New website

Kia ora. Come visit us at our new website tekaraiti.org.nz

Episcopal Church Picks Gay Priests for Promotion

Only weeks after the Episcopal Church ended a de facto moratorium on promoting gay men and lesbians into the church hierarchy, church leaders in Los Angeles nominated two openly gay priests as assistant bishops on Sunday. Read the rest here

Whakamaharatanga

Mere Knight QSM

We had a beautiful karakia at Church last night in memory of Aunty Mere Knight, one of the pillars of our Church who passed away a year ago on the day. The reflections of her children, the beautiful waiata, the loving people gathered, all added to the occassion. Hopefully we can post some pictures soon.

The karakia inspired Radio Live host Willy Jackson, to talk about faith on his show listen to his show here (click on July 24th, 1515hrs)

Crisis!

Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Anglican Bishop

The Anglican Communion (the Anglican Church around the world) currently faces its biggest crisis in recent times. The 77 million Anglicans around the world look likely to split into 2 different churches, after the decision made last week by the Church in the United States (The Episcopal Church – TEC) allowing for the ordination of gay and lesbian people as Bishops. For an interesting take on this take, read here

Keep coming back here for some more whakaaro on this important take, especially about how it will influence us here in Aotearoa.

Michael in Disneyland

Michael has been off again, this time to Anaheim, California, as  a guest at the Episcopal Church General Convention. This looked to be an amazing experience (apart from his inexplicable anger at Mickey Mouse) so check out his blog for some great insights and commentary: http://www.pihopatanga.org.nz/blogs/tm/

This Week

I hope you have had a great week whanau!

Our rangatahi here at Te Karaiti Te Pou Herenga Waka have had an awesome couple of weeks over the school holidays. They have been part of a programme run by our Manu Karakia (Youth Minister) Kimi Rewi and her team. It has been a positive, empowering two weeks that strengthens the faith and life skills of these rangatahi so they can get through the next term at school. The programme has been a great mix of fun and learning, with heaps of kapa haka thrown in as well.

What is really impressive is the way these young people take on a sense of discipleship, leading themselves and their peers in the wider lives, staying in (and excelling) at school and with their whanau. So big ups to all those involved, and if you know of a young person who needs something really positive in their lives, get hold of Kimi tekenehi.rangatahi@gmail.com

And just a reminder about the memorial service for Aunty Mere Knight next Thursday 23^rd July at 6.30pm. See you Sunday!

Na Hirini.

Great Photo

This is from Michael’s ordination as people are waiting to process in. Photo by the great Kahu Miller! Awesome!

Michael+

For more photos and a story click on this link http://anglicantaonga.org.nz/News/Tikanga-Maori/michael-tamihere

Marae: To Smack or not to Smack

Our very own The Venerable Dr Hone Kaa was on Marae last week on this issue. Watch it here: http://tvnz.co.nz/marae/s2009-e15-video-2772088

This Week

We had a great Sunday last week! Not only was our morning karakia really vibrant, but Michael’s ordination was a stunning success. Michael now joins our team of non-stipendiary (unpaid) ministers, ministering as a Priest from here at Te Karaiti Te Pou Herenga Waka. I’m not sure if you know this but we have a large ministry in the community, not just as clergy but our lay ministers as well. Last week we did everything from pastoral care and counselling through to blessing shirts for a League team and planning a wedding. House blessings, tangihanga, youth wananga, visiting the sick – you name it, we did it. Sundays at 10am are an opportunity for all of us to come together and share our faith and love of God with one another and to strengthen us as we head back out into the community to minister and serve for another week. So come and join us this Sunday for fellowship and to strengthen your taha wairua. And if you feel God’s call on your life, come and talk to us about joining our team serving in the community. See you Sunday! Na Hirini. And there’s heaps of new stuff on our site this week: https://tepou.wordpress.com/
	The Reverend Hirini Kaa Assistant Priest
This Sunday: 21st June Kaupapa: The Love of God supports us Lesson: Job 38:1-11 David and Goliath Epistle: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 The Day of God’s Favour Gospel: Mark 4:35-41 Jesus calms a Storm Preacher: The Reverend Hirini Kaa Celebrant: The Venerable Turi Hollis
Thought for the week In the western world, New Zealand is second only to the United States in the rate at which it locks people up. Maori are over half of the prison population. The Bible promotes restitution, redemption and forgiveness as the pathways to healing when a ‘crime’ has been committed. Biblical theology promotes a communal view of crime and its healing. Read more here
Te Inoi mo tenei Rātapu: The Collect E te Atua Tapu, me te kaha, tapu me te ora mutungakore; tukua mai ki a matou he whakakitenga o tou rangatiratanga, kia pono ai to matou wehi i a koe, a kia pumau ai to matou aroha ki tou ingoa tapu, ko Ihu Karaiti hoki to matou Ariki. Amine.