Companions
From Wellington Cathedral of St Paul
Who We Are
- A fellowship which has grown out of a mutual love and respect for the Cathedral and its ministry
- People from all walks of life and from other Churches and cities in New Zealand and overseas
- People who are willing to pray for the Church's ministry
- People who enjoy good company, good music of all kinds, fun, fellowship and keeping in touch with Cathedral events.
- Patron: Her Majesty The Queen
- President: Bishop Thomas Brown
- Chairman: The Rev Bob Mills
- Secretary: Mrs Valerie Whisker valeriewhisker@mail.com 472 8568
- Committee: Mary Houston (editor of LinkWell, the diocesan newsletter), Jonathan Lermit, Mary Prangnell.
What We Are About
- To increase the fellowship and unity within the Diocese of Wellington by heightening our awareness of each other:
- To support and pray for the work of the Diocesan Bishop whose Chair (Cathedra) is situated in the Cathedral
- To foster interest in the life of the Ministry of the Cathedral and to pray for its witness to City and Diocese
- To encourage the use of the Cathedral as a Diocesan resource for the good of all.
- To honour God in all we do.
We want you to join us.
The Companions' Prayer
Almighty God, your Son, Jesus Christ, was made known to his disciples in the breaking of bread, thus making them his companions. Bless the Companions of Wellington Cathedral, that we may see Christ in each other and in all our activities glorify his name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Membership Annual Subscriptions
- Individual Companion $20
- Family / Household $30
- Corporate Companion $75
- Individual Life Member $100
If you would like to become a Companion of Wellington Cathedral, please provide details of your name, address, phone number, email, and enclose your annual subscription for the current year. Please make cheques payable to The Companions of Wellington Cathedral and send to The Companions Office, P O Box 12 044, Wellington 6144.
Companions’ Link January 2012
Click below to see the print version with colour depiction of the NZ Diamond Jubilee Emblem
Chairman's Letter
We understand The Companions of Wellington Cathedral is the only faith-based organisation in New Zealand which has the privilege of enjoying the Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11.
As newly crowned Queen, Her Majesty memorably laid the foundation stone of our cathedral church on 13th January 1954 during the course of her coronation tour of New Zealand. Unfortunately the security issues caused by the “9/11” terrorist attacks led to the cancellation of Her Majesty’s visit to attend the consecration of our completed cathedral church on 15th October 2011, but she was able to be present at a service affirming its completion on a more recent visit.
Each year a copy of our Annual Report is sent to Buckingham Palace and graciously acknowledged. It is very encouraging to us, Companions from all round our diocese and indeed further afield, to know that our Royal Patron shares our care for the well-being of our Cathedral Church of St Paul.
The Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty’s Accession to the throne falls on 6th February. We have deemed it appropriate that the Companions’ programme this year should celebrate that. Consequently, our annual Garden Party has been moved from the day before the Patronal Festival, to the new date of Sunday 5th February upon the eve of accession day. Details are set out within.
Your committee is also working on a Diamond Jubilee programme to accompany our Annual Festival week-end and Annual Meeting on Sunday 20th May.
You may be interested to look up “Forms of Prayer with Thanksgiving to Almighty God….on the Anniversary of the Day of Accession” in your old copy of the Book of Common Prayer. It includes the much loved Prayer for Unity brilliantly penned at the time of the Restoration, for inclusion in the 1662 Prayer Book.
Blessings, Bob
Forthcoming Events:
2012
Sunday 5th February Special Garden Party 3pm – 4.30pm, wet or fine, $15 each. Invitations have been extended to the Royal Commonwealth Society, The Association of Anglican Women and the Mothers’ Union as well of course to all Companions and friends in the Diocese! Your committee has planned a special event and will be ready to greet guests at 2.45 – 3pm. There will not be hat competitions this year in the categories of previous garden party events. Should any members require assistance with transport please indicate by Friday 3rd February at the latest to the Cathedral Office: 472 0286 The Annual AAW Evensong will follow at 5pm and be joined by Companions. The Director of Music Michael Stewart is preparing the choir for special music
Farewell to Our President, Bishop Tom and Dwyllis - Sunday 26th February 4pm Liturgical Farewell in the Cathedral followed by an event in the Loaves and Fishes.
Sunday April 22nd St George’s Day Queen Elizabeth 11 Diamond Jubilee Service at the Cathedral 10 am
Sunday 20th May Companions Festival Week-end, AGM, Evensong and Dinner with Guest Speaker to be advised
Special Project for 2011/2012
By Easter, passersby will have seen all of the signs on Molesworth Street, which we agreed at last year's AGM to support financially. To date they have received much positive endorsement. Thank you to members who have given so generously.
Reflections
- The constant positive energy created by Companion members and friends – nearly 100 attended the Advent Soiree last November, including our founder Charles Tyrrell from Nelson
- Thank-you to committee member Mary Houston who has managed the liaison with the AAW and MU on Companions’ behalf for the Garden Party attendance
- Thank-you to our Chairman Bob for his contributions of thoughtful prayer and energy at all meetings
- Thank-you to the Property and Maintenance committee of Vestry who have been repairing the Cathedral Garden furniture
- Congratulations to Revd Stafford Cull who celebrated his 80th birthday recently with Margaret, both loyal and supportive members of Companions
- Belated Congratulations to Dean Frank who gained his Master of Ministry from Otago University Department of Theology and Religious studies last year. His dissertation focuses on the vision of St Benedict who set out away of living a balanced life for God in the midst of apparent chaos. “There is something unexpectedly contemporary about the challenge of the three vows – obedience, stability and continual conversion - to today’s church, and especially today’s cathedrals,” writes Frank.
- We have lost two loyal members – much loved Fred Coad and Elizabeth Giles. Our condolences go to their immediate families. They are missed.
Royal Snippets from London
Sunday 3rd June HM the Queen will attend a service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, London followed by a carriage procession. Monday 4th June Jubilee Concert and the lighting of 2012 Beacons
Royal Ascot enclosure and next door Grandstand patrons this year must wear skirts of a modest length just above the knee or longer, hats or a head piece which has a base of 4 inches/ 10cm or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.
New Members Welcome
We have a number of new members since our last mail out. We need to be on the look out, and approach someone to join during this special year.
An Urgent Plea for Assistance!
During the summer months many visitors come to the Cathedral. The Cathedral becomes part of their faith journey. If you are available to give an hour or two to welcome visitors, please offer yourself by contacting Irene at the Cathedral office ☏ 472 0286 admin@wellingtoncathedral.org.nz
I met a man from Ireland in the Cathedral recently when clearing the Companions' mail. He told me he had known nothing of the Cathedral when he arrived at the railway station until he looked up to the sky line and saw the tower and cross.
Updating our Records
The Companions' Committee is anxious to update its records - it would be helpful if you could provide the following information: Name, Address, Phone number, Home Parish, Email address.
This information can be sent in to Secretary Valerie by phone (04 472 8568 or 06 304 7270) or by email: valeriewhisker@mail.com or by post to The Companions Office, P O Box 12044, Wellington 6144. Thank you.
