During the university holidays at the end of 1974, young David Moxon picked up a job as a sweeper and cleaner on the mutton chain in the Feilding freezing works.

On his first morning he was told that a talented young chap like him could aspire to greater things.

He was encouraged to ask whether vacancies might arise over Christmas on the turkey chain.

The bait had been laid.

And when our bright student duly asked about the prospects of a promotion to the turkey chain, his foreman sprung the trap:

“There is only one turkey here, mate!”

David Moxon, author of Wings of the Morning,can tell a story against himself.

The author doesn’t stand on ceremony, either. It’s not till the penultimate page of Wings of the Morningthat he lays out his credentials as theDavid Moxon, Bishop of Waikato and Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

In some ways, too, David Moxon is a reluctant author. Wings of the Morningis a compilation of various sermons he’s preached since 2000.

The criteria for their inclusion? Simply that folk in the congregations who’d first heard those sermons asked him to save and print them.

The subtitle of the book is: Messages of hope from Aotearoa in a new millennium – and there’s a quintessentially Aotearoa-New Zealand feel about the selected sermons.

The title “Wings of the Morning” comes from Psalm 138: 9,10: “If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your right hand shall lead me and your right hand would hold me fast”.

That’s a verse Archbishop David sees as peculiarly apt to Aotearoa New Zealand, and “relevant to the new, un-navigated ‘journeys’ we now need to make as the third millennium unfolds for us personally, politically and environmentally.”

In one such sermon our preacher gives a firsthand account of one of the most dramatic moments in modern New Zealand – he took part in the flotilla that sailed to Mururoa atoll in 1995 to protest French nuclear testing.

He also weaves some of the most poignant stories of gospel-witness to take place on New Zealand soil into a couple of his sermons: the acts of mercy by Heni Te Kirikaramu during the Battle of Gate Pa in 1864, for instance, and the martyrdom of Tarore at Wairere Falls in 1836.

There’s a serious side to the turkey-at-the-Fielding freezing works story, too. He’d just cleaned up after a day at the works when he experienced the moment of transformation which set him on the path to where he is today. That story is recounted in one of the sermons, too.

Wings of the Morningcarries a poignant footnote – by the late Sir Paul Reeves – and was designed by Marcus Thomas, who contracts to Taonga Publications,a new venture arising out of the success of Taongamagazine.

Headed by the magazine’s former editor, Brian Thomas, Taonga Publications has recently produced two other equally elegant titles with a distinctly Anglican flavour: A time in Lentby Archdeacon Carole Hughes, and Taranaki’s Cathedral – bringing it to birthby John Bluck and Rob Tucker.

A time in Lentis a series of Lenten studies. The first of these is a six-part encounter with stories and teaching from St John’s gospel; while the second is a week-by-week exploration of Anglican identity.

There are two further studies which use movies as their springboard – the Kiwi classic Whale Rider,and The Sound of Music – and a final study is entitled Let’s explore,which is a Lenten study specifically tailored for young people.

Carole’s book – which was underwritten by the Anglican Women’s Study Centre – finishes with a chapter called Veronica’s washing basket,which provides a template (designed by the Rev Erice Fairbrother) for setting up a installation art exhibition themed on the Stations of the Cross.

As its name suggests Taranaki’s Cathedral – bringing it to birthis a beautifully illustrated memento of the consecration of St Mary’s Cathedral in New Plymouth.

Rob Tucker took those photos, and John Bluck has sketched the 180-year story of bringing the cathedral to birth.

Early next year Taonga Publications will produce a new bicultural history of this church, Wai Karekare – Turbulent Waters.Written by John Bluck, it begins with the bold decision of the Church Missionary Society in London to set up a Maori mission on the other side of the world in 1806.

Brian says a busy year looms for Taonga Publications. An upgrade of the Taongawebsite is on the drawing board, along with more books and a web package tailored to Anglican needs.

“We want to develop a consistent Anglican brand across all our publications, regardless of whether they’re digital or print,” Brian says.

“The Anglican Church has more agencies than NZ Post, but you’d never know it by looking at our various publications.

“Taonga Publications’ aim is to offer a range of templates that allow for difference but also show we’re part of the same faith community.”

Where to get the books:

Wings of the Morningis available from the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki, Box 21, Hamilton – price $20, plus $2 postage, or phone 09 521-4439, or email gensec@ang.org.nz – price $20, plus post and packaging.

A time in Lent is available through the General Synod office in Auckland (phone 09 521-4439, or email gensec@ang.org.nz) – price $20, plus post and packaging.

Taranaki’s cathedral is available from the cathedral. Go to http://www.taranakicathedral.org.nz and click the relevant link – price $55.00 hardback, or $35.00 soft cover, plus $5.50 postage.