very few governments are making a noise about this. Sadly, there are very few marches, complaints or mass meetings regarding the shocking treatment of Christians throughout the world.

The first sermon Jesus ever preached was at Nazareth and at the end of it he was dragged to the edge of a cliff to be thrown in and killed. Wonderfully, it didn’t eventu-ate and Jesus wandered back through the crowd ready to take on the next three years of preaching, teaching and becoming the most amazing human the planet has ever seen.

In 61 AD in Cyprus, Barnabas was dragged out of a synagogue and stoned to death. Almost every disciple was mur-dered because of their faith. Some were crucified, often stoned. There is a brutally explicit reference in the book of Hebrews of how some were savaged by dogs and others were rolled in wax and set alight. Not much has changed in the year 2020.

Mali suffered its worst year of ex-tremist violence last year. Jihadi militants carried out murderous at-tacks in the north and central area, laying waste to Christian villages. In one of the worst attacks at least one hundred men, women and chil-dren were murdered. In Pakistan Razea’s husband was one

N E L S O NN E L S O NN E L S O NN E L S O N

Yes, Black Lives Matter. The sound and vision of those words are etched across the world. What a brutal attack with a knee on a neck. And so, quite rightly, we are re-minded that “black lives matter”. I want to add another refrain. “Christian lives matter”.

Christian racism is rife throughout the world, not only putting knees on necks and strangling them, Chris-tians are being shot in the face, in the stomach, in the heart simply for being followers of Jesus. Sadly,

J u l y 2 0 2 0

NELSON CATHEDRAL: L IVELY, FUNCTIONING, & GOD HONOURING

CCCC AT H E D R A LAT H E D R A LAT H E D R A LAT H E D R A L N N N N E W SE W SE W SE W S

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Children's Ministry

2

Parish Nurse 3

Cathedral AGM A Place That Matters

4

5

What’s On

6

Mission Update

7

www.nelsoncathedral.org

The Very Revd Mike Hawke

There are very few marches, complaints or mass meetings regarding the shocking treatment of Christians throughout the world.

to page 7

Foundation Day

Sunday 2 August

Service 10am Lunch served at 12pm

(Details pg 3)

“Christian Lives

Matter”

Page 2 Jul y 2020

Children’s Ministry

LLLLearning earning earning earning

EEEEquipping quipping quipping quipping

AAAAppreciating ppreciating ppreciating ppreciating GodGodGodGod

PPPPraising raising raising raising GodGodGodGod

L.E.A.P. Nelson Cathedral’s Children’s Church

John Laing

Two laws are at play in our universe and most ,if not all, humans will encounter them at some stage of their lives whether they are 5 or 85! The Law of gravity (its a real drag) and the law of aerodynamics. (quite uplifting I've found.)

There are great comparisons here playing out in the spiritual life of a believer as well. These being the two laws Paul talks about in Romans. 1. The law of Sin and death that wants to drag us down making us Christian "cellar dwellers" 2. The law of life in Christ Jesus which can propel us spiritually up to victory over the distractions of the world which can rob us of love, joy, peace, patience etc.

Lofty concepts I know but nonetheless the reality of Christian life. We are now 4 weeks into our post Covid 19 release and it's great to have the children back. This term we are learning about the two spiritual laws as mentioned above, looking at examples of Christian characters in the Bible who soared like eagles and crash landed like lead balloons.

Characters like Elijah and his mighty victory on Mt. Carmel and then his run away escape from Jezebel in depression. Abraham and his great sojourn not knowing where he was going, leaving all to obey the leading of God only to fail to wait for God's provision of a son and taking matters into his own hands with Hagar. The list goes on and I'm sure you could think of some good examples too.

How do we soar like eagles as we face the trials of life? A mindset of considering oneself alive in Christ with a new nature and two prayers with determination and inspiration to and from God at the very least. Please will you remember us in your prayers as we look and learn from the scripture how we can live a victorious Christian life. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12

I will be heading south to Dunedin to speak at boys camp in the second week of the July School Holidays. Your prayers for a positive impact on the boys for God would be greatly appreciated.

Agape

John Laing Children’s Ministry Worker

Dean Mike sings out for Nikau House

With his trusty guitar and to the well known tunes of ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘We Shall Not be Moved’ the Church Steps witnessed another protest of vulnerable people about to have their lives turned upside down by change.

On Thursday 25 June Dean Mike supported a gathering on the Church Steps to raise awareness of the negative affect it will have on those who use the services at Nikau House. For the last 30 years it has been a lifeline for many people with men-tal illness. Clients using it on a regular basis describe it as a haven, and a refuge. The supportive staff provide crucial education, budgeting advice and life skills thus reducing acute hospital admissions.

There was a further meeting held at 5.30pm on Thursday at The River Kitchen. This was organised by the Public Service Association, Labour candidate Rachel Boyack and family members of Nikau House clients.

Page 3 Jul y 2020

Parish Nurse

Parish Nurse

Judith Fitchett

How are you? Are you all right? Are you gradually re-connecting with your pre-Lockdown

activities? With winter now here, there is a temptation to hibernate. Some of you will be

missing the annual flight north! This time last year Chris and I were in a camper van, in the

south of France, in record heat temperatures.

Gradually the Cathedral is re-connecting and on 28th June all 5 Sunday services are on sched-

ule with the midweek services starting as well. It was grand to meet for a cuppa after Sunday’s

10am services again. Long may it continue.

The Walkers group has restarted and leaves from the Cathedral every Tuesday at 9am. It’s a

good time to shift those Lockdown calories. We walk at the pace to suit the group and have a

cuppa afterwards.

The Cathedral Christian Meditation group meets in the chapel every Tuesday evening 4.30pm

to 5.30pm. All are welcome to this ancient practice of making room for Jesus to speak into our

busy lives,

The Flower Donations register has vacancies until Advent. The register is kept on the table in

the Cathedral entrance or contact Teresa in the Office.

Weekly Craft session starts on Wednesdays as we recycle Christmas cards into decorations for

the Christmas Memory trees. This is a popular feature of the Christmas Tree Festival and we

have several boxes of donated cards ready for your artistic expression. More cards are always

accepted and can be left at the Cathedral entrance. All materials are supplied but feel free to

bring your favourite scissors. We’ll be in the Quiet Room between 2pm - 3.30 pm on Wednes-

days. A cuppa will be served. No charge.

CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) resumes on Friday 3 July at 2.30pm. An opportunity

for you to come to the Cathedral for a chat, a sing-a-long, a Devonshire Tea and a prayer.

Come and bring a friend. No charge but there is a Koha/donation opportunity.

Cathedral choir people are currently rehearsing for several stage productions. Some are per-

forming with Melanie in Shrek (July 6-11) and Mama Mia (July 2-11) at the Theatre Royal.

Helen is premiering her one-woman play ‘The Bicycle & the Butcher’s Daughter’ Some of you

may have already seen her rehearsing in the shop window at 105 Collingwood St. and her per-

formances start on July 16. www.trybooking.com/nz/EGL

So keep well this winter by washing those hands, staying home if you are unwell, coughing or

sneezing into your elbow: and by

Being Connected, Taking Notice, Giving your time, Keep Learning and Being active.

For you Lord are good and forgiving: of great and continuing

kindness to all who call upon you. Psalm 86: 5

Blessings from Parish Nurse Judith

My contact details:

Ph 027 3198 511 or email judith@nelsoncathedral.org

or ring the office 5481008

CAMEO Friday 3rd July 2.30 pm – 3.45 pm.

Friday 7th August 2.30 pm – 3.45 pm.

Come and bring a friend. Everyone welcome.

Foundation Day Celebration

Sunday 2nd August

Lunch will be served at the Cathedral at 12pm

Tickets are $10, this is our major Missions fundraiser for the year and all profits will be going towards our Missions commitments. If anyone

would be free to help please see Nicky or Janet.

Jul y 2020 Page 4

NELSON CATHEDRAL AGM

Steve Perris (Lay Canon)

Steve describes himself as “the life Anglican” – “I have an affinity for who we are” He has ‘belonged’ to St John’s Dunedin, St Christopher’s Tawa, and All Saints Nelson, and ‘served’ in parish family ministry, music, and youth leadership. He has ‘supported’ our Diocese on both finance and youth ministry teams, and our national Church at Anglican Missions. He also has connections with Scripture Union and NZCMS. He and his wife Helen have lived in Nelson almost exclusively since married in 1993. We made our home be-tween the Colleges, and both boys have been through local schools.

Steve considers that organisational support is where he works best. “All organisations need certain functions to succeed regardless of what service or product they deliver. These functions - governance, finance, IT, HR etc are where I can really add value.” He adds, “In addition to hard won practical experience operating in those work streams I have sought out relevant knowledge and training – Chartered Accountant qualification; Masters degrees from both the University of Auckland’s Commercial Law department and Massey’s School of Human Resource Management; Executive Certificate in Leadership & Strategy from MIT; and Governance training from Harvard Business School, and at Kellogg School of Management.”

Revd. Simon Martin (Clerical Canon)

After 8 years in paediatric nursing, Simon entered Ministry Training in Christchurch and was an assistant minister for 8 years. He took up the role of Nelson Hospital Chaplain in 2009, then the assistant role at All Saints Parish in 2011 and the Vicar there since 2012. Simon has a love for getting out into nature - as long as there is a fishing opportunity at hand. He is married to Fran for 25 years and they have two teenage boys. He considers it an honour to serve the Diocese by way of serving on the Cathedral chapter.

Our AGM meeting finally took place on June 21st. It was a long time coming due to the lockdown

for Covid19. We were fortunate to have exactly the number of nominations as we had places to fill,

and along with Dean’s and Bishops’ appointments, now have a complete team to go forward.

The Vestry now comprises: (Bishop) Rt Rev Steve Maina; (Dean) Rev Mike Hawke; (Clerical Canons), Rev Dr

Graham O’Brien, Rev Simon Martin,; (Dean’s Warden) Graham Allan; (People’s Warden) Jenny Dickie,; (Lay

Canons) Jocelyn Smith, Steve Perris; (Synod Reps) Graham Allan, Chris Fitchett; (Cathedral Representatives)

Janet Smith, Cecil Hood, David Lucas, Nicky Calder, David Wallace, Barbara Gordon, Jane Mitchell.

It was a very orderly meeting, where our Dean Mike Hawke spoke to his report and our Treasurer Janet Smith

explained some of the decisions that had been made in order to cut costs and fit within our new, lower Covid19

income.

We passed a heartfelt vote of thanks to retiring members (Clerical Canon) Rev David Moynan, (Synod Rep,

Treasurer) Cecil Hood and (Cathedral Representative) Ron Shaw. We hope to still be able to draw on the exper-

tise of all three, despite them stepping away from the formal membership of the Vestry.

The AGM Booklet (of reports, financial statement) was available at the meeting and was also emailed out. If you

missed it, contact the very capable Teresa in our office office@nelsoncathedral.org – and she will email you a

copy

At the AGM there were two new Canons appointed and two new Cathedral Representatives elected to Vestry.

Page 5 Jul y 2020

Jane Mitchell

I have been fortunate to be involved with music here at the Cathedral for approximately 27 years.

Initially Roger Williams introduced me to the Cathedral Choir and the organ. Roger was the Director of Music here for many years, and well respected for his musical and recruitment abilities. I enjoyed many years of singing and organ tuition under his expert guidance. Recent years have seen me occupying the organ loft more than the choir stalls.

My passion is maintaining and strengthening our excellent musical and liturgical traditions which assist our congregation and visitors to connect with God in a very meaningful and spiritual way.

I am currently on the Music Team and I'm looking forward to joining the Vestry team as a positive and active member.

Barbara Gordon

Born in Christchurch, I was a parish member of St Peter’s Upper Riccarton as a youngster then St James’ Church in Lower Riccarton where I was a Sunday School teacher, served in the Church on Sundays, attended St Michael’s and All Angels when my daughter, Penny was at the school and didn’t have much connection with any church, apart from the St Margaret’s College Chapel when Penny was a student, until over two years ago when I decided to come back as a cathedralite. Love singing and joined the choir.

I worked for 30 years with the ANZ Bank in a variety of roles and for the last 15 years have owned a Financial Advice practice. Love playing the game of bridge, reading, walking, gardening, am a Rotarian and my really great passion is international travel.

I actually have more ancestors in the Whakapuaka and Marsden cemeteries than in my home province of Canterbury – my mum’s rellies came out from Scotland to Nelson in the 1850’s (their house is still standing in Fountain Place above the Port) and my mum was born and bred in Nelson; I came up here 7 years ago when she was widowed and I have stayed even though the strings pull every so often to return to Canterbury. I Always said I would retire to Nelson, not retired just yet but looks like I will remain here.

Last month I passed on my observation that people had a variety of reasons why the Cathedral was important to them.

I concluded from the comments it was for many “ a place that matters”.

One parishioner pointed out to me that it was not just Nelson based visitors and locals who thought it was a place that

matters. That prompted me to look again at our visitors book kept on the Bretton memorial bookstall. (The Reverend

Bill Bretton was a popular Dean of the Cathedral for a number of years in the 60’s. He was very well read and had a

passionate love of books. It seemed appropriate when Mrs Bretton gifted money to the Cathedral for something

specific in her husband’s memory a special bookstall should be designed ,built and installed in the Cathedral ,which it

is, on the eastern side aisle.)

It would be impossible in this short article to record all the visitors that have passed through, signed the book and their

comments. Just from the beginning of this year, before Covid 19 restrictions, there are visitors recorded from France,

South Africa, Germany, Northern Ireland, many parts of England, Russia, USA, Poland, Scotland, Australia, Finland,

Singapore, Switzerland , Reunion Island, Denmark, Lithuania, Sweden,

Holland, Japan, Belgium, Czech Republic, China, Chile, New

Caledonia, Italy and there are many others apart from New Zealand

visitors - from the Bay of Islands, Christchurch ,Timaru, Queenstown ,

Napier ,Auckland Dunedin, Palmerston North ,Whangarei ,Rotorua ,

Thames ,Wellington, Whakatane ,the list could go on.

What is probably more significant is the very positive things that

are said about our Cathedral ; “Beautiful”, “wonderful”,“ a beautiful

place” , “loving and peaceful haven of peace”, “ lovely atmosphere”,

“thank you and many blessings on all who go here”, “lovely atmos-

phere”, “very nice and sacred place”, “stunningly beautiful and welcoming” , “friendly and helpful people” , “lovely

music” , “beautiful flowers” ,“hope for peace”, “amazing” , “a sacred place”. There are many more.

Some people take the opportunity to make a comment of a religious nature no doubt personal to them.

The two new Cathedral Representatives on Vestry describe a little about themselves

The Cathedral - A Place that Matters Graham Allan reflects further on how the Cathedral is a special place for many people and in different ways

To page 7

Page 6 Jul y 2020

WHAT’S ON

Meditation Group Meets in the Chapel

4.30 pm –5.30 pm

Every Tuesday

Tuesdays

Walking group meet at the Cathedral at 9am every Tuesday for a 1 hour walk. Morning tea at the Cathedral afterwards.

Wednesdays

The Flax group is presently in recess.

Craft Group - 2pm - 3.30pm . Starts Wednesday 1st July. Quiet Room.

CAMEO at the Cathedral Come And Meet Each Other

An opportunity for you to come to the Cathedral for a chat,

a sing-a-long, a Devonshire tea and a prayer.

Friday 3rd July &

Friday 7th August

from 2.30 – 3.45 pm

Come and bring a friend

Everyone welcome

Free – Koha/donation opportunity

Bishop Steve will be coming on Sunday September 20th for a Confirmation Service. All those wanting to be confirmed please contact Teresa or Dean Mike directly.

We will run the course over 7 weeks, starting on Friday 7th July from 5.00pm to 6.15pm, culminating in our September 20th service.

Confirmation is aimed at those wishing to make a personal commitment to Christ and by so doing ‘confirming’ the baptismal vows their parents made when they were children. You may have been confirmed already or just wish to do this course as a refresher. During the confirmation service the Bishop will offer the opportunity for people to renew their confirmation vows.

Confirmation Service

Meetings for the Cathedral group will com-mence again on TUESDAY 18th AUGUST at 2.00 pm in the Quiet Room

This date was originally scheduled as an area day but that was cancelled due to the current situation. A normal meeting will be held instead where we can share our lives in ‘Lockdown’

Angela Shaw - Leader

ASSOCIATION OF ANGLICAN WOMEN

Enquiries:

Parish Nurse, Judith

027 3198 511 / 5488819

Page 7 Jul y 2020

MISSION UPDATE

of 80 Christians killed when one of the bombers attacked Sunday worship at a church in Peshawar. Spare a thought for Razea who was trebly despised for being a Christian, a woman and a widow.

Pastors in Rwanda play a critical role in helping the poorest of families to overcome poverty by provid-ing basic education and become more self- sufficient. During the Covid 19 lockdown it was the pastors themselves who became needy but because pastors are expected to give help in Rwanda, not to re-ceive it, they were ineligible for the government support available to ordinary people.

Since 2015 a surge of extremist violence in Nigeria has killed more than 6000 Christians and forced al-most 2 million people to flee their homes. Others were maimed, burnt and kidnapped. Turkey is becoming increasingly Islamised. I fear for my friend who I met during my last pilgrimage to Turkey. He had recently converted to Catholicism. I wonder if he is still alive. This gets very personal.

A full scale Jihad has been launched against Christians in Nigeria. “We are targeted because of our Christian faith”, said one distraught Christian leader in Nigeria’s Borno state.

“Black lives matter”, absolutely. “Christian lives matter”, absolutely. But which government is making a noise of protest about the fate of Christians under severe attack? It is simply not good enough. The only President of any profile who has addressed this is none other than Donald Trump. He is in the process of resourcing diplomats to assist in the prosecution of those who persecute Christians in the countries they represent. I am simply underwhelmed at the lack of concern about our Christian brothers and sisters. The silence of political and church leaders is deafening!! Each Sunday at the Cathedral we have a prayer upholding the persecuted Christians throughout the world. We must do more. In His service,

Mike

Christian Lives Matter - Continued from page 1

Our Missions partners, the Elliott family, are currently in quarantine having returned to NZ last Saturday due to Covid-19 exploding in Jakarta. They are well and safe, although the walls are feeling very close!

Their fundraising needs through CMS were met for the year by the 1st of May (praise God!), so their basic expenses while they stay in NZ are taken care of, however they are looking for a place to live. They will be based in Nelson until they return to Jakarta, once the children’s school reopens (January 2021 at this stage), and are looking for a 2-3 bedroom house, preferably furnished/semi furnished, somewhere between Atawhai and Richmond. If you know of anything that is available please contact Kay 027 665 0787.

It is also moving to look at the prayer board adjacent to the candle stand by our special icon. On the prayer board peo-

ple record their worries, their gratefulness, their joy and ask us, the Cathedral congregation, to remember them and

their concerns. It seems the least we can do and perhaps for us a special missionary outreach

opportunity we have been given.

It is a reminder to me that the Cathedral it’s not just for our benefit but is a source of peace, beauty and religious ex-

perience to the many travellers who pass through, a place of pilgrimage perhaps for them.

We are often in a rush when we visit the Cathedral but I would urge you to find the time to read the visitors book and

the prayer board.

I look forward to the days to come when there will not be the travel restrictions we presently face so the Cathedral can

continue to be a place of witness and pleasure to many more.

It is a privilege for us to be temporary caretakers of this special place and all it means both as a building and place of

traditional Anglican worship and fellowship; isn’t it?

Graham Allan Warden

The Cathedral - A place that Matters - Continued from page 5

Dean: The Very Reverend Mike Hawke Ph 548 1443 or 021 711726 Email:mike@nelsoncathedral.org

Children’s Ministry Worker: John Laing Ph 027 2959261 john@nelsoncathedral.org

Parish Nurse Judith Fitchett Ph 027 3198511 judith@nelsoncathedral.org

Office Administrator: Teresa Coombs Ph 548 1008 office@nelsoncathedral.org

Dean’s Warden: Graham Allan Ph 548 8166

People’s Warden: Jenny Dickie Ph 548 7705 or 021 342 227 jenny.dickie@yahoo.co.nz

Cathedral Office First floor of tower. Hours: Mon to Fri 9.30am-12.30pm Phone 548 1008 or fax 548 3264 Email:office@nelsoncathedral.org Website: www.nelsoncathedral.org

Postal address: P.O. Box 657 Nelson 7040

DIRECTORY SERVICES IN JULY

Monthly Service at Bishopdale Chapel

First Thursday of the month at 11:15am

Holy Communion

The Cathedral Services are now being streamed live to the internet. They can be watched by following the link on the Cathedral Website or https://www.youtube.com/ and searching Nelson Cathedral, then click on the one showing Live Stream. Previous services can be viewed until they are deleted.

Come and join us

Word and Worship Service

Sunday at 7pm

Informal worship, teaching, and opportunity for prayer ministry Cathedral News welcomes contributions from parishioners and readers. If you have a contribution or perhaps an idea for an article please contact the Editor (russell@maxnet.co.nz) or the Dean (mike@nelsoncathedral.org).

Deadline for next issue: 24th July 2020

Sunday 5 July 8 am Holy Communion 10 am Choral Eucharist and Children’s Church 5 30 pm Choral Evensong 7 pm Word and Worship Informal, charismatic style service Sunday 12 and 19 July 8 am Holy Communion 10 am Family Eucharist Activities for children 5 30 pm Sung Evensong 7 pm Word and Worship informal, charismatic style service Sunday 26 July 8 am Holy Communion 10 am Choral Eucharist and Children’s Church Guest speaker : Honourable Nick Smith MP 5 30 pm Choral Evensong 7 pm Word and Worship informal, charismatic style service Sunday August 2 Foundation Day 8 am Holy Communion 10 am Choral Eucharist and Children’s Church Guest speaker: Richard Kempthorne 12.00 pm Lunch at the Cathedral 5 30 pm Choral Evensong 7 pm Word and Worship informal, charismatic style service