Evening services
Onslow Anglicans offer a variety of creative, reflective services on Sunday evenings at All Saints’ Ngaio. These services are short (usually around 30-40 minutes), quiet, and a great way to pause and reflect before a busy working week begins. The services usually run on a regular cycle, but sometimes we will offer special multimedia services for special seasons or occasions, such as Advent or Lent.
Regular cycle of reflective services
Services start at 7.30pm at All Saints’, Ngaio.
First Sunday of the month - Christian Meditation
Second Sunday of the month - Taizé Worship
Third Sunday of the month - Spiritual Formation
Fourth Sunday of the month - Celtic Prayer
Fifth Sunday of the month - Evensong
Christian Meditation
Finding time to be still in the presence of God can be a challenge in the middle of our busy lives. Yet simply to be silent with God can bring a depth to our prayer lives that many find enornously helpful.
These quiet sessions provide the opportunity to gather with others and experience silent meditation. We use the method developed by John Main OSB, where participants silently repeat a prayer word, such as Maranatha (which means "Come, Lord"), throughout the time of meditation.
These sessions last around 30 minutes or so, incorporating about 20 minutes of silent prayer. While there may be some opportunity for discussion, there won't be pressure for individuals to talk about personal experiences.
Now,
O Lord,
calm me into a quietness
that heals
and listens,
and molds my longings
and passions,
my wounds
and wonderings
into a more holy
and human
shape.
- Ted Loder
Taizé Worship
Taizé is an ecumenical Christian community in France. It was founded after the second World War by Brother Roger, who was tragically killed in 2005. The community at Taizé offers a special ministry for young people, and is characterised by a particular style of worship.
Taizé style worship incorporates silence, prayer, and simple chant-like songs, often in several languages, which are repeated many times. Taizé style worship is simple and beautiful. The songs are easy to learn and sing, so, as with all our reflective worship, anyone can easily participate in this service.
Ubi caritas et amor,
ubi caritas Deus ibi est.
(Where there is kindness and love,
God himself is there.)
Spiritual Formation
The journey of faith is a lifelong one. As people grow spiritually, it is extremely helpful to have companions along the way.
These short sessions include space for prayer and reflection, a variety of resources for Christian spirituality, and opportunities to learn from one another and from those who have walked the path before us.
Material offered includes things such as lectio divina, the daily examen, journalling, praying with icons, etc. However the focus will be on incorporating healthy spiritual growth into our lives, rather than covering a huge variety of prayer methods.
While participation is welcome, there won't be pressure for individuals to talk about personal experiences.
God, of your goodness,
give me yourself,
for you are enough for me.
And I can ask for nothing which is less
which can pay you full worship.
And if I ask anything which is less,
always I am in want;
but only in you do I have everything.
Amen.
- Julian of Norwich
Celtic Prayer
Christianity has a very long history in the British Isles, going back to the earliest missionaries and monastic communities of the first few centuries AD. Saints like Patrick, Brigid, Aidan, and Hilda, and places like Iona and Lindisfarne, continue to inspire many Christians today.
The Celtic Christian tradition has included many wonderful prayers and liturgies with an emphasis on God the Trinity, the goodness of God’s Creation, and the journey of faith. Our Celtic service uses a variety of prayers and music from modern Celtic-inspired religious communities. The service includes prayers, readings, reflections, music, and silence.
The breadth of God enfold us |
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Evensong
On fifth Sundays we offer a traditional sung evensong from the Book of Common Prayer. This service is more formal than our other Sunday evening services. We chant the psalms and canticles together, and use traditional prayers.
O GOD,
from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
and all just works do proceed;
Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give;
that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments,
and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies
may pass our time in rest and quietness;
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
Other Resources
We have previously offered reflective services using a Labyrinth, and the service of Night Prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book. We will still use these resources for services from time to time.
Night Prayer
Night Prayer, also called Compline, is part of the traditional daily cycle of prayers of the Church. It has been called the ‘goodnight prayer of the Church’. We use the liturgy of Night Prayer from He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa / A New Zealand Prayer Book. The liturgy includes prayers, readings, reflections, music, and silence.
Lord,
it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
Amen. NZPB p.184
Labyrinth Prayer Walk
A labyrinth is a pattern marked on the ground or floor that is walked as an aid to reflection and meditation. While not specifically Christian in origin or in contemporary use, it has ancient roots as a tool for developing Christian spirituality.
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In the Middle Ages it was dangerous for pilgrims to travel to Jerusalem, and seven European cathedrals were built and designated as destinations for pilgrims. Entering a cathedral’s labyrinth marked the end of a difficult journey and the promise of entry into the ’celestial city’. In Chartres, pilgrims who were going to be baptised the next day walked the labyrinth on their knees. The current worldwide revival of interest in the labyrinth as a tool for spiritual formation was sparked by the re-discovery of the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth in France.
A labyrinth has only one path and is not a maze. You cannot get lost in a labyrinth. The journey consists of three parts - the journey in, being at the centre, and the journey out. While walking in you quiet your mind, giving the details of your life to God in prayer. In the Centre you stay as long as you like and receive what God has for you in prayer. Then you move back out into the world, taking the light of Christ with you. Some find it helpful to repeat a prayer or verse of Scripture as they walk.
The Labyrinth service can sometimes take a little longer than the other reflective services, as there is a limit to the number of people who can walk in the labyrinth at one time. If you have limited time, make sure you are one of the first to go into the labyrinth. For this service, you can also arrive a little later (up until 7.50pm).
Nothing can be loved at speed.
God lead us to the slow path;
to the joyous insights of the pilgrim;
another way of knowing:
another way of being.
- Michael Leunig