Dear Friends,
As 2025 begins the emphasis through this decade for Diocesan life continues to be Regeneration—praying and working for new generations of active, worshipping, serving members of our ministry units. In this work of God, we are focusing efforts on making disciples who make disciples, strengthening families (with “family” understood in all the variety of life we experience in our diverse families) and building community—the community of brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, the community of people in our neighbourhoods. As we move around the Diocese, we see with our eyes and also hear with our ear’s stories of generational change in our ministry units. I feel encouraged at the beginning of this year which is mid-point for this decade. We press forward in Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit according to the will of God that the church is built.
On Sunday, Teresa and I experienced a wonderful, combined parishes (Anglican and Presbyterian) Mid Canterbury service in All Saints, Methven. It was good to share leadership of the service with Archdeacon Indrea Alexander and our new deacon based in Methven, the Reverend Sage Burke. Ms Abi Travathan, the Kairuruku Whanake (Formation and Development Coordinator) for the Alpine Presbytery was our excellent preacher.
Last Wednesday evening, we had a great turn out, from both the local congregations, friends from Wairau Valley parish, and other supporters for the Reverend Joe Keighley’s Induction as Vicar of Burnside-Harewood Parish. On that occasion Ms Raewyn Parkes, from the Nativity parish, Blenheim, was our excellent preacher.
This year we are partnering with Laidlaw College to have a counselling placement. This means we are able to offer some free counselling for 2025. Bookings can be made through Sammy Mould or our placement counsellor, Emma Dunne. This opportunity is available to people from any parish: teenagers, young adults, families, couples—Emma is able to counsel any age group. For further information, please contact Sammy, youth@anglicanlife.org.nz, 022 021 5401.
Theology House’s Lenten study for 2025 is available to order now. In the Spirit of Lent follows the lectionary’s Gospel readings for the six weeks of Lent. (Ash Wednesday is 5 March 2025.) Questions for discussion and prayers are provided in the expectation that groups who use the study will encounter the Word of God afresh. Discussion questions tend towards appropriate Lenten self-reflection, especially corporate self-reflection for our churches. See further: Theology House Resources.
A statement on the Gaza ceasefire by our archbishops can be read here. On that Taonga page there are links to a statement by the Episcopal Diocese in Jerusalem and the Middle East and links to two appeals for financial help for those suffering in the Middle East. In the Jerusalem statement, this paragraph is very important—if only those in power will heed it:
“Having repeatedly called for such a negotiated outcome, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem welcomes this ceasefire. Moreover, we appeal to fellow Christians and all those of goodwill to continue to advocate and pray not only for the adoption of the full agreement, also for the region’s leaders and people to invest as much of their political and financial capital towards peacebuilding, as they tragically have in waging warfare over these past many months and in the decades proceeding.”
Last week, at a post-inauguration service in Washington’s National Cathedral, Bishop Marian Budde preached a sermon which has echoed around the world (full text here). Her words have been received to fervent applause from some and to hostile vitriol from others, including from President Trump himself. I offer a reflection on the sermon and the controversy on my personal blog, here. +Marian has demonstrated the power of preaching to challenge, to stir and to expose the state of things. Unfortunately, in this case, we Christians are exposed by her sermon as being tragically divided even on the basic teaching of Christ that the merciful are blessed.
This coming Sunday is Epiphany 4 and The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The Gospel reading is Luke 2:22-40. From the perspective of Epiphany, we celebrate the revelation of God presented to the world in the person of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:31-32). But the story told in this passage also draws us to identify with Simeon and with Anna, each a model of faithfulness to God and of hearts open to and eager for God’s plan for the world to be fulfilled so that the consolation of Israel (2:25) and the redemption of Jerusalem (2:38)—the same things—would come to pass.
Arohanui,
+Peter