Dear Friends,
It is horrible to wake up this morning to news that Israeli bombing in Gaza – in the midst of an alleged ceasefire – has killed more than 400 Palestinians. Meanwhile, a few countries further over, Trump and Putin are playing some kind of cruel game around what “peace” means for Ukraine as it resists the colonising attempt of imperial Russia to take over Ukraine. (Only the most naïve among us could possibly hold to the belief that Russia in the long run will be content with some limited territorial gains).
Between Ukraine and Gaza, the situation in Syria remains perilous for Alawites and Christians. As Christians we must steadfastly insist on the worth of each human being – all are made in the image of God – and there can be no ill-treatment of others, let alone killing of others, on the basis that this or that people group are deemed to be a lesser people. It flows from our understanding of people in relation to the God of Jesus Christ that we who follow Jesus Christ must work for peace (Blessed are the peacemakers …), for justice (Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice/righteousness …) and for mercy (Blessed are the merciful …).
Our sister in Christ, the Reverend June Dalziel, one of our deacons, died on 12 March in Christchurch at the age of 96 years. She was ordained as a Deacon at Holy Innocents church, Amberley in 2003 and had a long and faithful servant ministry that covered the parishes of Glenmark-Waikari, and Amberley, including ministry in the latter parish in St Paul’s church, Leithfield. She was well known for her community facing work as a deacon and will be lovingly remembered for her generous ministry in North Canterbury. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Teresa and I were blessed at the weekend to share in a retreat for Pākehā bishops and spouses at Vaughan Park Retreat Centre, Long Bay, Auckland. On Friday we were able to spend a day at St. John’s College, meeting with our students there and some of the staff. Our students are in good heart and I thank you for your prayers for them: Josh and Jo Taylor, Ciru Mariuki, André and Sarah Muller (all due to return to the Diocese later this year), Jamie and Pattama Somerville and Luke and Sharnee Watson (new to St. John’s this year).
I have received notice of a new film telling the story of Jesus: THE KING OF KINGS will be in cinemas on 10 April 2025 in New Zealand. This animated film, which features an all-star cast including Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamil, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Forest Whitaker, and Oscar Isaac, brings to life the story of Jesus Christ through the imaginative lens of Charles Dickens narrating to his son, Walter. Watch the trailer here.
Our Diocesan retreat house, Sister Eveleen Retreat House, Sumner has an excellent series of retreats planned for 2025. Details are on their website. Retreats are a valuable way to engage more deeply with the divine life and I commend the planned retreats to you for consideration.
2025 is the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (strictly speaking the First Council of Nicaea, which met from May until the end of July 325 AD, and whose main accomplishment was settling the question of the nature of Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine). This was the first full ecumenical council of the churches and from it flowed the creed we today call the Nicene Creed. (The original version from this council was amended by a subsequent ecumenical council at Constantinople in 381 AD, and it is the amended version we say today.) I hope in a few weeks’ time to be able to inform you about a time and date for an ecumenical celebration in Christchurch of this council and its significant theological achievement.
This coming Sunday, 23 March is Lent 3. The Gospel reading is Luke 13:1-9. This is a challenging reading (because it engages with the problem of suffering), but its message is clear and simple: each of us should ensure our lives are aligned with God’s life (i.e. we should repent) and should do so without delay.
Arohanui,
+Peter.