1. Third Order. Society of St Francis, Aotearoa, New Zealand, & Polynesia with Melanesia 2011
TAU
Ted Witham, "a wounded troubadour"
Witham Visit
AUCKLAND came together for lunch at our
I expected the Provincial Minister place (thanks to Pat) where we
of Australia, New Guinea and sang his songs (and one of mine)
East Asia to be a high powered while he accompanied us on the
Withams 1/2 administrator with an aura of piano. January 7th was a day of
authority and energetic efficiency. joy.
Taonga extracts 3/4 Instead, coming off the gangway
of the “Dawn Princess” I saw a Ted has presented the Auckland
Formation 5 man in a wheelchair with a big area with a copy of "Franciscan
smile. Later on, I discovered Gold", the story of the Australian
Area News 6 from his wife Third Order.
Rae, also a
f o u n d i n g Chris, TSSF
Convocation Plus 7/8 member of the
West Australian If you would like to get
Book reviews 9 branch of the to know Ted a bit
T h i r d O r d e r, better, here are his
Misional Church 10 that he had to contacts:
retire early
Bishop John Grey 11 from his
position as
12 administrator of West Australian Email
school chaplains, is in constant twitham@graduate.uwa.edu.au :
pain from displaced bones in his twitham@cygnus.uwa.edu.au
back and needs to take thirty-two Ted's blogs:
Deadline for TAU pills a day to counter it. But you Thoughts Provocateurs:
would never guess what he www.blognow.com.au/twitham
articles- 13th June suffers. He shows a warm Mind Journeys: http://
personal interest in everyone he tedwitham.wordpress.com/
meets and from him comes a Ted on Twitter: http://
constant flow of original ideas twitter.com/tedwitham
and thoughts, songs and poems BROWSE & BORROW TED'S
and music, all to enliven and BOOKSHELF: http://
inspire his fellow tertiaries. www.librarything.com/catalog/
Margaret Schoneveld, Femke twitham
and I , later joined by Rose, loved
our visit to the Cathedral and the
summit of Mt Eden. Then we

2. TAU PAGE2
order" comparisons. Ted was delighted to find a
NORTH IS. CENTRAL single console pipe organ in St. Aidan's church,
Dear Franciscans, and played a couple of hymns before being
whisked away to lunch and further visits to
On Sunday 9th January 2011 several of the NIC several interesting Wellington locations. There
Tertiaries met at Dorothy Brookers to meet were probably about 15 people in attendance.
Rev. Ted Witham & his wife Rae. Ted is the
Richard Roberts.
Minister Provincial for Australia, Papua New
Guinea, & East Asia Province. He and his wife
Dear Chris and Pat – and Auckland Tertiaries
were traveling on the Dawn Princess around
the coast of N.Z. and the ship docked at Napier
Weʼve been home a week or more, and Iʼm only
at 11:30 am and was leaving for Wellington at
just getting around to writing and thanking you
5.30 pm.
for a wonderful day when we were in Auckland.
It was good to meet you all, to enjoy your
The time was precious. Dorothy collected them
hospitality and to see a little of Auckland. The
and she and her sister Shirley gave them
rest of our cruise was very pleasant. We
lunch and had time to talk to them; then at
enjoyed NZʼs dramatic scenery, especially the
2.00pm Val, Raechel, Nettie, Clare and George
Fjordland National Park. Milford Sound was
arrived and Ted led us in a tea and chatter;
stunning – and apparently unusually sunny. We
then Eucharist. This was followed by a shared
met Tertiaries in Napier and Wellington, and
afternoon George drove the Withams up Te
caught up with old friends in Christchurch, so all
Mata Peak to give them an idea of the area. At
in all it was a great time.
the Peak there were three bus loads from the
Dawn Princess!
It was good to discover how much we have in
common, Chris, with our writing. I hope we can
At 19 Ted had problems (with walking?) and at
keep in touch. Thank you again.
21 had a very big operation. Although he is
only in his early 60s he has been retired for 15
Peace and joy Rae & Ted
years and he and Rae live in a retirement home
on the flat where he can walk about. They live
Ted and Rae Witham TSSF
in Western Australia about 200 miles south of
ADDRESS: 139/502 Bussell Highway
Perth.
BROADWATER WA 6280
George took them back to Dorothy's and she
was collecting the wheelchair from the FLOODS IN QUEENSLAND
Cathedral before returning them to the
collecting point for the ship.
Sisters and brothers, no doubt you are aware of
They were such a nice couple and we were the flood situation in Queensland. Please keep
very pleased to have the opportunity to meet in your prayers those in the flood region,
them. particularly in Gatton and Toowoomba -
Margarita Fomaneg; Ruth Gillis; Valda
Yours in Christ Paradies; Jan Leerentueld; and Bronwyn &
Clare and George Godfrey Fryar in Rockhampton.
WELLINGTON I'm not familiar with the other place names to
identify other members affected, but will keep
Wellington Region entertained the Withams. you informed as I find out.
They were met when their cruise ship tied up in
Wellington Harbour and whisked out to St. Pax et Bonum,Ted Witham
Aidan's Miramar where a Franciscan eucharist
was celebrated, followed by a morning tea and
chat....an exchange of views and "state of the

3. TAU PAGE 3
Extracts from Anglican Taonga Web Site
ASH WEDNESDAY BY ANGELA PYKE | 10 MAR 2011
Christchurchʼs traditional Anglican-Catholic Ash
Wednesday service to mark the beginning of Lent
took place at St. Christopherʼs Anglican Church in
Burnside. This year it was the turn of the Anglican
Bishop of Christchurch, Bishop Victoria Matthew's, to
host the service at the Anglican Cathedral. With both
Cathedrals unavailable due to earthquake damage,
Bishop Matthew's invited the Catholic Bishop of
Christchurch, Bishop Barry Jones, to the Burnside
church where he delivered the homily.
“This year, here in Christchurch, Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent will be observed in the
ruins of a beautiful and gracious city, named as we know with a holy Christian name,” said
Bishop Jones. “Our Lenten works of prayer, fasting and almsgiving are to be outward bound. So
many people have told us that they are praying for the people of Christchurch and we must do
the same.
"We must pray that the cityʼs leaders will be wise, compassionate and fair; that the goodwill,
large-heartedness and good patience of people will be long lasting and strong; that the people of
the Church will always bear witness to the generous love and mercy of God,” he said.
Quake brings out the hero in us by LYNDA PATTERSON
| 12 SEP 2010
In the language of insurance policies, the Canterbury quake was "an act of God". And I suppose
thatʼs true for some people, who see God micro-managing every single thing that happens, like a
paranoid stage director. Maybe, we think, the quake meant that God was punishing us, so we
rack our brains to think what weʼve done. Or maybe we say, Godʼs looking out specially for us
because we got through the quake without any loss of life. I suppose there might be something
comforting about thinking that our fate is beyond our control.
But I donʼt believe in the sort of God who doles out misery like gold stars in reverse, and I donʼt
believe in that careful arithmetic of blame.
We have a God who believes in new life, life in all its fullness. We donʼt avert our eyes when
things go wrong in the world, or whistle cheerfully and pretend that nothingʼs happened.
We front up to the suffering all around us provided we face up squarely to the suffering all round
us and do what we can to support those hurting most, without pretence or illusion.
The first place to look for God is always in the facts, the way things are. All the neat explanations
for why things happen as they do are just so many words,
Weʼre all called to be heroes, even when we think thereʼs nothing particularly special or
outstanding about us.

4. TAU PAGE 4
We all have our faults and our failings and our usʼ this joy is a divine gift, present even in times
particular delusions of competence. of darkness and difficulty, giving cheerful
courage in the face of disappointmentʼ and
Our heroism doesnʼt have to be flashy and disaster bringing ʻan inward serenity and
impressive. It just means giving up our habits of confidence through sickness and sufferingʼ a
self-defence, and the illusion that we can live gift of grace.
on our own resources.
Many thanks for all your prayers, we felt
To be a hero is nothing more than to live an supported and enfolded.
undefended life. It is to be open to whatever
God has in store for us, wherever that might be, So many amazing people including the
however it might cost us to get there. Anglican Church are working tirelessly to help
the City recover itʼs sense of vitality and
And it starts when we pause for just for a purpose. May Godʼs presence be in each smile
moment and then join with God in remaking and each hand reached out in compassion and
the world. support.
___________________________________
Editors Notes
Having just come back
from two weeks in
Christchurch as part of a
C.I. defuse team we
noticed this same heroism
in the day to day stories
we were told, many
coping with loss of PS.I spoke to Maggie and Coral while down
there by phone, I believe Pam has moved to
people, possessions and personal stability.
family out of Ch Ch at this stage, Marionʼs
September threw people into transition “ no House was hit and she has had help to make it
longer were they who they had beenʼ before the livable. Coral has a bad eye that needs prayer
September quake, some may have felt they and her water was still on and off. All are very
had come through it when the March one hit busy helping! We need to pray for them for all
and so the journey to wholeness and relocation of Christchurch and now also for Japan and
goes on. ʻAs yet they are not yet who they will China! (Hélène)
be!ʼ Despite the losses so many are cheerful,
helping and doing their very best to recover
from personal and community loss.
“To give without any reward,
Physiologically we need to shake, dance, run or any notice,
off the adrenal overload that happens with the has a special quality of its own.
ongoing quakes, we also need to learn to
breathe out when feeling stressed. Emotionally
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh
and mentally we need to learn how to notice
when we are making good choices, when we or
our friends are overloaded and act! Brain
images need to be reframed to enable inner
resilience and joy to return. As Francis teaches

5. TAU PAGE 5
Formation Director Lent 2011
At this Lenten time, we usually consider how level and learned more about myself. Retreat
we may make some sacrifice, often deciding on times give us the opportunity to explore some
some rather superficial aim as we find hard to of these important questions, as we continue to
persevere with anything more. progress.
In our eyes, perhaps, Saint Francis seemed to Above Assisi looms Mount Subasio where is
relish sacrifice, by giving up his life of privilege. situated the ancient hermitage (Eremo delle
Francis, of course, didnʼt consider this to be a Carceri) to which Francis used to retreat for his
sacrifice at all. quiet times. Present day pilgrims may walk or
take the easy way up by car. On the day we
Instead we learn it was his deep desire to went it was beautifully sunny and a haloed
follow the new path, as directed by God. His statue of Saint Francis greeted us at the start of
conversion from the life of a knight fighting the the path to the ancient building. As in all of the
cause of Christianity was so unexpected by places we visited, picnics are not permitted, but
those he knew, that they possibly thought him some people seemed to find it hard to maintain
mad. (1. See front page photo in Advent TAU) the requested “SILENZIO”. The test for me was
not to allow this to distract me, though
Although many of us reach a crisis point when sometimes my thoughts were not too
we know we need to change the way we run charitable.
our lives, few of us would want to follow the
extreme example of Francis. In our Formation After taking time to appreciate the rooms inside
studies there are stories of him we may find and reflect on the life of Francis in that
hard to relate to. Members of the First and atmosphere, it was time to move outside. This
Second Orders choose to live in a manner was a day of four season; in the sun and out of
more closely aligned to that of the Brothers and the wind it was balmy weather, but on the forest
Sisters following Francis and Clare. trail, the deep shadow and bitter wind meant I
didnʼt feel like staying very long in the outdoor
As Third Order members we have made a chapel with seating and the TAU cross on the
different choice, to live with family in our own altar. Once more I asked myself about Francisʼ
homes, though still part of the Franciscan sacrifices, He was happy to live there in
Community. The challenge for us is to midwinter with cold far worse, snowed in no
understand our Principles and how closely we doubt. Can we come close to Francisʼ faith,
can apply them in our day- to- day lives. hear what we are invited to sacrifice and do it
Francis intention was to give Third Order with a joyful heart?
members the freedom to “live in the world”,
while keeping the principles he believed in.
One of the difficulties we may face is that of
viewing sacrifice like Francis, as a great joy. In
his making a decision to miss out on a feast to
which he was invited by the nobleman, Matteo
de Rossi, so that he could keep company with
beggars in the courtyard he demonstrated
simply, the importance of our being equals in
Godʼs eyes.
A question we are asked to consider is, in what
way are we like Saint Francis? When I did my
studies, at first it was tempting to dismiss this St Francis is represented awaiting visitors to the
as an impossibility, but being required to take Hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri)
this seriously, I dug down to a more profound half way up Mount Subasio.

6. TAU PAGE 6
Around the Areas
Auckland: Dear fellow tertiaries, NIC. Saturday 26 February 2011 the H.B.
A very joyful and happy New Year to all! tertiaries met at Nettie Gardiner’s. Dorothy
Brooker led us in a Eucharist and prayers for
The yearʼs programme for the whole Auckland Judy who was unwell and not able to attend as
area as arranged at our last meeting is below: well as prayers for our fellow Franciscans in the
Christchurch area, which was followed by a
Saturday February 12th BBQ lunch. Thanks to Ashley for the cooking.
Saturday 9th April Claudia came with Darrel for the lunch and
Saturday 9th July session. After lunch we had a short discussion
with Secular Franciscans on:
Saturday August 13th 1. Day meetings in HB - 2 monthly.
Retreat 30th September to 2nd October Saturdays 10 am - 3 pm with a shared lunch
Saturday December 10th and a gold coin to host to cover tea, coffee etc.
All meetings will be at St Aidan's unless 2. Study: “Franciscan Prayer” by Ilia Delio OSF
otherwise advised and will start at 10 am and suggestion to get together in groups:
finish at 2 pm. HB: Wanganui: New Plymouth: Taupo -
email thoughts to Convenors on the questions
In the months between there will be meetings at the end of chapter so we can send out
of the four sub groups, North Shore, Western, a combined list of thoughts (not named).
Southern and Eastern which each group will Perhaps a different person to lead each time.
organise.
Peace and joy! 3. Quiet Day is to be held in Waipawa at St
Alison 267-1455 Peter’s Glebe - possibly Saturday 1st or 8th
Chris 575-6142 October. Dorothy has offered to lead us with
“The Canticle of the Creatures”. Will renew our
4/3/11 Greetings, Grace and peace to you vows for those able to be with us.
from God I spoke with Maggie (Area Chaplain)
last night. All Tertiaries are ok. Some have left 4. Reminder that Convocation will be held at
Christchurch for family, or are living with family El Rancho in 2012 from Thursday 4 October
in Christchurch, their houses having suffered to Sunday 7 October. Suggestion to put aside
from the earthquake. However, all are well and at least $2.00 per week = $104.00 a
safe, for which we give thanks to God. Please year. Cost likely to be at least $200.00
keep Maggie in your prayers. She is working in
an inner city parish, visiting people, hearing Christchurch:The tragedy continues to unfold
their stories, being a pastor. The parish have - but along with the bad news, stories of quiet
decided to visit every house in their parish, so heroism and generous support. Your prayers
this will be demanding work. I hope to be in are much appreciated Maggie Smith
Christchurch in early April, and will hopefully be
able to attend the Christchurch area meeting,
as well as support friends and colleagues of
mine down there
Te pai me te rangimārie John “Real friendship is shown in
ADDRESS CHANGE times of trouble; prosperity is
Ava Stockwell
Unit 1, 110 Chadwick Road, Greerton, full of friends”- Euripedes
Tauranga 3112
Cellphone: 022 028 8041

7. TAU PAGE 7
TSSF Convocation 2012 the Community of St Clare while those sisters
were in Australia.
Living simply in a complex world It is set in timbered hill country, near the historic
village of Stroud, founded in 1831, some 80k
El Rancho, Waikanae north of Newcastle. She will reside in a section
Thursday 4th – Sunday 7th October of the mud-brick monastery, maintain a pattern
of daily prayer and Eucharist, and be available
2012 to minister to individuals and groups who come
on Retreat. She will be self-supporting.
Keynote speaker: Susan Pitchford TSSF
Who better to help us think about living simply in a Among the packed congregation were tertiaries
complex world than Susan Pitchford, author of from the Newcastle and Sydney fellowships;
Following Francis: The Franciscan Way for Everyone? other people from both dioceses, especially the
parishes of Dungog and Stroud; and the First
Susan is a senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology Order brothers of the neighbouring Hermitage
at the University of Washington. Her teaching focuses
mainly on issues of inequality, both within the U.S. and of St Bernadine of Siena.
globally. She has also led study abroad programs through
the University of Washington,
taking students to Zimbabwe, FRAFOR
NCIS Since the time of St. Francis of Assisi, the Franciscans
have worked among the poor and most vulnerable.
South Africa and Northern Ireland. Since 1989, Franciscans International has brought
In the northern spring 2011, she their concerns to the United Nations.
will be leading a new program in
Rome, Italy. This will focus on the
historical and ongoing tension within
the Church between the seduction of
worldly wealth and power, and the Church's original
mission of self-sacrificing love and service.
Susan also takes classes and workshops on contemplative
prayer, having a rule of life, and Franciscan spirituality.
Watch the next Tau for more details of
Convocation 2012: Living simply in a “Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
—St. Francis of Assisi
complex world. – Plan now to be there
Give $5 each month to help Franciscans International:
A Journey in Vocation
by Philip Thirlwell (NSW-A)
Ask 5 others to give too!
Our sister, Pirrial Clift tssf, was "placed" with
Episcopal blessing, with prayers and joyful Franciscans International
praise in the context of an exciting A voice at the United Nations
www.franciscansinternational.org/5forfrancis
Eucharist, in her new life as a contemplative
priest at the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin
Mary at Stroud, on Sunday 6th March. This year FI is putting special emphasis on
addressing justice issues related to children. Sadly
it is a long list, which includes: child soldiers; ʻwitch
The chapel was filled, with a shoulder to childrenʼ; and children who are trafficked for sexual
shoulder congregation, and filled with vibrant abuse. In March, FI is organising a conference at
singing. the United Nations focusing on ʻChild abuse and
traditional practices which are harmful to childrenʼ to
highlight these issues. We are working to effect
Pirrial has recently retired from being the rector change in every country, through promoting the
of the nearby parish of Dungog. She has implementation of the Convention on the Rights of
the Child (CRC). A childʼs happiness or even life,
responded to a perceived call from God to could depend on our prompt action wherever we
become a contemplative and pastoral presence are…
at the monastery, which had been the home of
Sr. Denise Boyle fmdm Executive Director FI

8. TAU PAGE 8
beautiful homily that wove her colouful spiritual
Hélèneʼs Ordination 4th December journey and life story with the readings from
Isaiah?
2010
Nettie, Sarah and husband Rick drove through We were so
the parched countryside to New Plymouth. The pleased to
coast was beautiful and the mountain clear and have been
invited to share
the summer berries at Pio Pio delicious!
the weekend
The purpose for our journey was to support with Hélène
Hélène (and her husband Don ) at her and her family
ordination to the diaconate. This was held on and Titia and
the 4th December at the Taranaki Cathedral, her family. It
the lovely stone church of St Mary. The day was a very
was hot as Taranaki was as dry as we have precious time. As one of the Holy Trinity
ever seen it. We forgot our “farming in drought Church family said “Hélène looks very much to
woes” and just enjoyed the beautiful service. have come home”
We arrived early to make sure of a seat and Congratulations Hélène and may God bless
discovered Hélène had reserved us the front you in your ministry. (by Sarah)
row. Titia and her husband Winfred also joined __________________________________________
us. We felt very honoured and just loved being Christchurch Earthquake Prayer:22 Feb/11
able to see the ordination and ritual up close.
God – the world is in an uproar.
With our usual planning we all forgot a camera
but Nettie was able to use her phone and While ordinary people in the Middle East
Hélèneʼs friend Pip had a professional camera call for justice and a fair way of life,
with her. Three deacons were to be ordained, the ground rolls beneath Christchurch again.
Hélène and Shirley Anne to be transitional
deacons and Charmaine to become a It's incongruous that I sit here looking out at
vocational deacon. Charmaineʼs whakapapa is green trees
local so the service began with a Karanga and and a still horizon
mihihi, with waiata sung by the congregation. beckoning me to hope
The ordination was very moving and with while troops are opening fire
plenty of tears and laughter with Bishop Philip on demonstrators in Libya
commenting on Hélèneʼs full name which as and the Cathedral tower shatters.
Hélène pointed out spells hap(p)y. A very fitting
name we all agreed! The tears came when we Life is not fair - life is not just.
as family joined Hélène in the lady chapel to Nor is it able to be taken in measured doses.
receive the host from Hélène for the first time, Chaos can mean there is nowhere else to go
so precious. and nothing left to do
We all commented that it was a lovely service but to cry out to you
and it was great to see Hélène as the as though you are the silent ear,
Reverend Helene who in true Franciscan spirit hearing our cries
had cast off her shoes and was a picture of joy. absorbing them into yourself
and crying with us.
The next morning Holy Trinity held a special
service to welcome Hélène as the new deacon Even as bullets fly and buildings disintegrate,
to join Titia and Archdeacon Tricia as part of may compassion rise in all of us
the ministry team. A beautiful San Damiano to be the God that walks and talks in the world
cross was presented to Hélène from the parish today.
which was an acknowledgement of her - http://www.spiritedcrone.com/?sid=82
Franciscan vocation. Hélène preached the ________________________________
sermon and received much applause for her

9. TAU PAGE9
Book Reviews from Clare Stewart to Whet Your Appetite
Franciscan way of the Cross Book in
by Teresa V. Baker SFO. Pub. St. Anthony Messenger Press 2005: A look at the Forum 2011
familiar Franciscan “Peace” prayer through her meditation and a prayer for each now!
station of the cross. A very small book- only 20 pages. I found it witnessed to her
very loving relationship with Jesus... tender, almost. Good for the soul!!. Ngatiawa,
Waikanae:
Prayers from the Heart 18-22nd July
(A centre of Urban
by Richard Foster, published Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 1994
Vision)
I added some of these to my daily office book. This is an anthology of prayers - Old promo video:
some by Foster, some traditional gems, notes on the prayers, and some footnotes http://
or comments. I particularly liked the thought of having a cup of coffee with God www.youtube.com
to start my day.
/watch?
v=8sYuzjF_WDk
Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes _______________
by Kenneth Bailey Publisher Inter varsity Press 2008
More micro-print but worth the persistence. I’m a Bailey fan anyway- from ‘Poet
and Peasant’ and ‘Finding the Lost’. Aspects of Jesus’ daily life that we give little Life loves to be
attention to are related to the true culture and customs of the day (and often taken by the
Middle eastern life still). The sections on the Lord’s prayer and on the Beatitudes lapel and
are well worth an annual visit, I reckon. And I am a sucker for anything Mr. Baily told,”I’m with
has to say on the parables. This is my book of the year! A good Scripture Index for you kid.
sermon reference. This is a useful book, not just a pleasant read. Let’s go.”
-Maya Angelou

10. TAU PAGE 10
Thought for the Month “The Missional Church is
Not about the Church
From Rev Peter Osborne, Ministry Educator, church a part of their lives?" Alan Roxburgh and
peter@hn-ang.org.nz Scott Boren. Introducing the Missional Church.
We need an alternative imagination to the Te pai me te rangimārie John
attractional, in order to understand the
missional church. DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
This imagination starts with a paradoxical Geneva, Switzerland : Two Franciscans
statement that often leaves people confused: attended the United Nations to highlight
A missional imagination is not about the church, gender injustices affecting Kenyan women and
it's not about how to make the church better, girls such as literacy, education, and health.
how to get more people to come to church, Sr. Patricia Ndunge Kasina LSOSF, and Jane
or how to turn a dying church around. It's not Mary Wangari SFO, previously worked with FI
about getting the church back to cultural
and women at the grassroots to collate and
respectability in a time when it has been
marginalised. All of these are good things, but submit an official report. They also delivered an
they aren't the focus of a missional imagination. oral statement to the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
God is up to something in the world that is (CEDAW) as part of the country's general
bigger than the church even though the church human rights review.
is called to be sign, witness, and foretaste of
God's purposes in the world. The Spirit is
calling the church on a journey outside of itself On 19 January Ms. Wangari delivered an oral
and its internal focus. Rowan Williams statement that drew the Committee's attention
summarises this imagination in this way: 'It is to the fact that healthcare remained a serious
not the church of God that has a mission. It's concern in Kenya, where maternal mortality
the God of mission that has a church.' He is rates were still very high. Lack of proper
saying God is at work in the world to redeem nutrition was also a serious issue with regards
creation, and God invites us to participate in to HIV/AIDS treatment. She asked the Kenyan
this mission.
Government to increase the number and
God is not interested in getting more and more training of healthcare professionals and sexual
people into the institution of the church. Instead and reproductive health services, as well as
the church is to be God's hands and feet in other concrete measures to combat gender
accomplishing God's mission. based discrimination.
This imagination turns most of our church She told FI: "We were pleased that many of the
practices on their head. It invites us to turn report's recommendations were addressed
toward our neighbourhoods and communities, and, we hope, will be worked on. We will
listening first to what is happening among
continue to work with FI and at the grassroots
people and learning to ask different question
about what God is up to in the neighbourhood. and to network more with others working on
the same issues worldwide to ensure that
Rather than the primary question being, 'How
government policies are respected."
do we attract people to what we are doing?' it
becomes, 'what is God up to in the
neighbourhood?' and 'What are the ways we FIVE FOR FRANCIS
need to change in order to engage the people
in our community who no longer consider
- GIVE 5 ASK 5

11. TAU PAGE 11
A Message from Bishop John Gray
E te iwi whanui tena koutou, Greetings to our through the earthquake in some cases they
friends and Whanau in Aotearoa NZ me nga donʼt have any mode of transport and we have
Hui Amorangi, USA Presiding Bishop Katharine to use 4 wheel drive vehicles to reach these
Schori, Bishop of Hawaii Robert Fitzpatrick, people.
General Secretary Tom Heffer Seafarers in
London and many others who have contacted Our centre is also providing temporary housing
us. to families who have no place to stay due to the
quake approx. 20 in residence and growing.
If I havenʼt responded to anyone my apologies Unfortunately we are unable to house more
as we have been totally involved with this work because of limited shelter, water and Porta-
in the field (12 hr days) you can contact me on loos. I am praying and hoping we can obtain a
0274323971 or 033891683. If you wish to special tank for water soon this will help
donate this will be greatly appreciated and can alleviate some of our problems. We are
be sent to - 060807 0078247 02 - National working with Hera Clark and her seven social
Bank, Fitzgerald Ave Branch, Imprest Account workers who have come from Wellington they
(Anglican Maori Mission). are based at our centre and we appreciate the
services they are offering.
Thank you for your prayers and support
physically and financially which has been I visited the student army co-ordinators with the
greatly appreciated for our work in this horrific Dean Peter Beck who have a work force of
devastation which has plagued the city for the 18000 students to give them encouragement
past ten days. and moral support and we provide pack
lunches to 50 coordinator staff when requested
The Hui Amorangi is active in allocating Priest (on a roster basis). This group is engaged in
and counseling services in most of the welfare liquefaction clearing and many other tasks in
centres. In the next few days six students from the community.
St Johnʼs college and two priests from Manawa
o Te Wheke and a priest from Blenheim will join The Hui Amorangi (Te Hepara Pai) is a very
us this will give relief to some of our staff who small ministry unit in Christchurch with a big
been involved since the Earthquake. As the heart we are here for the long haul and we
bodies are recovered from varies sites I have know that Gods grace will guide us safely
been asked to provide priestly services to bless through this carnage of human life and
these areas starting with the Cathedral we will suffering. I would like to thank our donors
be attending each time there is a recovery on a particularly to Bishop Kito who responded when
24 hr cycle. We have Maori Chaplains based the crisis began which enabled us to set up
at Christchurch and Burwood Hospitals to resources for this major catastrophe thank you
assist families and patients. and your Hui Amorangi. To all other donors
thank you for your kindness and aroha. In the
We are thankful for the assistance of Jo Unwin evenings we meet at 7.30 pm to give spiritual
for her services in co-ordinating donations of nourishment to those who are working in the
food at 290 ferry road where we have our field please keep us in your prayers as we
distribution bank which also receives water continue Godʼs work amongst our people.
blankets and many other goods including
portable toilets for delivery. We are thankful for May God bless us as I retire to take my rest to
the contributions from the business community begin a new day of showering Godʼs love.
of Ashburton and other donors too numerous to Will be in touch as we progress once again a
mention. We are providing hot food and non- big THANK YOU to everyone.
perishables groceries to houses who are
unable to access food banks because these
Na reira tena koutou katoa Bishop John
areas have experienced flooding of their homes

12. TAU PAGE 12
Sift together flour, cocoa, baking
Sticky Brownies Preheat oven 180c lightly grease
20cm square baking tin and line powder and fold into the egg and
3 oz Butter base chocolate mixture.
5 oz Castor Sugar Spoon mixture into a cake tin and
3 ½ oz soft brown sugar Place butter, sugars, chocolate bake for 25 minutes – until top is
4 ½ oz plain chocolate and golden syrup in a heavy crisp and edge of cake beginning
1 tbspn Golden syrup saucepan and gently heat stirring to shrink away.
2 eggs until mixture is blended and
I tsp chocolate or vanilla essence The cake will still be quite gooey
smooth can be done in
2 Tbsp Cocoa powder and soft to touch
microwave!) Remove and allow to
3 ½ oz plain flour cool Beat
½ tsp baking powder And very yummy after LENT
together eggs and essence, whisk
into cooled chocolate mixture
Archbishop launches online Lent reflections:
Dr Sentamu will be encouraging people to give to good causes during Lent
The Archbishop of York will publish his thoughts online about Lent.Dr John
Sentamu will encourage people to donate the money they save during Lent to good
causes or to purchase fair trade products. The weekly posts will be published online
from 9 March with a fresh reflection added each week on the Archbishop's
website .Dr Sentamu said he was surprised by the success of his Christmas
thoughts which were published as part of an online Advent calendar. Good causes: He
said: "I always love the opportunity to share with others the love of God and the transforming power of the
Holy Spirit in our daily lives. "But what really surprised me was how many people enjoyed reading those
reflections in the build up to Christmas." Lent is, for Christians, traditionally a period of penitence and
abstinence. The Archbishop said: "Many people give up something for the 40 days that precede Easter
Sunday. "Maybe you will give up [a] treat. Perhaps you will put aside the money you save and use it for a
good cause or maybe you will simply use it to buy The Real Easter Egg, Traidcraft products or Fairtrade
goods. "It is important that we fight poverty through trade." BBC YORK
Our Archbishop David and Bishop Philip have been helping in support, fund
raising and prayer for Christchurch, with them we continue to pray for families affected world wide
by natural disasters, poverty and war. Especially praying for the USAR teams that search for the
injured and dead. We hold our own Franciscan family here and overseas helping in so many ways
to bring peace and justice to the world and we wonder at the gift of grace and comradeship that
arises as we reach out to each other being the hands and face of Christ in the beautiful and
broken world. As the prayer in time of need says :“ Pierce our hearts with compassion,
we who watch from afar, find only misery upon misery, Move us to act swiftly this day, to give
generously every day, to work for justice always, to pray unceasingly for those without hope.”
Hélène
Please pray for Japan ; Christchurch ; China.