From Anglican Taonga

Two young Kiwi priests are about to head to England for a short course designed to foster the emerging generation of Communion leaders.

The Reverends Clare Barrie (Diocese of Auckland) and Ngira Simmonds (Te Manawa o Te Wheke) have been chosen to attend the 2013 Canterbury Scholars’ programme, which is run each June at the International Studies Centre next to Canterbury Cathedral.

The two-week course, which is for selected newly ordained clergy from across the Communion, is designed, in part, to give those who take part a deeper appreciation of the traditions, cultures and spiritualities found in the Anglican Communion.

Clare, who is Vicar of St Luke’s Mt Albert, was encouraged by Bishop Ross Bay to apply for the course – and she has high expectations of what she’ll find there:

“It’ll be amazing,” she says, “to share the experience with other young Anglicans from all around the Communion, and to reflect together on the future of our Church and the challenges we share in common.”

Ngira, who is doing further study at St John’s College, is approaching the course with a certain evangelical fervour: 

“We have,” he says, “in this part of the world, a unique Church – and many have still not yet heard about it. I look forward to telling them.”

Thanks to links forged by Dr Jenny Te Paa-Daniel, the former Te Ahorangi of Te Rau Kahikatea, Ngira has been awarded a scholarship by Canterbury Cathedral which will cover his course costs.

The intensive course will pivot round the daily worship at Canterbury Cathedral, Bible studies and short lectures by a number of visiting international teachers. 

A day has also been set aside for the delegates to travel to London, where they will meet the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, at Lambeth Palace and later the staff of the Anglican Communion Office at St Andrew’s House.

Clare and Ngira leave for England in early June.