Minister installed for southern Anglicans

Anglican faithful in Ross and South Westland now officially have a minister to tend to their spiritual needs after the Christchurch Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews officially installed Rev Vivien Harber in charge of both parishes.
Ms Harber has been in the position since February, but her official confirmation was delayed after the bishop suffered a broken wrist that prevented the ceremony from taking place, until Sunday.
At an event full of pomp and pageantry, and attended by a large gathering of people from the tangata whenua as well as the Westland community and churches, Ms Harber was also welcomed as team leader of the Anglican parish of All Saints Hokitika.
Bishop Matthews also took the opportunity to officially relicense ministry support team members.
Ms Harber said it had been “a great event in which everybody participated”.
Part of the ceremony, which involved swearing a canonical oath of obedience to the bishop, was important as “we are effectively doing the bishop’s job here”.
Having two ministers from the Anglican Maori Church present made the event even more special, she said.
“It was really quite special. The Anglican Church in New Zealand is made up of three churches so it was nice to feel that we had all come together.”