Refreshing lives, transforming faith, at the heart of the community Haere Mai, Piki Mai
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ministry and service is expected of all people of faith
Primarily we serve God using our specific gifts and talents and that leads us naturally to the service of others.
At Nelson Cathedral we speak a lot about ministry for that is our purpose in being who we are.
In the Church there are two strands of ministry, both equally important.
First of all there is the ministry of the people (lay ministry), and may be evidenced in a multitude of ways.
Second, we maintain the ordained (professional) ministry of women and men.
Below, you will find a description of some of the ministries available here at Nelson Cathedral.
Baptisms
Jesus Christ commanded his followers to baptise people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
In this sacrament (a spiritual action with a practical application) people of all ages may be committed to God in this public act, using water and prayer.
If you wish to discuss baptism (the old name was Christening) for either yourself or a member of your family, please contact the clergy who will be happy to advise.
Becoming a Christian is a personal decision for each individual to make and
although God calls each one of us just how that call happens will be unique
to each one of us.
Christianity, however, is essentially a corporate faith
and confirmation is a way to explore our faith, grow in faith and publicly
commit our lives to God.
At confirmation the bishop prays for the
empowering of the Holy Spirit that "your servants may grow into the fullness
of the stature of Christ".
Confirmation classes are held annually at the cathedral to prepare those
seeking confirmation by the bishop.
The Faith Community Nurse (FCN, also known as parish nurse, pastoral nurse or similar) responds to
Christ's redeeming love by offering her/his personal gifts and nursing
knowledge/skills in service for all. This activity occurs in the context of
the faith community as part of the Christian church's response to Jesus'
message:
"...whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:40
The FCN cares for the body, mind and spirit, nurturing the growth towards
wholeness in and through Christ.
The FCN ministry seeks to assist the
Christian church in caring for God's people to facilitate their journey
towards forgiveness, healing, hope, peace and wholeness.
Nelson Cathedral is a popular place for traditional wedding services. One of the clergy takes responsibility for the arrangements with each couple.
The well known course 'PREPARE' is available after discussion with the allocated priest.
Weddings can be small and simple (for example, held in our Chapel of Christ the King) or a full, musical service, using the best of Anglican liturgy (services) and music.
The cost of getting married at Nelson Cathedral is available on request.
Nelson Cathedral Choir is a four-part 'traditional' choir, with boys, girls and young women (under 30 years of age, currently)
taking the soprano / treble line, predominantly women singing alto and men, both recently broken voices and the more
mature, singing tenor and bass. At present the choir is not large and there are vacancies in all parts.
The Nelson Cathedral boys and girls Choir is made up of young people aged from about 8 years who sing the top part of the music of the Cathedral Choir.
They sing at Cathedral Services on Sundays, and practise on Thursdays. There are trips away and the opportunity to attend holiday courses.
It is not necessary that a chorister comes from an Anglican Church background.
Giving is part of our worship of God. We acknowledge that our God is a generous God whose very nature is to give
and has already given to us all that we have. So we encourage people to give to God and the work of his Kingdom
and particularly the ministries of the Christ Church Cathedral in Nelson.
While the offering is an important part of our services each week, many people now give by direct credit to the cathedral
bank account. (An offering card is available from the sidesperson each week for those who wish to also make a tangible
act of giving as part of the worship service)
If you wish to set up a direct credit, a form is available from the church office. However, if you bank on line, now you can
usually set up you own direct payment. Please
contact the
Cathedral office
for the Cathedral's bank account number.
If you wish your offering to be recorded for tax rebate purposes you will also need to request an individual number
from the cathedral office. Remember that from 1st April 2008 the limit has been removed so the total amount
of your giving qualifies for the tax rebate.
Bequests
The Cathedral owes a great debt to many people who over the years, by their generosity through their wills left bequests, to further the work of the church.
These bequests have helped maintain our buildings and support the ministries of the Cathedral.
A number of people enquire from time to time as to how they may make a bequest. We have a pamphlet available if you are considering this idea.
Our $3,500 Mission project for 2008 is to provide funding for the National
Coordinator of the Village Health Volunteers in Papua New Guinea.
The Village Health Volunteer programme is an integral part of the Anglican
Health Service. The programme is an initiative to take health services to
where people live. Our funding will help with the travel costs as the
national coordinator visits the various volunteers to encourage, support and
equip them.
Ways of supporting Missions:
Monthly mission envelopes
One off donations
Saving used stamps
Coming to one of our fundraising events
And Prayer!
Contact the
parish office
if you would like a set of Mission Envelopes and
watch for the up and coming fundraising events in the Cathedral News and on
the Missions notice Board in the Cathedral transept.
Primarily we serve God using our specific gifts and talents and that leads us naturally to the service of others.
Baptisms
Introduction to Communion
Confirmation
Parish Nurses
Weddings
Nelson Cathedral Choir
Groups
Our $3,500 Mission project for 2008 is to provide funding for the National
Coordinator of the Village Health Volunteers in Papua New Guinea.
