Greetings to all from the Deputy Vicar General, Indrea Alexander.
In the cover photo collage: We were blessed to have the Reverend Jemma Allen lead our Safe Ministry and Boundaries workshops in October, while Sister Eveleen Retreat House hosted its final ‘Clergy Retreat’ for the year last week.
On Saturday 29 November at the Transitional Cathedral, Wanjiru (Ciru) Muriuki and André Muller will be ordained deacons. Following their ordinations, Ciru has been appointed Assistant Curate in the Parish of Riccarton-Spreydon, and André will work as Assistant Curate with Archdeacon Katrina Hill in the parishes of Linwood-Aranui, East Christchurch and Avonside.
It was estimated 100,000 essential public service workers could be on strike this week in a protest for better pay and working conditions – 50,000 teachers, 36,000 nurses, plus senior doctors, dentists, social workers, healthcare workers and more. We pray for all who are affected by workplace disputes, that wisdom, fairness, and peace may prevail.
We are sad to advise that the Reverend Hugh Paterson died on Saturday at Darfield hospital, surrounded by his family. Hugh was ordained deacon in 1960, then priested in 1962. He served as Assistant Curate in Highfield Parish, before serving in Kumara, Hokitika and Malvern. Hugh then served as Director of Rural Ministry and as Regional Dean in North Canterbury. Hugh retired to the Old Sheffield Vicarage and was a familiar much-loved personality in the Malvern Parish in his retirement years. Hugh’s funeral will be held on Thursday 23 October, 11am at Trinity Church, Darfield.
Monday, 27 October is Labour Day, a public holiday in New Zealand. In the 1800s, New Zealand workers sought the right to limit their work to eight hours a day. Labour Day was officially celebrated from 1900, though the eight-hour day was still not a legal entitlement. At one time, the chant was “eight hours work, eight hours play, eight hours sleep and eight bob a day.” The Living Wage movement, guided by the Lower Hutt Anglican Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit, currently calculates $28.95 an hour as the level of income required to provide fulltime workers with the necessities of life and allow them to participate with dignity as active citizens in society. Many workers receive less, with the minimum wage currently $23.50. According to the Retirement Commission in 2019, 12% of over 65s are still trying to pay off a mortgage.
At Synod there was discussion about how to better care for clergy, and it was asked whether to explore providing health insurance. That would benefit clergy, but I yearn to hear the church’s clamorous cry for a well-resourced public health system that will benefit all.
Due to the red weather warning, the AAW Social Concerns/Overseas and Outreach roadshow in Timaru on Thursday, 23 October will be postponed until further notice.
Arohanui,
Indrea.
Indrea Alexander, Deputy Vicar General