Notes from Yukiko’s Desk

Nāku noa, nā

This Sunday we are celebrating Te Pouhere Sunday. The image of ‘Te Pouhere’ is three waka all bound to a central pou, or post. In te reo Māori, here is to tie, fasten, bind. Christ is the Pou that the three waka of the Anglican Church in this place are bound to. Te Pouhere is the framework that guides how the church lives, prays, meets together; and how we give freedom to each partner to join in Christ’s mission in their own cultural context. We’re invited to consider different aspects of what Te Pouhere means for how we are church in this province of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia.

At AGAC, we are blessed to have people from many different races (Nigerians, Koreans, Chinese, Fijians, Australians, Welsh, South Africans, British, Canadians, Malaysians, Maori, Sri Lankans, Japanese…) with differing cultures and languages who happily worship together, focussing on the culture of the Kingdom of God, their common bond. This gives us a richness as a church.

To celebrate this special occasion, this Sunday we will try to say some sentences in Te Reo and Tongan. We will also try to pray the Lord Prayer and say some words of affirmation of faith in Te Reo. Here are some Maori words which you may want to know the meanings.

Wehi: awesome

Ora: healthy, well

pōuri: disheartened

Ao: Earth

whakapono: hope

Rangimarie: peace

Wairua Tapu: Holy Spirit

Ihu Karaiti: Jesus Christ

Tokotoko: walking stick or staff, symbolizing authority, guidance.

Nga mihi nui

Yukiko

  
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