Kia ora e te whānau o Hato Anaru,
Matariki ahunga nui – The great mounds of Matariki.
According to Rangi Matamua, Matariki is a time when food like kumara is stored in large piles and shared widely. This proverb speaks of hospitality, togetherness and the sharing of food.
The time of harvest is behind us – generally speaking; my parents-in-law are still bringing us capsicums from their plants, but that’s from Waikanae! This week, though, I’ve been remembering harvest festival services at Knox, the church I grew up at in Ōtautahi Christchurch. I have memories of impressive vegetables on the communion table. This tradition oriented us to giving thanks for the bounty of gardens and farms.
At St Andrew’s, we have marked Matariki for many years now, including with a time of remembrance for people who have died since last Matariki. We remember those from the St Andrew’ community. This year I’ll also be particularly thinking about my dad. I find it comforting to know that we have a ritual, a tradition of remembrance, and one that this year will have a particular significance for me. There are so many layers to ritual in community. We practise tradition in community, so that we can be the community for one another, and provide presence for whatever each of us is carrying.
This long weekend might be a good time to invite someone over for a meal or meet up somewhere snug for a cuppa. At Matariki, as we give thanks for what we have and the people in our life that we care about, we can also reflect on widening our circle of care. I’m sure you’ll all have ideas about what this could look like. One action might be to bring something extra for the DCM Foodbank on Sunday, if you can.
Noho ora mai
Ellen Murray
A FEW PHOTOS OF FEI AND SUE AT PADDINGTON IN LONDON
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/6f8b63fad411/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10135244
