words of St Francis, a monk in the 14th century, who created the first nativity scene. However, his words are as applicable today as they were then, if not more so.”
Paul added, “Many people today don’t know the true significance of Christmas. They don’t know that over 2000 years ago a baby boy was born in a Bethlehem stable, the poorest of the poor. Yet during his life time he would say things that are so astonishing that millions of people are still living by them today.” “He said love your neighbour and forgive those who do you wrong. But more importantly we believe that he was the son of God who would be betrayed, rejected and brutally killed for simply telling us to love one another,” said Lynda. “Those who killed him thought that, that was that; that he was dead and gone,” said Paul. “ Yet 2000 years later here we are, half a world away from Bethlehem, in a city in New Zealand looking at a nativity scene that depicts the simplicity of his wondrous birth and preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus.”
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.” Isaiah 9:6 NLT and “A virgin will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’) Isaiah 7:14 NLT
“What a wonderful and moving story,” said Kate, “I don’t think I have ever heard it before, or at least not in that way.” “Neither have I,” said Brenda. “But it’s not a story; it’s a fact,” said Paul. “It’s our way of life. We follow, as best we can, the way that Jesus has taught us.” “On Christmas Eve night we will be holding a special service in our church to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Would you like to come along?” asked Lynda. And so it was that in all of the hustle and bustle of the preparation for Christmas that a simple nativity scene and a chance meeting brought two people closer to Jesus.
Arts
Arts | Words — Edwin Boyce
| Image Credit — Alasdair Elmes/ Unsplash
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HOPE
PEACE
Arts
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Arts
JOY
LOVE
Arts
Arts
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Harakeke
c e n t re d d Christ- for n fi l il w u tivities Here yo a s a r t ac um s Christm rkers, craf ty m t. o ’s w e ben Children e with a creativ ome h on and any m for your own e h t . e y k a a w M ea or to giv
ADVENT ACTIVITIES 1. Enjoy getting each person in your
family or class to make an Advent candle window decoration. www.kindercraze.com/stained-glasswindow-craft-christmas
3. Advent Prayer Station ideas for
a meditative service to help your family (or congregation) go deeper into Advent. www.buildfaith.org/ advent-prayer-stations
2. Make a “waiting for you” decoration that the kids can colour in and hang above their beds. www.looktohimandberadiant. com/2015/11/almost-advent.html
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES 4. Make a Stained Glass Nativity
Window: www.housingaforest.com/ stained-glass-nativity 5. Make Christmas decorations of Angels and Baby Jesus using paper plates. Angels and Baby Jesus using paper plates: www.ourpotluckfamily. com/christmas-craft-paper-plate-angel or www.afbtoday.blogspot.com/2011/12/ baby-jesus-ornament.html 6. Fun as gifts—cute Shepherd decorations with candy canes www.flamecreativekids.blogspot. com/2012/11/messy-christmasshepherd-craft.html
7. To give away to neighbours try this
edible Christmas Nativity scene www.gluesticksblog.com/honey-maidgraham-cracker-nativity-scene
8. Jesus is the Reason decoration
www.orientaltrading.com/ inspirational-christmas-tree-cross-signcraft-kit-a2-48_8527.fltr
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Harakeke
Harakeke
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES 9. to hand out to people at church
The meaning of Christmas baggies
www.peppermintplum.blogspot. com/2010/12/miniature-christmassymbols-kit.html
10. If you are keen to try something
slightly harder‌ watch this dotting video and then try making stars, angels or a nativity scene www.youtube.com/watch www.etsy.com/nz/listing/766406289/ snowy-christmas-tree-loveornament-on www.pinterest.at/ pin/184366178468539015
EPIPHANY
11. After Christmas you could make
these adorable Three Wise Men for Epiphany www.madebymolliesmom. blogspot.com/2011/07/more-christmasin-july-three-wisemen.html
12. Try this simple paper plate crown
and get the kids to act it out—but who wants to be the camel?! www.meaningfulmama.com/wise-menpaper-plat-crown-craft.html
Harakeke
Prayer
Prayer Prayer for Families Loving God, During this holy season of Christmas, we ask for your blessing on all the families. Let Mary's openness to your wondrous ways be an inspiration to place all trust in you. Let Joseph's courage provide hope during times of anxiety and uncertainty. Let Jesus' life ignite all families with a spirit of light and love. May the grace that encircled the Holy Family widen to embrace all families. For this we pray. Amen.
Prayer
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Call 24/7 0800 80 40 30 | blt.co.nz 2020—what a year! AnglicanLife would like to thank all the many organisations, groups, parishes, clergy and contributors, via words and images, that helped tell our stories in the Diocese this bewildering year.
www.anglicanlife.org.nz Issue 68 ISSN 2253-1653 (print) ISSN 2537-849X (online) Feedback or story submission: editor@anglicanlife.org.nz
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We would also like to thank the following financial supporters and advertisers who have been faithful despite the challenges of 2020: Anglican Care South Canterbury, Anglican Financial Care, Anglican Missions, Bell, Lamb & Trotter, The Bible Society NZ, Blueprint, CBM (Christian Blind Mission), The Christchurch Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Limited, Christian World Service, Church Missionary Society NZ, St Michael’s School, St Peter’s Anglican Preschool, Theology House.