In our journey through Lent, it is sometimes pointed out that the 40 days of Lent don't include Sundays.  Sundays are meant to be days of joy, as we recall the resurrection hope that is almost upon us with Easter.  This particular Sunday was Passion Sunday, the day we recall the suffering of Christ, suffering which, in the Gospel from John, was brought into relief by the outrageous hope of Mary anointing Jesus.

This sense of overwhelming love and courage was brought into sharp focus by the commissioning of new acolytes, crucifers and youth leaders at St Peter's Cathedral in Hamilton.  Darcy Perry was commissioned as the new youth co-ordinator for the Waikato bishopric; and Nicole Jeune, Zavier Searle, and Melanie Black were commissioned as children and youth leaders at the Waikato Cathedral, following a mihi whakatau by Matua Pine Campbell.  Dean Peter Rickman pointed out that acolytes were perhaps the oldest form of youth ministry.  Bishop Helen-Ann was able to affirm that, as she recalled becoming an acolyte at Durham Cathedral in her early teens!

Critical to the future of our Church is an acknowledgement of our children and young people as not only the church of tomorrow, but the church of today. The appointment of Darcy (who along with his wife Deb, and daughters Ella, Riley and Jade, worships at St Stephen's, Tamahere) is a key strategic part of the development of an episcopal team in the north of our Diocese.  In her acknowledgment of the significance of the day for the life of the whole Diocese, Bishop Helen-Ann also welcomed amongst the clergy, Canon Neale Troon, chaplain of Southwell School, and Warden of the College of Chaplains.  Our school chaplains are key contributors to our Diocesan life.  Bishop Helen-Ann also pointed out to the congregation that a new choral scholar, Jonathan Mayer, a 1st year student at the University of Waikato, had just finished at St Paul's Collegiate.  Many and various are the ways in which we celebrate the tamariki and rangatahi of our Diocese, and today was a joyous sign of fresh opportunities and new life.  Thanks be to God!