ORDINATION SERVICE AT KOHUPATIKI.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 30, Issue 2, 1 April 1939, Page 2

ORDINATION SERVICE AT KOHUPATIKI.

On March 12th, the third Sunday m Lent, there was for the first time an ordination service at Kohupatiki, where the Bishop of Aotearoa lives. Manu Bennett, the Bishop's son, was ordained Deacon by his father m the presence of the Bishop of the Diocese and a large gathering of Maoris and pakeha friends.

The little village was crowded with cars and people and a large marquee had been erected for a lunch after the service.

Shortly after 10.30 a.m. the procession entered the Church: the Candidate, the Rev. Hamiora Rangiihu, the Rev. John Hogg, Archdeacon Maclean, the Bishop of Aotearoa, and the Bishop of Waiapu.

After the processional hymn, the Bishop of Waiapu gave a short explanation of the service, then the Sermon was preached by Archdeacon Maclean from Eph. 6. 10: "Be strong m the Lord and m the power t)f His

might .. . that ye may be able to withstand m the evil day and having done all to stand," and this was followed by a short summary of the sermon m Maori given by the Bishop of Aotearoa.

The Litany was taken m Maori by the Rev. Hamiora Rangiihu and then the Bishop of Waiapu began the Celebration of the Holy Communion. The Commandments and the Epistle and Gospel were read m Maori.

The Candidate was presented to the Bishop of Aotearoa by the Rev. John Hogg and he was then examined and ordained' by his father.

The first experience of seeing the solemn service of ordination means much to any devout congregation, and no one present could have been unaffected by the moving sight of a father ordaining his son or unconscious of the fact that this was an historic occasion. No such event has occurred before m the history of the Maori Church; it marks a step forward, a stage of progress.

A feature of the service was the beautiful, effortless unaccompanied singing for which the Maori has a gift which leaves the pakeha far behind. The choir was there, .but one was unconscious of it, so much was the singing the part of the whole congregation, free and natural and effortless, just what congregational singing should be. Perhaps we shall learn some day to make our singing the natural expression that it ought to be.

After the service the Bishop of Waiapu and Mrs. Gerard were warmly welcomed by the Maori chiefs and the Bishop thanked them for their welcome and then everyone was entertained with the traditional wholehearted Maori hospitality. The beautiful, dignified service and the warm, happy, friendly atmosphere made it a memorable and enjoyable day which will not be forgotten by the people of Kohupatiki or by those wly> had the great pleasure of being their guests.