Anglican Down Under: Ouch. Another set of quakes in Christchurch.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Ouch. Another set of quakes in Christchurch.

Walking home at lunch time. The earth moved slightly under my feet. Hmm. Then it really moved. 5.5. Quick walk back to Theology House - mostly okay - a filing cabinet to pick up. Then home via a closed local supermarket. A little while later, while at home, boom. 6.0. That was scary. Quick check on neighbours. Some things to pick up and broken glass, china to dispose of. On the bike - traffic building up - to check on Theology House. Found out staff were safe but badly shaken. Building closed, so won't be going back in soon. Quick look at St Mary's Church. North wall caved in in two places. Back home. Texts flying. Family and friends are safe. Heard on the radio that the west wall of the cathedral has fallen in. Power off for a while but back on now ...

10 comments:

Janice said...: Very glad to know that you're safe and that there have been no further fatalities.; June 13, 2011 at 6:22 PM
Peter Carrell said...: Thank you, Janice.; June 13, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Father Ron Smith said...: I had thought my birthday was going to be pretty uneventful - How wrong that turned to be: a 5.something at 1pm (while we clung to the kitchen table, soup all over the table, lamps swinging and bookcases and CD & DVD cabinets down - again!)

Brief lull: then a Richter #6 at 2.20! How on earth is one going to get in an afternoon nap (retirement perk) at this rate? However, Deo gratias, we are still alive and thankful for that.

An act of God? or: on the part of the Creation God set free? What do you think, Peter?

(I see Peter, Fr.Bosco and I, got a mention on 'Thinking Anglicans' today. Does that mean we are being taken seriously?; June 13, 2011 at 10:41 PM
Peter Carrell said...: Hi Ron,
Happy Birthday and glad to hear you are alive!

A mention on Thinking Anglicans makes it a memorable day indeed.

God is at work in God's world, always. But when the question is put in the way you put it, one hesitates to use finite human words to delve into the mysteries of God's will.; June 13, 2011 at 10:44 PM
James said...: Blessings to all of you in Christchurch.

And Fr. Ron - a most blessed and happy birthday to you!; June 13, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Father Ron Smith said...: Thank you, James. 'Tis good we can all wish one another well - despite some differences. God is God!; June 14, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Anonymous said...: Prayers for you all in this continuing testing time.

Ron - ad multos annos. Sto lat.

Peter "Palaiologos"; June 14, 2011 at 5:04 PM
Father Ron Smith said...: Thanks, Peter (el Greco). I'm not wise enough yet, maybe God wants me to live a little longer. Agape.; June 14, 2011 at 9:01 PM
Pageantmaster said...: Please know you and Christchurch are held in our prayers daily.

Be safe, God bless.; June 15, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Peter Carrell said...: Thank you all, for all your prayers!; June 16, 2011 at 11:18 AM

Anglican Down Under

Welcome to this blog on Anglican, theological, biblical and other matters, mostly missional or liturgical (but I reserve the right to write about cricket and politics). It is grounded in some islands at the bottom of the world which, together with a large island to our west, constitute fabulous Down Under.

I have two related blogs which I post on less frequently:

Hermeneutics and Human Dignity

Resourcing Preaching and Worship Down Under

I am Bishop of the Diocese of Christchurch in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia (ACANZP). I am trying to write in ways which contribute to the flourishing of the church of God - a church represented in the Anglican Communion, in the Anglican churches of these islands and, of course, in my Diocese. You will judge whether I am succeeding or not!

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Monday, June 13, 2011

Ouch. Another set of quakes in Christchurch.

10 comments: