From Vicar General, Mark Barlow:
E te whanau O te Pihopatanga O Otautahi, kia ora koutou katoa!
Springtime is in full swing across our Diocese. From Pet Blessing Services, fundraisers like plant sales, Sunday services, to the renewal of Franciscan vows, we celebrate the richness of parish life together as a diocese. Read more in this e-Life.
This week we have read the news about the appointment of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally is a significant choice for our world-wide Anglican Communion, and sadly, one that is not universally well received. In some quarters, Dame Sarah’s appointment is seen as potentially leading to a further fracture of the already fragile integrity of our denomination, especially in the so-called Global South where her convictions about same-gender relationships are deemed to be unbiblical and doctrinally unsound.
I am heartened and encouraged by the joint statement published by our three tikanga archbishops, and in particular a communique from Archbishop Don Tamihere which reads:
“Archbishops Sione Ulu’ilakepa, Justin Duckworth and I celebrate and unequivocally support the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE as the 106th Archbishop-designate of Canterbury. Throughout her vocation, she has led through care and servanthood, serving as Chief Nursing Officer for England while also living out her call to ordained ministry, a path marked by deep integrity.
Honoured as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her service to nursing and midwifery, she has also redrawn the map of possibility within the Church of England. She became the first woman to lead an ordination service, the first to serve as Bishop of London, and now stands as the first Archbishop-designate of Canterbury. Each step in her calling is both her achievement and a sign of God at work, breaking barriers and empowering women in faith.
All through scripture, in every generation, there is significant and crucial female leadership. This is nothing new to us. The call of God upon women has always been present and powerful, and to ignore it is to misrepresent the truth of our faith.”
Please pray for archbishop-designate Sarah as she prepares to begin this crucial ministry at such a critical time in the life of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
Reverend Mark Chamberlain has finished his role as our Parish Mission Impact Review Coordinator. Nine MIRs (Mission Impact Reviews) have been completed this year with very positive responses from both clergy and parishioners. To date, 18 people have served in the MIR team, with five of them having received training are new this year. Thank you, Mark, for all your contributions and work in our diocese. Archdeacon Nicky Lee continues to do a marvellous job with the administration of MIRs. Questions relating to MIRs should be directed to Archdeacon Nicky Lee from now on.
I am saddened to advise of the death of Reverend David Hastings on Thursday, 2 October, aged 84. David was ordained deacon in 1979 and priested the following year in Blenheim. He served as Curate in Blenheim, before serving in Cheviot, 1982-1985, Tahunanui 1985-1991, Awatere Joint Venture 1991-1995, Picton 1995-2001 and Ashburton 2001-2005. He also served at various times as Police Chaplain in Nelson and coordinating Chaplain for Police HQ, Archdeacon for Rural Ministry, Regional Dean for Marlborough and Chaplain for Palliative Care at CDHM Ashburton. A service to celebrate David’s life will be held at St Columba’s Anglican Church, 452 Main South Road, Hornby at 11am on Thursday, 9 October. The funeral service can be viewed live here. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Please uphold Reverend Graham Button in your prayers. Graham has had a serious fall which has led to an extended stay in hospital.
Deeper camp is a space for families and intermediate youth groups to grow deeper in relationship with each other and God. Saturday, 1 November 2025 is a day full of activities and fun! There will be music, talks, waterslide, bouldering wall, archery, air rifles, competitions, crafts, a preschool space and lots more. It is a great opportunity to connect with some fun community and faith. This is a dedicated space for whānau and intermediates to create connections in your parish and across our Diocese. Any questions: please email Azaria Brooker. Book in for Deeper through this link.
Last Sunday in our gospel, the Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. This week in Luke 17:11-19, we read about people who had no extended connection with Jesus and suffered terribly compared to the 12 because they were lepers. These men, one of whom was a Samaritan, had no need for increased faith in order to cry out to the Lord for mercy. Their desperate plight and the nearness of Jesus were all that their ‘mustard seeds’ needed. Sadly, most of them were so intent on fulfilling the terms of the law, that they failed to give thanks to and for the one who had healed them.
Once again, it would be easy to look down my nose at the ungrateful 11 and even to judge or condemn them. Instead, however, I find myself examining my own life and, I confess, finding ample evidence of my own ingratitude for the many blessings and mercies that God has lavished upon me. Like the Apostles last week, I desire a life more deeply characterised by faith, but even more, one that is marked by gratitude.
With love,
Ven. Mark Barlow
Vicar General