Dannevirke: Vicar's focus on community

Reverend Jo Crosse says it is the little things that can make a big difference in the community. Photo / Christine McKay

The church should be relevant but part of the challenge is people do not always see it that way, says the new vicar of Southern Hawke's Bay.

Reverend Jo Crosse will be installed as the vicar of Southern Hawke's Bay next month in a role which will see Dannevirke's St John's Anglican Church and the Weber church joining forces.

"I've been part of the Weber team ministry, conducting monthly services and connecting with the community, but this will be a different leadership," she said.

In addition to the Weber ministry, Rev Crosse had the role of children and family enabler for the Waiapu diocese, as well as other positions in Waiapu and nationally.

"Now I've the opportunity to be part of one community, which will be nice."

And yes, she believed the church still had a vital role to play.

"I just love the church and I think the community is looking for spiritual things.

"Sunday services are for the believers to get together to celebrate their faith and from that we should go out into the community.

"This plays out in practical ways, such as helping with the refugee crisis.

"It's unlikely we'll have refugees here, but we can sponsor families and provide food and furniture."

It was important the church offered a sense of community too, she added.

"The church is a place where we can get together as a group and one of the things I'm passionate about is creating spaces where everyone is welcome. It's the little things which make a big difference in the community."

This new role would make a difference in her farming family as it would be the first full time role since she married, Rev Crosse said.

And the travel would not be a problem.

"When you live in Weber you get in the car and just go," she said.

Rev Crosse said she liked input from a wide variety of people. "In the Anglican Church we have three Tikanga - Maori, Pakeha and Pasifika - and I just love the diversity and richness of the cultures"

Recently re-elected to go on the church's general synod which meets every two years, you can forget the assumption Rev Crosse has just dropped into her new role. The Bishop of Waiapu, Andrew Hedge, will conduct Rev Crosse's installation at St John's Anglican Church Dannevirke on October 3, at 3pm.