The Service of Thanksgiving was held at the Auckland Cathedral of The Holy Trinity on Sunday, 4th May.  

The welcome was by The Rt. Rev'd Richard Randerson, Dean, and then we were lead by the Heaven Bent Choir in the Hymn "Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, adore Him".  The Rev'd Sarah Park, Priest Assistant, then prayed.

God our Creator and companion
You have created life, in all its beauty and fragility.
You journey with us in times of strength and vulnerability
We meet you this day in the paradox of grief and hope.
We remember those who have donated organs and their families, who have given new life to others.
We honur those who have died, and grieve with those who remain behind.
We remember those who have received a precious gift from someone they never knew
and we celebrate new beginnings, new opportunities.
Grant us the presence of Your Spirit,
that we may live this day in gratitude for the gifts we have received,
that we may live our lives in love to one another and to you.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
Amen.

Merilyn Beken, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Auckland Hospital, read from Job chapter 23, verses 1-4 and 8-12.

Ms Carolyn G, daughter, reflected on the loss of her mother, and the decision to donate her organs, in late 2000.  This moving narrative touched on Carolyn's relief in still being able to hold her mother's warm hand, and say good-bye, before her body was taken off life support, once the organs had been gathered.  Her mother's donation gave hope and life to seven people.

The Heaven Bent Choir sang the "I want to be ready".

Prof. Ed Gane, Hepatologist, New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland Hospital, spoke about his work with liver patients awaiting transplant, those who have been successfully transplanted, the incredible gift that donor families make, and the impact that this has had on his life personally. He also mentioned the recent celebration he attended to mark the 2000th transplant at a hospital in the United Kingdom, where he used to work.

The hymn, "The Lord's my Shepherd", Crimond tune, was then sung.  After this hymn, all organ transplant recipients were invited to come to the front of the Cathedral to light a candle in memory of their donor while the choir sang "God is listening, Alleluya Amen, Sin Nje Nje".  All the congregation then joined in saying:

"Loving God, we remember with gratitude those who have
given life and hope to others.  We light these candles as a
symbol of this renewal of life and health."

A Liver Transplant recipient, Linda B., spoke movingly about her experience as a recipient of a Donor liver five years ago.  She talked about how she had wanted to live to help her children through their teenage years, and how, through this special gift of life, she has achieved so many important goals.  Click here to read her narrative.  

Steve B., Heart Valve Recipient, Christian Aviation, then gave a reading from Isaiah chapter 40, verses 28 to 31.

The Rt. Rev'd Richard Randerson, Dean, St Paul's, reflected on life, suffering, death and the giving and receiving of life through organ transplants.  

The Rev'd Sarah Park, Priest Assistant, then prayed.

"Holy God, you have created us and will never leave us.  We thank You for the precious gift of life, for its fragile beauty and its strong resiliance, and for the privilege entrusted to us as co-creators in Your world.

We give thanks for the lives of those whom we love but see no longer; for families of donors who in a time of great sadness have made difficult decisions which gave life and hope to others; for the skills of all who participate in the organ transplant teams, and we thank You that all of us can help to create a community of love and goodwill, of care and healing.

Now, Oh God, from our experience on the very boundaries of life, and a sense of community with others who have shared, and in future share, the same pain and loss, the same hope and promise, we join in prayer:

We ask Your blessing upon the families and dear ones of those who have donated organs, that they may know comfort as they grieve, and that others may be wise and sensitive bearers of God's love

Lord in Your Mercy
Hear our Prayer.

We pray for those who have received an organ transplant that through recovered health they may lead renewed, creative lives, and express their gratitude through a generosity of spirit, and by care offered to others

Lord in Your Mercy
Hear our Prayer

We remember those awaiting transplant surgery, and all recent recipients of organs, that they may have the gift of faith, patience and serenity in times of apprehension, uncertainty or fear.

Lord in Your Mercy
Hear our Prayer

We pray that the gifts of wisdom, discernment and skill may be given to those who bring surgical, medical and nursing care to recipients of transplants, and those who give counsel and support to the families of donors, that they may be guided in their work, and strengthened in their sense of vocation.

Lord in Your Mercy
Hear our Prayer

We conclude our thoughts and prayers by praying together.....

Eternal Spirit
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and all that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of Your name echo through the universe!
The way of Your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For You reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever.     Amen

The Donor Transplant Co-ordinators Janice Langlands and Dawn Keenan with the assistance of two young heart recipients then presented a Camelia Plant to all Organ Donor families, in memory of their Donor.  This Camelia is called "Donation".  While this occurred, the Heaven Bent Choir sang "Precious Lord, Steal Away."

The service concluded with the choir and congregation singing the hymn "Guide me Oh Thou Great Redemer".  The Rt. Rev'd Richard Randerson, Dean, then concluded the service with prayer and a blessing, and the choir sang "Deep River" as the congregation left the Cathedral.

We were invited to stay for a luncheon in the Visitor's Centre at the Cathedral, which gave all the Donor and Recipient families an opportunity to mingle and talk together.

Our thanks go to Janice Langlands and Dawn Keenan, National Transplant Donor Co-ordinators, and the sponsors Christian Aviation, Janssen Cilag, Novartis and Roche Pharmaceuticals, for making this service possible.

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