Matariki
From the Vicar
Two things to bring to your attention today.
Mānawatia a Matariki – we welcome Matariki!
This weekend marks our first Matariki public holiday, and during the sermon I’ll be expanding a little on why ought to celebrate it as part of our church. And there are good reasons to: the collection of stars known as Matariki or the Pleiades is mentioned three times in scripture (Job 9:9, Job 38:31, and Amos 5:8), and some suggest a fourth (Rev 1:20). Some of the key themes of Matariki are giving thanks for new beginnings, giving thanks for creation and giving thanks for generations past. Perhaps a little like New Year, Harvest Thanksgiving, and All Souls rolled into one.
For reference, there are 7 or 9 stars that make up the constellation, namely
• Matariki: Nurturing, signifying our connection to our environment.
• Pōhutukawa: Representing those who have passed on.
• Waitī: Support, symbolising our ties to fresh water and the food within.
• Waitā: Support, symbolising our ties to the ocean and the food within.
• Waipuna-ā-rangi: Kindness, appreciation of the rainfall/water.
• Tupuānuku: Friendship, appreciation of food grown within the soil/plants.
• Tupuārangi: Sharing and an appreciation of food grown from trees.
• Ururangi: Wind, speed and positivity.
• Hiwa-i-te-rangi: The youngest star, considered the wishing star for future hopes
and desires
Ministry Standards
In light of the Royal Commission on Abuse in Care, the Anglican Church has changed its procedures for dealing with complaints to make them more robust and more consistent across dioceses. A website for the new Ministry Standards Commission has just launched at www.ministrystandards.org.
I recommend you make time to explore the site as we all have a duty to keep vigilant in keeping others safe. Quoting from them:
“These ministry standards apply to everyone in licensed Anglican ministry, and to non-licensed office holders, including: Ordained ministers (priests, deacons, bishops); Licensed lay ministers; Licensed volunteer leaders; Trustees; Elected leaders (vestry, synod, committee, board members) who have signed a declaration; Licensed youth leaders; Licensed children’s workers.
Misconduct occurs when any person from the above groups of people who is in a leadership, teaching or pastoral role violates boundaries (emotional, sexual, financial) with a parishioner, student, employee or staff member in a professional relationship. Anyone can lodge a complaint about a person in the above list.”
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