On Sunday 2 May the Rev'd Dr Anne van Gend was welcomed into her role as Diocesan Community Ministry Enabler in a special service at St John's Waikouaiti. It was more than just celebrating "another pair of hands" to try and do a challenging task...

Over 40 people from as far west as Kurow in North Otago through to Dunedin gathered to share bread and wine together, may of them representing smaller faith communities in isolated locations. Anne was prayed for and blessed as she was officially welcomed into her new role. 

Bishop Steve talked during the service on how this was not just a call to a new ministry for Anne, but a renewal of God's challenge to all of us as we seek to look at ways to connect people to faith throughout the Diocese. 

The Eucharist centered around three scripture passages: Genesis 12:1-8 (the call of Abram), Acts 8: 26-40 (Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch) and Mark's account of the resurrection in Chapter 16. In all of these there is a sense of taking an unknown path, reaching out to people on the margins, especially with Philip leaving a very successful revival in Samaria to go even further "on the edge" to speak to a traveling official as his chariot sped through the wilderness. 

As one of the smallest Dioceses in New Zealand with one of the largest geographical areas, we are "the outermost ends of the earth" with our own set of unique challenges. The Gospel of Mark has the women departing in terror and distress when the angel told them to go back to Jerusalem: it can feel overwhelming at times, but the story of the Church is one of people being renewed, equipped and given the strength to do quite extraordinary things. Terror and distress do not have the final say.

It was fitting to have the service at St John's in Waikouaiti, not only as the oldest surviving Anglican church building in Otago and Southland still in use (since 1858), but as it represents a small, faithful community who are looking at ways they can continue to minister to their community. It represents one of many faith communities facing similar challenges. Already Anne has started to connect and reflect on ways that communities like this can be supported in being "good news" to others around them, and how they can respond to the same call that God has for us all.

Have a look at some photos which capture some of this occasion, and keep Anne and our smaller faith communities in your prayers as we continue to discern what God wants us to be and do.