Thanks to funding from the St John’s Student Opportunities Fund, Ordinand Kathleen Pullman was able to get a sense of what the Anglican Church looks 11,182 miles away.
It’s a long way to go for a two-week placement, but thanks to the funding I received from St John’s Opportunity Fund, I was able to go and experience what the Anglican church looks like 11,182 miles away! I joined St Adian’s for fortnight leading up to Easter. There was a familiar rhythm to it, services on Sundays and the normal chaos of trying to plan and organise a service every day in Holy week. However, in the detail there was differences. The abundances of palms in New Zealand, for example, meant the Palm Sunday looked a lot greener than it does in England.
Also, the Pākehā (European) and Māori cultures were mingled throughout. The church had a priest from each culture, and while the church was predominantly Pākehā (European), Māori language was also present. I also had the chance to go along to Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Te Mihana Māori and see a Māori Anglican church service. Their service was bilingual, with lots of cultural differences, but at its heart the familiar beat of the Anglican service was present.
This mix of cultures was most pronounced in the cathedral service on Maundy Thursday. Both Bishop Ross Hay of the Tikanga Pākehā (European cultural stream) and Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahuof of the Tikanga Māori (Māori cultural stream) presided together in a service lead in English, Māori and Fijian. Each lead in their own cultural way. It is not often that you would see two Bishops presiding together both on their ‘home turf’.
I also got to ask many questions and explore what a non-established Anglican church looks like. The culture in New Zealand towards the church is much the same as a hobby, Lousie the vicar said. What this means is that vital and important parts of what ministry looks like in England, such as schoolwork, simply don’t happen. Instead, I got to see the other ways outreach was done. This included an opportunity shop (or “op-shop”). Run out of a long room in the St Adian’s centre, it resembles a charity shop. The workers are all volunteers, and because they have no bills to pay, they can sell their stock very cheaply. Each person who buys something is given some information about the church and upcoming services, and the money goes straight to charity.
There was also an opportunity to get involved as well as observe. This was most notably done on Holy Wednesday when I led a compline service, which included Taizé and focused on what each of those present wanted or needed Jesus to take to the cross with him. It was such a privilege to be given an opportunity to give back to the church that had so warmly welcomed me, and I really enjoyed using the beautiful language of the New Zealand Anglican prayer book.
Thank you again to the St John’s Opportunity Fund for providing the funds for me to gain this experience.
John's Chronicle 