A life too busy maybe

Life seems to be way too busy. In part this is due to time spent trying to get technology to work (and failing - how hard is it to get a wireless keyboard to work).

In part it is due to last week being so so busy. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Gisborne at our annual clergy conference which was held with our Tikanga partners Te Tai Rawhiti. It was enjoyable being there with friends, Maori and Pakeha. As an aside, the issue for us in the Bay of Plenty is that we do not have any occasions to meet and build relationships with the Maori clergy from this area, which is in a different Hui Amorangi. Never the less it was good.

The Monday before I left I went to the karakia (prayers) for the week leading up to the Deed of Settlement signing between Ngati Ranginui and the Crown. I then drove back from Gisborne (4 hours) on Wednesday night so that I could be at the actual signing on Thursday. It was a real privilege to be among the @1,000 people who attended this and who took part in the haka, karanga, powhiri, signing and commemoration, and then the Hakari afterwards. To be present to hear to government unequivocally apologise for the actions of previous governments, including the landing of troops, the battles, and the land confiscations was moving. To witness these people being able to have their pain and hurt from the last 150 years acknowledged, and to witness the beginning of the pain being laid aside and the future embraced was moving. And to be part of the 700 or so who took part in the Hakari (feast) afterwards was pretty cool too.

Well, that left Friday to write a sermon and prepare for a quiet day on Franciscan prayer on Saturday. A long day, which led to a long Saturday, leading the quiet day and finishing the sermon.

Sunday was church as per normal, and then a parish film showing with soup and buns. A great occasion. But another long day.

So this week I took all of Monday off. Sweet. Except yesterday was spent leading the midweek communion service, training people to visit people at home and take home communions, attending a Matariki event at the Whanau Aroha Childcare centre, and the AAW coffee event at a cafe. Then another meeting. And today has been trying to get technology working, taking a burial, and then getting ready for and having a meeting about music for the next 5 weeks. And now I am still here writing vestry reports for tomorrow night. Blah!!!! My time management skills need to improve (and this stupid wireless keyboard needs to start working.)