George Selwyn, the First Bishop of New Zealand

Fellowship Breakfast on Palm Sunday: Carol Freeman was originally signed up; however, she will not be able to do breakfast on the 17th, Palm Sunday. I would ask that we make it a “pot luck” breakfast. Just let everyone know what you will bring so that we don’t duplicate. Thanks in advance!

Today the Church remembers a missionary who went more than half way around the world to spread the Good News, George Augustus Selwyn who was born in London, England in 1809 and died on this day in 1878.

Selwyn was educated at Eton and Cambridge and ordained in 1833. He served as curate to the Rev. Isaac Gossett, vicar of Windsor. Both at Eton and at Windsor, Selwyn displayed much organizing talent.

In 1841, after an Episcopal council held at Lambeth had recommended the appointment of a bishop for New Zealand, Bishop Blomfield offered the post to Selwyn.

Selwyn was consecrated bishop at Lambeth on 17 October 1841, and sailed on 26 December. He appointed William Charles Cotton as his chaplain, and with a missionary party of 23 people, he set sail from Plymouth late in December 1841. During the voyage, Selwyn mastered the Māori language with the help of a Māori boy returning from England so that upon his arrival he was able to preach in the native language.

Selwyn journeyed around his vast diocese partly by canoe but mainly by walking, often for large distances over difficult and dangerous terrain. In 6 years, Bishop Selwyn completed a thorough visitation of the whole of New Zealand, and in December 1847 began a series of voyages to the Pacific Islands, which were included in his diocese by a clerical error. His letters and journals descriptive of these trips present the reader with a vivid picture of his versatility, courage, and energy.

Selwyn elaborated a plan for the self-government of his Diocese, and in 1854 visited England for the purpose of obtaining power to subdivide his diocese, and permission to the church of New Zealand to manage its own affairs by a general synod of bishops, presbyters, and laity.

By 1855, the Land Wars interrupted the progress of Christianity among the Māori, and caused an almost universal rejection of the Church of England. Selwyn was a keen critic of the unjust and reckless procedure of the English land companies, and was misunderstood by the English and the Maoris alike. His efforts to supply Christian ministrations to the troops on both sides were heroic and indefatigable.

In 1867, Selwyn was pressured to accept appointment as Bishop of Lichfield. Reluctantly, he returned to England, where he died eleven years later.

Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant George Augustus Selwyn, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the peoples of New Zealand and Melanesia, and to lay a firm foundation for the growth of your Church in many nations. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON THE STEPPING STONES FOR THE BIEHL COMMUNITY GARDEN! We had about 10 folks who made 20 stepping stones for the garden, and they look great!

NETS FOR LIFE: We have about 8 nets thus far and our goal is 50. Spread the word and do what you can.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Next Wednesday, 13 April at 6:00 p.m. we will meet at Grace for the Lenten program where we will experience the Covenant Players.

S.A.S.S. (St. Augustine Spiritual Support group) for those whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS meets every Thursday starting at 6:00 p.m. with a pot luck dinner. Let others know of this ministry as well.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE:
Palm Sunday: Procession with Palms & Eucharist Rite II- 9 a.m.
Maundy Thursday: Foot Washing, Eucharist & Striping of the Altar- 7 p.m.
Good Friday: Stations and Good Friday Liturgy -3 p.m.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Liz Mack.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550