Report to Forum July 2011
Introduction
Somewhat out of the blue, I became the Interim Priest/Enabler in the Parish of East Otago on 1 May. After 2 months in the position I have now taken services in each of our 6 churches. What follows in this report is based on my observations, experiences, thoughts and prayers over that period.
On Thursday 23 June the Bishop convened a meeting in St Luke's, Oamaru to consider the provision of stipended ministry throughout East and North Otago. Representatives of each of our 4 centres attended, along with those from the northern parishes. At present, there is a full-stipend position in Oamaru, a 60% of stipend position in North Oamaru-Waitaki, and a 50% position in East Otago. The Bishop asked us to consider the alternative of having 2 full-stipend positions throughout the whole area.
This review is at its early stages, and this is not the place to comment on it further. What is clear is that change of some sort is inevitable. What follows in this report is written against that background.
Some Parish Statistics
The parish in its present form is long and narrow, basically following the east coast and State Highway 1 from Waitati to Hampden, a distance of roughly 65-70kms. Along that distance we have a chain of 6 churches, St Barnabas, Hui te Rangiora, St John's, St Mary's, Kotahitanga, and St Stephen's.
Services are presently held as follows:
1st Sunday St Barnabas, St Mary', & St Stephen's:
2nd Sunday St Barnabas, St John's, St Mary's, & St Stephen's:
3rd Sunday St Barnabas, St John's, St Mary's, & Kotahitanga:
4th Sunday St Barnabas, Hui te Rangiora, St Mary's, & St Stephen's.
Various arrangements are made for 5th Sundays.
Average attendances are as follows.
At St Barnabas, 15-20:
At Hui te Rangiora, 6-8:
At St John's, 8-12, except that about 20 Presbyterians join us on the 2nd Sunday:
At St Mary's, 6-8:
At Kotahitanga, 6-8:
At St Stephen's, 4-6.
To put it bluntly, these figures call into question our ongoing viability. Our immediate aim should be an average aggregate attendance on a Sunday in the parish as a whole of 50, with a minimum attendance at each service of 10.
A Vision for the Parish
As I was praying for the parish one day I remembered a night when Trish and I were driving home from Warrington to Port Chalmers over Blueskin Road. As we ascended the hill, the fog became thicker and thicker, until at the top, which was unsealed at that time, visibility was down to a few metres. It was so bad we seriously considered having Trish walking in front of the car with me driving in bottom gear. However, I noticed that from alongside one white reflector post on the left-hand side of the road, I could just make out the next one. By driving from one to the next we were able to complete the crossing.
And so I envisaged our 6 churches as beacons of light guiding travellers along the journey, from Dunedin (All Saints & St Thomas' Pinehill) to Oamaru (St Luke's & St Andrew's, Maheno). If even one of our lights is extinguished, the chain is broken and darkness will prevail.
To give a little substance to this image I wonder about a "pilgrimage candle": a large candle (like a paschal candle) blessed at All Saints, and brought Sunday by Sunday along the chain until it reaches Oamaru. Does this appeal at all?
Related to this is a sudden insight that has proved very helpful to me. For years as a priest travelling around on a Sunday morning I have always thought of myself as going somewhere "to take a service". Inevitably, where the journey was long and the attendance was low, there was a feeling of disappointment, even a tendency to wonder why I had bothered.
However, what if I were to consider that each little church is a place specially set aside for the offering of prayer, so that my commitment is to ensure that I pray in each of those sacred places on a regular circuit with whomever happens to be there at the time? This simple change of mindset means that, instead of being disappointed at the small number of people attending the service (sometimes making the singing something to be endured rather than enjoyed!), I am encouraged by the number present to pray with me!
I am not, of course, suggesting that services of worship are not important, much less that they should be replaced by "prayer meetings". But prayer must be at the heart of the church and of our lives as people of faith.
I also think prayer can be the basis on which we can seek to build relationships with our local communities. Perhaps through our local free newspapers we could advertise our willingness to pray with and for people about anyone or anything of concern to them. Perhaps we could have "prayerboxes" (like letterboxes) outside our churches, or other means by which members of the community could "safely" request prayer.
On a similar theme there is much interest these days in "meditation". Many associate this with eastern religions or New Age practices, but it has been in the Christian tradition from the very beginning. Perhaps we have a calling to share this practice with those outside our ranks, say alongside night classes in a college or community programme?
With all this in mind I have booked The Reverend John Franklin, the Bishop's Chaplain, to come to the parish to conduct a workshop on prayer and meditation. This will be held in St John's Hall on Saturday, 10 September. Please mark your diaries and encourage anyone you know who might be interested to come and join us.
Some Specific Suggestions/Challenges
I want now to outline a few ideas for each of our centres to explore as we prepare for an uncertain but exciting future. In many cases these simply build on things already underway.
St Barnabas
· Explore the possibility of establishing a regular "presence" in the Waitati area: a home group, study series, etc. Particularly important if the new library/community centre goes ahead:
· Develop a relationship with Warrington School – the Principal is very keen:
· Share human resources with other congregations, especially lay ministers, musicians, School nativity?
· Production of parish magazine.
St John's
· Production and maintenance of Memorial Book:
· Related ministry to bereaved – anniversary cards, etc:
· All Soul's Service:
· Develop relationship with Hui te Rangiora:
· Further develop ecumenical relationship with Presbyterians and Catholics:
· Develop role as central meeting place for parish, forum meetings, training days, etc. – ministry of hospitality.
St Mary's
· If services are held in the lounge during winter, explore appropriate changes to format of worship services – 'church in the round', interactive, use of lectio divina, etc:
· Share insights and experiences gained with other congregations whose numbers suggest a similar move away from the traditional format:
· Explore ways of strengthening relationship with St Stephen's and St John's:
· Develop ministry to Kimberley Rest Home.
St Stephen's
· Consider format and frequency of services:
· Develop relationship with Kotahitanga:
· Develop relationship with St Mary's, and explore possibilities with St Andrew's Maheno.
I stress these are intended as suggestions to stimulate further thought, discussion and prayer. I think they are all within the bounds of possibility, given our small numbers and limited resources.
Prayer, after all, requires only one person and no other resources.
Roger Barker, Interim Priest/Enabler.
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Louise Booth
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