In 1990, and with the inclusion of the Diocese of Polynesia, the Anglican Church formed a new constitution, Te Pouhere, that would bind us together as one church in Christ, yet living in Three Tikanga or cultural streams.

The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the central Christian affirmations about God, the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead - one God existing in three coeternal, consubstantial divine persons.

Christ sends the Holy Spirit who empowers and guides the followers of Jesus after he withdraws from them into heaven, at the Ascension.

After the Resurrection Jesus spent forty days with his disciples and then “ While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:51 NRSV).

How fortunate we are to be part of a vibrant, Christ centred, prayerful worshipping community.

Just imagine how our lives would look with the Spirit of Alleluia unleashed within us.

We also light the Paschal Candle signifying the light of Christ’s resurrection overcoming the darkness of the tomb, Christ defeating death.

Through Lent we focused on the spiritual disciplines of prayer, repentance, almsgiving and fasting.

Over the past 160 years the St Mark’s church has been a place of prayer, worship and community.

The fact that Christ is risen, that the tomb was empty, is central to our faith as disciples of Jesus.

We are confronted by how easy it is to go from the joyful singing of “Hosanna” to the baying for blood in shouting “Crucify”.