Congregation packed into every pew
BY JARED SMITH
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It was a new beginning for New Zealand's oldest stone church when St Mary's in New Plymouth was consecrated as a full cathedral on Saturday.
The congregation was packed into every pew for the dedication and consecration as the stone-walled church built in 1845 became the first new Anglican cathedral anywhere in the world in the last 80 years.
In a well received, and often humorous sermon, Archbishop of York John Sentamu described the church as a collection of living stones, not left lying around in a pile, but built into a spiritual house vibrant with life.
"The old is being torn apart and something new is being built.
"We are not to be like stones lying around. Come and be built into a spiritual house.
"The unity of this spiritual building is vitally important. If we are divided we can't join in Christ's working of making all people God's friends.
"God wants his house to be a place of prayer. Also a place of help."
In a poignant moment, he invited a young girl from the congregation to join him in the pulpit, and showed her a torch for "shining a light", which was not filled with batteries but rather a bank note and a piece of cloth.
"There's nothing wrong with money, nothing wrong with nice new clothes, but they've got to be in there proper place."
The Ugandan churchman, who has risen to the second highest position in the Anglican church worldwide, even showed he has picked up a few Kiwisms during this visit.
"Looking at all of you this morning, you are 168 not out.
"My God forgive the African in me, and join me in a humdinger clap of thanks-giving."
He presented the cathedral with gifts which included a cross from El Salvador.
"If you forget what I have told you, I'll be back," was his closing remark, and like much of the sermon it was met with enthusiastic applause.
Key moments during the two and a half hour service was the procession for the consecration of the cathedral, including the unveiling and blessing of the consecration stone outside the building and then the move to the main doors for the lintel to be blessed.
Here the entrance to the cathedral was anointed with holy water by the primates of the Anglican Church in New Zealand and Polynesia.
The congregation sang Ubi Caritas Et Amor during this time, as they were able to watch what was taking place outside on television monitors throughout the main hall.
Other important acts were the installation of the first Dean of Taranaki, as Reverend Jamie Allen was presented to the position by the Bishop of Taranaki Philip Richardson and the Bishop of Waikato David Moxon.
Tikituterangi Raumati was named in the new position of Cathedral Kaumata, while Peter Barleyman, Chester Borrows, Robin Brockie, Jenny Ellis, Sue Pickering and Pat Scaife were all licensed and installed as Cathedral Canons.
The ceremony had a touching conclusion as the parish's children, who had been in marquee tents outside the cathedral, then entered to show drawings and letters for a big banner they had been working on throughout the morning.
"Welcome to Taranaki Cathedral," were the words, with the youngsters being given an extra blessing by Bishop Sir Paul Reeves in his role as Celebrant.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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