Description

‘This Prayer Book is a gift from the Church to itself’ is how A New Zealand Prayer Book / He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa has been described, firstly by the members of the Prayer Book Commission and many since who have celebrated this taonga. It is shaped by our own people and belongs in the story and tikanga of the Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, and is deeply treasured by others around the world.

This book provides the words. The words provide inspiration and the common thread to one another across our islands. As Anglicans we are a prayer book people, and this prayer book is part of the evolving diverse expression of who we are and how Christ works through us to our world and all of creation. But liturgy is not solely about what we say, but how we gather and how we do community. Worship is a creative art which requires preparation and practice. Liturgy needs to reflect our context, which includes our environment and our people. So, these words are just the beginning in offering worship. The work of developing liturgy is the work of the local people.

So let us affirm this taonga, which belongs to us, and find Christ in these words and in our actions.