By Penny Taylor, St John’s Hira
On April 25th, ANZAC Day, people in New Zealand and across the world chose to participate in an act of remembrance. Whether that was a formal and choreographed dawn service attended by hundreds of people, or a quiet graveside reflection, they shared a common theme: love, respect and gratitude for those who served—and still do—to help, defend, rescue and care for others.
In Wakapuaka, a group of 40 or so assembled at the Memorial Hall to do likewise. Given a guard of honour by serving members of the Hira Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service to enter the hall, and gathered before the Roll of Honour, we were reminded by the address from Rev. Gordon Taylor of the destructive nature of conflict and the ultimate price that many have paid for the freedom of others.
This was a community gathering—a group of churchgoers, families, farmers, business people, service personnel… who knows? Fire Chief Gordon Cowie read the Ode of Remembrance, J. P. Moynihan played the Last Post and Reveille, Gene Klootwijk brought along his WWII American Jeep to set the scene outside, and the Nelson North Country Club offered refreshments after the service.
It made me think about community. What it is. A group of people that share something—usually a neighbourhood or a common interest. We hear stories of how comrades became such a close community in times of war that they would risk their lives over and over to assist one of their own.
Rev. Christina Naseri of St John’s Church, Hira, talked about how the local communities rallied to assist and support each other in times of loss, or when the absence of those serving in the forces made it hard to perpetuate the running of a home, a farm or a business.
A Christian church community, united in their love of Christ Jesus and brought together to love, serve and worship the Lord.
In moments of need or crisis, communities reform or blend and often strengthen. On that morning—25th April 2025—for that hour, a new community was formed. Gathering together for the formalities of the service, but lingering in the Country Club afterwards to share thoughts and memories, consolidated the community. It made real the people within it. Not just one people with one common interest, but many. Not just isolated pockets of churchgoers, families, farmers, business people, service personnel—but a gloriously diverse bunch mingling.
A community’s strength comes from its unity, but that can also cause an isolation or jaundiced view of others. What model should we aim for in our society, then? Concentric circles? Olympic rings? I quite like the Venn diagram, where separate yet intersecting circles represent the commonalities between groups.
Why not a flower—a poppy even—enduring yet vibrant. Delicate petals overlapping to create variations in density, texture and light. Valued throughout history in art, medicine, and for its culinary uses.
A symbol of remembrance and resurrection.
Lest we forget.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
By Penny Taylor, St John’s Hira
On April 25th, ANZAC Day, people in New Zealand and across the world chose to participate in an act of remembrance. Whether that was a formal and choreographed dawn service attended by hundreds of people, or a quiet graveside reflection, they shared a common theme: love, respect and gratitude for those who served—and still do—to help, defend, rescue and care for others.
In Wakapuaka, a group of 40 or so assembled at the Memorial Hall to do likewise. Given a guard of honour by serving members of the Hira Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service to enter the hall, and gathered before the Roll of Honour, we were reminded by the address from Rev. Gordon Taylor of the destructive nature of conflict and the ultimate price that many have paid for the freedom of others.
This was a community gathering—a group of churchgoers, families, farmers, business people, service personnel… who knows? Fire Chief Gordon Cowie read the Ode of Remembrance, J. P. Moynihan played the Last Post and Reveille, Gene Klootwijk brought along his WWII American Jeep to set the scene outside, and the Nelson North Country Club offered refreshments after the service.
It made me think about community. What it is. A group of people that share something—usually a neighbourhood or a common interest. We hear stories of how comrades became such a close community in times of war that they would risk their lives over and over to assist one of their own.
Rev. Christina Naseri of St John’s Church, Hira, talked about how the local communities rallied to assist and support each other in times of loss, or when the absence of those serving in the forces made it hard to perpetuate the running of a home, a farm or a business.
A Christian church community, united in their love of Christ Jesus and brought together to love, serve and worship the Lord.
In moments of need or crisis, communities reform or blend and often strengthen. On that morning—25th April 2025—for that hour, a new community was formed. Gathering together for the formalities of the service, but lingering in the Country Club afterwards to share thoughts and memories, consolidated the community. It made real the people within it. Not just one people with one common interest, but many. Not just isolated pockets of churchgoers, families, farmers, business people, service personnel—but a gloriously diverse bunch mingling.
A community’s strength comes from its unity, but that can also cause an isolation or jaundiced view of others. What model should we aim for in our society, then? Concentric circles? Olympic rings? I quite like the Venn diagram, where separate yet intersecting circles represent the commonalities between groups.
Why not a flower—a poppy even—enduring yet vibrant. Delicate petals overlapping to create variations in density, texture and light. Valued throughout history in art, medicine, and for its culinary uses.
A symbol of remembrance and resurrection.
Lest we forget.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
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