Kahui Wahine in Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia | Community organisation

Kahui Wahine

Locality: Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 2 9858 1626

Address: 587 Elizabeth Street 2000 Surry Hills, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.tewairuatapu.com.au

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25.01.2022 Christ is Compassion! Readings: Genesis 32: 22-31 Psalm 17:1-7, 15... Romans 9: 1-5 Matthew 14: 13-21 Sentence: When Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. Matthew 14:14 Tena koutou katoa e te whanau o Te Wairua Tapu. Well whanau, work at the church is coming along, all the rendering is completed, final touches in our new kitchen are taking place and the huge pile of rubbish is starting to get removed. But there is still more work to do. Id like to acknowledge at this time all those that have lost loved ones since March. It hasnt been easy for a lot of whanau grieving for someone and unable to attend tangihanga. May God grant your loved ones eternal peace and give you the strength and courage to meet the days, months and years ahead. In saying that, I hope you have all had a good week. Not overly demanding and stressful and you were able to find time to chill out and rest. Take some me time space. You see, living life eventually teaches us that there are times when we should maintain personal boundaries and take care of ourselves; and there are other times when we should set our needs and our wants aside and offer kindness and care to those who are in need around us. This is part of the lesson from Matthews gospel reading this morning. Jesus had given so much of himself to those around him that he withdrew to a deserted place to be alone. To make that happen, he took a boat from one side of the Sea of Galilee to the other. Now, Id have to say that was a good and wise choice. He must have been tired from all the mahi he had been doing, and he was taking care of himself. The crowds walked around the lake to find him. In other words, they literally took the long way around! And when they showed up, the scripture says that he had compassion for them. It seems to me that Jesus interaction with the crowds that followed him, provides us with an example of the lesson that there is a time for self-care, but there is also a time for putting our own concerns aside and simply offering ourselves as vessels of compassion for those in need, starting with the ones closest to you. The story that follows is intriguing, because its the only miracle of Jesus found in all four gospels and there is also no mention of what actually happened to make the five loaves and two fish feed such a huge crowd! Some have suggested that the example of generosity inspired those in the crowd to share their food with others. But we dont know that. Others have depicted it as an instantaneous miracleJesus lifts the basket of food to heaven to bless it, and when he brings it down the basket is overflowing with loaves and fishes. But we dont know that either. We really dont know and we may never be able to explain how Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish. What we do know is that initially the disciples wanted to send the crowds away. I would imagine they too were tired and wanted to have some down time. After all, the whole reason why they got in the boat and went to a deserted place was to be alone. Or perhaps, in their characteristic lack of faith, they were afraid there wouldnt be enough food. A pretty reasonable concern you would think! What we do know is that Jesus gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. But this brings us no closer to explaining this story. Maybe it was in the act of the disciples being willing to put their own concerns aside and to simply give the food they had to the crowds that the miracle occurred? We still dont know that for sure, but it does seem important that the disciples who wanted to send everybody away turned around and served their food to the hungry crowds around them. And somehow the miracle happened in the giving. By setting aside their own concerns, their fears and their doubts, Jesus disciples became the vessels for Gods miraculous work. Perhaps one of the lessons is that true miracles happen in ways we can and never will explain. Well probably never know for sure exactly what happened that day by the Sea of Galilee, but it might point us in the right direction. When we remain focused on maintaining our boundaries, when we stay in our fears that there will not be enough or perhaps we arent good enough, when we just want to send others away to fend for themselves, we ultimately withhold the loving kindness and compassion that we have been so generously given. On the other hand, when we let go of our fears and concerns about our own well beingat least when the situation calls for itand open our hearts to the people we encounter with a giving spirit, we become vessels and more Christlike, filled with divine compassion that can have a truly miraculous effect. Our compassion and our loving kindness may be small and faltering at times, but if we will just give what we have, like Jesus, perhaps in the giving it will be multiplied to meet the needs. When we give compassion freely, it ripples out far beyond our ability to explain or even imagine. When we open ourselves to be people of compassion, those streams of kindness and mercy that flow through us have an effect that only God knows. Amen. Archdeacon Kaio Karipa Collect: Generous God, your love is overflowing. Enable us to trust in the abundance of your love; help us to multiply the blessings you give, for you are the one that fulfils all our needs. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen The Venerable Kaio Karipa Chaplain Sydney Maori Anglican Fellowship Church of Te Wairua Tapu www.tewairuatapu.com.au

25.01.2022 Its been a few weeks and the gangs all back on site

24.01.2022 Please continue to keep our whanau in Napier and surrounding areas in your prayers

24.01.2022 Dear survivors of violence who are bravely speaking out: We hear you. We see you. We believe you. You’re not alone.

22.01.2022 25 November is the International Day to End Violence against Women and the is turning orange to show that #GenerationEquality stands against gender-based violence. Let’s kick off the #16Days of Activism and #orangetheworld! http://unwo.men/rO6C50CsnXd

19.01.2022 Keep safe whanau

19.01.2022 Mal continues to do great work for our Maori and Pacific communities, if your able to vote, please do so!

17.01.2022 #WATCH Matariki may become a public holiday by 2022 - making it the first Mori centric public holiday. Moana gives her take on the new announcement. Comment below and let us know your thoughts Te Ao with MOANA is on every Monday 8pm on Mori Television

17.01.2022 Discipleship Faith! Readings: Genesis 45: 1-15 Psalm 133... Romans 11: 1-2, 29-32 Matthew 15: 21-28 Sentence: Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish. Matthew 15:28 Tena koutou katoa e te whanau o Te Wairua Tapu. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so. Most of us oldies know that song well. For many of us it describes the Jesus of our childhood and our growing up. Its simple and easy. And like Ive mentioned before, it conjures up images of a sentimental faith and a sweet, cuddly Jesus. Those are images that still remain for many. Thats how we want the world to be, the way we want to live and who we want Jesus to be. The problem is that that kind of faith encourages a naive understanding about God, life and the world. And, its certainly not discipleship faith. Look at whats happening around the world and around us. Listen to all the politicians. Calculate the cost of innocent lives being tragically lost. The world is in a state of panic. Health v Economics. Freedom v Responsibility. Closer to home; balance the family budget, work full time, if you have a job, pay your mortgage or rent, raise your kids, keep your spouses and partners happy, and while you are at it, eat well and exercise. We all know what its like. Weve each got our own story. We need a faith that can carry us through this life. Too often a sentimental faith becomes cynicism, which causes us to turn away and not deal with our problems, or it leaves us stuck and frozen in one spot not knowing what to do. Life is neither simple nor easy. So why should we settle for a faith that is the same? Weve all grown up since the days of singing Jesus loves me but has our faith grown up? Yes, Jesus loves us but faith is not about sentimentality and Jesus is definitely not always soft. Just ask the Canaanite women in todays gospel. Shell tell you all about it. Shes not one of the chosen people. Shes an outsider that the insiders dont want in their space. Dont she get? Theres just something about her that is not acceptable. On top of that she is a woman in a society in which woman have no real value or standing. To make matters worse she just wont give up. You see, life for her is neither simple nor easy. And sentimentality wont cut it. She needs help so she comes to Jesus. Yes, Jesus loves her but he ignores her and then calls her a dog. So what we do with that? Many have tried to explain it away. They offer excuses trying to justify Jesus behaviour. None are really convincing. Maybe Jesus was just tired and having a bad day. Or he was teaching his disciples something. Really? At the expense of this woman and her daughter? Others say Jesus was testing her faith; as if her life wasnt hard enough. Maybe Jesus didnt understand the full extent of his mission and ministry. I suspect all the excuses only highlight how small our faith is. Regardless of why Jesus did what he did we dont like it. It makes us feel uncomfortable. Thats not the Jesus we want but thats the Jesus we get in todays gospel. And sometimes thats the Jesus we get in life. There are days when we come before God and offer in prayer all that we are and all that we have. We speak, express our feelings, make known our needs and then nothing happens. We wait. We listen. And, God is silent. Its like talking to the wall. If youve ever experienced that, then you know this Canaanite woman. Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon. But he didnt answer her at all. Instead, he talked about her to the disciples. She heard every word. I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, Jesus tells them. But for her, nothing. Totally ignored. No words, no gestures, no acknowledgment and no explanation. What do we do when that happens? Where do we go? Do we give up? Get angry? Leave the church? Sometimes in different pastoral situations people ask, Why is God silent? Why am I ignored? I wish I knew. I dont have an answer. Even if I did I doubt it would be good enough. So I do the only thing I can do. Send them back to God. Just keep showing up. Dont leave the church. Regardless of what God does or doesnt do, make sure you show up. Even if it seems God doesnt. Thats what the Canaanite woman did. This sounds very much like the women I grew up around. They never gave in and they never took no for an answer! And yet, Jesus was silent. She could have gone home, argued, or asked, Why? But she didnt. Instead, she came closer to Jesus, fell before him, and kept on worshipping him saying, Lord, help me. That doesnt make sense but thats what she does. This woman who was ignored and seemingly rejected by Jesus moves even closer and begs like a dog. She continues to show up trusting that somehow its enough to just be there before him. At some point he has to act. She doesnt know when or what he will do. She only knows that she will be there when he does do something. Then he answers. Its not fair to take the childrens food and throw it to the dogs. Jesus literally called her a dog, an animal. Those are hard words and you wouldnt get away with that today. But maybe they arent about Jesus or the woman. Jesus is naming the reality of the world in which they both lived. It was a hard world. The reality is that there are children and there are dogs. We see it everyday. Some have more while many dont. Some are in and some are out. For some, life flourishes while many struggle to make it through another day. Children and dogs. They didnt make it that way. It was like that before either one of them were born. It was that way before they came on the scene and its still that way today. That doesnt make it right and we should do all we can to change it. However, that is the world in which we must pray, live out our faith and we must learn to continually show up no matter what. Thats the world in which Jesus and this Canaanite women meet. Life is neither simple nor easy and dogs dont eat the childrens food in this world. The woman knows this. She even agrees with Jesus. Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters table. She has again found a way to show up and be present even when it seems everyone has left the room and everything is against her. This time Jesus speaks and acts. Great is your faith, he tells her. That very hour her daughter is healed. So what do we do with that? Some say she finally wore him down and Jesus gave in to get her to shut up and go away. That sounds more like what we would do. Some say she was rewarded for her persistence. Maybe, but you and I both know of persistence with no reward. So whats the difference? Others suggest Jesus realised he was wrong and changed his mind. Maybe. I dont know why Jesus acted the way he did. Maybe we dont need to know. Theres a lot of maybes. Maybe this story is not even about Jesus. But its about us, our faith, and our world. Life is tough. Deep and abiding faith is a real struggle. The world is broken and divided into children and dogs. In the dog days of life all we can do is continue to show up and thats enough. God may or may not do what we want. It doesnt really matter. To not show up is to only deepen the division between us and God. To turn away means that we wont be there when God does show up and act. And we will miss it. We will miss the moment of connection, healing, words of forgiveness and the acts that transform. We will never know that Jesus really does love us unless we continue to be present and wait for him to speak to us. Discipleship faith demands us to stay in for the long haul. Amen. Archdeacon Kaio Karipa Collect: God of compassion, you love every person without exception. Turn our hearts so that we may love our neighbour. Remove from us everything we use to exclude our sisters and brothers. Guard the door of our lips so that what we say may be worthy of our calling as your people. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen The Venerable Kaio Karipa Chaplain Sydney Maori Anglican Fellowship Church of Te Wairua Tapu

16.01.2022 An update on the happenings next door whanau

16.01.2022 I dont remember a time when our country or Prime Minister has received such worldwide praise and attention. Whether you support the PM or not its pretty pheno...menal for little NZ over the past few years. Today British magazine Prospect ranked Jacinda Ardern second in the world in a list of the worlds top 50 thinkers for the Covid-19 age. Her governing ethos of kindness was drawing interest as a refreshing (if hazy) alternative to neo-liberalism even before it showed practical results in keeping a lid on the crisis, wrote the editors. It always sounded rather airy until she showed how it could be put to practical effect in the coronavirus context, and achieved some of the worlds best results.

16.01.2022 Celebrate that you have the right to have your say. Enrol online now so you can vote and be heard in the upcoming 2020 General Election and referendums. https://bit.ly/2Cy73xb

15.01.2022 NAIDOC Week provides another opportunity for us all to come together and celebrate the culture, achievements and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islande...rs. We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging. SMA will continue to work with our Indigenous partners in our journey toward a cultural centre & strengthening our cultures. See more

14.01.2022 Tn r ttou e te whnau. Tonight at 8pm there is going to be a special launch of a waiata called The Blessing and one of the singers of this virtual choir i...s Keri-Ann Hokianga. We caught up with her today for a quick interview. She was also interviewed by SHINE TV today! This is what Keri-Ann had to say: Kia ora Keri-Ann, hey, this kaupapa - translating and singing the waiata "The blessing" in te reo Mori & declaring it over te iwi Mori & our whenua, what do you hope that it will achieve? Keri-Ann: Kia ora! My hope is that this waiata will inspire all of our Mori whnau across Aotearoa and abroad that we can worship God with the language that he has given us! and in our own way, a Mori way! I also hope that those Mori who receive this waiata know, If they dont already, that you have a place in the community and body of Christ as a Mori. thats so awesome! So, whats it like being a part of a nation-wide virtual choir? Keri-Ann: Its a buzz!! Ive always wanted to be in a choir. Its a new experience for me and one that I will never forget! For me It was so powerful coming together with the different parts of the church, the body of Christ to praise God in this waiata found in Numbers 6:24-26 A part of the lyrics speaks about carrying over a blessing not just to our children, but our childrens children. Do you believe God is able to bless those that are yet to be born? Keri-Ann: Absolutely Yes!! Im reminded of the promise that God gave to Abraham regarding his whakatupuranga, and I strongly believe that same God back then continues to offer this blessing to His followers today. Music is such a powerful way for people to connect. Have you always loved singing? Is music something youd like to do more of in the future? Keri-Ann: To be honest I hated singing when I was younger, I was way too shy! I grew into it with the awhi and tautoko of my whnau making me sing - I had no choice! But now, I want to praise God through music as long as I am able to. Music is one way I find myself close in conversation with God. TUNE IN AT 8PM TO WATCH THE PREMIERE OF THIS WAIATA *** A special mention also to Bishop Kito, Matua David Tapene & the whole Tapene whnau, Canon Arthur and Howard Te-Houoterangi Karaka also for your involvement in this awesome project! Great work team! #TheBlessing #KeriAnnHokianga #TheMoriEvangelist #HaahiMihingari

14.01.2022 Jesus Christ our Reconciliation! Readings: Exodus 12: 1-14 Psalm 149... Romans 13: 8-14 Matthew 18: 15-20 Sentence: Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13: 8 Tena koutou katoa e te whanau o Te Wairua Tapu. In last weeks gospel, we saw how Jesus told his disciples that to follow him was to take up a cross: to live lives of sacrifice and service to othersto live good lives but not easy lives. Today, Jesus tells them what they should do when conflict arises in the community. Not just conflict concerning disagreementsbut wrongs. Not because he anticipates his church will be a troubled group of people, but because he knows they will simply be a group of people. Jesus knows that even while the church will point to something beyond itselfsomething greaterits still made up of humans. And so it will be bound to the same limitations of any other human institution: there will be conflict. Mistakes will be made and there will be some serious mistakes. There will be huge disagreement, unrest and fractures, ill-will towards each other that inflicts deep hurtful pain. Jesus knew this and the rest of the New Testament writers knew it too. The book of Acts is filled with stories of conflict within the early church. A vast majority of Pauls letters deal directly with conflict within churchessometimes the typical, petty he said, she said, but at times conflict that would make you think, Seriously, is this church? Conflict has been present in the church ever since theres been a church and even before that. Each of the gospels record infighting between the disciples: right there, sitting at the feet of Jesus and they couldnt get on. Christ knows there will be conflict, even in his church. But he tells them how to deal with conflict. Dont ignore it or sweep it under the carpet, where it can fester or spread. Its got to be addressed head on. Jesus gives clear and practical instructions on what to do. Direct communication with the offending partyalways face to face. No gossip or back stabbing. One on one to begin with, but if that doesnt work, then you take someone else with you. And if that doesnt work, then it comes before the whole church. And if the offending party still wont budge, only then are they removed from the community. This may sound cold and even a bit harshat least for Jesus. Especially when Jesus gathers the children around him; reaches out to the lost and brings everyone into the fold. And yet, even Jesus highlights the importance of accountability in relationships and in community. But each step in this process is focused on restoration for the offender not revenge for the offended. The point is to try and keep that one in the fold so the community remains intact and in harmony but not necessarily at peace. However, if reconciliation cant be reached, it doesnt mean the offending party is simply written offthis is not what Jesus is implying when he says theyll become like a Gentile or a tax collector. Remember, Jesus ate with tax collectors and reached out to Gentiles. They were simply outside the community but always invited in. Exclusion here isnt the last word. The hope is always that the lost sheep will return. Reconciliation, restoration is always the hope. And this is so different from the world outside the churchwhere justice not reconciliation is the goal. I know todays gospel is tough. Its a reminder that the church is not some high-minded exclusive thought process. Its real, practical and hard. Community is hard. Relationships are hardthey are messy, painful and above all fragilerelationships are fragile, maybe even more so in the church. When the church is working as it should, where we are bound together by the deepest bonds there are: the bonds of faith, hope, love and a shared vision for whats good and right. But this makes it all the more painful when church relationships fall apart. Jesus is clear about this delicate balance within the church, the balance of fragility and power. On the one hand its as fragile as human relationships, with our egos and insecurities, but on the other, its as powerful as the presence of God in the world. Its fragile enough that its health must be vigorously defended, fragile enough that one offender left unchecked can throw the whole system out of whack, but powerful enough that Christ promises to be present within it wherever two or three are gathered. But the great mystery of the church, which is the incarnationthat God would take on our human frailty and weaknessour brokenness, that in the end, that can be our strength. Because only people who know they are broken can be healed. What sets the church apart in the world is not that we are holier than everyone else or less likely to fall short or mess things upGod knows that isnt true as well as we do. The church is set apart because we are aware of our brokenness. When we know how broken we all are, it is then, that we find ourselves ready to be healed. And with our own wounds still mending, we find ourselves ready to wait for, work for and pray for the healing of others. We cant write anyone else off because we havent been written off. And its to that extent that we commit ourselves to this kind of healing work within our own walls, our own relationships, that the churchthrough our very beingproclaims the good news weve been given. The good news Jesus offers isnt some abstract notion of salvation when we die: its the promise of living resurrected lives in the here and now. Lives of redemption and wholeness. Lives once broken that through the power of the Holy Spirit working through a community are repaired. Relationships once torn apart that are restored. Hope once thought to be lost thats rekindled through acts of grace and mercy and forgivenessthis is the good news; that this kind of resurrected living can happen now among us and in us. Even in you. Amen. Archdeacon Kaio Karipa Collect: Gracious God, when two or three are gathered in your name you are there. Ever present with your family, the church. Give us grace and maturity when we are in conflict. Help us to listen, to forgive and to live together in mutual love. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen The Venerable Kaio Karipa Chaplain Sydney Maori Anglican Fellowship Church of Te Wairua Tapu www.tewairuatapu.com.au

14.01.2022 Cost of Discipleship! Readings: Exodus 3: 1-15 Psalm 105: 1-6, 23-26, 45c... Romans 12: 9-218 Matthew 16: 21-28 Sentence: Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good. Romans 12:9 Tena koutou katoa e te whanau o Te Wairua Tapu. I hope you have taken the time this morning whanau, to read the bible readings set down for today before reading my kauwhau. By doing so, scripture or the word, will enable you to reflect and be better equipped to understand what is needed in terms of discipleship. In saying that, our gospel today from Matthew continues on from last week when Jesus took his disciples to the region of Caesarea Philippi. Where Jesus engaged them in a conversation concerning who people thought he was. After the disciples gave their responses, Jesus asked them directly: But Who do you say I am? In that context we heard Peters bold response, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus immediately commends him for his insightful response and then makes the bold promise that, upon the solid rock of Peters strong confession of faith, Jesus would build his Church. So the story continues today. Imagine this: Jesus, not wanting the disciples to be unprepared, tells them what will happen next ~ When I get to Jerusalem, the authorities will have me arrested and they will not rest until I am put to death. But on the third day I will be raised. Peter is shocked by these words and he cant accept this outcome. So he pulls Jesus aside and shouts: The Saviour of the world to suffer? No way! God will not let this happen to you Lord. In that moment, Peter starts the tradition of Jesus followers thinking that they are smarter than Jesus. Of course, this kind of thinking is not unfamiliar: Adam and Eve thought they were smarter than God when it came to what they could or could not eat in the Garden of Eden, Josephs brothers thought they had a better idea and they sold their brother into slavery, David thought he had a clearer sense of who should be Bathshebas husband and so he arranged for the death of her husband Uriah so he could marry her. And I am sure, there are times when we all think we are smarter than God and Jesus. Matthew tells us that Jesus response to Peter was fierce and angry: Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things. Perhaps Peter touched Jesus at a point of vulnerability. Ouch! We know that Satan had tried to break Jesus down when he was weakened by hunger after forty days in the wilderness. Whatever the reason, Jesus was brutal in his response to Peter. One minute Peter was the rock on whom Christ would build his Church; the next minute he is Satan, Jesus sworn enemy. Instantly Peter is transformed from hero to zero. But the critical factor in todays gospel is the reality that in this moment, Peter is convinced that he is smarter than Jesus. However, we shouldnt be too hard on Peter for we too are always looking for a pain-free, ouch-less form of Christianity ~ a form that by-passes Jerusalem. But Jesus wants us to know that the cross and the crown of glory belong together. No glory, Jesus says, without the pain and agony. Jesus challenges our perceptions against Gods intentions. If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me: This is not what we want to hear; we would prefer: Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Or God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. These are words that bring us comfort and peace. But deny yourself and take up your cross this isnt what we want to hear. Many preachers dont like to talk about Jerusalem: the pain, sacrifice, self-denial, and servanthood. They want to focus on success, prosperity and blessings. But todays Gospel cannot be watered down. When Peter claimed to be smarter than Jesus, trying to stop the Lord from going to Jerusalem, he was strongly rebuked. We all must struggle to avoid acting like we are smarter than Jesus. Like Peter, we, too, would rather focus on our personal concerns and play down Gods intentions for our lives, justifying and explaining away: Why it is that we dont do more or be more active in Gods kingdom; Why we need to hold onto 95% or 98% of what we receive from the Lord for our own purposes, instead of being more generous stewards we know we should be; Why its so hard for us to come regularly to karakia and to assume tasks and ministries that will bless others, especially new comers, reflecting and sharing how much we have been blessed by God and Jesus Christ. More people want to come to church now that its closed rather than when it was open. So whanau, let us resist the danger and temptation of thinking we are smarter than Jesus. We have been called to follow Jesus Christ, to be his disciples, living lives that matter to deny ourselves for the sake of Gods kingdom. Let us not be so smart that we abandon our Lord and Saviour for a life of pleasure and self-satisfaction. I dont think thats very smart at all. Lord God, you have called us, your servants, to journeys of which we cant see the ending, by paths we are yet to walk and through challenges and dangers that are unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us. Amen. Archdeacon Kaio Karipa Collect: Eternal and everliving God, our beginning and our end, you give us strength in the face of suffering and death. Set our minds on divine, not worldly things. Give us courage to take up our cross and follow you. Help us to trust and live in the power of the resurrection of Jesus. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen The Venerable Kaio Karipa Chaplain Sydney Maori Anglican Fellowship Church of Te Wairua Tapu www.tewairuatapu.com.au

13.01.2022 A mother’s view

12.01.2022 In love with this quilt! Get yours: https://tinyurl.com/y5bprnlx

12.01.2022 Theres never an excuse for violence. If you feel unsafe at home, you can speak out. Call the NSW DV Line on 1800 65 64 63. Its free, available 24/7, and confidential. Visit www.speakout.dcj.nsw.gov.au to find out more. In an emergency call the police on 000 (Triple Zero)

12.01.2022 Jesus Christ our Faith! Readings: Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28 Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22... Romans 10: 5-15 Matthew 14: 22-33 Sentence: But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid. Matthew 14:27 Tena koutou katoa e te whanau o Te Wairua Tapu. Today Whanau, I want to acknowledge all our volunteers and the fantastic work they have achieved at the church. Due to no fault of their own, we have had to ensure they have the necessary protection to allow them to do what they do without any worries. And to see this small team of skilled and unskilled members continue to show up every week, unpaid and chip away at all the work that needs to be done is nothing short of amazing. I know we have a huge support base out there whanau but when you get to see the transformation that this team has accomplished will blow you away. So we are a month or so away from completing the major jobs but we will be looking for some skilled painters in the weeks to come. So dont be afraid to contact me and I will keep you all informed of our progress. For me, standing firm in our faith and watching faith in action has been a huge part of what has so far transpired for Te Wairua Tapu in 2020. Which leads me to todays gospel where we hear that the disciples Cried out in fear. A strange place to begin but I remember when we were kids and used to walk past our urupa at night, someone would yell out, Look, theres a kehua (A ghost). And, we used to bolt, run as fast as we could home, scared as anything, afraid of getting caught by the ghosts. Well, I was anyway. Ive since outgrown those childhood fears but I havent outgrown fear itself. Ive been in the same boat as the disciples many times in my life. Maybe you have too. Fear. We all have our own fears. We all have our own ghost stories to tell. Regardless of whether ghosts are real or not, fear is. You could all tell a story about fear in your life, about a ghost that haunts and frightens you. There are all sorts of fears and ghosts. We fear our own death and the deaths of our loved ones. We fear the loss of our health, security, success and our reputation. We fear failure and what others will think about us. We fear being out of control and powerless. We fear the unknown, what will happen, and what might not happen. We fear others; those who look, act, and believe differently than us. And, we fear not being good enough and getting found out. You see, fear can be the primary force that drives and controls and our lives. Ive experienced that in my own life and Ive seen it in the lives of others. Ive seen how it can take hold of us and distort our vision and drown our lives. Fear often determines the choices we make, the words we say, the actions we take and the prayers we offer. Look at the events of todays world and youll see fear. Fear is one thing both sides in any conflict have in common. Listen to the voices in your head and youll hear fear. Its usually the loudest and most talkative voice. Read the headlines and youll find stories of fear. Study the scriptures and youll discover that the most common thing God tells the people is to not be afraid. And yet, most of us are. Weve rowed the same boat as the disciples. Weve been tossed about by the storms of life and weve seen the ghosts and weve cried out in fear. Have you ever felt as if your world is full of darkness? Where the waves of life have smashed and battered you and it seems like youre always rowing against the wind and getting nowhere? If you know what thats like then you know what it was like for the disciples. In those circumstances its easy to see ghosts, to be terrified, and to cry out in fear. Thats what happened to the disciples. It happens to us. And, its happening throughout our world. The world today is crying out in fear. People are crying out with tears and screams of horror. Others cry out with silence in the dangerous worlds and circumstances that they find themselves in. Some cry out not knowing what to say or do. In whatever way we do it, at some point we all cry out in fear. Like the disciples, we more often than not, cry out to be rescued from the circumstances of which we are afraid. We want to escape the storm and avoid the ghosts. We want to be picked up and set down somewhere else, somewhere that is safe, calm and comfortable. Please Lord save me! But Jesus doesnt do that. He didnt do that for the disciples and he doesnt do that for us. Instead, Jesus reveals himself, speaks, and comes to the disciples in and from the very midst of the storm itself. He didnt take the disciples out of their storm, he entered their storm. You see, Jesus doesnt come to us from outside our storms and fears. Yet, thats often where we look for him, outside the circumstances of our lives. We are too easily persuaded that the solution to all our circumstances only come from outside. That is the exact opposite of what todays gospel tells us. Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water, through the wind and in the darkness. Jesus peace, words of comfort and presence are not outside the storm but in the centre of the storm. So why do we not look for him in that place, in the place of our fears? Thats where Jesus shows up. Where else would he be, the one we call Emmanuel, God with us? If Jesus is not in our storms and fears then he is not God-with-us. This is why we always need to examine scripture as sometimes we may miss whats really happening, like in todays gospel. If all we see is Jesus defying gravity and walking on water then we have missed the miracle. The wind and the waves are more than just weather conditions. They are more about whats happening within the disciples than whats happening around them. The real miracle is that Jesus walks into the storms that brew and rage within us. That means divine power and presence have and always will overcome and conquer human fear. It means that Jesus is with us in our most scariest circumstances. But the disciples couldnt recognise this. Sometimes we dont either. Its a ghost, they screamed in terror. Its the only thing that made sense. People dont walk on water. It had to be a ghost. What else could it be? That is the power of fear to deceive and distort our lives. Our storms and our fears are the very place in which we abandon God. Most of us, however, dont do that until we first feel abandoned by God. Surely thats how the disciples must have felt. Jesus made them get in the boat and cross the sea alone as it seems. They had been abandoned to the open sea, the darkness, the waves, the wind and left with their own efforts, fantasies and illusions. Jesus done this so that they might abandon themselves to God. The very elements that threatened to destroy the disciples became the environment in which they recognised Jesus as the Son of God. What they first perceived as certain death they now recognise as new life, hope and salvation. Every time we cry out in fear Jesus comes to us saying, Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid. Thats the invitation to abandon ourselves to God in the midst of our storms and fears. No matter how big the storms are Jesus walks through them to get to us. No matter how strong the wind blows it is the wind through which Jesus walks to us. No matter how dark the night it is the night in which Jesus comes to us. No matter how great our fear is, Jesus Christ has already defeated it. Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid. Amen. Archdeacon Kaio Karipa Collect: Merciful God, hearten us, so that like Peter we may have faith even when we fail. Grant that any recognition we receive brings worship not to ourselves but to you. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen The Venerable Kaio Karipa Chaplain Sydney Maori Anglican Fellowship Church of Te Wairua Tapu www.tewairuatapu.com.au

11.01.2022 Thank you to the Anglican Diocese of Auckland for your continued support in keeping us connected with issues of The Anglican arriving this week nga mihi Pat This caught my eye!

11.01.2022 'To make it a more inclusive anthem': Linda Burney explains why she supports a change to Advance Australia Fair. #NAIDOC2020 #BigMobBrekky

10.01.2022 Congratulations

09.01.2022 New Zealand appointed its first indigenous female foreign minister, Nanaia Mahuta. Mahuta, who is Maori, four years ago also became the country's first female member of parliament to wear a Moko kauae, a traditional tattoo on her chin.

08.01.2022 Christ is Grace! Readings: Exodus 16: 2-15 Psalm 105: 1-6, 37-45... Philippians 1: 21-30 Matthew 20: 1-16 Sentence: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1: 27 Tena koutou katoa e te whanau o Te Wairua Tapu. Last weeks kauwhau was all about forgiveness. How often should I forgive? As many as seven times? Jesus answered Peter, Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Today its about Grace. And Jesus tells the parable about the labourers and the owner of the vineyard. I am sure we could all give our own version on this parable. We probably even know people who, from our humble perspective anyway, neither earned nor deserved what they got; a job, a promotion, a pay raise, recognition, success even happiness. Even though we worked longer and harder it doesnt seem to make any difference. More often than not we view the world, ourselves, and others through the lens of fairness rather than grace, the exact opposite of how God views the world and our lives. Weve been taught that fairness matters. When we were kids we had to share everything; food, clothes, money etc. If you tried to do something sneaky like grab more food, someone would quickly say, Hey, what you doing? Then, sometimes you would see someone get more than you and you would think, Thats not fair! But you wouldnt say anything because you got a whack! So the concept of fairness is ingrained within us one way or the other. Too often, however, fairness rather than love, acceptance, mercy, forgiveness or generosity is the measure by which we act and judge another person or life circumstances. We like fairness because it give us some assurance of order, predictability, control and power; even if its a false assurance. Fairness is based on what you deserve, how hard you work, what you achieve and the way in which you behave. Sometimes its fair to give a reward and at other times a punishment. You see, we live in and promote a wage based society in which you earn what you get. You deserve the consequences, good or bad, of your actions. But, what happens when divine goodness overwhelms human fairness? You get todays parable. The parable suggests wages and grace stand in opposition to each other. They are two opposing world views. The parable strikes us as unfair because our life and world view is wage based. A wage based world view allows little room for grace in our own lives or the lives of others. Therefore, Grace is dangerous to this world view as it reverses the business as usual. So the last will be first, and the first will be last. Thats not how a wage based society works. The world says the last are last and the first are first because they deserve it. Its what is fair. Our understanding of fairness, however, doesnt seem to have priority in the kingdom of heaven where grace is the rule not the exception. Grace looks beyond our productivity, our appearance, our dress, our race or ethnicity, our gender, our accomplishments and our failures. Grace recognises there is more to you and who you are than what you have done or left undone. Grace reveals the goodness of God. Wages reveal human effort. Grace seeks unity and inclusion. Wages make distinctions and separate. Grace just happens. Wages are based on merit. The only precondition of grace is that we show up and open ourselves to receive what God is giving. When we do, we begin to see our lives, the world, our neighbours differently. Grace reminds us that we are not nearly as self-sufficient, deserving, or independent as a wage based society would like us to believe. Neither is our worth determined by our productivity or usefulness to another. Grace doesnt justify or excuse discrimination, unfairness or oppression. To the contrary it holds before us the truth that each person is more than their behaviour, their looks, their accomplishments or their failures. The tragedy of a wage based life is that it blinds us to the presence of grace, the life of God, in our own life. It can make us resentful of grace, goodness and beauty in the life of another. It separates and isolates us from others. Eventually we set up standards and expectations not only for ourselves and others but for God. Thats what happened to the first ones hired in todays parable. They saw themselves as different from and more deserving than the ones hired later. They grumbled against the landowner saying, These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us. The truth is theyre not that different from each other. Neither group owned the vineyard. Both groups needed a job and both groups were chosen, invited in, by no effort of their own doing. However, theres something that distinguishes the first ones hired and the ones hired later. The distinction is not what time they showed up to work. The real distinction between the two is the terms under which they entered the vineyard. The first hired entered the vineyard only after agreeing to the usual daily wage. They settled for too little. They shortchanged themselves. Thats often what happens in a wage based society. Apparently the landowner is willing to pay more than the usual daily wage. A full days wage for less than a full days work. Thats not fair, we might say. No, its not. Thats grace. The first hired got what they bargained for. The later hired workers, those who come at 9:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., even 5:00 p.m., did not, however, negotiate for the usual daily wage. They entered the vineyard trusting they would be paid whatever is right. Whatever is right is not determined by the first hired or by a wage based society but by the goodness of the landowner. These later hired workers received more than they earned, more than they deserved, more than they had a right to ask or hope for. Thats just what God does. Whatever is right isnt about fairness but about grace. Why settle for the usual daily wage when God wants to give you whatever is right for your life, your needs, your salvation? Whatever is right will always be more than fair, more than we could ask or imagine. Yet we trust a wage based life more than we trust grace. In so doing we deny ourselves and others the life God wants to give. So how might we begin to move from a wage based life to the vineyard of grace? Stop comparing yourself and your life to others and you will create room for grace to emerge. Refuse to compete in such a way that someone must lose for you to win. Trust that in Gods world there is enough for everyone. Let go of expectations based on what you think you or others deserve. Give God the freedom to pay whatever is right knowing that Gods ways are not your ways. Make no judgments of yourself or others. Thats the way of grace, the way of God. Amen. Archdeacon Kaio Karipa Collect: God of grace, you are kind to all people, good beyond our understanding. Help us to be grateful for what we have been given and merciful and generous with our sisters and brothers. Teach us the ways of your kingdom where the last will be first and the first will be last. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen The Venerable Kaio Karipa Chaplain Sydney Maori Anglican Fellowship Church of Te Wairua Tapu www.tewairuatapu.com.au

07.01.2022 We the Church of Aotearoa/New Zealand have added our voices to the voice of the global Church to sing Gods words of His blessing. Over our nation and all peo...ple everywhere. Thank you to the vocalists & instrumentalists from these churches... Abundant Life Church Tauranga Anglican Life Rangiora Annesbrook Church Saxton, Nelson ARISE Church in Christchurch ARISE Church in Dunedin ARISE Church in Wellington City ARISE Church in Whangarei Bethel International Church Miracle Service, Christchurch, New Zealand Blenheim Baptist Church, Blenheim Buller Anglican Parish C3 Church Tauranga C3 Eastside , Christchurch C3, Christchurch Calvary Auckland Capital Vineyard Church Catch The Fire Auckland Catholic Church, Auckland CauseWay Church, Mangawhai Central Vineyard, Auckland Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson Church Northwest, Auckland Church Unlimited Auckland City Church Unlimited - Kaitaia citywestchurch New Plymouth Congregational Church Samoa, Dunedin Connect Church,Kapiti Coast Crossroads Church - Palmerston North Eden Community Church, Auckland Elim Christian Centre Blenheim Elim Christian Centre Porirua Elim Church Christchurch City Equippers Church Auckland Equippers Church Wellington Gateway Church Hamilton Gisborne AOG Church, Gisborne Good News Family Church, Manurewa Good Shepherd Catholic Church Balmoral, Balmoral Calvin Community Church, Gore Grace International, Auckland Grace Vineyard Beach Campus, Christchurch Grace Vineyard City Campus Greenlane Christian Centre Harvest Christian Church, Papakura The Haven Nelson SDA Church Hills Community Church - Mapua HIS Church, Auckland Hope Presbyterian Church, Christchurch Kapiti Impact Church, Kapiti Coast LevinLife Church, Levin Lifechurch Palmerston North, Palmerston North LIFE Auckland Mahurangi Vineyard Church, Warkworth Manukau City Baptist Church, Manukau Mosaic Morningside, Auckland Motueka Anglican Parish, Motueka Mt. Wellington Community Church, Auckland New Day Church, Auckland Olive Tree Church, Petone Our Lady of the Bays Catholic Parish, Richmond Raleigh Street Christian Centre, Cambridge Rechurch, Christchurch Revive Pukekohe Riccarton Baptists Church, Christchurch Richmond New Life Church Saint Augustines, Auckland Shore Community Church, Auckland Shore Vineyard Church, Auckland SouthCity C3, Christchurch St. Albans Presbyterian Church, Palmerston North St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Christchurch St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Nelson St. Georges Church, Epsom Auckland St. Josephs Catholic Parish, Grey Lynn St. Michaels, Henderson, West Auckland St Pauls Lutheran Community Church Upper Moutere St Pauls Auckland, Auckland St. Therese Catholic Church, Auckland Tauranga Elim Church, Tauranga Te Pihopatanga O Te Tai Tokerau, Whangarei The Anchor Church, Whitby, Porirua The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory The Salvation Army Maori Ministry, Auckland The Salvation Army, Hamilton The Salvation Army, Johnsonville The Salvation Army, Pukekoe The Street Church, Wellington The Upper Room Church, Auckland Titirangi Baptist Church, Titirangi, Auckland Urban Vineyard, Auckland West Coast Christian Fellowship, Hokitika Windsor Park Baptist Church, Mairangi Bay (Apologies for not tagging each one - we reached FBs limit!) And... Te whina Marae, Motueka Feel free to support the team that donated their time to this project at https://ko-fi.com/grantnorsworthy Nga Mihi Nui - thank you!

05.01.2022 Weve been standing up for human rights since 1961, wed know.

04.01.2022 Jesus Christ our Messiah! Readings: Exodus 1: 8-2:10 Psalm 124... Romans 12: 1-8 Matthew 16: 13-20 Sentence: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of Godwhat is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 Tena koutou katoa e te whanau o Te Wairua Tapu. But who do you say that I am? That is the question Jesus asks us today. And here are a couple of answers Ive heard. Hes my personal Lord and Saviour. Hes my life, my everything. Hes my friend and brother. Hes my rock, comforter and teacher. Hes the Son of God and the Son of Man. God incarnate. The list could go on. At some point we have all probably been told who Jesus is. Maybe you heard it from priests, religious instructors, teachers, parents, friends, whanau or in bible and prayer groups. Maybe you read about him in books or from Sunday school lessons or seen his name on bumper stickers. Maybe you saw him mentioned on social media or on the internet, or heard his name in a song. Some of the answers may have been helpful to you. Some were not. Some answers were just plain silly and some even hurtful and destructive. Regardless, the question remains. By now, most of you will know that I wont answer that question for you. I cant. Each of us must answer it for ourselves. Its not a theology or Bible exam. Its more of an examination of our own lives. I dont think Jesus is asking us to just parrot back the answers weve heard or read. Thats probably why he pushes the disciples to move from what they are hearing around them John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets to what they are hearing within themselves. But who do you say that I am? This is not an easy question. And that is why I always challenge you not to settle for Sunday Jesus answers. You know, the easy, not to hard, feel good and sentimental anwers. Because you and I know, that life isnt always easy, feel good, or sentimental. Life gets tough. Some of you are experiencing that already. Its one thing to say who Jesus is at Te Wairua Tapu on a Sunday morning. But its a very different thing to say who he is outside of that context. The question is never just for the brain or its just an idea. It always has a context. This is what I mean. Who do we say Jesus is as Covid-19 continues to spread, as detainees and refugees cry out in need, as people in Sydney are homeless, go to bed hungry, live with domestic violence, or have no work and cant support their families? Who do we say Jesus is when a loved one dies or the doctor gives us news we didnt want to hear, or our life seems to be falling apart? Who do we say Jesus is when we are faced with tough decisions that have no easy answers, when the storms of life overwhelm us, when faithfulness means risking it all and taking a stand against louder and seemingly more powerful voices? Using the context of these few examples, what does it mean to say Jesus is my personal Lord and Saviour, my rock or my brother and friend? What does it mean to say Jesus is my life or my teacher? In other words, who we say Jesus is has everything to do with who and how we are and how we will be. In some ways our answer says as much or more about us than Jesus. It reveals how we live and what we stand up for. It guides our decisions, and determines the actions we take and the words we speak. It describes the expectations and demands we place on Jesus. It reveals the depth of our motivation for and commitment to following him. Jesus question isnt so much about getting the right answer as it is about witnessing and testifying to Gods life, love, and presence in our lives and the world. Its less about our brain and more about our heart. Its grounded in love more than understanding. It moves us from simply knowing about Jesus to knowing him. In some sense there is no once and for all, final and forever answer. We are always living into the question. Who Jesus was when we were children is different from who he was when we were in and 30s or who he is for us today. Hopefully, who Jesus is for us next year will be different from who he is today because 2020 has and continues to be a huge challenge for all creation. Its not that Jesus has changed. We have. We are constantly engaging with his question and in so doing, we not only discover more about Jesus but we discover more about ourselves. Sometimes we discover a disconnect between the Sunday Jesus whom we sing and talk about for 1 hour and the life we live the other 167 hours of our week. And thats scary. Our words and actions dont line up. I dont say that as a judgment about anyone but to acknowledge just how hard it can be to recognise and live the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Dont dispair, there have been more than once that Ive fallen into the gap between my Sunday Jesus kind of answers and the circumstances of my life and the world. Sometimes my answers were too simple, too small and too easy. They were no match for the complexities of life and the pain of the world. Other times my life has not reflected what I said about who Jesus is. Sometimes I kept quiet when I should have spoken up. Other times Ive been passive when I shouldve acted. Whenever Ive fallen into that gap or trap, it has usually been because I was trying to stay in my comfort zone or play it safe. That almost never works. There is nothing safe about the question Jesus poses. But who do you say that I am? How could there be? There is nothing safe about Jesus or the life to which He calls us. Jesus life and presence among us call into question everything about our lives, our world, the status quo, and business as usual. Thats why we ought not answer his question too quickly, too easily or with too much certainty. Its not a question to be figured out as much as its a question to be lived out. Like Peter, can you and I answer with conviction, Yes Lord, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Amen. Archdeacon Kaio Karipa Collect: Living God, you sent your Son Jesus to your people. Embolden your church to proclaim Jesus as Messiah, and to trust in him. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen The Venerable Kaio Karipa Chaplain Sydney Maori Anglican Fellowship Church of Te Wairua Tapu

04.01.2022 Christ is Forgiveness! Readings: Exodus 14: 19-31 Psalm 114... Romans 14: 1-12 Matthew 18: 21-35 Sentence: For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. Romans 14: 10 Tena koutou katoa e te whanau o Te Wairua Tapu. How often should I forgive? As many as seven times? Jesus answered Peter, Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Forgiveness, it sounds so easy to do, at least in principle. But Every one, according to C.S. Lewis, says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until there is something to forgive. What do we do then? What do we do when there is something to forgive? Does that mean forgive the drunk driver? The murderer? The rapist? The bully? The abusive parent? The greedy corporation? The racist? And as Christians, the answer to these questions is YES. Then all of a sudden, forgiveness isnt so easy. You see, forgiveness, for Jesus, is not something you can measure. Its a quality; a way of being, a way of living, a way of loving, a way of relating and a way of thinking and seeing. Its nothing less than the way of Christ. If we are to follow Christ then his way must become our way as well. Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Look at your own lives and you will find broken promises, hurt feelings, betrayals, harsh words and physical and emotional wounds. Every one of us could tell stories of being hurt, traumatised or victimised by another. Beneath the pain, the wounds and the memories will always be the question of forgiveness. When we dont forgive, some will strike back seeking revenge. Some will run away from life and their relationships. Some will even let themselves be consumed by darkness. I dont say that out of criticism or judgment of someone else but out of my own experience. Ive done them all. I know how hard forgiveness can be. Like you, I too struggle with it and often avoid it. I also know that none of those answers are the way of Christ. All of them leave us stuck in the past, tied to the evil of someone else, and deprived of the future God wants to give us. Forgiveness is the only way forward. That doesnt mean we forget, condone, or approve of what was done. It doesnt mean we ignore or excuse cruelty or injustice. It means we are released from them. We let go of the thoughts and fantasies of revenge, which I know is hard to do. But we look to the future rather than the past. We try to see and love as God sees and loves. Forgiveness is a way in which we align our life with Gods life. To withhold forgiveness is to put ourselves in the place of God, the ultimate judge to whom all are accountable (Rom. 14:10, 12). Gods forgiveness and human forgiveness are inte-related. That is apparent in todays parable. The king forgives his slave an extraordinary amount. Ten thousand talents is about 3000 years of work at the ordinary daily wage. It seems there is no debt too large to be forgiven. This man was forgiven. Thats what the kingdom of heaven is like. Thats how God is. This slave, however, refused to forgive his fellow slave 100 denarii, about three months of work at the ordinary daily wage. Too often thats what our world is like. Frequently, thats how we are. In that refusal the forgiven slave lost his own forgiveness. So do we. But this shouldnt be news to us. We know it well. We acknowledge and pray it every Sunday and for most of us we pray it everyday. Forgive us our trespasses (sins) as we forgive those who trespass (sin) against us. We pray those words with ease and familiarity but do we live our prayer? Do our actions support our request? Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Thats a lot of forgiveness but the pain of the world, this country, our homeland and individuals is massive. We need to forgive as much, maybe even more, for ourselves as for the one we forgive. Forgiving those who sin against us is the source and power that begins to heal our wounds. It may not change the one who hurt you but your life will be more alive, more grace-filled, more whole and more God-like for having forgiven someone. Forgiveness creates space for new life. Forgiveness is an act of hopefulness and resurrection for the one who forgives. Its the healing of our soul and our life. Forgiveness takes us out of the darkness and into light, from death to life. It releases us from the evil of another. It is the refusal to let our future be determined by the past. Its the letting go of the thoughts, the hatred and the fear that fill us so that we might live and love again. There is no easy road to forgiveness. Dont let anyone tell you, Just give it up to God. Forgive and forget. Thats a simplistic answer that only demean those who suffer and scratches at the wound. Forgiving another takes time and work. Its something we must practice every day. It begins with recognition and thanksgiving that we have been forgiven. We are the beneficiaries of the crucified one. Hanging between two thieves Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them (Lk. 23:34). That is the cry of infinite forgiveness, a cry we are to echo in our own lives, in our families, our work places, our church and in our day to day lives. Forgiveness doesnt originate in us. It begins with God. Thats what the slave who refused to forgive didnt understand. It wasnt about him. Its always about God. We dont choose to forgive. We only choose to share the forgiveness we have already received. Then we choose again, and then again, and then yet again. For most of us forgiveness is a process that we live into. However, sometimes,we just cant. The pain is too much, the wounds are too raw and the memories too real. On those days we choose not to forgive. Somedays we choose to want to forgive. Then there are those days that all we can do is choose to want forgive again and again. But we choose because thats the choice Christ made. How many times must we choose to forgive? How many times have you been hurt and suffered by the actions or words of another? How many times has anger or fear controlled you? How many times has the thought of revenge filled you? How many times have you shuddered at the sight, the name, or the memory of another? How many times have you replayed in your head the argument with another? Thats how many times you choose. With each choosing we move a step closer to forgiveness. A step closer to God. Then one day, God willing, we will meet in Paradise free from all forgiveness and sin. Jesus said, Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. Amen. Archdeacon Kaio Karipa Collect: Compassionate God, your forgiveness is more than we can imagine. Enable us to take hold of the forgiveness you offer and to have the grace to forgive others as we are forgiven. Through Jesus Christ our Liberator, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen The Venerable Kaio Karipa Chaplain Sydney Maori Anglican Fellowship Church of Te Wairua Tapu www.tewairuatapu.com.au

01.01.2022 Today marks the start of Te Wiki o te Reo Mori / Mori Language Week, and to celebrate, we wanted to share the video of Kia Mau Ki T kaip / Dont Forget Yo...ur Roots live from Western Springs 2020, featuring Ng Tmanako kapa haka group. The composer of the haka Ka Mate is Te Rauparaha, a chief of Ngti Toa Rangatira. See more