When we were children, we were taught to say ‘thank you’ for everything, from a birthday present from our grandparents to a slice of luncheon sausage from the butcher.
Legend says these stained-glass windows at Old St John’s Church were gifts from Queen Victoria. Photo: Nick Empson
I drilled good manners into our children. Even before they could speak, they could smile and show gratitude for anything they received.
Today, in this article, I am remembering to say, ‘Thank you’.
More than two years ago, St John’s began a fund-raising drive to restore the stained-glass windows in our historic church of St Paul’s, Rangiaowhia. The community of Te Awamutu responded generously, with some large and many small donations. Hundreds of you were accosted around town and encouraged to buy a raffle ticket – and most of you did.
I can now report that the windows at St Paul’s have been beautifully restored and were re-installed three weeks ago.
The stained-glass window at St Paul’s Church.
The woodwork surround, which was very unstable, has also been repaired and replaced.
So, this is where the Parish of St John says a heart-felt ‘thank you’ to the community of Te Awamutu for your generosity.
Thank you, also, to Stewart Stained Glass, the restorers, and to Colin Downs, the builder, both of whom completed their work to the highest standards and on generous terms.
The early morning light which now shines through this small church is dazzling! You are warmly invited to come and see for yourselves at the ‘Sonrise’ Service on Easter Sunday.
Three months ago, this paper wrote about our distress at the theft of copper from St John’s and St Paul’s and the damage caused. In all, there were eight acts of vandalism on our church properties over November-December. We did what we could to deter the perpetrators – we installed cameras, Rev. Julie Guest and her husband slept many nights at church, the wonderful team from Superior Building who were working on the administration area kept watch for us.
Archdeacon the Rev Julie Guest
But we also did what Christians have done for 2000 years – we prayed. We walked around all our buildings and prayed for God’s protection over them.
Since mid-January, there has been no recurrence of vandalism, no more thefts of copper, and our insurance company is helping us find a solution to protect the roof permanently. We give thanks to God for these great blessings.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul’s main purpose is to thank the church at Philippi for the gift they sent him when they learnt he was imprisoned in Rome. “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers, for all of you”. (1:3) “Do not be anxious about anything, but… with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” (4:6)
Giving thanks to God for our blessings is not an outmoded concept. On behalf of St John’s, I thank God for all of you.
So, please come and join the celebration of the restored windows at St Paul’s, Rangiaowhia Road, Sunday 20 April, 6.30am.
See: A glass act
New Zealand’s youngest stained glass window conservator Izaac Randell, 29, in the proves of removing the stained glass.
