Guests from the UK, PNG, Australia, Polynesia, the US and Canada were collected from hotels at 6.30 am to be ready for the start of the installation service at 7.30 am.

By the time we arrived over 3,000 people were already gathered for what proved to be an extraordinary day of celebration, marked by hope and joy.

The familiar words of Anglican liturgy were garnished with cultural elements of deep significance. None more so than the Gospel procession where the Holy Scriptures were carried down the aisle by four Melanesian brothers in a canoe surrounded by traditional dancers. The Gospels were then lifted out and taken to the newly installed Archbishop to be sensed before being placed back in the canoe which acted as the lectern for the reading of the Word.

Dancing, vibrant singing, and lots of laughter meant that the 4 1/2 hours of the service flew by. Never before have I seen an altar laden with 14 flagons of wine, all of which was blessed to ensure that the multitudes received the sacrament. There was none left over!

After the service there followed a luncheon for the thousands and hours of gift giving and entertainment. Weary but happy we returned to our hotel at 5 pm for a brief respite before attending a celebratory dinner with the Governor General of the Solomon Islands at the Archbishop's residence that evening.

A day of meetings followed as well as visits to the Melanesian Brothers, Bishop Paterson Theological College and the Christian Care Centre, a remarkable ministry led by two orders of Anglican nuns caring for children, adolescents and women who are the victims of sexual abuse.

Our relationships with our near neighbours are very strong and are set to become stronger as we look to the establishment of regional networks across many mission initiatives between Aotearoa, New Zealand, Polynesia, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Melanesia. Thanks be to God!