Helping the Helpers

Bishop Victoria & the Wizard at the Cathedral Service

11 Oct 2010

The Dean of Christchurch, Peter Beck, usually works from the city’s most iconic building – but when damage prevented him from being on duty at the cathedral, he headed for the art gallery instead.
In the days after the earthquake, Peter was offering support and pastoral care to emergency workers based at the gallery, which had become the emergency operations centre for the city’s civil defence services. “The opportunities I had, when people had a few moments to spare, was to ask how they were themselves, how their homes and families were – just saying g'day, how are you, how are things,” says Peter. He says staff were very focused and committed to dealing with the crisis and did a brilliant job.

As people have returned to the CBD, Peter has taken to ministering on the inner city streets. “Just like other priests, I’ve been out and about talking to people,” says Peter. “I’ve been in the Square talking to passersby and popping into shops that are open, talking to people.”

He’s also heard positive feedback about the open-air service that was held in the Square on Sunday 12th September. Cathedral Square echoed to hymns of hope and praise this morning as 500 people celebrated Eucharist in bright sunshine. It was a very pleasant change from shrilling sirens and the rumble of falling masonry. And though the old post office clock was still stuck at 4.36am – quake time – most of the congregation were focused on worship. In the front row was Mayor Bob Parker, still kitted for action in his yellow-tagged jacket. And bringing up the rear was the Wizard of Christchurch, offering mute testimony to his Anglican sympathies.

Preacher Lynda Patterson addressed the alfresco congregation. “We have a God who believes in new life, life in all its fullness. We don’t avert our eyes when things go wrong in the world, or whistle cheerfully and pretend that nothing’s happened. We front up to the suffering all around us and do what we can to support those hurting most, without pretence or illusion.”

Appropriately, the refrain throughout the service was a line from Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” And the hymns? "May the Love of God Enfold Us," "The Lord's My Shepherd" and "All My Hope on God is Founded."
“Even those who weren’t there and saw it on TV said they felt really good about that happening,” Peter said. “It was reassuring for people.”

WORDS: Megan Blakie

PHOTOS: Dave Wethey