Christine Bryant
On March 26, the new Archbishop of Canterbury was installed. In 1400 years of Christian faith in England and after 105 men, Dame Sarah Mulally became the first woman to hold the position.
Rev Julie Guest and Paul Bryant light the Paschal Candle in front of the congregation outside St Paul’s Rangiaowhia Church at the Easter Sunday Service of the Light. last year. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
“I had no idea when I gave my life to Christ at age 16 that this is where it would lead me”, she said. When Dame Sarah was 16, she chose to become a nurse and rose to be chief of the nursing profession in the United Kingdom. The desire to care for and care about people in need has been a driving force in her faith journey. In the late 70s, when Dame Sarah was young in her faith, women were not being ordained as priests, so being installed as a bishop was not even realistic. The installation of a woman Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the world-wide Anglican Communion, reminds us that even the most entrenched views can be changed when people open their minds to the way Christ really showed us. This truly marks the beginning of a new era for the Anglican Church.
On April 12, a new era begins for St John’s Parish. The Rev. Sam Pullenger will be installed as Vicar of the parish which includes Kihikihi, Pirongia, and Rangiaowhia, as well as Te Awamutu. Although the service will have a degree of informality not present in Canterbury Cathedral, it will, nevertheless, be similar. It is a solemn occasion when the new vicar accepts the charge of the Bishop of Waikato-Taranaki to lead the parish. Rev. Sam brings his unique faith journey to the role, as well as an exciting mix of youth and experience, of energy and empathy, and, like Dame Sarah, a desire to bring God’s love to our community. We look forward to welcoming Sam in his new role.
New beginnings and renewed hope is the key message of Easter. On Good Friday we remember that Christ died an agonising death on the cross. He was laid to rest in the tomb of a friend. Two days later, on that first joyous Easter morning, when the women went to prepare his body for burial, they discovered the good news – that Christ had been raised from death to new life. The message is simple – dark times will come to an end, we can hope that life will be better.
March 26 was not a random choice for the installation of the Archbishop. It marks the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel appeared to the newly betrothed Virgin Mary and announced that she would have a child, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Mary did not shy away from this challenge, but said “Yes” to God. Like Mary, Dame Sarah Mulally and Rev. Sam have both accepted God’s call on their life.
As the new Archbishop of Canterbury said in her sermon: “Our world needs the love, healing and hope that we find in Jesus Christ … We commit ourselves to sharing the joy of the Gospel.”
On behalf of St John’s and all faith communities in Te Awamutu, I wish you a Blessed Easter.
Christine Bryant, left, and Rev Julie Guest outside Rangiaowhia Church last year. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
