As someone said just before the start of the service: We’ve waited for 150 years, and look at the weather today!

Despite Wellington turning on one of the worst days for a long time, those who made the effort to come to the Cathedral on All Saints’ Day had a ball. The whiff of spit-roasting sheep wafted round about, drawing people into the Loaves and Fishes.

An unusually colourful crowd of people crammed into the hall, browsing through the sales tables and dancing along with Sam Manzanza with his guitar and mouth organ, or blocking ears against the drum-beat backing of the lion dancers.

Cathedral bells and bagpipes called people into the Cathedral for a service of colour, music and challenge for the future. The procession went on and on – Cathedral choir and choristers, banners from archdeaconries, canons, archdeacons and bishops – as the nearly 600-strong congregation attempted to join the northerly in lifting the roof, all to the strains of “For all the saints” (what else?) backed by organ and brass ensemble.

The Governor General greeted us all on the occasion of our sesqui-centenary. Dancers wove a cross of many colours during the moving singing of the Lord’s Prayer in Maori. Prayers were said, written by and representing each of the archdeaconries.

Children came forward to be told by Canon Ellie “the church is your gift” and to light a candle for the future. They sat on the carpet at the chancel steps listening in awe to the Cathedral choirs sing Vaughan Williams’ arrangement of Psalm 47, “O clap your hands, all ye people”; and then gasped as parachute after parachute drifted down from the high ceiling.

Each member of the congregation received a small card containing the words of the declaration for the future.

The service ended as archdeacons accompanied children carrying the sesqui gospels out into the world. A final touch from the Cathedral at its best and most different was the three young choristers scooting (literally) down the aisle in front of the processional cross.

DECLARATION FOR THE FUTURE

As bearers of Christ’s light in the world
will you continue to walk in the faith of Jesus Christ:
weaving together the strands of love, grace, prayer, compassion,
peace and justice?

We will. We commit ourselves to live this life together –
to the glory of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Alleluia. Amen.