We Remember

01 Mar 2011

Search and rescue workers in quake-torn Christchurch downed their tools and joined the rest of New Zealand in standing in silence for two minutes as a mark of respect for those who died in the earthquake.

The silence began at 12.51pm, one week after the 6.3 magnitude quake struck. Church bells throughout the country tolled before fading away before the silent tribute.

As rain clouds gathered, hundreds of Wellingtonians gathered in Civic Square.

Tearful mourners hugged each other during the sombre silence. Minutes later, heavy rain fell across the city.

Prime Minister John Key, who had called for the national period of silence, marked it at the Christchurch Arts Centre where he stood beside his wife Bronagh, and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker.

In Australia, Parliament also observed silence for the quake victims.

The death toll from the quake is likely to be around 240, police said today. The confirmed number of dead rose to 154 overnight.

The silence across the nation, including in some of the country's busiest workplaces, was a sign of unity for the people of Christchurch and respect for those who lost their lives.

For 10 minutes after the silence, the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul near Parliament rang its bells in a half-muffled peal to acknowledge those who lost their lives.

People gathered on the lawn and forecourt of Parliament at 12.30pm to join Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and Lady Satyanand, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, church and faith representatives, MPs and overseas diplomats.

The two minutes was marked during an ecumenical service at Auckland's Anglican Cathedral, attended by leaders of city churches, Mayor Len Brown and local MPs.

Emotions ran high in Hamilton, where the silence was broken by the sobs of a weeping woman among the crowd at the Cathedral Church of St Peter.

In Dunedin, thousands turned out to pay their respects.

In a moving tribute, Mayor Dave Cull sent a message of support to "Christchurch, our big sister up the line''.

Earlier, Fire Service spokesman Russell Wood said the silence would be tough on the Christchurch rescue workers.

"It will be an emotional time for many of our workers who have been out there non-stop doing real hard graft," he said.

"For some it's been a while since they've had that tangible reward of bringing out a live person so they'll be feeling it."

Mr Parker said the silence, which was followed by an Anglican church prayer, was a poignant moment for Christchurch and all of New Zealand.

He said the silence was about everyone "standing together", regardless of where they were.

"The two-minute silence at 12.51pm is really about whatever you are doing, stop ... and we all stand together as one," he said.

The original article from Stuff.co.nz can be found here - and includes a video of the Wellington commemoration at the Beehive.

An order of service used at St Timothy's Burnside to commemorate the 2 minutes silence

We gather here this afternoon to mark one week after the devastating earthquake which

has rocked our city and our lives. At 12.51 we will join with the whole of our country in

observing a 2 minutes silence in memory of those who have died and those who are still

missing.

We are united by a common tragedy, but our experiences over the last week have varied

greatly and our feelings will be different too. Grief, helplessness, fear, anxiety, anger and

emptiness as well as thankfulness for our own personal safety may be amongst our feelings

today. At times like this, words of Scripture can articulate feelings which we do not know

how to put into words. With that in mind, I read some verses from Psalm 130.

Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord,

O Lord hear my voice,

Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord

more than those who watch for the morning

more than those who watch for the morning. (Psalm 130:1-2, 5-6)

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we commend to your faithful love

those who are crying from the depths;

help them to watch and pray

through their time of darkness,

and give them strength to face tomorrow,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Only a very small number of names have been released by the police of those confirmed dead

in the earthquake. We now read these names aloud mindful of the many others who have lost

their lives. Please stand with me as I read this list after which we will observe the 2 minutes

silence together.

Natasha Sarah HADFIELD

Owen Morris WRIGHT

Joseph Tehau POHIO

Jaime Robert McDowell GILBERT

Jayden HARRIS

We stand in silence together

2 minutes silence

O God who brought us to birth and in whose arms we die,

in our grief and shock,

contain and comfort us,

embrace us with your love,

give us hope in confusion

and grace to look to the future.

Amen.

[You are invited to join in with singing Hymn 360 (Hymns for Todays Church), “Father hear

the prayer we offer”, omitting verse 2.

Father hear the prayer we offer –

not for ease our prayer shall be,

but for strength that we may ever

live our lives courageously

Not for ever by still waters

would we idly rest and stay;

but would strike the living fountains

from the rocks along our way.

Be our strength in hours of weakness,

in our wanderings be our guide,

through endeavour failure, danger,

Father be there at our side. ]

Jesus said:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will

find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28)

The God who sees our tears,

the God who knows our pain,

the God who understands our emptiness

will be with us as we go now,

and as we work through our grief.

And the blessing of God,

Creator, Redeemer and Giver of Life

be with you now and always. Amen.