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

it has been a while...

...since I posted. I have been dealing with earthquakes, slow laptops and internet connections as well as preparing for my first parish AGM!
I have published my blog address on  my business cards and gone to the effort to start this (in lew of a website at this time), it really is about time I put something on here.

This week is what is called Holy Week. That is the week leading up to Easter Sunday. It is arguably the biggest event in the church calendar as it remembers the last week of Jesus on earth culminating in his death and then resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Some churches are really busy at this time with extra services during the week, but here at S. Nicholas I have sent parishioners (thats a fancy word for those who go to church at S. Nics) home with a breakdown of short readings, reflection questions and a prayer for each of the days during Holy Week. It is an opportunity to worship in dispersed community. Which is another way of saying that no matter where we are during the week, we are still a church community. So if we are doing the same basic practice (reading, reflection, prayer) but in different places then its a reminder of church not just being what happens on Sunday mornings!

I have also encouraged our parishioners to join in with what other churches are offering this week. It seems a shame to me that we double/triple up on worship services and get only a few people when we could combine or advertise each other's offerings. Especially knowing how much time and preparation goes into these services. (Reading that last bit back, I suspect I might be a closet idealist... )

Blessings

Rev Annette

Update post earthquake

We now have water back on at the vicarage, but not enough presure for a shower yet.
Am about to head down to the church to make plans for Sunday services, and reassure our parish administrator.
I have received so many emails, texts and calls of support and offers of help. God bless you all!

I have also had a God-indidence this morning in that I checked what the Gospel for Sunday is: Matthew 6: 24-34 on our roster. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (verse 25). Check out the rest of it. Tell me what strikes you about it.

As we stuggle to sort out our basic needs and establish contact with others, God is with us, Emmanuel. In the joys, and in the hurts. And especially in the long term journey as the effects and enormity of this situation becomes apparent.


If I can say one thing that is a huge help is to have people willing to listen as we talk about it. The precious gift of  a listening, empathetic ear is food for the soul.


Blessings
Rev Annette

Earthquakes and prayer

Hi All

Being a first time vicar following a major natural disaster in the form of an earthquake is tough. In some ways, it can highlight areas where you weren't prepared - in other ways, it highlights the ways in which strengths come to the fore.

And so I have been praying. Constantly. I have been lamenting. I have been praising. I have watched the news unfolding and used it as a visual prompt for prayer. On the first night when we lacked power and we hunkered down in the lounge for support, I lit candles and used them for meditation and prayer. A symbolic reminder of the presence of Christ in our darkest moments. I have cooked food and cleaned up broken and fallen stuff and prayed.

Its easy to feel useless but this is an event that will require all sorts of skills and abilities over the coming days, weeks and months. Eat, sleep, pray and be ready. You might feel like you're twiddling your thumbs a bit but you will have your time or your way to help. So keep in contact. Keep checking websites - www.anglicanlife.org.nz and may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds on the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dog Parks as a place of prayer

I have now moved into the vicarage and am embarking on the challenge of setting new routines in a new context. Translation: where is the best local coffee shop? Where did I put that important piece of paper in my new office? And how do I re-establish regular prayer time with God?
As you may have gathered, I have two dogs and they are my unpaid, unofficial lay ministers during the week. I have made the discovery that my local dog park opens early enough in the morning that I can take Murphy and Angus for a walk before the rest of the day unfolds. This is exciting news because I find walking the dogs is one of the best times to pray.
I have often found that the best way of establishing prayer patterns in life is to link them with something that you do regularly during the week. It might be in the car driving to work (eyes open of course!) or doing the dishes or putting out the rubbish bin. Maybe this is something that would work for you? Perhaps you have other suggestions that help you to pray. I'd love to hear about them.

recycling - anglican priest style!!

What do you do with a wedding dress if you are a female Anglican Priest who likes to recycle, has a thing about symbolism and just really enjoys a challenge???!!! Why, turn it into a chasuble of course!

This raises a couple of questions of course:

What is a chasuble?
It is a poncho looking item that a priest can choose to wear when they are presiding at a Eucharist. See the photo if you can't picture it. One of the benefits of a chasuble is that it is an opportunity to signal the season of the Church year through the colour. For example, purple is used for lent and advent.
One of the downsides is that in Summer it is another layer that you could do without. And if you are doing something a little creative during the service, chasubles can restrict movement!

Why did you get married in red?

Good question. Jokingly, I say that I wear a white dress every week in church so I wanted something different. (The white dress in question is called an Alb. Standard vestment (clothing) with a stole ( priest scarf) that clergy wear. (hmmmm.... we use a lot of jargon in the church don't we?!)
More seriously, red is my favourite colour. Traditionally it symbolises love, the Holy Spirit, and is often worn for ordinations and saint's days. Plus both my parents and Phil my husband's parents were celebrating their 40th wedding aniversaries close to our wedding day. 40th weddings are the Ruby wedding... see, red again. 

What happens if you have a daughter who wants a piece of your wedding dress for her special day?

Got that covered too. I have kept the corset from my wedding dress and scraps of the material....

joy in the simple things!

Yeah, I know that Advent started a couple of weeks ago and is half-way gone, but one of the biggest joys that this new vicar has had so far was creating a giant Advent wreath. So I wanted to share a picture of it with you all. It is made out of things lying around the garage and in my overflowing craft cupboard. I put it together with my mum on a hot spring afternoon. It is very satisfying to create something out of seemingly nothing. And certain members of my household are always pleased when I use rather than add to my collection of "this might be useful oneday" items!
With the perhaps bizzare combination of an interest in crafts and theology, I began thinking about the image of God as a Creator who stood back from creation and admired it saying "It is good!" It led me to the following question:
In the rush of end of year, end of school, end of work craziness - how do you take time to admire the ordinary as an extraordinary thing? Making dinner - it is good! Putting out the rubbish - it is good! Creating an advent wreath out of junk and surplus...it is good!

installation of new vicar completed

As of about 8.30pm-ish on Monday 22nd I became the new vicar of the Anglican Parish of South West Christchurch. The photo above was taken during the service. As most of the service was a blur to me I cannot say exactly what was going on. Except to say that I'm the one on the right, and the Bishop is the one with the fancy shepherd's crook. However what I really want to draw attention to is the beautiful stained glass window in the background. It was designed by one of our very talented parishioners. What I think is quite cool is that it is lit by an electric light behind it. So you can have it lit up even when it is dark. Very cool indeed!

New Beginnings

Kia Ora and Welcome! I'm Reverend Annette Cater the new Vicar at St Nicholas Church on Barrington Street in Christchurch New Zealand. This is my first week and on my (long and optimistic) to-do list was to get a blog up and running. So here is my first post, hopefully the first of many.
I'm a born and bred Anglican with ecclectic tastes and experiences when it comes to worship and how to live out my Christian faith. At 29 years of age, I have just celebrated the 4th aniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. However, this is my first time as the vicar of a parish.
St Nichs doesn't have a website (yet), but I somehow think there is something particularly hospitable about a blog. I look forward to reading your comments and hope that this will be a place of hospitality for all people from all walks of life.
May God bless you, those you love, and those you struggle to love. Amen!