About 100 worshippers at the 10am service at the Anglican St Matthew-in-the-City on March 6 heard the shouting from outside, which included the word "abomination".

St Matthew's is known for being supportive of LGBTI causes.

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She says St Matthew's well known controversial billboards will continue.

"What kind of message we have on them we will have to look at. It is such an interesting church."

Jacobi is the first female vicar at St Matthew.

"It's quite surprising really because St Matthew is so liberal, they just haven't got around to it," she said.

She had been filling a temporary post in Auckland before accepting the permanent position at St Matthew's.

Ordained in the Diocese of Wellington in 1991, Jacobi was the first woman to become Dean of Waiapu Cathedral in Napier.

She served in this position for nine years, until 2013.

Before that she served as the vicar of St Luke's in Wadestown, Wellington.

Jacobi has also lived in Ottawa, Canada, and France where she was involved with Christian education and community ministry.

She also has experience in social work, and in social policy research.

Last year, she completed a three month stay in the USA where she was a scholar in residence at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: New Zealand Herald

The sponsors promise that,"Together we will put on the most fabulous food & venue and the most glamorous theme, entertainment, celebrant, cake and more".

Part of the prize was a wedding in a church.

ZM Radio has annouced that "St Matthew In The City told them that they could host the wedding at their church, but have now decided that the marriage ceremony can no longer take place at St Matthew's".

St Matthew's vicar, Glynn Cardy, said,"We are sorry that we were unable to negotiate a way to hold the first same gender wedding ceremony here at St Matthew's".

"At St Matthew's we think that policy is discriminatory and we are committed to working to change it; although realistically such change may take many years".

"We wish the couple well, and wish ZM all the best as you support them".

ZM Radio blamed "higher powers in the Church".

But Cardy said that while he thought the Anglican policy discriminated against gay and lesbian couples, St Matthew had always intended to work within the rules.

Those required same gender couples to be legally married in a civil ceremony elsewhere before taking part in a ceremony at the church.

"We were in a process of discussion and clarification with ZM," Cardy said.

"When it became clear to them that the civil ceremony part couldn't be part of what we would do at St Matthew, then they decided they couldn't proceed," he said.

A statement from the Anglican Diocese of Auckland said Reverend Cardy had told the Bishop of Auckland, the Right Reverend Ross Bay, that there was no intention for the church to offer such an event, although a blessing would be possible following a legal civil marriage elsewhere.

The bishop says no directive was given to St Matthew's because there was never an intention for such a wedding to take place because the vicar was working within Anglican Church policy, which he understood.

Source

• ZM online
  
• New Zealand Herald
• Image: GayRepublic.co.nz

There are four main traditions of the season. Each can be valued and celebrated. For each encourage and challenge us to make our world a better place.

The first is the Winter Solstice observed on December 25th in the Julian Calendar. It marked the longest night of the year. Following harvest, all nature seemingly had begun to die, and the colour green faded from the earth.

Death was advancing. But then, significantly, the sun "turned". Light was re-born to the world. People rejoiced, feasted and celebrated.

In Middle Eastern civilisations - Syria, Egypt, Persia - Winter Solstice was symbolised by the birth of a divine male child from the dark womb of the Goddess. Winter Solstice rituals in Europe primarily involved fire and greenery.

Continue reading Glynn Cardy's article 'The Biblical Christmas was not about a baby in a manger' in The New Zealand Herald.

Glynn Cardy is vicar of the Anglican church of St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland.

Image: The Mother Huddle