.jpg)
Marge, Greymouth & Kumara: The Greymouth & Kumara Anglican Parish put on “The Journey to Easter” over 5 days at our local theatre during Holy Week. The Journey was a self-guided interactive walk through 14 displays from Creation to Ascension. The displays told the story of why the world needed a Saviour, why Jesus was the only one who could save us, and what he did to save us. The link with modern Kiwi culture was the “Red Card” used in various sports to send someone to the “Sin Bin” when he/she commits an infringement on the pitch. Each guest was offered a cuppa and hot cross bun at “Journey’s End”. Children were given age appropriate treasure hunt sheets to help focus their attention.
We took the Journey into the public square (our local theatre) and advertised by posters, personal invitations, and community Facebook pages. 272 people attended. Most guests were familiar with the story, but some were not. A number of significant conversations were had. Everyone made positive comments about the journey. One person commented how peaceful it felt in the theatre. Another saw her confirmation years ago in a new light. Another said she was grateful to have the bench at the Garden of Gethsemane to sit quietly with Jesus and tell Him things that needed to be said. At least one person learned how to pray using the teaspoon (TSP) method: thanks, sorry, please. At the cross display, many picked up a “Red Card” (representing their sin) and placed it at the foot of the cross.
Below you can see displays of Creation, the Fall, Palm Sunday, Gethsemane, breakfast on the beach and the cross — note that the heart was made of ice, which slowly dripped onto the sheets for 9 hours.
Kevin, Havelock & Sounds: Things are going well in Havelock Parish, and God is blessing those who are coming to the recently re-opened Rai Valley church, St Marks. Our monthly service is well attended by locals and some new folk in the Rai Valley area, with all people very thankful that the church is being used again for worship after so many years being closed.
Everyone joins in happily and as country folk, they know how to "get things going" again. A few folk bring along "country home-made afternoon tea" with tea in flasks. One man who comes was there as a boy and helped build the church. Many travel many many kilometres to get there and are excited about having their own worship service again and joining up with folk from "old days" again.
Easter was a special time at St Peter’s in Havelock. Bishop Richard and Hilary Ellena led the Good Friday Service along with the music. It was a time to think, quite a sombre time, listening to God.
I took the Easter Sunday Service and it was happy and joyful as we worshipped, with Ced and Val Seatter leading the worship joyfully as we worshipped a risen Saviour. The congregation joined in heartily. Several people were grateful and said, "thanks for keeping it simple and uncomplicated".
Janine, Māpua: Easter Services at Hills Community Church were contemplative as well as creative. We focused on the death and resurrection of Christ by various ways and means. We analysed the lyrics of Leonard Cohen's "Come Healing", while enjoying our Seder meal on Maundy Thursday. Good Friday saw us moving into "break out" areas. One area to offer our prayers to the cross, another to reflect on the meaning of Good Friday, while holding small driftwood crosses and the third one to think about where we can "sow seeds" in our community. We were offered bulbs to plant to remind us in Spring of our offering. Sunday was a celebration of Jesus rising again!
Marie-Jeanette, Picton: On Good Friday, at Holy Trinity Picton, we watched part of the movie “The Gospel of John”, followed by Holy Communion. It was a moving experience to listen to Scripture reading, while watching the journey to the cross. People said, “It left me speechless” and “I felt the Holy Spirit, and having communion after the movie was very fitting”.
On the morning of Easter Sunday, we gathered at a sunrise service with the churches of Picton, singing, reading Scriptures, praying and enjoying bacon butties.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Marge, Greymouth & Kumara: The Greymouth & Kumara Anglican Parish put on “The Journey to Easter” over 5 days at our local theatre during Holy Week. The Journey was a self-guided interactive walk through 14 displays from Creation to Ascension. The displays told the story of why the world needed a Saviour, why Jesus was the only one who could save us, and what he did to save us. The link with modern Kiwi culture was the “Red Card” used in various sports to send someone to the “Sin Bin” when he/she commits an infringement on the pitch. Each guest was offered a cuppa and hot cross bun at “Journey’s End”. Children were given age appropriate treasure hunt sheets to help focus their attention.
We took the Journey into the public square (our local theatre) and advertised by posters, personal invitations, and community Facebook pages. 272 people attended. Most guests were familiar with the story, but some were not. A number of significant conversations were had. Everyone made positive comments about the journey. One person commented how peaceful it felt in the theatre. Another saw her confirmation years ago in a new light. Another said she was grateful to have the bench at the Garden of Gethsemane to sit quietly with Jesus and tell Him things that needed to be said. At least one person learned how to pray using the teaspoon (TSP) method: thanks, sorry, please. At the cross display, many picked up a “Red Card” (representing their sin) and placed it at the foot of the cross.
Below you can see displays of Creation, the Fall, Palm Sunday, Gethsemane, breakfast on the beach and the cross — note that the heart was made of ice, which slowly dripped onto the sheets for 9 hours.
Kevin, Havelock & Sounds: Things are going well in Havelock Parish, and God is blessing those who are coming to the recently re-opened Rai Valley church, St Marks. Our monthly service is well attended by locals and some new folk in the Rai Valley area, with all people very thankful that the church is being used again for worship after so many years being closed.
Everyone joins in happily and as country folk, they know how to "get things going" again. A few folk bring along "country home-made afternoon tea" with tea in flasks. One man who comes was there as a boy and helped build the church. Many travel many many kilometres to get there and are excited about having their own worship service again and joining up with folk from "old days" again.
Easter was a special time at St Peter’s in Havelock. Bishop Richard and Hilary Ellena led the Good Friday Service along with the music. It was a time to think, quite a sombre time, listening to God.
I took the Easter Sunday Service and it was happy and joyful as we worshipped, with Ced and Val Seatter leading the worship joyfully as we worshipped a risen Saviour. The congregation joined in heartily. Several people were grateful and said, "thanks for keeping it simple and uncomplicated".
Janine, Māpua: Easter Services at Hills Community Church were contemplative as well as creative. We focused on the death and resurrection of Christ by various ways and means. We analysed the lyrics of Leonard Cohen's "Come Healing", while enjoying our Seder meal on Maundy Thursday. Good Friday saw us moving into "break out" areas. One area to offer our prayers to the cross, another to reflect on the meaning of Good Friday, while holding small driftwood crosses and the third one to think about where we can "sow seeds" in our community. We were offered bulbs to plant to remind us in Spring of our offering. Sunday was a celebration of Jesus rising again!
Marie-Jeanette, Picton: On Good Friday, at Holy Trinity Picton, we watched part of the movie “The Gospel of John”, followed by Holy Communion. It was a moving experience to listen to Scripture reading, while watching the journey to the cross. People said, “It left me speechless” and “I felt the Holy Spirit, and having communion after the movie was very fitting”.
On the morning of Easter Sunday, we gathered at a sunrise service with the churches of Picton, singing, reading Scriptures, praying and enjoying bacon butties.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
