Inoi Whakawātea / Letting go with Grace
In May 1940 William Astley donated his property, a large residence in Allendale Rd, Mt Albert to meet the need for a home for elderly women. Rev Orr, Missioner at that time, opened the facility that was the beginning of the Everil Orr Village. The Martin Brothers Memorial Wing was added, Aroha Hospital, the hospital wing, Tyler House, a wing for elderly men, Caughey House, Garlick House, the Leigh Haven Cottages, and the Bond Chapel completed this complex which focussed on care for the elderly.
In October 1995, Everil Orr Village Community Centre was opened to provide services for the growing number of elderly in the community.
In 2012 Airedale Property Trust proposed a ten-year re-development project of the Everil Orr site to include 300 residents in licence-to-occupy units, apartment suites and hospital beds. Later reports to Conference note that the development at Everil Orr Village required significant pastoral support which was provided by Methodist Mission Northern with a part-time chaplaincy position.
This year it was time to farewell the road-front buildings. It was important to remember what was, to acknowledge and give thanks for the service given by people, their generosity in donations of land, buildings and care. Many of the contributors were remembered by name and their service acknowledged.
What more can we do to acknowledge and farewell? We are very good at delivering eulogies when a person passes away but tangible assets when left behind, removed to make way for something else, are a different matter. Acknowledgement of what has been, must take place and must reflect the role that asset has played in the life of what is to follow.
For Māori, whakapapa connections are important to recall and celebrate. Whanaungatanga connections, relationships nurtured and continued albeit in different ways must be acknowledged and celebrated, in making way for new directions, new ways of being.
Dean Shields, Airedale Property Trust Chief Executive, acknowledged the long-service staff, and others spoke of what this place has meant to them as individuals working in this space. They were appreciative of having a way to say goodbye, letting go with grace.
Inoi
E te Matua ora tonu, ka tuku whakawhetai mō ōu manaakitanga ki a mātou i tēnei rā. Ko ngā tāngata nāna tēnei whenua i kohatia kia whakaruruhautia ai ngā kuia, kaumātua, mā mātou te hāhi e mahara tonu ana. E kore e warewaretia.
Ahakoa ka ngaro haere te whare, tū tonu ngā mahara o rātou mā i noho ai, i mate ai, i tiaki ai, ā i tiakina ai e ngā whānau.
Nā reira e Pā, ākuanei, ka whakakorengia ngā whare tawhito, kia puawai he mea anō te kawe noa atu ngā moemoeā o rātou mā. Awhinatia ngā kaimahi, kia haumaru ai ā rātou mahi ki te whakahoro i ngā whare. Ko ēnei ā mātou inoi. Āmine.
Our Prayer
Living God we give you thanks for all your many blessings to us this day. We remember with grateful thanks those who gifted this land to provide sanctuary for elderly care. We, the church remember them, they will never be forgotten.
These old buildings will disappear but memories of those who lived here, who died here, were cared for here and cared for others and their families here, remain. Something different will blossom to continue the dreams of those original donors. Watch over the workers who will carry out this work that they do so safely. These things we ask of you Lord, Amen.