Presbyterian Assembly on the marae

Tu Tangata, Issue 21, 1 December 1984, Page 18

Presbyterian Assembly on the marae

In an historic gathering the Presbyterian Church General Assembly was welcomed onto the marae of the Maori Synod at Ohope. The occasion witnessed the outgoing of the Moderator, the Very Rev. Tame Takao and the incoming of the new Moderator, the Rt Rev Alister Rae of Auckland.

This unique hui at the 84th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand saw 500 people crowded onto the marae, set in a beautiful rural setting surrounded by bush and with the sound of the sea a constant presence.

Commissioners were called onto the marae by Mrs Kitty Temara. The group from the Synod standing in the forecourt of the marae had in their hands fern fronds, a sign of life. The opening speaker for the tangata whenua was the Rev Ra Koia, Moderator of the Maori Synod. He extended a warm welcome to commissioners.

“A marae is where our tears and our love are brought together in unity and togetherness. “I feel part of the Assembly. I feel glad that the Assembly is being held here. “I hope this will be an Assembly where we listen not only with our heads but with our hearts.” A former Moderator of the Synod, the Rev Jim Irwin, (Whakatane) said the gathering was not just an ancient ritual to keep somebody happy it was a deeply religious experience.

There was a presence of belonging to the communion of saints as a living reality. The karanga summoned up the shades of the ancestors. On the marae Jesus Christ was bidding us welcome. The meal following the speeches was the final act in the uniting of a fellowship of people a community who belonged together and were accepted. “You too will belong here and be no longer a stranger.” Other speeches in welcome were given by the Moderator of the Bay of Plenty Presbytery, the Rev Bill McLeay (Rotorua) and the secretary of the Maori Synod the Rev Makarini Temara. The first speaker for the visitors, the Rev Duncan Jamieson (Taradale) referred to the travels of the outgoing Moderator, the Very Rev Tame Takao. “We would have hoped that in these journeyings he would have found himself a wife alas.” The Rev Kenape Faletoese, convener

“I come back to this marae with joy in my heart. “You always listen to me, encourage me and send me back refreshed.” Courtesy of Presbyterian Church Assembly News

of the Pacific Islanders committee, said “Each time I come here I feel forgiven, healed, united and a son of the Maori people.” Assembly executive secretary the Rev Bill Best, “I feel for me personally that a great many dreams have come true.