27 July – 2 August 2015 is Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori – Maori Language Week. The New Zealand Lectionary has it as last week; two weeks are fine in any case, and the whole month would be even better…! The point of Te Wiki is not for this to be the only one week in the year in which we use Te Reo. The point is to progress in our usage, to give Te Reo a boost. Essentially every service I lead (whatever the time of year), people would take for granted that Te Reo is naturally a component. Te Wiki is an encouragement (a challenge) to improve in Te Reo. Of course, if you are just starting, be encouraged to give it a go (rather than guilt-riven).
A New Zealand Prayer Book – He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa is a great resource for Te Reo, especially using Te Reo in worship.
For readers beyond these islands (and readers living on them), Te Wiki is also an invitation (a challenge) to think about the value of many languages, many cultures. How do we let many languages and cultures divide us (Tower of Babel)? How do we celebrate the many languages and cultures (Day of Pentecost)? Do we fear or appreciate diversity and difference…?
Furthermore, Pakeha (non-Maori) are much enriched by Maori non-dualism, approach to death, dialogue and consensus, …
Pope Francis articulated diversity and unity well IMO:
Poorly understood globalization is that which nullifies differences. It is like a sphere in which all points are equidistant from the center. A globalization that enriches is like a polyhedron, all united but each preserving its particularity, its wealth, its identity,…
You could always try the Irish approach: Seachtain na Gaeilge (English: “Irish language week”) usually last for about ten days.
You mean like the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the Southern Hemisphere, Mary? Blessings.
Welcome back Boscoe.
How’s the Maori Pastorate in the Anglican church doing these days?