Dear Friends,
The situation in Iran and surrounding countries is disturbing and full of dark portent because it is not clear today as I write that good will come from this war. I hope good does come, but we know from what happened in recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that worse things rather than better things can be the outcome of war. I also hope that we have a global re-think on what the rule of international law means: for 47 years the regime in Iran has exported terrorism while its borders have been respected by adherence to international law. As Christians, our theology of peace means that we seek peace which is much more than the mere absence of war. There is peace when people are at peace everywhere, within nations as well as between nations. Recent protests, and the violence of the Iranian government against the protestors, has demonstrated that Iran has no peace within itself. Let’s pray for peace – genuine and lasting peace in and between all countries of the Middle East. Let’s also pray for our Prime Minister and Government who are between a rock and a hard place as they respond to the breakdown of adherence to international law while seeking to avoid the tariff-raising wrath of a mercurial US president.
Archdeacon Ben Randall announced to his parishioners on Sunday that he is concluding his ministry as Vicar of St. Mary’s, Timaru and thus Ben has also resigned as Archdeacon of South Canterbury. After Pentecost Sunday (24 May 2026), Ben will relocate back to Christchurch in order to be nearer to family. He will be concluding a course of study that he has been undertaking before discerning his next ministry call.
Sunday 1 March was the last Sunday for the Reverend Patrick Chrisp in his role as Interim Priest-in-Charge for the Parish of Hornby, Templeton and West Melton. Thank you, Patrick, for your ministry in this parish.
One of Patrick’s last services in the parish was to lead the funeral for the Reverend Ray Salisbury, who died early last week and whose funeral was at St. Saviour’s, Templeton on Friday afternoon, 27 February. Ray served the parish well through many years of ministry before and after ordination. Please pray for Jean, his wife, and their family as they mourn his loss.
Now we are in autumn, likely we are all disappointed with the poverty of the summer just past: little sunshine, lots of rain, modest temperatures. Please spare a thought for our arable farmers in Canterbury, many of whom are struggling to achieve a good harvest because of the lack of true summer weather conditions.
It was good to be at St John’s, Highfield, Timaru on Sunday morning, to share in worship through two morning services and to meet with the church wardens afterwards. In this parish, along with all our parishes experiencing vacancies between vicars at this time, I am very grateful for the faithful service and hard work of our churchwardens, vestries, lay preachers, and all who serve to ensure God is praised through worship and glorified through mission in our local communities.
The Reverend Sammy Mould will be ordained priest at 7pm on Wednesday 18 March, in the Transitional Cathedral. All are welcome to this service for which the Reverend Lucy Flatt, Vicar of Johnsonville in Wellington, will be the preacher. Clergy should robe, alb and red stole.
Christ Church Cathedral: Beginning on Friday 13 March, there will be another Open Weekend for visitors to walk through the cathedral. Places need to be booked. Please see details elsewhere in this e-Life. The Christchurch City Council is seeking submissions through this month on the question of investing more funds into four key heritage projects in the city, including our Cathedral. This Friday morning, 6 March 2026, I will be writing to all on the e-Life mailing list, giving details of how submissions may be made. I ask that as many Anglicans as possible make a submission in favour of the Council supporting our Reinstatement Project so that we can complete it in a timely manner.
Among Lenten “extra effort” possibilities this Lent are the following opportunities across our Diocese, March 2026 Quiet Days, when we can participate in Bible study together and then in prayer for the Diocese and for the world. Each Saturday will run 9am to 3pm, with the morning spent in Bible study led by Bishop Peter, and the afternoon in prayer:
This Saturday 7 March, All Saints, Hokitika (Gospel of John chapters 1-3 for the Bible study)
Saturday 14 March, Church of the Epiphany, Hanmer Springs (John chapters 4-6)
Saturday 21 March, The Anglican Centre, 95 Tuam Street, Christchurch (John chapters 7-10)
Saturday 28 March, St. Alban’s, Pleasant Point (John chapters 11-13)
All are welcome to the quiet days. Please bring your own lunch or plan to go to a nearby eating place. Morning tea provided.
I am looking forward to hearing the internationally acclaimed King’s Singers when they return to Christchurch Town Hall next Wednesday, 11 March 2026 for a very special concert marking Christchurch-born baritone Chris Bruerton’s final New Zealand performance with the ensemble. Tickets are still available from https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/the-kings-singers2/christchurch.
This coming Sunday, 8 March 2026 is Lent 3. The Gospel reading is John 4:5-42. This is a great story with lots to unpack in it – deserving of a series of talks and not just one sermon. One aspect of the story, in keeping with many Gospel stories, is in the last verse, when the Samaritans recognise that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. Jews and Samaritans were enemies in those days, but God wanted both in his kingdom. Today, in a divided world, we who are “gospel” people must seek, through prayer and preaching, through witness to Jesus Christ in word and in deed, to draw all people into the kingdom. Jesus is Saviour of the world, not just of part of the world.
Arohanui,
+Peter.