Dear Friends,
As 2025 gets underway in all post-holiday respects, may our commitment to prayer for the Regeneration of the Diocese continue.
Our key Regeneration prayer is this: As the kotuku gently rests upon the tree, come and rest upon us Holy Spirit as we pray for the regeneration of our Diocese… Everliving God, through your Spirit you constantly renew the whole creation; bring regeneration to your Diocese of Christchurch, grant us courage to grow disciples of Jesus, give us vision to reach young people and their families, and strengthen us to create vibrant communities of faith. All this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. The continuing encouragement from 2024 into 2025 is that this prayer is regularly prayed in our corporate services, prayer meetings and in our personal, daily prayers.
Today is Edwin Boyce‘s last day in office as our Diocesan Manager. Edwin has always worked above and beyond the letter of his job description and the nominal hours of the role. He has served this Diocese with grace, generosity, and good humour. Thank you, Edwin! This morning we had a lovely farewell in the Anglican Centre for Edwin and Essie. Their life in our Diocesan family continues as they serve within the Parish of Upper Riccarton-Yaldhurst. I look forward to continuing engagement with Edwin in his role as Vicar’s Warden of this parish.
Tomorrow is Waitangi Day. We have 15 years to go before the bicentenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. This year we are in the midst of considerable national debate over the meaning of the Treaty and the application of the Treaty for the country we have become and are becoming (as new generations are born and as new migrants are welcomed to our shores). My prayer for this year’s Waitangi Day – with our Prime Minister close at hand at Ōnuku, Akaroa – is that we find ways in our kōrero to hold our unity as people together with our diversity as partners to our Treaty. Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu (Te Tai Tokerau) has written an excellent reflection in this morning’s Press (online/print) on the Treaty as “an accord centred around belonging“.
On Sunday morning we were in St Columba’s church, Hornby in the Parish of Hornby, Templeton and West Melton for a combined churches service for the whole of the parish. This was an important occasion in the life of this parish during its current period of transition after the conclusion of the Reverend Les Memory‘s ministry at the end of November 2024. On Sunday afternoon, we were at the Transitional Cathedral for the first Cathedral Grammar School service for 2025.
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. Read more.
This past week a fascinating debate has erupted around some remarks made by J. D. Vance, USA Vice-President, in favour of a hierarchy of love as his nation works out its priorities, underpinned, according to Vance by a notion called “ordo amoris“, which has its roots in the teaching of Aristotle, St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas. Catherine Pepinster has an excellent report on what this debate has been about with particular reference to a pushback from UK politician, Rory Stewart. The debate has, however, been engaged online by a number of well-known theologians. Here, I don’t want to engage with the debate but to observe how wonderful it is, as tides of interest in Jesus Christ ebb and flow through this era, that we can still have a global exercise in public theology, with the heat of passionate engagement and the interest of politicians as well as theologians.
Our new Diocesan Manager, Rachelle Mathews began working with us nearly two weeks ago. I am most grateful to Edwin Boyce for inducting her into her new role through this time. I look forward to working with Rachelle – welcome, Rachelle, to your new role and to our Diocese.
This coming Sunday, 9 February is Ordinary 5. The Gospel reading is Luke 5:1-11. Jesus’ encounter with Simon Peter is a call narrative – Peter, representing all disciples, then and now, is called by Jesus to join Jesus in his mission (captured in other gospels by the phrase, “Follow me”). Within this encounter, as he and his fellow fishermen understand the miracle Jesus has performed before their eyes, Peter recognises his sinfulness (with shades of Isaiah’s experience as he was called to be God’s prophet in Isaiah 6:1-8). Humanly speaking, he is not a fit person to be in the company of the holy Jesus. But Jesus takes Peter on. By implication his sins are forgiven, and he is made right with God. Jesus declares, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” We are made disciples by Jesus in order to work with him on making more disciples.
Arohanui,
+Peter.