Auckland - 2004

The Service of Thanksgiving was held at the Auckland Cathedral of The Holy Trinity on Sunday, 2nd 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 "Morning has broken". The Rev'd Catherine Thorn, Deacon 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 honour 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.

Ron Benjamin, Social Worker, New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, read Psalm 121.

Mrs Wendy Hastie, Donor Family, reflected on her experience.

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

Dr. Peter Ruygrok, Cardiologist, New Zealand Heart & Lung Transplant Service, Auckland City Hospital, spoke about his work.

The hymn, "All things bright and beautiful" was then sung. After this hymn, all organ transplant recipients were invited to come to the front of the Cathedral to light a candle assisted by Helen Gibbs, Heart & Lung Recipient Co-ordinator and Margaret Johnston, Liver Recipient Co-ordinator while the choir sang "Steal Away" & "Precious Lord".

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, Mr Nuku Tuhiwai, spoke movingly about his experience as a recipient of a Donor liver.

The Appasionata Trio then played "String Trio No 1 in B flat Major", Franz Schubert Allegro.

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

The Rev'd Richard Randerson, Bishop of Auckland, reflected on life, suffering, death and the giving and receiving of life through organ transplants.

The Rev'd Catherine Thorn, Deacon 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 resilience, 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.....

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your Kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
Now and forever. Amen.

THE GIFT OF CAMELLIAS

Members of families of those who have donated organs are invited to come forward to receive a gift of a Camellia plant (the variety is named "Donation") from Donor Co-ordinators. Janice Langlands and Dawn Kelly helped by younger transplant recipients

Appasionata Trio "String Serenade in 0 Major" - L. Van Beethoven Adagio-Scherzo, Polaca

Beethoven was one of the most human and deeply religious of composers with a strong belief in the after-life and the view that music is the language of the soul. Through his own difficulties and deafness he understood well the sufferings of humanity. Like Schubert he had the gift to express deep emotion and spirituality but no matter how tragic the events surrounding him might be he always managed to uplift, console and inspire.

In this heartfelt Adagio Beethoven contemplates the duality of life and death. Just when our grief seems almost . too much to bear Beethoven interjects with a short, lively Scherzo reminding us that life continues on earth as well as in the celestial realms; the reality of existence is that there is no death - that which has, been joined by love can never be separated.

In the string serenade Beethoven follows immediately with a gentle but lively dance in the form of a polka - celebrating the joy of life and the continuity of the soul's existence.

"Poem to an Organ Donor"

.We never know what's waiting round the bend,
we never know just how suddenly life will end.
To take the time to say gidday,
to brighten some one else's day.

These things are small it's true,
they might not matter to you,
but when the end is nigh,
it's still so hard to say goodbye.

To have known one such as you,
who for her girls made the sky blue.
To know that from your death there's life,
your organs will end someone's strife.

If there were more like you to be found
more people could laugh at the sound.
The sound of life given another chance
the chance to see another day.
The chance to encourage another way.

Another way to live a life,
to avoid, defer or bypass strife.
To have another really good go,
to give someone else the show.

The show that goes day and night,
the one that is never really right.
But then you have achieved your goal,
you've given, literally heart and soul.

Jenny Hunt

The service concluded with the choir and congregation singing the hymn "Guide me Oh Thou Great Redeemer". The Rt. Rev'd Richard Randerson, Dean, then concluded the service with prayer and a blessing, and the Heaven Bent Choir sang "He's Sweet" & "Alleluya" as the congregation left the Cathedral.

We were all thanked for attending this service and 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 Kelly, 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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