Jesus the Way to the Father
John 14:1 ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ 5 Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ 6 Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Paul, a Titahi bay boy, was the descendant of Welsh bishops and a head choir boy at Old St Paul’s when it was the Wellington Anglican Cathedral. He was a student of ecclesial, heraldic, regal, political and many other histories. He was also an artist, and combining these gifts he has left a rich heritage of artefacts and decorations around Wellington and beyond. More relationally, he has enthralled those of us privileged to hear him wax lyrical on any number of topics. Paul was a raconteur with many vivid stories to tell.

As has been indicated in the tribute, Paul was a fiercely proud Welshman and seemed to know the country as well as, if not better, than most natives of that romantic land. Amongst Paul’s awareness was the poetry of Dylan Thomas and one of his most celebrated writings written in 1947 as his father was dying. Paul’s explicit request was that the first stanza of this poem should be read today, and so I read,

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And so I begin to understand the enigma of Paul’s last battles. Many a man would have died with Paul’s medical history long before he did. His determination and his defiance of death can, I believe, be traced back to sentiments like Dylan Thomas’. These typify the Welsh spirit of defiance of a powerful enemy whether that be the English or things more private like death. Paul, now that the ‘light has died’ for you and you have gone into the ‘good night’ may you rest in peace. Hear the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ saying to you,

3 … I go to prepare a place for you, I will … take you to myself, so that where I am, 
there you may be also.

Paul, your earthly struggle is over. Walk with Jesus now into the heavenly realm and brighten it up, as you have the earthly.

Paul was one with Gwladys in marriage. Gwladys today we must offer a last word to you who have so faithfully kept your vow of marriage to Paul. You have tirelessly and generously supported him. Especially in these last few years as, “He raged against the dying of the light”. You have wonderfully been alongside encouraging, providing and frankly, just loving him. As you journey through the gap that is his physical absence now, may you be strengthened and comforted. God bless you.

Terry Alve

It is with sadness that we farewelled Bill recently and we especially extend our condolences to Dawn his wife who also worshipped with him at St Anne's. Rest in peace our dear brother in Christ.

Priest in Charge Terry with his wife Margaret have recently returned from holiday in Europe and the UK. Sadly, they were absent when Bill died and return with a deep sense of loss at his passing. Their time away included Retreat time at the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and with the Sisters of the Order of the Holy Paraclete at St Hilda's Priory, Whitby. At both these places they connected with our Celtic Heritage, the amazing devotion of saints from 7th & 8th centuries of the Christian era, and the beauty and ruggedness of the North east England coastline.

In Terry's absence, Deacon the Reverend Rochelle Grace oversaw St Anne's Parish ministries and life. We are deeply indebted to her loving leadership and rejoice with her now as she proceeds to ordination as a Priest in the Church early next year.

On Sunday 29th September we worshipped joyfully at St Christopher's, Tawa in a combined service with people from the Parishes of the Porirua Anglican Cluster - Pauatahanui, Whitby, Titahi Bay, Porirua and Tawa.

Last Sunday (16 Oct) saw a full church at St Anne's and we had an intimation that we are moving into a season of Prayer. Last Friday we celebrated St Luke's Day with healing services in St Anne's that gave rise to testimonies to healing in Church on Sunday.

From  Wednesday 30th October we are scheduling an additional prayer service weekly 2-3pm Wednesdays in St Anne's. While we will always pray for particular personal needs as they come to our notice; we will be praying for the development of the Porirua Anglican Churches. As we move towards the end of 2019 and anticipate the new year we live with a deep sense that God has something new for us. We are keen to discern what that is and what is required of us. Whether or not you can come regularly to our weekly prayer meets, please do pray with us and feed back to us your discernment....

We congratulate those who have been elected to the Porirua City Council including new mayor Anita Baker and prayerfully commend them to God's blessing and wisdom.

And as we go to Press we have just received news that the Reverend Peter Watson vicar of Pauatahanui Parish has just been appointed to St Matthew's in Masterton beginning in the new year. Congratulations Peter; commiserations Pauatahanui.