E NEWS 27TH JUNE 2024
Happy Matariki weekend. We had a wonderful Matariki celebration service on Sunday. The highlight was Jasper explaining to us the names of the seven Matariki Stars and what they each mean. We all learnt something new from Jasper on Sunday.
I ventured out of my house for the first time on Saturday to attend the Glamaphones concert at our church and then at half time went to the St. James Theatre to watch Boney M having received complimentary tickets at the last minute. I made sure I rested all day Saturday so I would be able to last the duration of the evening. It worked out well and I’m pleased I was able to support the Glamaphones and see Boney M.
On Tuesday I was honoured to attend Russell Feist’s 90th birthday party at their home in Waikanae. There were about 25 people in attendance, children, and grandchildren and one great grandchild. It was a happy and intimate occasion, and the food was constant and very tasty indeed. Happy 90th Russell.
Yesterday the midday concert was the Queen Margaret College choir Voce Luce led and conducted by Mark Stamper. They were outstanding, they will be competing in the World Choir competitions in Auckland in July. I will be attending my first official Board Meeting for Queen Margaret College tonight; we begin with a meal in the staff room which is a good way to start a long meeting.
I visited Margaret Pannet yesterday at Karori Village formerly Sprott House. She was sitting in the lounge having afternoon tea and watching an Opera concert on t.v. She is in good spirits and good health from what I could see. I passed on our love and regards from all her friends at SAOTT.
Way back in 1997 when I was teaching in Birmingham UK, I invited an uncle over as a visiting fellow to teach Pacific Studies for 3 months. During that time, I sat him down with a tape recorder and blank cassettes to begin recording his life story. He was the first Samoan minister to be ordained within the Congregational Church in New Zealand at the time. He began recording from 1927 the year that he was born right up until 1997. I managed to produce an initial biography for him for his 79th birthday called “Rev. Leuatea Sio, the early years of my ministry”. It covered the 1950-1970’s, I did not have time to finish the 80’s and 90’s as he was getting very sick, and this gift of his life needed to be printed to present as a birthday present at his 79th birthday party. He was absolutely amazed and honoured at such a gift. Anyway, to cut to the chase, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage approached me for stories of some of our Pacific leaders not knowing that I had this taonga in my possession. We met in my office yesterday as they had a Wellington staff meeting in our hall in the morning. They have taken the 12 cassette tapes to digitise and place in the National library and archives and make accessible to anyone who wishes to listen to Rev Sio’s life story. His book has also been scanned and will also be available for the public to access. I have been holding onto these tapes all this time not knowing when I would get around to doing anything with them. So, this was a welcome relief to be able to hand over this history to the experts as a taonga to be archived and made available to the public.
This Sunday is Lay leaders Sunday. It will consist of reflections on Progressive theology and what it means to be a progressive church. I will be in attendance and look forward to seeing many of you there.
So, what plans do you have for your public holiday tomorrow? For me, the lawn needs mowing and the garden needs tidying up. Hope you have an enjoyable and restful long weekend. Nga mihi, Fei
Kia tau kia tatou katoa, te atawhai o to tatou Ariki o Ihu Karaiti, me te aroha o te Atua, mete whiwhingatahitanga o te wairu tapu. Ake, Ake, Ake. Amine.
You can view the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/2ebff0f1c553/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-9449960
