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Anglican e-Life | 3 June 2026

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Dear Friends,

Please pray for Bishop-elect Susan Wallace, who is now in retreat preparing for her ordination as bishop and installation as Pihopa o Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu at 11am, Saturday 6 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral, 234 Hereford Street, Christchurch. The preacher will be Archbishop Marinez Santos Bassotto, the Primate of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil. All are welcome to the Transitional Cathedral on Saturday. Please note that traffic restrictions in streets bordering the Transitional Cathedral, due to the Crusaders game at 4.35pm at Te Kaha, do not begin until 2pm that afternoon.

On Sunday it was announced to acclamation at a combined church service for the Parishes of Methven, Mayfield-Mt Somers and Rakaia, that Standing Committee has approved their merging into one Parish of Mid Canterbury. This is an important development for the coherency of our ministry and mission in this large portion of the Mid Canterbury Archdeaconry. A very big thank you to the Reverend Sage Burke, Archdeacon Indrea Alexander and the wardens and vestries of these three parishes for their work on preparing for this merger.

Last Sunday was the Reverend Dr Hugh Bowron‘s last Sunday in the Parish of Kaiapoi where he has been the Interim Priest-in-Charge. Thank you, Hugh, for your ministry in Kaiapoi.

This Sunday, 7 June, is the Reverend Helen Roud‘s last Sunday as Vicar of the Parish of Addington. Thank you, Helen, for your ministry leadership at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin through the past eight years. Helen’s ministry focus will continue to be on her role in delivering Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in Christchurch.

Having recently commended “Connected to the Vine” prayer workshops on e-Life, I am pleased to report that nine parishes have expressed an interest in this workshop being held in their parish this year. Some have invited ecumenical partners which is encouraging. In good news, there will be more space next year to hold a workshop in other ministry units in the Diocese. The “Connected to the Vine” team consists of Mother Alena CSN, Glenda Prosser, Eddie O’Connor, Jack Hollis, and Archdeacon Nick Mountfort. Different traditions and styles of individual prayer will be offered, and we will practise them together. If your ministry unit would like us to come, then email Nick at education@anglicanlife.org.nz Further details are at “Connected to the Vine” prayer workshops.

I am delighted that a much-needed upgrade to the kitchen at Sister Eveleen Retreat House has been completed and thank SERH Board member Dugald Wilson and his hardworking team for their work on this renovation.

Congratulations to the Reverends Annette and Harvey Eggleston (Ashburton) who celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary today!

Next Tuesday 9 June, at 5.30pm, I will deconsecrate St. Andrew’s Church, Tinwald in the Parish of Ashburton, preparatory to it being listed for sale. All are welcome to this brief service and refreshments following. Note, for those who know our Tinwald properties, that the church hall on the other side of Thomson Street is not being sold.

The commissioning of the Reverend Dr Joshua Taylor as the new Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera will take place during Evensong, 5pm, Sunday 14 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral. Clergy are invited to robe, with Green the colour for stoles. All are welcome from all Archdeaconries to this service.

This weekend past, Teresa and I were able to travel to Methven, Waimate and Tekapo, meeting with clergy and lay leaders, and participating in services in St. Augustine’s, Waimate on Sunday morning, and in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo in the late afternoon. It was a joy to be with God’s people in these places and to experience ways in which regeneration is taking place in our churches.

I am very pleased to give an advance notice for our next Diocesan Youth Group Games Night for Years 7-13. This will take place, 7pm – 9pm on Friday, 3 July at the Bishopdale Recreation Centre, 13A Bishopdale Court, Bishopdale. There will be prizes for the Best Dressed, Best Team Chant, and more 😊. Please register your Youth Group today: youth@anglicanlife.org.nz. This will be a wonderful way to end this term!

This coming Sunday, 7 June 2026 is Ordinary 10, or Te Pouhere Sunday, and the Gospel for Ordinary 10 is Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. In this passage Jesus teaches the importance of mercy (9-13) and the associated stories of healing (18-26) illustrate the point Jesus makes: we bring our troubles in life to God whose character is merciful. If, alternatively, we celebrate the constitution (Te Pouhere) of our church (for which four gospel reading choices are given), then we might reflect on the quality of mercy which runs through our constitution as it sets down in writing how three tikanga (cultural streams) will relate to each other with kindness, respect and fairness.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 27 May 2026

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Dear Friends,

Last Thursday evening, it was a privilege to be part of A Service of Thanksgiving and Praise for Ministry at St. Martin’s, Loburn (Parish of Rangiora), as part of a sequence of final services for this church. On Sunday, it was good to celebrate Pentecost at St. Mark’s, Opawa-St. Martins. In the course of that service, I was able to confirm Nathaniel, Stefan Hall, and Amber Hall. Please pray for them as they continue their journey with Jesus Christ.

Further south on Sunday morning, at St Mary’s, Timaru, Archdeacon Ben Randall was farewelled from his role as Vicar of St. Mary’s, Timaru. Thank you, Ben, for your ministry at St. Mary’s, and for your ministry as Archdeacon of South Canterbury. We wish you God’s rich blessings for the next chapter of your life and ministry. Please pray for Archdeacon Indrea Alexander as she adds the role of Acting Archdeacon of South Canterbury to her work.

As we draw closer to the ordination of Bishop-elect Susan Wallace at 11am, Saturday 6 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral, 234 Hereford Street, Christchurch, please pray for Susan, her family and Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu as they prepare with Archbishop Don Tamihere for this important occasion. All are welcome to the service and to the Pōwhiri preceding it at 9am, also in the Transitional Cathedral. I remind clergy to RSVP, according to an invitation they have been sent, if intending to be present.

I am delighted that the Christchurch City Council confirmed yesterday that it will commit $15m from surplus funds to the Cathedral’s reinstatement, conditional on central government also contributing $15m. We are not yet at the point of being able to commit to resumption of construction, but we are a significant step closer. Thank you for your prayers. Please keep praying as we still have a shortfall of $15m to find even when we assume that central government, following the election, does commit $15m. Let us pray with great faith in the God who provides!

Yesterday, Pope Leo published his first Encyclical (i.e. highest level of papal teaching short of formal, infallible pronouncements), Magnifica Humanitas. This encyclical is available to read/download here. Pope Leo’s purpose in this document is to “ask God for the wisdom to interpret the great trends of our time, particularly technological advances. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident how rapidly and profoundly digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are transforming our world”.

What unfolds in Magnifica Humanitas is theological engagement not only with the challenges and opportunities AI poses for humanity, but also with the challenges of this era for humanity to achieve the grandeur that God intends for us. Challenges such as war, modern slavery, and threats to democracy and the telling of truth in our societies are also discussed. Among things to catch my eye are the following: a great theme through this encyclical, drawn from Pope Paul VI’s, is the desirability of human civilisation being “the civilization of love”; the incompatibility of slavery in any and all forms, ancient and modern with the civilisation of love; a striking, summary description of a great challenge in the world of AI: “The dignity of work at a time of digital transition”; penetrating analysis of the potential of AI for good and for evil:

“The use of digital platforms and AI systems is driving profound changes in public and political communication. Tools that could foster dialogue and participation are often used to construct distorted narratives and blur the boundaries between truth and falsehood, mixing facts with opinions. Disinformation did not begin with AI, yet today it finds a powerful amplifier in AI. The ability to manipulate content, images and videos exposes people to biased or misleading perspectives. This problem has both cultural and moral dimensions, since the quality of public communication depends directly on social trust and, in turn, shapes it” (from Section 132).

Finally, among many brilliant paragraphs, I note this one to you:

“In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human. We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us and revealed in its fullness in Christ, the splendor of which no machine can ever replace. True progress always stems from a heart open to others, an intelligence willing to listen and a will that seeks what unites rather than what separates” (from Section 15).

Within our Diocese some work is beginning on policy in respect of the use of AI as a tool for administration and ministry. Last night, the ADMSC Board (our diocesan finance Board) agreed to an AI policy for ADMSC employed staff in the Anglican Centre. After testing this policy for a few months, we will update it if needed, and share the policy more widely for vestries and other governing bodies in the Diocese to consider adapting and adopting for use.

The commissioning of the Reverend Dr Joshua Taylor as the new Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera will take place during Evensong, 5pm, Sunday 14 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral. Clergy are invited to robe, with Green the colour for stoles. All are welcome from all Archdeaconries to this service.

This coming Sunday, 31 May 2026 is Trinity, and the Gospel is Matthew 28:16-20. In this passage we have a relatively early distillation of what the earliest Christians were reflecting on, that they were experiencing through the teaching of Jesus, his testimony to the work of God in his life, and their own testimonies to the work of God in their lives, that the God of Israel, testified to in the ancient writings of Israel (the Old Testament) is God who is Father, who is Son and who is Holy Spirit. While Matthew’s Gospel offers no sign of any later debates about how God is Trinity – Three Divine Persons in One Being – Matthew’s reference to “Father, Son and Holy Spirit”, along with other expressions in the New Testament writings, drove the next generations of Christians forward in their engagement with the theo-ology/God-talk question, “What is the nature of God in the fullness of God’s revelation to humanity?”

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 20 May 2026

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Dear Friends,

This week’s message is written from Ashburton, where our annual Clergy Conference is being held in St. Stephen’s church, Ashburton, hosted by Archdeacon Indrea Alexander and the Reverend Sage Burke, and parishioners who have provided wonderful food and service. The emphases in our talks have been on Discipleship and A Quiet Revival. I am very grateful to Archdeacon Nick Mountfort for his preparatory organisation for the conference and leadership through the conference itself.

I am very pleased to announce the following clerical appointments:

The Reverend Peter Hurricks will be the next Interim Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Hornby, Templeton and West Melton, from Monday, 1 June 2026 until at least the end of this year.

The Reverend Prince Devanandan, currently Vicar of All Saints, Ponsonby, Auckland, will be the next Vicar of the Parish of Upper Riccarton and Yaldhurst, beginning on Thursday, 1 October 2026. Please pray for Peter and for Prince as they prepare to take up these new roles, and for Prince and Ramani, his wife, as they prepare to move to Christchurch.

Last week I wrote to Bishop Victoria Matthews to congratulate her on receiving a Doctorate in Divinity from the Trinity College, Faculty of Divinity at the University of Toronto. Anglican Taonga has the story of this award.

This week is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and I encourage us in our personal and corporate prayers to pray for Christian unity, something Jesus himself prayed for (John 17). Anglican Taonga has a story about this year’s week of prayer and a link to resources for prayer contributed by the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church.

On Friday, Teresa, I and Corinne Haines, City Missioner, representing the Diocese and the Anglican Care Trust Board, were at the Youth Hub in Salisbury Street, Christchurch, for the opening of a new performing arts centre for the Hub. This centre extends the ability of the Youth Hub to provide space for youth in our city to find support and encouragement in the growth and development of their lives. It remains a privilege to be associated with this work through Anglican Care’s provision of the land under the Youth Hub’s buildings. Further details are here.

Congratulations to Sarah Muller and her husband, the Reverend Dr Andre Muller (Parishes of East Christchurch, Linwood-Aranui and Avonside) on the birth of their son last week.

A Service of Thanksgiving and Praise for Ministry at St. Martin’s, Loburn (Parish of Rangiora) will be held at 7.30pm, Thursday 21 May 2026 in the same church, which has been approved for sale.

The Cathedral Reinstatement Project continues to generate media interest, principally from The Christchurch Press. I ask every reader to pray for this Project, asking for God’s help in our hour of need, as various opinions are publicly voiced about what the Diocese should be doing, most without regard for ongoing costs of funding the wonderful and visionary missional commitments of the other 54 ministry units in our Diocese. The Cathedral Project is important to our overall Diocesan mission, as is the current mission of the Transitional Cathedral and each of the 54 parishes. Our hour of need for prayer includes the need for wisdom as we work out what is possible and what is impossible in the current situation. The particular funding crisis facing all parties to the Project at this time is this: if central government (via NZ First) and the Christchurch City Council contribute $15m each, CCRL raises a further $20m and the Diocese contributes a further $20m, then the plan to Reopen the Cathedral’s nave, tower and west porch remains $15m short of funds. Expectations that the Diocese might contribute to that $15m shortfall need to be tempered by the reality that it is a significant challenge to get to the $20m I have stated we are committed to securing. Let us pray with great faith in the God who provides!

The confirmed time and venue for the Episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect Susan Wallace is 11am, Saturday 6 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral, Hereford Street, Christchurch, with a Pōwhiri preceding it at 9am, also in the Transitional Cathedral. Please pray for Bishop-elect Susan and Archbishop Don Tamihere as they arrange the details of the Pōwhiri and Ordination service for this important day in the history of Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu. (All clergy have been emailed an invitation to this occasion).

It was good to be at the memorial service for the late Reverend Diane McEvedy held at St. Mary’s, Church Square, Addington on Saturday afternoon. There were many lovely tributes for a lovely priest who impacted many lives through her ministries as a teacher, social worker, spiritual guide and priest.

The commissioning of the Reverend Dr Joshua Taylor as the new Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera will take place during Evensong, 5pm, Sunday 14 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral. Clergy are invited to robe, with Green the colour for stoles. All are welcome from all Archdeaconries to this service.

Seeking Diocesan Youth Reps for our Synod on 3-5 September 2026. Note that there are two ways of representing the youth of the Diocese at Synod. One is that you can be elected as the Dio Youth Rep, with speaking and voting rights. The other is that you can be a Parish Youth Rep with speaking rights only. The pathway to becoming a Diocesan Youth Rep is to find someone to nominate you (i.e. your Youth Minister, Young Adults Leader, or Vicar) and to have your nomination for consideration to be a Diocesan Youth Rep emailed to youth@anglicanlife.org.nz by Monday 1 June with details, including involvement at your parish and support from Vicar/Youth or Young Adult Minister. If needed an election will be held on Monday, 15 June at a Pre-Synod youth gathering. Note that there can only be one Diocesan Youth representative from any single ministry unit of the Diocese. To become a Parish Youth Representative you have to be nominated and selected by your parish.  Speak to your Youth Minister, Young Adults Leader, or Vicar about this if you are keen.

This coming Sunday, 24 May 2026 is Pentecost, and the Gospel is John 20:19-23 and the “Old Testament” reading is actually Acts 2:1-21, the story of the dramatic, fiery falling of the Spirit on the gathered apostles and disciples in Jerusalem. The Gospel reading, describing what some call “the Johannine Pentecost”, is undramatic, but points to the same reality as the Acts reading: the Holy Spirit is the breathe of God, the divine life breathed into God’s people to renew our lives with spiritual power and conviction of the truth of the gospel, so that we are empowered to take forward the mission of God: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21); “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). May we be similarly breathed into with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may faithfully and fearlessly continue his mission.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 13 May 2026

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Dear Friends,

There is a lot happening with the Cathedral Reinstatement Project this week. On Saturday, The Press published a much-needed response to its misleading article the previous Saturday. Useful still is this Q and A in The Press, “Christ Church Cathedral: How on Heaven and Earth Did We Get Here?“. Then, yesterday, as The Press reports, the City Council, following a period of submissions, has determined that it will commit a further $15m from its annual surplus to the Cathedral Project, dependent on a central government commitment of $15m being agreed to following the general election in November this year. I am grateful for the Council’s leadership on this matter. I am aware, as all readers here should be aware, that our ability to re-start construction requires a further $15m of funding to be secured, on top of a commitment to find a further $20m from within the Diocese and $20m from public donors. Funding remains challenging even as we rejoice in the good news of the announcement this week.

Please note a change of venue for the Episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect Susan Wallace which will be on Saturday 6 June 2026 at 11am at the Transitional Cathedral, Hereford Street, Christchurch, with a Powhiri preceding it at 9am, also in the Transitional Cathedral. Please pray for Bishop-elect Susan and Archbishop Don Tamihere as they arrange the details of the Powhiri and Ordination service for this important day in the history of Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu.

Tonight, 7.30pm Wednesday 13 May, all interested in overseas mission are invited to join the Diocesan Council for World Mission to hear from Peter Akester about his most recent visit to Tanzania. This is an opportunity to see the benefits of short visits within a long-term relationship with Christian communities beyond New Zealand. The online room will open at 7.15pm. There will be a short update about resources for Mission Motivators, and Peter will start his presentation shortly after 7.30pm. It will be an interactive talk, and Peter will be happy to answer questions. Zoom Meeting link: Meeting ID: 873 7793 7113 Passcode: 169569.

The memorial service for the late Reverend Diane McEvedy will be held at St Mary’s, Church Square, Addington at 1.30pm, Saturday 16 May 2026. All welcome.

The funeral for Joan Dephoff, widow of the late Rev’d Harold Dephoff, deacon at Ashburton, will be at 2.30pm, Saturday 16 May in St Stephen’s church, Ashburton. We thank God for the lives and faithful witness of Diane and Joan.

The Reverend Dr Hugh Bowron announced on Sunday 10 May that he will conclude his interim ministry in the Parish of Kaiapoi at King’s Birthday Weekend. Please pray for this parish as we seek the next interim ministry leader.

The commissioning of the Reverend Dr Joshua Taylor as the new Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera will take place during Evensong, 5pm, Sunday 14 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral. Clergy are invited to robe, with green the colour for stoles. All are welcome from all Archdeaconries to this service.

Thank you for praying last weekend for our annual Diocesan Discernment Weekend. It was a delight to work with our three candidates for discernment in the beautiful house, chapel and surrounds of Te Waiora, Hororata.

Archdeacon Nick Mountfort is promoting opportunities to learn how to pray through half-day workshops to encourage one another in the life of prayer. Different traditions and styles will be offered, and those styles of prayer will be practised them. This offering is a follow up to a resolution of our Synod in 2025. Please find further details further on in e-Life at “Connected to the Vine” prayer workshops.

Seeking Diocesan Youth Reps for our Synod for 3-5 September 2026. Note that there are two ways of representing the youth of the diocese at Synod. One is that you can be elected as the Dio Youth Rep, with speaking and voting rights. The other is that you can be a Parish Youth Rep with speaking rights only.  The pathway to becoming a Diocesan Youth Rep is to find someone to nominate you (i.e. your Youth Minister, Young Adults Leader, or Vicar) and to have your nomination for consideration to be a Diocesan Youth Rep emailed to youth@anglicanlife.org.nz by Monday 1 June with details, including involvement at your parish and support from Vicar/ youth or young adult minister. If needed an election will be held on Monday, 15 June at a Pre Synod youth gathering. Note that there can only be one Diocesan Youth representative from any single ministry unit of the Diocese. To become a Parish Youth Rep you have to be nominated and selected by your parish.  Speak to your Youth Minister, Young Adults Leader, or Vicar about this if you are keen.

This coming Sunday, 17 May 2026, Easter 7, also known as the Sunday After Ascension, to which the readings for Ascension Day (14 May) may be transferred. Following the last option, the Gospel reading is Luke 24:44-53. Jesus has ascended to the Father. The Holy Spirit is about to be released to empower the mission of Jesus as it continues through his followers in the world God so loves. As we celebrate the formal conclusion of Jesus being physically present in the world as a human being, we re-commit ourselves to being the physical presence of Jesus in the world as the Body of Christ, the Church.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 6 May 2026

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Dear Friends,

Congratulations to Archdeacon Susan Wallace who has been elected the next Pihopa o Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu. See further via news items on Taonga and Stuff respectively. The Episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect Susan Wallace will be on Saturday, 6 June 2026 at 11am at Tuahiwi Marae, Tuahiwi, following a Powhiri at 9am. I am looking forward to working with Bishop-elect Susan following her ordination.

It was a delight last Friday evening to participate in the Induction Service for the Reverend Dr Meg Harvey, Vicar-elect of Highfield, Kensington and Otipua (0.8 FTE) and the Priest-in-Charge-elect of the Parish of Marchwiel (0.2 FTE). Please pray for Meg as she settles into her new roles.

On Saturday the Cursillo movement—centred on provision of short courses in Christian discipleship—celebrated 30 years of life in the Diocese of Christchurch with a lunch and gathering for Cursillistas from around our Diocese. I am grateful to our Diocesan Lay Director, Heather Driessen for co-ordinating planning for this event, and to Justine Pilgrim for her superb and entertaining history of Cursillo in our Diocese. Prior to returning to life and ministry in Christchurch, Justine was part of the Wellington Diocese’s gifting of Cursillo to our Diocese in 1996.

Last Sunday it was a pleasure to be at St Mary’s, Addington in the morning for worship, and at the St George’s Hospital Chapel in the afternoon for their Patronal Festival service.

The memorial service for the late Reverend Diane McEvedy will be held at St Mary’s, Church Square, Addington at 1.30pm, Saturday 16 May 2026. All welcome.

This weekend is our annual Diocesan Discernment Weekend. Please pray for the three candidates for discernment and for the Bishop’s Advisory Committee on Ordination as we meet together on Friday and Saturday at Te Waiora, Hororata.

Archdeacon Nick Mountfort is promoting opportunities to learn how to pray through half-day workshops to encourage one another in the life of prayer. Different traditions and styles will be offered, and those styles of prayer will be practised them. This offering is a follow up to a resolution of our Synod in 2025. Please find further details further on in e-Life at “Connected to the Vine” prayer workshops.

The Cathedral Project has been in the news again. In Saturday’s Press there was a front page article titled “Anglican Sit on Half-Billion Property Empire“, which sought to make the argument that we shouldn’t be seeking public funds for the Cathedral with that amount of property on hand, and allegedly available to dispose of, per some unfortunate and misleading descriptions of various properties. Fortunately, today there is a balanced, more accurate article, in Q and A format, “Christ Church Cathedral: How on Heaven and Earth Did We Get Here?“. It is regrettable that for Saturday’s article no questions about specific properties were raised with me. My responses, cited in the article, were to general questions. I ask readers to always remember that for most properties, parishes are in control of their present and their future, not the Diocese, and that for some properties, specific terms of bequest and/or trust deed mean that even when sold, the funds are not available for any and every purpose the Diocese (or The Press) may wish them to be. To give one example, Sister Eveleen Retreat House is to be a retreat house for as long as there is need for retreats. If we ever exhaust that purpose and a future Bishop determines to sell it, the funds must be used for training for ordained ministry. Potential gifting of this asset to the Cathedral Project, per implication in Saturday’s Press, is not an option.

This coming Sunday, 10 May 2026, Easter 5, the Gospel reading is John 14:15-21. As with other Johannine passages, these verses are “dense” with theological truth. For me, three phrases stand out: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (15); “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate… the Spirit of truth” (16-17); and, “because I live, you also will live” (19).

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 29 April 2026

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Dear Friends,

The Induction Service for the Reverend Dr Meg Harvey, who will be the Vicar of Highfield, Kensington and Otipua (0.8 FTE) and the Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Marchwiel (0.2 FTE), will take place at 7 pm, on Friday 1 May 2026, at St John’s, Highfield, Timaru. All are welcome. Clergy robing, please wear alb and red stole.

Archdeacon Nick Mountfort is promoting opportunities to learn how to pray through half-day workshops to encourage one another in the life of prayer. Different traditions and styles will be offered, and those styles of prayer will be practised them. This offering is a follow up to a resolution of our Synod in 2025. Please find further details further on in e-Life at “Connected to the Vine” prayer workshops.

The Reverend Lorna Gray, the Anglican National Youth Facilitator – Tikanga Pakeha, will conclude her work for Tikanga Pakeha at the end of May 2026. As part of her commitment to the flourishing of Anglican youth ministries, Lorna has been a great encourager of our work among the under 40s generations in our Diocese – thank you Lorna and best wishes for the next chapter in your life and ministry. In respect of the future of this role, the Tikanga Pakeha Conference Coordinating Group has communicated this:

“During a transition period, interim arrangements will be put in place to ensure continuity and to support Diocesan Youth Workers and those involved in the events and programmes already scheduled. Further details about these arrangements will be shared once confirmed. Before progressing to recruitment, a review of the Youth Facilitator role will be undertaken to ensure it is well aligned with current needs and future direction. Following the completion of this review, a recruitment process will begin.”

It was good to take part in the ANZAC Citizens’ Service in the Transitional Cathedral on Saturday. This service was exceptionally well-attended. In part that was due to the presence in the congregation of rugby fans drawn to Christchurch for the opening matches in Te Kaha. With excellent sunny weather, thousands of visitors to Christchurch, and the excitement of our new stadium finally in operation, the city was humming in ways not seen for a long time. I am pleased to report that the noise from a match being played late Sunday afternoon was not disruptive for the Evensong service held at 5pm in the Transitional Cathedral. However, closure of roads around the stadium, and thus around the cathedral, provided some challenges for participation in worship there on Sunday. Fortunately, on current patterns, most matches in the stadium in years ahead will not be on Sundays.

Stories on Anglican Taonga currently include a report on our Cathedral in the Square lighting up ANZAC Day, 1,400+ people in the South Pacific to receive Anglican-led training in stewardship of the oceans and climate science using an ocean-going canoe and a report on the recent meeting of FONO, a gathering of Primates and General Secretaries of the Anglican Provinces in Oceania.

This week the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has been visiting Rome. Included in that visit has been a meeting with Pope Leo XIV and an opportunity for them to pray together. Pope Leo in his address at this meeting spoke honestly and hopefully about Christian unity between Anglicans and Catholics:

“As my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, said to the Primates of the Anglican Communion in 2024, ‘it would be a scandal if, due to our divisions, we did not fulfil our common vocation to make Christ known‘ (read the Pope’s Address to Primates of the Anglican Communion, 2 May 2024). For my part, I add that it would also be a scandal if we did not continue to work towards overcoming our differences, no matter how intractable they may appear. As we continue to journey together in friendship and dialogue, let us pray that the Holy Spirit, whom the Lord breathed on the disciples on the evening after his resurrection, will guide our steps as we prayerfully and humbly seek the unity which is the Lord’s will for all his disciples.”

In our work for Christian unity, especially in the manner in which we conduct that work, in a spirit of aroha, rangimarie and manaakitanga (love, peace, and hospitality), we demonstrate our wider commitment to peaceful human relations. Christian ecumenicity is commensurate with our prayers for peace in our world, especially in these dark and difficult times for our world.

This coming Sunday, 3 May 2026, Easter 5, the Gospel reading is John 14:1-14. We often hear the first six verses of this passage as a reading in a funeral service. This is very appropriate because there are two great messages in this chapter, especially when read in the context of the Easter season, and the first definitely speaks to life beyond the grave. The two messages are that Jesus is both the pioneer of the resurrection of all believers and the guarantor that when Jesus ascends to the Father after his resurrection, believers will continue the ministry and mission of Jesus on earth in the power of the Spirit of Jesus.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 22 April 2026

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Dear Friends,

I am delighted to announce the following appointments:

The Reverend Dr Joshua Taylor, Vicar of Avonhead, will also have the role of Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera, from Monday, 1 June 2026. He will replace Archdeacon Nick Mountfort who will remain our Archdeacon for Ministry.

As part of Archdeacon Nick Mountfort‘s responsibilities, he will become Parish Enabler for the Parish of Hororata from Friday, 1 May 2026 (a 0.2 FTE role). Nick takes on this role after the Reverend Dr Tom Innes has offered interim eucharistic and pastoral ministry for the past year. Tom will continue to be available to the parish for funeral ministry—thank you, Tom!

Archdeacon Indrea Alexander, Vicar of Ashburton and Archdeacon of Mid-Canterbury, will add to her ministry responsibilities by becoming the Acting Archdeacon of South Canterbury from Monday, 25 May to Wednesday, 30 September 2026. Readers may recall that Archdeacon Ben Randall’s last Sunday as Vicar of Timaru and Archdeacon of South Canterbury is Sunday, 24 May 2026.

The Reverend Sue Dickson will be Interim Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Timaru from Monday 25 May until we induct a new vicar for that parish.

I love attending the ANZAC Day Citizens’ Service at the Transitional Cathedral – as always, at 10am—all welcome to this service. Readers may wonder about travel arrangements to the Transitional Cathedral for this particular weekend—the opening of the new stadium with five Super Rugby games across three days. Arrangements in respect of when streets near the cathedral are open or closed are as follows:

Saturday, ANZAC Day: There will be full access to the Cathedral for the 10am Citizens’ Service. The road closures start at 2pm.

Sunday: Please use the grassed area off Hereford St. The road closures start at 11am so there will be no issues getting to the Cathedral for the 8am and 10am services. For those leaving the Cathedral after the 10am service, you will exit the carpark onto Hereford Street and head north round Latimer Square. The Sunday evening service will be more difficult with roads closed before it starts and it is likely that there will be no access to the car park. Road closures are in place: Friday, April 24 4.30pm-11.59pm; Saturday, April 25 2pm-11.59pm; Sunday, April 26 11am–9.30pm.

Speaking of ANZAC Day, this year we are repeating what happened last year: Christ Church Cathedral will be illuminated in red to commemorate all New Zealanders who have sacrificed in service of the country. From dusk to dawn, for the days preceding and including Anzac Day, the western façade of the Cathedral will shine poppy-red as a commemorative tribute to this important day. For further details, please see elsewhere in this e-Life.

I give advance notice here of an important training opportunity in Pastoral Care, 9.30am to 4pm, Saturday 25 July 2026 at St. Timothy’s, Burnside. Further details may be read elsewhere in this e-Life at Pastoral Care 101: Pastoral Conversations.

Along with CCRL board and staff I would like to thank everyone who took the opportunity to ‘Speak Up’ for the Christ Church Cathedral Re:Opening Project as part of the Christchurch City Council’s consultation on their annual plan. If interested, you can view my presentation on behalf of the Diocese which is in this e-Life.

I want to gratefully acknowledge again the work of Veronica Cross, the Bishop’s EA (2016-26) which concluded last Friday when Veronica retired from the role. I am delighted that she is truly able to leave her role by beginning an overseas trip with David her husband this week.

On Monday this week, Sarah Dunning began her work as Interim Bishop’s EA for three months. Sarah may be contacted at bishopsea@anglicanlife.org.nz (the same address as for Veronica). Sarah will also continue in her current role as part-time Librarian for Theology House.

Archdeacon Nick Mountfort is promoting opportunities to learn how to pray through half-day workshops to encourage one another in the life of prayer. Different traditions and styles will be offered, and those styles of prayer will be practised them. This offering is a follow up to a resolution of our Synod in 2025. Please find further details further on in e-Life at “Connected to the Vine” prayer workshops.

Last week our Diocesan Children and Family Ministry Developer, Azaria Brooker, successfully led three days of School Holiday Programme: in All Saints, Methven, in St Stephen’s Ashburton and in St Mark’s, Rakaia. Thank you, Azaria and your team of assistants!

The Induction Service for the Reverend Dr Meg Harvey, who will be the Vicar of Highfield, Kensington and Otipua (0.8 FTE) and the Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Marchwiel (0.2 FTE), will take place at 7 pm, on Friday 1 May 2026, at St John’s, Highfield, Timaru. All are welcome. Clergy robing, please wear alb and red stole.

It was a privilege to be a participant last Friday in the opening events of the Electoral Synod for a new Pīhopa o Te Waipounamu. The election itself took place on Saturday. According to the statutory process of our church, this week involves members of the General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui being invited to sanction the nomination from the Electoral Synod. Once the sanctioning process is completed, an announcement will be made.

This coming Sunday, 26 April 2026, Easter 4, also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday”, the Gospel reading is John 10:1-10. Perhaps in this year of division between President and Pope we could ask questions in relation to this reading such as “What or whom does Christ our Good Shepherd protect the church from?”

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 15 April 2026

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Dear Friends,

This week is the final week at work for Veronica Cross, the Bishop’s EA. Veronica began working for Bishop Victoria and the Diocese on 6 May 2016 and at the end of this week will enter a well-deserved retirement which begins with an overseas trip with David her husband. It has been a privilege to work with Veronica and she has been outstanding in her work for Bishop Victoria, myself and countless people and groups across the Diocese and in our wider church through these past 10 years. Thank you, Veronica!

Sarah Dunning will continue Veronica’s work as Bishop’s EA for three months, on a part-time basis, while we search again for a permanent replacement for veronica. Sarah may be contacted at bishopsea@anglicanlife.org.nz (the same address as for Veronica). Sarah will also continue in her current role as part-time Librarian for Theology House.

Archdeacon Nick Mountfort is promoting opportunities to learn how to pray through half-day workshops to encourage one another in the life of prayer. Different traditions and styles will be offered, and those styles of prayer will be practised them. This offering is a follow up to a resolution of our Synod in 2025. Please find further details further on in e-Life at “Connected to the Vine” prayer workshops.

Thank you for praying for our Easter Campers. A good and safe time was had by all.

It was good to be in the Parish of Hornby, Templeton and West Melton on Sunday, sharing in services at St. Paul’s, West Melton and St. Columba’s, Hornby. Please pray for this parish as we seek new interim ministry leadership.

This week our Diocesan Children and Family Ministry Developer, Azaria Brooker, is leading three days of School Holiday Programme: yesterday in All Saints, Methven, today in St. Stephen’s Ashburton and tomorrow, 9am to 3pm, in St. Mark’s, Rakaia.

The Induction Service for the Reverend Dr Meg Harvey, who will be the Vicar of Highfield, Kensington and Otipua (0.8 FTE) and the Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Marchwiel (0.2 FTE), will take place at 7pm, on Friday 1 May 2026, at St. John’s, Highfield, Timaru. All are welcome. Clergy robing, please wear alb and red stole.

In the search for a new Pihopa o Te Waipounamu, two candidates have been announced for the election set down for this Friday 17 to Saturday 18 April: the Venerable Hannah Pomare and the Venerable Susan Wallace. Further details can be read on this website. Please pray for Hannah, Susan and all the electors within Te Waipounamu as they prepare for the electoral hui in a few days time. All are welcome to attend the powhiri and opening eucharist at the beginning of the election, 4pm, Te Pa o Te Waipounamu, Ferry Road, Woolston, Friday 17 April.

The Reverend Diane McEvedy died on Wednesday 1 April 2026. Diane worked for the City Mission for many years. Through ordained ministry service, Diane was focused on serving within the Local Shared Ministry team in the Parish of Addington. She will be much missed for her gentle and gracious manner. A memorial service is planned for Diane, with time, date and place to be confirmed.

The Reverend Jean Mead died on Monday 6 April. Jean shifted to Oamaru from the Christchurch Diocese in 2013, where she had been involved in ministry at St Martin’s Parish, Spreydon.

The latest edition of AnglicanLife, our e-Magazine, is available to read online. The theme of this edition is “Light in the Darkness” and it offers excellent reflections in this season of Holy Week and Easter.

Please continue to pray for the Christchurch City Council as it deliberates on submissions made concerning the funding of the four Iconic Heritage projects, including Christ Church Cathedral. Thank you again to all those who made written submissions in March and thank you to all those who also made verbal submissions in April.

The Reverend Steve Elers, a colleague now working in the Episcopal Church in East Texas and at Le Tourneau University, has been working on the history of Whakaaria Mai as a Te Reo version of “How Great Thou Art”, written in response to the Billy Graham Crusades in NZ in 1959. This work has been featured recently on two NZ media sites, NZ Herald and Te Ao News.

Then, this coming Sunday, 19 April 2026, Easter 3, let’s hear the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ afresh. The Gospel reading is Luke 24:13-35. The purpose of this amazing and moving story of encounter with the risen Jesus is not only to attest to Jesus being raised from the dead a few days after he was crucified but also to encourage us to recognise and see Jesus for ourselves when we gather for Eucharist and break bread together – the bread that becomes for us the living body of Christ.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 1 April 2026

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Dear Friends,

Please pray for all our Easter Campers preparing to head to Spencer Park, Christchurch, tomorrow, Maundy Thursday, to share in teaching, worship, fellowship and fun. Pray for excellent camping weather, and for the speakers and workshop leaders preparing their contributions to the camp.

Yesterday, there were two Chrism Eucharist services: at St Christopher’s, Avonhead in the morning and at St Mary’s, Geraldine in the evening where clergy reaffirmed their ordination vows. Last week, the nationwide Diocesan Children and Families Ministry Enablers met in Christchurch.

I am very pleased to announce two new parish appointments, announced in the respective parishes last Sunday. The Reverend Dr Meg Harvey will be the Vicar of Highfield, Kensington and Otipua (0.8 FTE) and the Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Marchwiel (0.2 FTE). Meg will begin on Friday 1 May 2026, with her Induction service taking place that evening in St. John’s, Highfield, Timaru. Meg is well-known to us having served in our Diocese since her ordination, most recently being Vicar of Amberley. The Reverend Sue Paton will be the Vicar of Temuka-Te Ngawai (1.0 FTE). She will begin on Monday 6 July with her Induction at 6pm, Wednesday 8 July 2026, in St. Peter’s, Temuka. Sue is currently the Precentor in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Wellington. Previously she served as Chaplain and Teacher at Wanganui Collegiate and St. George’s Schools, Whanganui. Sue’s origins, including ministry training and ordination were in South Africa, where she served for 16 years before moving to New Zealand with her husband Josh and their children.

Please give thanks to God for these appointments. Pray for Meg and Sue as they prepare for their new roles and for their respective parishes as they prepare for the arrivals of their new vicars. Please keep praying about other vacancies in the Diocese, that God will supply workers for the vineyard.

In the search for a new Pihopa o Te Waipounamu, two candidates have been announced for the election set down for Friday 17- Saturday 18 April 20-26: the Venerable Hannah Pomare and the Venerable Susan Wallace. Further details can be read here. Please pray for Hannah, Susan and all the electors within Te Waipounamu as they prepare for the electoral hui in two weeks.

The latest edition of AnglicanLife, our magazine, is available to read online. The theme of this edition is “Light in the Darkness” and it offers excellent reflections in this season of Holy Week and Easter.

Thank you to everyone in the Diocese who made a submission in favour of the Christchurch City Council investing funding in four key heritage projects in our city, including Christ Church Cathedral. I am also grateful to Winston Peters, in his capacity as leader of New Zealand First, announcing last Friday afternoon, that, if in position to be a partner in the next coalition government, he will negotiate for $15m of central government funds to be made available to the Cathedral project. In response to people asking me whether this means Anglicans should vote for NZ First, I share this response with you:

“No, but please pray that every voter who has indicated in polls that they will vote for NZ First does indeed do so.”

There has been quite a lot of talk about “A Quiet Revival” taking place in churches in Western countries, with a specific statistical report underpinning this concept for the UK. Then, a few days ago, it was revealed that the statistical analysis of UK survey data was flawed. Quite a flurry of comment has taken place since then. For one careful reflection of what this is all about, I commend reading Bishop Graham Tomlin‘s commentary here.

The final March 2026 Quiet Day was on Saturday 28 March at St. Alban’s, Pleasant Point. It has been a privilege to conduct the Bible studies on John 1-13 through these Saturday mornings and to have Archdeacon Nick Mountfort lead the gatherings in prayer during the afternoons. It was wonderful to be at worship at St. Alban’s, Pleasant Point in the Parish of Temuka-Te Ngawai on Sunday morning.

Through last weekend, the Cursillo Movement within our Diocese led a weekend short course in discipleship at Cracoft, Cashmere. I enjoyed being with participants in this weekend during the closing events of Sunday afternoon, including a closing Eucharist. Thank you to all who contributed to the preparation for and experience of this Cursillo event.

Some readers may have seen a TV news item about me offering a blessing for Te Kaha Stadium, during its official opening on Friday morning. It was a privilege to be asked to do this, and I am delighted that the clip on TV One News captured the moment when I spoke the name of Jesus Christ. The stadium is amazing and I am looking forward to being there one day for a sports event or music concert. Nevertheless, the stadium will pose some challenges for our services at the Transitional Cathedral. This Sunday, for example, will be a test case: 8,000 fans are due at the stadium at 5pm to watch the Warriors play a game on the big screens, at the same time as the Cathedral’s Easter Day Evensong.

Pope Leo has written a beautiful letter of support to Archbishop Sarah Mullaly on the occasion of her installation as Archbishop of Canterbury. His letter can be read here. In a world of division and war, the importance of Christians demonstrating unity has never been more important.

This Holy Week, we journey with Jesus to the cross. May all our services, especially services tomorrow night, Maundy (or Holy) Thursday, those held through the day on Good Friday, and then vigils on Holy Saturday deepen our heart identification with Jesus who lived, suffered, died and was buried for our sakes, that we might be reconciled to God.

Then, this coming Sunday, 5 April 2026, Easter Sunday, let’s hear the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ afresh. The Gospel reading is Matthew 28:1-10 and the Epistle reading is Colossians 3:1-4. We tell the story of Jesus rising from the dead and revealing himself to his followers (the Gospel). We also reflect on what the resurrection of Jesus means for our daily lives in 2026 as we follow Jesus and live in the power of his resurrection life (the Epistle).

Finally, please note there will be no e-Life next Wednesday 8 April.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 25 March 2026

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Dear Friends,

The deadline for submissions to be made in support of the Christchurch City Council investing funding in four key heritage projects in our city, including Christ Church Cathedral, is midnight, this Friday 27 March 2026. Please head to this link to make your submission. It would be very helpful of we had 250 further individual submissions between now and midnight Friday being made. Thank you to all readers who have already made submissions.

Many people have questions about the reinstatement project for the Cathedral. Dean Ben Truman has published online an excellent set of FAQ videos, which can be viewed here. Among recent opinion features in The Press about the cathedral’s reinstatement I commend “‘Rebuild the cathedral, or find a new name for our city’: A Ngāi Tahu view” by Professor Te Maire Tau in The Press (may be behind a paywall), and in this e-Life.

Early tomorrow morning, NZ time, Archbishop Sarah Mullally will be installed in Canterbury Cathedral as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. Several members of our church will be there, including our three Archbishops. The service will be broadcast on BBC1 from 2.30pm (UK time) and live streamed on YouTube. Head to this link. Please pray for ++Sarah as she is installed and pray that the Anglican Communion will work unitedly with her through the coming years.

Last Sunday morning Teresa and I participated in worship at Te Hepara Pai, Ferry Road, Woolston and enjoyed fellowship and hospitality afterwards. By the end of this week the nominated candidates for the election of the new Pihopa o Te Waipounamu will be made public. Please pray for these candidates, and all electors within Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu as they prepare for their Electoral Synod, Friday to Saturday, 17-18 April 2026.

Thank you to all who supported the Reverend Sammy Mould when she was ordained priest last Wednesday evening, and given her licence as the new Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Woodend-Pegasus.

Let’s continue to pray for peace, praying in hope, praying to the Prince of Peace, knowing that daily news informs us of continuing war and the loss of many innocent lives. Let’s pray for wisdom and compassion to prevail in our political leaders, especially as ramifications of the war with Iran begin to affect the whole world through rising costs for fuel and predictable consequential rises in everyone’s cost of living around the globe. As war and violence continues in the Middle East, it may be helpful to readers to view a recent webinar ‘Waging Peace in a World of Violence’ with NZ theologian Dr Chris Marshall, which you can watch here on YouTube. It is particularly timely as the horrific violence across West Asia/’Middle East’ continues to deteriorate.

The final March 2026 Quiet Day is this coming Saturday 28 March, 9am to 3pm, with Bible study/reflection in the morning, and prayer for the world and for the church in the afternoon at St Alban’s, Pleasant Point (morning Bible study/reflections on John chapters 11-13). Please bring your own lunch or plan to go to a nearby eating place. Morning tea provided. I will be preaching and presiding in St. Albans, Pleasant Point, 9.30am, Sunday 29 March.

Pamela McKenzie has died and her funeral is at 11am, Friday 27 March 2026, at St Barnabas, Fendalton. Pam was 95. She served in ministry and mission with her late husband Archdeacon Alan McKenzie through many decades, mostly in this Diocese, but also for a few years in the Diocese of Singapore. Pam will be much missed in the Parish of Fendalton and across the Diocese as a beloved, gracious servant-leader within the church. Please pray for the McKenzie family as they prepare for this week’s funeral service.

This coming Sunday, 29 March 2026 is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week. The Gospel reading is Matthew 21:1-11 (and, if following the readings for Passion Sunday as well, Matthew 26:14- 27:66). We currently live in a world where human “kingship” has led to multiple wars and global economic turmoil. Jesus follows the path of a different kind of kingship. What does this path say to us as his followers?

Today is the Feast of the Annunciation of our Saviour to the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the collects set down for the day is this:

God of grace,

Grant that Mary’s obedience may inspire us

To obey your will

And receive Jesus Christ in our hearts as Lord;

Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit

One God for ever. Amen.

Finally, please pray for all our Easter Campers preparing to head to Spencer Park, Christchurch, on Maundy Thursday next week, to share in teaching, worship, fellowship and fun. Pray for excellent camping weather, and for the speakers and workshop leaders preparing their contributions to the camp.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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