The Service of Thanksgiving was held at the Auckland Cathedral of The Holy Trinity on Sunday, 6th May.  

Janice Langlands, Donor Co-ordinator, read a poem "Grief is like a River" by Cinthea Kelley

Carolyn & Barry Nelson, Donor Family, reflected on their experience.

The Heaven Bent Choir sang "I want to be Ready"

Dr Gabrielle Nuthall, Intensivist, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Starship Children's Hospital, spoke about her work.

The hymn, "The Lord's my Shepherd" was then sung.

A Liver Transplant recipient, Mrs Debbie Eaton spoke about her experience as a recipient of a Donor liver.

All organ recipients were invited to come forward to the front of the Cathedral to light a candle,  assisted by Helen Gibbs, Heart & Lung Recipient Co-ordinator & Ron Benjamin, Social Worker, NZ Liver Transplant Unit, while the Heaven Bent Choir sang "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child"  & "Precious Lord".

The congregation all 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."

The Rev'd Catherine Thorn, Priest Associate, then read Psalm 139: 1-12

Reflection by The Rt. Rev'd Richard Randerson, Dean

The Rev'd Jason Rhodes, Deacon, 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, O God, from our experience on the very boundaries of life, and a sense of community with others who have shared 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 were invited to come forward to receive a gift of a Camellia plant (the variety is named "Donation') from Donor Co-ordinators Janice Langlands, Dawn Kelly & Val Honeyman assisted by Debbie Eaton & her children Elise & Harry, while the Heaven Bent Choir sang "Give us Peace"

The choir and congregation sang the hymn "Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise."

The Rt Rev'd Richard Randerson, Dean, then concluded with prayer and a blessing

Lord, as we part and go our different ways
it is our prayer that you will give us, each in our own way,
the passion for living and loving,
the courage for daring and hoping,
the freedom for growing and changing,
the capacity for giving and receiving,
the humility for learning,
the tenderness for understanding.
the strength for enduring the trust for believing.
and may your grace and your peace, which is not the absence of conflict,
but the presence of all that makes life whole, be with us and go with us. Amen.

And now may the blessing of God,
Creator, Redeemer and Giver of Life,
be amongst you and remain with you now and forever. Amen.

The Heaven Bent Choir sang "Jisu Sa Duabau Ga" (Fijian Hymn)

Kerry-Lee Bruce, Val Honeyman, Janice Langlands, & Dr Stephen Streat, from Organ Donation, New Zealand, thanked us for attending this service and invited us to luncheon in the Cathedral's Visitor's Centre

Special thanks go to Christian Aviation for their sponsorship.

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