Bishop John

Today and tomorrow the Synod of the Anglican Church in Tasmania is meeting in Launceston to elect the 12th Bishop of Tasmania. Gayelene and I have been praying for the Nomination Committee, the clergy nominated, the members of the Synod and Bishop Chris Jones presiding at the Synod – God’s grace in Christ and the discernment of the Holy Spirit be with you all as you prayerfully gather in the name of the Triune God that Father’s will be done and Tasmania and the nation be blessed.

Eternal God, shepherd and guide,
in your mercy give your Church in the Diocese of Tasmania
a shepherd after your own heart
who will walk in your ways,
and with loving care watch over your people.
Give us a leader of vision and a teacher of your truth.
So may your Church be built up
and your name glorified;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For more information see Anglican Church in Tasmania

Unpacking brings forth hidden treasures. Here is a treasure: finding prayers and reflections about Aunty Ida West! I brought them together for Aunty Ida’s Funeral Service in St David’s Cathedral Hobart on 11th September 2003. Let me share them with you.

FUNERAL SERVICE OF AUNTY IDA WEST: Reflection and Prayers

In a book* that celebrated 52 Australian Leaders, Aunty Ida wrote:

‘There are a number of passages of Scripture that I find help me, . . . The passage in Matthew 14:22-33 about Peter (seeing Jesus and) stepping out of the boat onto the water and about his fear reminds me of the times I have been fearful, when I have had to step out of the boat. I get comfort from an old hymn ‘A Few More Years Shall Roll’. I’ve kept a copy of the hymnal for many years because it gives me hope and comfort; I even have a tape of me singing it from many years ago, and I sometimes listen to it. I am comforted when I say

A few more struggles here,
A few more partings o’er,
A few more toils, a few more tears
And we shall weep no more:
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that blest day.’

The hymn (by Horatio Bonar) continues:

‘Tis but a little while
And He (Jesus) shall come again,
Who died that we might live. Who lives
That we with Him might reign:
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that glad day.

In this Cathedral today, let us pray with confidence to God, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead for the salvation of all, the God in whom Aunty Ida found hope and comfort and who has received her into His glorious presence on ‘that blest day’, the day of her earthly death.

A Prayer of Thanks for Aunty Ida’s life

Thanks be to God for the gift of life.
God of life, you have made us in your image,
you called us to reflect your truth and light.
We thank you for the life of Aunty Ida.
We thank you that her life did reflect your truth and light.
We give thanks for her love for you that nurtured her love
for her aboriginal people and for all people.

A Prayer for the community; for we who mourn Aunty Ida’s death

God of all mercy, giver of all comfort:
Look graciously we pray, on those who mourn,
especially Ida’s sisters, Girlie and Bernice, and her children,
Lennah, Darrell and Michael and their families.
Also for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild.

Casting all their troubles and concerns on you,
may they know the comfort of your love;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

A Prayer that Aunty Ida’s work will continue

Dear Peace making God,
we thank you that Aunty Ida worked for reconciliation and justice,
because in her words, ‘that is what the Lord would want me to do’*.
Help us to maintain that commitment
so that our community might be reconciled and just. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer-Traditional

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.     Amen.

Bishop John Harrower

*NOTE 1: Aunty Ida is featured in the book: Living Faith in Public Life: Fifty-Two Australian Voices, Openbook Publishers, Adelaide, 2000, pages 108-109.

NOTE 2: A Favourite Hymn of Aunty Ida West: “THE TIME IS SHORT” (by Horatio Bonar)

A few more years shall roll,
A few more seasons come
And we shall be with those that rest
Asleep with in the tomb:
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that great day:
O wash me in Thy precious Blood,
And take my sins away.

A few more suns shall set
O’er these dark hills of time,
And we shall be where suns are not,
A far serener clime:
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that bright day:
O wash me in Thy precious Blood,
And take my sins away.

A few more storms shall beat
On this wild rocky shore,
And we shall be where tempests cease,
And surges swell no more:
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that calm day:
O wash me in Thy precious Blood,
And take my sins away.

A few more struggles here,
A few more partings o’er,
A few more toils, a few more tears,
And we shall weep no more:
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that blest day:
O wash me in Thy precious Blood,
And take my sins away.

‘Tis but a little while
And He shall come again,
Who died that we might live. Who lives
That we with Him might reign:
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that glad day:
O wash me in Thy precious Blood,
And take my sins away.

NOTE 3: The Media Release: ANGLICAN MEDIA TASMANIA
Media Officer: Rev. Stephen Carnaby
Tel: 0417 343710   Email: bishop@anglicantas.org.au   PO Box 405, Sandy Bay, 7006
_________________________________________________________________

Tuesday 9^th September 2003   MEDIA RELEASE: TRIBUTE TO AUNTY IDA

The Bishop of Tasmania, the Right Reverend John Harrower, today paid tribute to Aboriginal leader, the late Aunty Ida West, who, he said, had lived a life of wonderful service both to her people and to Tasmania.

Bishop Harrower described Aunty Ida’s life as “one of great inspiration, flowing from a deep commitment to Jesus Christ, which in turn nurtured her love for her people and for Tasmania.”

He said that he would long remember the part she played in his welcome as Bishop of Tasmania: “Aunty Ida and two other Aboriginal elders placed my hands into some Tasmanian soil as both a welcome and a reminder of who had been the original custodians of the land. It was a very moving moment.”

Bishop Harrower said he would long remember the time he spent with Aunty Ida recently at her farewell celebration at Glenorchy: “I took with me to the celebration a plaque she gave me a year ago, inscribed with the words ‘Jesus is my Rock’. On that very special day she reminded me never to forget in whom I have put my trust.”

The Bishop said that the most striking thing about Ida West was her selfless giving: “She was always thinking of, and giving to, others. Her willingness to put others first was the most striking thing about her and a wonderful example to us all.”

See also: NAIDOC Week 2015  – Celebration of Reconciliation  – The Water Ceremony

I have been asked by a number of people to share a couple of farewell speeches.

One was given by Anne Brown at Synod this year. This speech radiates God’s love so beautifully and powerfully thorough the words of His people.  Here it is: Thankyou_BpJohn.

The other speech was given by Kathryn Anderson at our last Diocesan Council meeting. I was deeply moved by such heartfelt words:  Farewell speech DC

A ‘THANK YOU LETTER’ from JOHN & GAYELENE HARROWER

23 September 2015

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you for your interest and prayerful support of our life and ministry in Tasmania over these past 15 years.

It has been a wonderful privilege to participate in God’s work in the islands of Tasmania.

With the Tasmanian Anglican Family, we have shared in joyful celebrations as well as worked through heartrending situations. And these have deepened our trust in God and our respect and affection for one another.

In all of this, we have co-laboured in the grace of God in Christ to build a healthy church … transforming life. So many have given generously of their time and talents to the mission of God in Tasmania. We are blessed to be a part of you.

We are thrilled that The Revd Meredith Campbell with her sister Mrs Alex Chittick are taking over the Anglican Church Donkey Ministry in Tasmania, and that Arthur and Jeanne Wherrett have offered to assist as required. Gayelene raised about $12,500 for mission with her British Giant Rabbit business and we praise God for these years of rural life. Our chooks found a family home, the ferrets are with us as are our two dogs. So we are now settling into life in Melbourne. In October I commence a half-time role as Bishop assisting the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia and we are connecting with our family and former parish of GWAC (St Barnabas Glen Waverley).

We have been greatly blessed to receive cards, letters and creative expressions of thanks. We have them in a beautiful folder prepared by the ever thoughtful and efficient EA Carolyn McGinn. Thank you one and all, and please accept our apology for not being able to reply to each of you personally.

The Farewell Services in Ulverstone, Launceston and St David’s Cathedral (7,9,12 September), will remain in our hearts and minds always. Special thanks go to our gracious brothers and sisters who gave generous speeches of appreciation and to all who attended, including Elvis! – Life is rarely dull in Tasmania! What joyful celebrations of God’s grace and goodness among us, and through us!

Thank you to all those who participated in the wonderfully generous Farewell Gift to us of $12,341.30 towards SparkLit’s mission* project to support the ministry of the Open theological Seminary in Lahore Pakistan. This is totally beyond anything we could ever have hoped or imagined. Your Farewell Gift has given us such joy as we know of the great encouragement this will be to our Pakistani brothers and sisters. Thank you!

Please be assured of Gayelene and my continuing prayers for the Anglican Family of Tasmania and for its mission to Tasmania and the world.

As Christ’s pilgrim people we are ever on the move as the Holy Spirit guides us into, and through, the seasons of life. We have every confidence because we trust in the God of Life. We join in the words of the Early Church’s great ‘Hymn of Christ’,

Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)

We thank God and we thank you for your part in these 15 years of being at mission with our wonderful Tasmanian Anglican Family.

In deep gratitude, Gayelene and I pray this blessing upon the people of these beautiful islands:

A BLESSING FOR TASMANIA
God of all Life,
Bless in abundance the lives of the people of Tasmania.
Enrich our society with relationships that deepen our common life.
Grant seasonal weather to our State,
And enable us, by your grace, to create life-enriching work for our unemployed.
God of all Life, bless Tasmania.

God of all Light,
Bless this State with leadership that is honest and caring.
Send the light of your wisdom on our work and our play.
Shine the light of your justice on all our dealings,
So that these islands may reflect your light in all the world.
God of all Light, bless Tasmania.

God of all Love,
Bless Tasmania with your love, in all we say and do.
Help us to love one another, as neighbours and friends.
Care for families whose young have left these shores.
And by your good Spirit, ignite our love for Christ.
God of all Love, bless Tasmania

In the Name of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

John and Gayelene 🙂  🙂 

A Blessing for Tasmania’ written by Bishop John Harrower on the occasion of his Ordination as 11^th Bishop of Tasmania St David’s Cathedral Hobart 25 July 2000
*Sparklit’s mission, http://sparklit.org/2015/06/02/for-such-a-time-as-this/
See also:

• St David’s Cathedral: Photos, my Sermon and Farewell Speeches
• Media coverage from North West, North and South Tasmania
• Farewell Service at St John’s Launceston – Whole Service includes Speeches, Sermon

At our Farewell Service on 12 September 2015 at St David’s Cathedral, I based my sermon on ‘A Blessing for Tasmania’ which I wrote for my Ordination Service on 25 July 2000.
The purple scarf, beanie and 3 pairs of gloves do form part of the sermon! – Farewell Sermon

Farewell Speeches at St David’s Cathedral
Photo of Gayelene and I looking towards speakers – we are holding hands!!

Jeanne Wherrett gives thanks to God for Gayelene Harrower’s ministry.
Gayelene responds
Audrey Mills and Paul Cavanough giving thanks to God for Bishop John’s ministry.
Bishop John responds.
Bishop Chris Jones presents a gift and prays for John and Gayelene Harrower.

LAYING UP OF THE BISHOP OF TASMANIA’S PASTORAL STAFF

The Bishop’s Pastoral Staff symbolizes the bishop’s care/ shepherding of the Christian Family. Here, under the watchful eye of Archdeacon Helen Phillips, I am laying down the staff on the Lord’s Table as a symbol of the conclusion of my ‘shepherding’ of the Anglican Family in Tasmania. The pastoral staff will be presented to the 12th Bishop of Tasmania at their Installation Service. In the background is the banner which captures from ‘A Blessing for Tasmania’, the ideas of God of Life, Light and Love.

ELVIS ENTERED THE (CATHEDRAL) BUILDING!!

And to my delight Elvis made a surprise appearance at the conclusion of the Service!!! 🙂 Elvis had us all join in singing ‘Amazing Grace’! Fantastic finale to a fantastic celebration of God’s grace to us in Christ Jesus. PTL!
Note: I listened to Elvis singing Gospel songs as I drove around Tasmania. My often times travel companion, Paul Cavanough, took the opportunity in conjunction with Bruce Geeves, to gift us this amazing send-off. Thank you to all who arranged for this surprise. I have it on good authority that the Governor of Tasmania, Professor The Honourable Kate Warner, also enjoyed this surprise.

A BLESSING FOR TASMANIA

God of all Life,
Bless in abundance the lives of the people of Tasmania.
Enrich our society with relationships that deepen our common life.
Grant seasonal weather to our State,
And enable us, by your grace, to create life-enriching work for our unemployed.
God of all Life, bless Tasmania.

God of all Light,
Bless this State with leadership that is honest and caring.
Send the light of your wisdom on our work and our play.
Shine the light of your justice on all our dealings,
So that these islands may reflect your light in all the world.
God of all Light, bless Tasmania.

God of all Love,
Bless Tasmania with your love, in all we say and do.
Help us to love one another, as neighbours and friends.
Care for families whose young have left these shores.
And by your good Spirit, ignite our love for Christ.
God of all Love, bless Tasmania

In the Name of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

‘A Blessing for Tasmania’ written by Bishop John Harrower
Ordination as 11th Bishop of Tasmania
St David’s Cathedral Hobart 25 July 2000