saying goodbye and remembering the good old days

This week I went to Ngatiawa just out of Wellington to participate in the farewell event for Bishop Tom. This particular occassion was for the Young people of the diocese to acknowledge Tom and what he had helped facilitate in this area while he has been Bishop. I was there as a former Archdeacon for young people ( I was 22 when I was made an archdeacon, a world record at that time).

Attending that event raised lots of feelings in me - as with most things, it wasn't all good times and it wasn't all bad either. But what I realised as I listened to the speeches made, was that one leader can make a difference just by being who they are.

He hasn't always been on the good side of youth - but he changed, and that came about because he listened and worked with those who passionately wanted to see change. As a result, the Diocese of Wellington were pioneers in establishing diocesan roles specifically for Youth and Children's Ministry.

I look on with interest to see who is the next to hold the role of Bishop of Wellington. I have heard it said that leaders grow leaders that have similar giftings to themselves. Tom was a permission giver, he believed anything was possible, and he gave you enough rope to potentially fly a kite or tie yourself up in knots. I wonder what gifts the next Bishop will develop...

Preparing for Lent

I rather like Lent. I want there to be a time in my year that encourages me to get back to the essentials of life.  A time of sparceness. A time where prayer, study and worship have majority of my time rather than the dregs.
You might assume that as a priest that is all I do! But just like everyone else, the pressures of everyday life tend to send the message of "urgent"; while the bits that I would say are most important to me - family, faith and creativity - get pushed to the back of the line.
In Christchurch at present there is an added layer of frustration and general grumpiness that is the reality of dealing with earthquake aftermath. For example traffic at the moment is horrific - roads are potholed, or closed off while building work is done. The simplist things don't get done quickly in Christchurch at present - I get stressed just writing that down.
And so Lent is a welcome season for me this year. I'm putting into practice the spiritual disciplines of saying "No", doing daily office more than once a week, and exercising on the cross-trainer in the spare room.
All three of those chosen disciplines are about putting some healthy practices in that benefit me long term and seek to actively fight the desire to be busy yet unproductive.

What about you?  What aspects of your life do you need to be more disciplined about?

2 Timothy 4:9-end was set for morning prayer in the lectionary today, so here is a verse to contemplate and for me to sign off with -

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments (2 Tim 4:13). See, even Paul suffered from a bit of busy-itis and slipped his house-keeping into letters...

Turning 30

It has almost arrived. This week, I turn from being a 20 something, to a 30 year old. And while many around me are unsympathetic to my distress; there are those who share my concern about this milestone.
30 just seems like I really can't call myself a young person any more. And while the Anglican Church (and lets be honest, many other churches) still consider me lumped into the same category as a teenager, I just don't feel it any more. Sigh, I really am going to have to grow up.

But let me state for the record, growing up doesn't mean turning into a complete Nana. I will still dance around the lounge when watching Glee; I will still sleep in on Saturday mornings; and I will still (occasionally) choose chocolate as a legitimate breakfast food group.

Happy Birthday to me.

Rev Annette

reflection for Lent, version two

I realise lent is over, but I thought I'd share my lenten practice with you anyway. For a few years now, I've picked a project (painting, cross stitch, etc) that I can do during lent. Instead of doing it for a specific amount of time each day (I would have been sunk before I began - ENFP on the Myers Briggs), I aim to complete it by the end of lent.
This year I wanted to do a meditation painting based around the tree/vine/plant imagery in the bible (needed a broad topic - see ENFP). I started with a hiss and a roar - then got stuck. A bit like writer's block, but for artists. I was reading, and reflecting, and staring at this giant canvas that I'd begun... and nothing.
I flicked back through my notebook of verses that had struck me and came across Jeremiah 17:7-8 (It will do you good to look it up! Go on, you know you want to!)
It really got to me, and yet it didn't mesh with my lenten painting thus far.

So, hence reflection for lent, version two. Started and completed post lent. But it still feels lent related because it was part of the same journey.
And in case you are wondering, version one is on the wall in my office in all its incomplete glory. I know that at some point I'll break through the block. And in the mean time, I look at it every day and it helps me pray - a reminder to persevere in prayer, that some prayers take time to be answered.

Hope you enjoy the meditation.

Blessings

revannette

what resources are there nationally for under 40s ministry?

One of the challenges that faces the church is the so-called generation(s) gap. How does a congregation that has grown together over 30 or so years, raising their families and going through life stages together work out how to connect with younger generations that they wouldn't naturally associate with?
I am one such 20 (nearly 30) something Anglican vicar wondering just that.
I believe that one of the best ways to start is to connect with what is happening outside your immediate area. And one of the simplest ways to do that without even leaving the comfort of your own home is the internet.
In the Anglican tradition in Aotearoa, we have a network called StraNdZ (the acronym that isn't an acronym. If you want the full story, then you'll have to ask me for it!) While people who are church hierarchy groupies might be aware of it, many would still go "Huh?" if you asked them about it.
So here is the web address: http://www.strandz.org.nz/
Start your research here. Believe it or not, those levies that each parish pays help provide some fabulous (underutilised) resources including straNdZ. They are getting in on the committees that decide policy, funding and direction for our church in NZ.  One of the projects in development is a new lectionary based children's ministry programme created by locals.

Blessings and keep up the good ministry and mission!

Rev Annette