Dannevirke: Remembering the district's pioneers

From left, Josh and Daniel Prince, Bishop David and Sasha and Ashley Torrenburg prepare for communion at All Saints Weber. Photo/Christine McKay.

The Reverend Jo Crosse of Weber says she was worried delivering her sermon last Sunday with the Bishop of Waiapu listening intently.

"I'm under a bit of pressure," she said.

However, church official Heidi Lewis assured the congregation there were always great sermons at the tiny All Saints country church.

Bishop David Rice took part in Sunday's special communion as he farewelled the parishioners and blessed the new cairn, acknowledging the early pioneers who are buried at Weber's historic cemetery on the outskirts of the village.

"I've spent a lot of time thinking what on earth drove those early pioneers to come here," Reverend Crosse said. "For them the challenges were beyond what we face now. They were hard working and made the best of what they had - which wasn't much."

Reverend Cross said it could be argued our lives are very easy in comparison, but she believed the difficulties were simply different.

"Our challenges are social. It's so easy to get in the car, we spend so much time driving and not enough within our community," she said. "We also face internet safety challenges, so different from what those living in Weber 100 years ago were faced with.

"We also like to have control, but we can't control everything and we're not in charge of everything.

"When God is at work sometimes we've just got to sit back and go for the ride. I find it very reassuring stuff will work out the way it needs to."

Bishop David, who leaves for the United States in February next year, told parishioners they may have a clear idea about something but others will think differently.

"We think we know something, but we could be wrong, or perhaps there's more to know," he said.

"When I was 27 I'd just finished at the seminary and about to be ordained and I thought I had it all figured out and was ready to change the world. I went to see my Dad and he said, 'you stupid lad'."

Bishop David also recalled his visit to the Lambeth conference in 2008. (Lambeth conferences are 10-yearly meeting of bishops from around the world).

"I watched a video from a bishop from Tanzania who had been a bishop for 40 years. He said, 'I'm always learning'. I'll never ever forget that, because it's the key. If we think we know everything we may as well close up shop."

Bishop David spent time with the four children at the service explaining the communion rituals and told the congregation, "this blessing comes from the heart".

Reverend Crosse acknowledged Bishop David's special rapport with the children.

The special blessing at the cairn remembered the early pioneers of the district, including Phillip J Arnaboldi. Mr Arnaboldi, a well-known Weber settler, fell off his horse and died instantly after breaking his neck at Harward Farm on Tahuokaretu Rd in 1909.

Records in the Weber Church indicate there could be up to 300 people buried in the early cemetery, but only a dozen headstones remain.