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Anglican e-Life | 11 March 2026

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Dear Friends,

We continue to pray for peace, praying in hope, praying to the Prince of Peace, knowing that daily news informs us of continuing war. We pray for wisdom to prevail in our global and national leaders, especially as ramifications of the war begin to affect the whole world.

Last week, there was a pet blessing at St Margaret’s College. Chaplain Rev’d Stephanie Clay blessed the beloved pets of Years 1 to 6 students, amidst plenty of tails wagging, gentle purrs, and happy smiles. In this e-Life, there are also photos and reflections from last Friday’s World Day of Prayer services in Christchurch.

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.

Last Friday, a Special e-Life was published, informing e-Life readers that 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. In that e-Life details were given about how to make a submission. Please head to this link. 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. Thank you!

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 from 9am to 3pm, with the morning spent in Bible study led by Bishop Peter, and the afternoon in prayer:
- This Saturday 14 March, Church of the Epiphany, Hanmer Springs (John chapters 4-6), with Sunday service in the Church of Epiphany, 10am on Sunday 15 March
- Saturday 21 March, The Anglican Centre, 95 Tuam Street, Christchurch (John chapters 7-10), with Sunday service in Te Hepara Pai, Ferry Road, Woolston, 10.15am, Sunday 22 March
- Saturday 28 March, St Alban’s, Pleasant Point (John chapters 11-13), with Sunday service in St. Albans, Pleasant Point, 9.30am, Sunday 29 March 2026.
All are welcome to these quiet days. Please bring your own lunch or plan to go to a nearby eating place. Morning tea provided. Our first weekend, based at All Saints’, Hokitika, went very well—thank you, All Saints for your hospitality!

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, will be the preacher. Clergy should robe, alb and red stole.

The Reverend Helen Roud has announced that she will conclude her ministry as Vicar of St Mary the Virgin, Addington on Sunday 7 June 2026. I am very grateful for Helen’s eight years of ministry leadership in this parish. I am also grateful that Helen’s ministries in facilitating Clinical Pastoral Education courses based here in Christchurch will continue, along with her support for clergy through supervision.

Following a recent meeting with the Diocesan Council for World Mission, I encourage individuals and ministry units to continue generous support to the Anglican Missions Board, with special emphasis on each ministry unit maintaining or increasing their contributions to our “whole of Diocese” mission giving goal, as set each year at our annual Synod.

The Laidlaw Centre for Church Leadership is partnering with the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership to deliver the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and Emotionally Healthy Relationships courses again in 2026. In the school, we’ll journey together as a small cohort of pastors and leaders from around Aotearoa. We’ll slow down to be with Jesus and rediscover leadership from the inside out through live teaching and virtual table groups. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality is running online, Tuesday mornings 9.30am-12pm from 28 April to 16 June. Registrations are limited. Please see details elsewhere in this e-Life.

This coming Sunday, 15 March 2026 is Lent 4. The Gospel reading is John 9:1-41. A common theme across the Gospels, as well as other parts of the Bible, is whether people see well or are spiritually blind. Those who see well grasp who God is and what God asks of us. Those who are spiritually blind may have a limited understanding of the things of God but ultimately fail to grasp the most important things. These differences and tensions play out in this narrative, about the healing of a blind man. One point of great interest in the chapter is the way in which the healed man develops a greater insight into who Jesus is as the narrative unfolds.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 4 March 2026

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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.

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Anglican e-Life | 25 February 2026

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Dear Friends,

Big in the news this week is the Government’s proposal of “move-on” legislation regarding police powers in relation to homeless persons. Our City Missioner, Corinne Haines, has made an appropriately edgy response, as reported in The Press (may be behind a paywall): jail-time would be “the most expensive form of emergency housing” in the country. Rightly, responses to the Government’s proposal point out that we need solutions other than arrests to the challenges our society faces re homelessness and support for those who are mentally unwell. Moving people on is not in itself a solution to those challenges, let alone criminalising homeless people. If the Government found a few more pennies to invest in what the City Mission here, and similar missions in all our cities and towns are doing to meet these challenges, they would reap an investment worth dollars in terms of what the brilliant people working in these not-for-profit, non-governmental agencies are able to achieve with even a modicum of support.

It was good to be at St. Peter’s, Temuka on Sunday morning, to preach and preside for their 10.00 am service. Among our parishes with vacancies at this time, please pray for the Parishes of Temuka-Te Ngawai; Highfield, Kensington and Otipua; Upper Riccarton-Yaldhurst in particular as they begin or continue search processes for new vicars.

Ash Wednesday was a wonderful day, with four services in our Anglican schools, and a lovely Catholic-Anglican service in St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral here in Christchurch. Thank you to all who made extra efforts last week to ensure services were held in our ministry units, and jointly with other churches. As we move through these early days of Lent it is wonderful to learn of Lenten study groups underway in many of our ministry units.

This morning it was not so wonderful to read Joe Bennett’s Press column, in which he proposes that the Cathedral in the Square become a permanent monument to the Canterbury quakes (may be behind a paywall). Christchurch city already has a beautiful memorial for the quakes, on Oxford Terrace, beside the Avon River. The vision for the Cathedral remains that it will reopen and be a continuing witness to our Lord Jesus Christ and his Good News for all humanity, in the heart of our city.

On Sunday a wonderful exhibition in the Cathedral, Cathedral Square Unearthed, closed after 1,500 people were able to participate in it. In good news for those who were unable to obtain tickets to the exhibition, it has now relocated to The Crossing (accessible off Colombo, Lichfield and Cashel Streets) in the centre of Christchurch.

Open Heaven at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch, last Thursday evening, involved some 6,000 to 8,000 people drawn from a wide variety of churches around Canterbury. It was a privilege to be present and to take part with one prayer, as Christians united to praise God in song and to pray for our churches, our community and our world.

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:
1. Saturday 7 March, All Saints, Hokitika (Gospel of John chapters 1-3 for the Bible study)
2. Saturday 14 March, Church of the Epiphany, Hanmer Springs (Gospel of John chapters 4-6)
3. Saturday 21 March, The Anglican Centre, 95 Tuam Street, Christchurch (Gospel of John chapters 7-10)
4. Saturday 28 March, St Alban’s, Pleasant Point (Gospel of 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.

On the Sundays following the Quiet Days I will then preach and preside in the local church at the main Sunday morning service, except for Sunday 22 March when I will preach and preside at Te Hepara Pai, Te Waipounamu, Ferry Road, Christchurch. It would be a great encouragement to the Parishes of Westland, Hanmer Springs and Temuka-Te Ngawai if some members of the Diocese outside those localities planned to participate in one of those three weekends.

The internationally acclaimed King’s Singers return to Christchurch Town Hall on 11 March 2026 for a very special concert marking Christchurch-born baritone Chris Bruerton‘s final New Zealand performance with the ensemble. Tickets are available online.

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, will be the preacher. Clergy should robe, alb and red stole.

This coming Sunday, 1 March 2026 is Lent 2. The Gospel reading is John 3:1-17. In this Year A of the three-year lectionary cycle, the Sunday gospel readings work through John’s Gospel and the encounters Jesus has with individuals: this Sunday, Jesus and Nicodemus. What stands out for you in this encounter? Nicodemus is eager to learn from Jesus but has to rapidly get up to speed with the message from heaven itself which Jesus brings. This message comes through the great love God has for the world – including you and me (3:16-17).

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 18 February 2026

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Dear Friends,

Our new students at St John’s College, Meadowbank, Auckland, Byron Behm and Alice Carrell, were welcomed at a pōwhiri and eucharist service on Sunday afternoon. They join continuing students at the College, Luke Watson and Jamie Somerville. I am grateful that Archdeacon Nick Mountfort, Archdeacon for Ministry, was able to be present in support of them all and their families. Please pray for our students and for the College as academic studies and ministry formation programmes get underway for 2026.

It was good to be at Holy Trinity, Avonside on Sunday morning, to preach and preside for their 9.30am service. The Parish of Avonside is one of 16 ministry units across the Diocese which have a ministry leadership vacancy or which have interim ministry leadership as we work on a longer-term way forward for provision of priestly leadership. Your continuing prayer for the challenge of finding stipended leadership in these ministry units is much appreciated. As we seek the Regeneration of our Diocese, it is vital that we secure a new generation of leaders. I am thankful to God for the provision of new generation ministers for our churches. At present, however, we could do with even more than we have been generously given by God.

Today is Ash Wednesday. As services are held across the Diocese, I hope that we can take up the opportunity to renew our commitment to Christ by receiving the sign of his cross through ash. I am looking forward to preaching at our annual Roman Catholic—Anglican cathedrals’ ecumenical service tonight in St Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Manchester Street, Christchurch at 5.30pm. All welcome.

Tomorrow night, 7pm to 8.30pm, Thursday 19 February, is Open Heaven, at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch. Doors open at 6.15pm and entry is free. This year the capacity of the arena for this event has been increased to 8,000 so there will be room for everyone. More details at www.openheaven.nz

March 2026 Quiet Days: 9am to 3pm, with the morning spent in Bible study led by Bishop Peter, and the afternoon in prayer for the world and for the Diocese:
1. Saturday 7 March, All Saints, Hokitika (Gospel of John chapters 1-3 for the Bible study)
2. Saturday 14 March, Church of the Epiphany, Hanmer Springs (Gospel of John chapters 4-6)
3. Saturday 21 March, The Anglican Centre, 95 Tuam Street, Christchurch (Gospel of John chapters 7-10)
4. Saturday 28 March, St Alban’s, Pleasant Point (Gospel of 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.

On the Sundays following the Quiet Days I will then preach and preside in the local church at the main Sunday morning service, except for Sunday 22 March when I will preach and preside at Te Hepara Pai, Te Waipounamu, Ferry Road, Christchurch. It would be a great encouragement to the Parishes of Westland, Hanmer Springs and Temuka-Te Ngawai if some members of the Diocese outside those localities planned to participate in one of those three weekends.

The internationally acclaimed King’s Singers return to Christchurch Town Hall on 11 March 2026 for a very special concert marking Christchurch-born baritone Chris Bruerton‘s final New Zealand performance with the ensemble. Tickets are available online. Chris Bruerton’s musical journey was shaped by his years as a chorister and lay clerk at the cathedral.

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, will be the preacher.

This coming Sunday, 22 February 2026 is Lent 1. The Gospel reading is Matthew 4:1-11. Testing times for Jesus through 40 days in the wilderness recall testing times for Israel through 40 years in the wilderness between Egypt and Israel’s promised land. Jesus does more than resist the temptations Satan puts to him: he pushes back against Satan, invoking authority from astutely chosen Scriptures. When we face testing times, we can recall for our encouragement that Jesus has faced testing times (Hebrews 4:14-16) and we can use Scripture to defeat the subtle, manipulative temptations of Satan.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 11 February 2026

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Dear Friends,

The post-summer holiday part of 2026 is well underway as we look ahead, to a busy period with many important and wonderful services/events coming up.

Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2025, is one of the most important days in the church’s calendar and I am delighted that ecumenical services for Ash Wednesday are planned across our Diocese. I am looking forward to preaching at our annual Roman Catholic – Anglican cathedrals’ ecumenical service which will be in St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Manchester Street, Christchurch at 5.30pm. All welcome.

The following night, 7pm to 8.30pm, Thursday 19 February, is Open Heaven, at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch. I attended this event last year and it was a highlight of the year as some 5,000 Christians from across our city and region came together to praise God and to pray for our nation. I will be there this year and I encourage all readers of e-Life to join me. Doors open at 6.15pm and entry is free. This year the capacity of the arena for this event has been increased to 8,000 so there will be room for everyone. More details at Open Heaven.

Coming up in early March is the World Day of Prayer. This is a global annual event, always held on the first Friday in March – so this year, Friday 6 March 2026. Please look at for a local, ecumenical, prayer service held in a church near you and join with others in praying for our world. This year Nigerian women have written the service based on Matthew 11:28-30. With all that has been in the news about Christians being persecuted, kidnapped and killed in Nigeria, it is timely to hear their voice. Further details are at on the AAW website, AAW events, and elsewhere in e-Life next week.

Clergy Announcements

At the end of January, the Reverend Lisa McInnes concluded her role as Vicar of Avonside, and the Reverend Steven Dunne concluded his role as Priest-in-Charge of Woodend-Pegasus. I thank Lisa and Steven for the respective ministries and wish them well for the next chapter in their lives.

The Reverend Sammy Mould will lead the Parish of Woodend-Pegasus as Deacon-in-Charge until Wednesday, 18 March 2026 when she will become Priest-in-Charge of the parish, following her ordination to the priesthood 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, will be the preacher. Sammy will work 0.8 FTE for the parish and continue working one day a week in her Diocesan role as leader of our Under 40s Diocesan Ministry Team.

March 2026 Quiet Days: 9am to 3pm, with the morning spent in Bible study led by Bishop Peter, and the afternoon in prayer for the world and for the Diocese:
1. Saturday 7 March, All Saints, Hokitika (Gospel of John chapters 1-3 for the Bible study)
2. Saturday 14 March, Church of the Epiphany, Hanmer Springs (John chapters 4-6)
3. Saturday 21 March, The Anglican Centre, 95 Tuam Street, Christchurch (John chapters 7-10)
4. 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 is provided.

On the Sundays following the Quiet Days I will then preach and preside in the local church at the main Sunday morning service, except for Sunday 22 March when I will preach and preside at Te Hepara Pai, Te Waipounamu, Ferry Road, Christchurch. It would be a great encouragement to the Parishes of Westland, Hanmer Springs and Temuka-Te Ngawai if some members of the Diocese outside those localities planned to participate in one of those three weekends.

The internationally acclaimed King’s Singers return to Christchurch Town Hall on 11 March 2026 for a very special concert marking Christchurch-born baritone Chris Bruerton‘s final New Zealand performance with the ensemble. You will experience an unforgettable evening of flawless harmony, wit, and a richly varied programme spanning Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary favourites, in a heartfelt homecoming and farewell celebration. Tickets are available online. Chris Bruerton’s musical journey was shaped by his years as a chorister and lay clerk at the cathedral. He and his colleagues in the King’s Singers are extraordinary singers.

The Reverend Jim and Sandra Robb write:

“Our heart-felt thanks for your comments and prayerful support following our son Timothy’s recent death. Some of you have asked for a link to view the service: A recording of his funeral held on Monday 2 February in St Mary’s Church Eaton Socon, England is currently accessible on You Tube as “Timothy Robb’s Thanksgiving Service”. We’re not sure how long this will remain on-line so as a back-up it’s now permanently stored on Vimeo and can be accessed.”

Last Friday was Waitangi Day. Teresa and I were able to be in Waitangi for our first experience of Waitangi Day celebrations and commemorations. It was a privilege to support local Māori Anglican Bishop, Kito Pikaahu, by sharing with other bishops and church leaders in the well-known Dawn Service and then in another, similar service at 9 am. I have written a few reflections about the experience of this important day in our history on my personal blog.

This coming Sunday, 15 February 2026 is Epiphany 6. The Gospel reading is Matthew 5:21-37. Being a disciple of Jesus is costly. Jesus calls us in passages such as this to live up to a very high calling. If we are challenged by this passage, let’s pray for God’s help through the Holy Spirit to live up to our high calling. If we are not challenged by this passage, let’s take care not to be proud of our righteous state!

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 4 February 2026

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Dear Friends,

Veronica Cross has given me notice that she will retire from her Bishop’s EA role on 20 April 2026. I am so grateful for her work with me, her support for many aspects of life in the Anglican Centre, and her extraordinary helpfulness to individuals, committees and boards across the Diocese on a wide range of matters. Closer to 20 April will be an opportunity to say more about Veronica and to wish God’s blessings on her and Dave, her husband, for the next chapter of their life together.

Following Nathan Muirhead’s conclusion of his role as Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, I am delighted to announce that Mr Phil Trotter has been appointed to the role and will begin work this coming Monday 9 February 2026. Among several roles in youth ministry, Phil has previously worked for the Diocese of Christchurch as Diocesan Youth Advisor for 11 years, as National Youth Advisor for Tikanga Pakeha for 5 years and as full-time lecturer at Laidlaw College teaching youth ministry and overseeing ministry internships. Phil’s most recent roles have involved youth work in the Hurunui District. Thank you, Phil, for rejoining the Diocesan staff team for this important work. Phil can be contacted at safe.edu@anglicanlife.org.nz

Thank you to all who gathered for Evensong at the Transitional Cathedral on Sunday evening, during which we commissioned Archdeacon Nick Mountfort as Archdeacon of Ministry for the Diocese, and we installed the Reverend Bosco Peters as a Clerical Canon of Christ Church Cathedral. Archdeacon Nick may be contacted on education, training and formation matters in the Diocese at education@anglicanlife.org.nz.

This Friday is Waitangi Day. Let’s continue to pray for our nation, that we will grow more deeply in being a diversity-in-unity people. From a Tiriti perspective we are the diversity of two peoples signing the one covenant for our life together. From a contemporary perspective we are the diversity of people from many nations arriving on these shores through intervals of time, with multiple cultures being expressed through a diversity of customs, religious practices and everyday aspirations for a better life. On Waitangi Day we have an opportunity as a whole nation to ensure that we truly, deeply “love one another” (even if that phrase sourced from Jesus himself is never used by any of our political leaders).

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent is two weeks away, Wednesday 18 February 2025. I commend ministry units organising ecumenical services for Ash Wednesday and look forward to joining in our annual Roman Catholic – Anglican cathedrals’ ecumenical service which will be in St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Manchester Street, Christchurch at 5.30pm. All welcome.

I commend Bible study groups for Lent and recommend for study the next instalment of Theology House’s Lenten study series, In the Spirit of Lent. The edition for Year A (2025-2026) again includes art by the Reverend Sarah West and text by Gareth Bezett, Director of Theology House. Orders can be made at Theology House and books will be posted to you as soon as possible. Copies are $9 each.

In March there will be a series of Quiet Days in four parts of the Diocese in March 2026. Each Quiet Day will consist of Bible study and prayer and take place on a Saturday, 9am to 3pm. I will then preach and preside in a local church the next day at the main Sunday morning service. The weekends are, 7-8 March, at All Saints, Hokitika, Westland; 14-15 March at the Church of the Epiphany, Hanmer Springs; 21-22 March here in Christchurch (Saturday in the Anglican Centre; Sunday service at Te Hepara Pai, Ferry Road), and 28-29 March at St. Albans’, Pleasant Point. It would be a great encouragement to the Parishes of Westland, Hanmer Springs and Temuka-Te Ngawai if some members of the Diocese outside those localities planned to participate in one of those three weekends. More details to come.

The internationally acclaimed King’s Singers return to Christchurch Town Hall on 11 March 2026 for a very special concert marking Christchurch-born baritone Chris Bruerton‘s final New Zealand performance with the ensemble. Expect an unforgettable evening of flawless harmony, wit, and a richly varied programme spanning Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary favourites, in a heartfelt homecoming and farewell celebration. Tickets are available online from Eventfinda.

Let’s continue in prayer for the troubled places of the world, including Iran (which has gone somewhat quiet in the news, but great trouble continues there). The Anglican Missions Board page offers guidance on praying the news about Iran. The Reverend Edrick Corban-Banks has also supplied prayers for use in our Diocese and beyond which are available in this e-Life.

This coming Sunday, 8 February 2026 is Epiphany 5. The Gospel reading is Matthew 5:13-20. There are at least three significant Sunday messages to be brought out of this passage: being salt of the earth; being light to the world; being righteous in the context of the Law of Moses and the teaching of Jesus as it reinterprets that Law.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 28 January 2026

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Dear Friends,

Further to my encouragement in e-Life last week that we have a special focus in our Sunday intercessions and parish prayer meetings, I have been made aware of this helpful Anglican Missions Board page which offers guidance on praying the news about Iran. I am grateful for prayers supplied by the Reverend Edrick Corban-Banks for use in our Diocese and beyond which are available in this e-Life. There is now a consensus in world media that the Iranian government has carried out the most appalling mass executions of its own citizens in order to maintain power. A number as high as 30,000 deaths is being reported in reliable mainstream media.

On Friday night, 23 January, at 7pm in St. Barnabas, Fendalton, the Reverend Dr Andrew Butcher was inducted as Vicar of Fendalton, and the Reverend Kay Webster was commissioned as Senior Associate Priest for the Parish of Fendalton. I rejoice that we have clerical leadership in two parishes, Fendalton and Avonhead settled in the first month of this year. I ask for your prayers as we work on other vacancies in parishes ranging from South Canterbury to North Canterbury.

On Sunday morning Lily Beavan was confirmed in St. John the Evangelist, Cheviot, and on Sunday afternoon parishioners from across Mid Canterbury gathered in St. John’s Church, Barrhill, for an annual Archdeaconry service, organised by the Reverend Sage Burke, with Archdeacon Indrea Alexander as our preacher.

This Sunday evening, at Evensong, 5pm Sunday 1 February 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral, we will commission Archdeacon Nick Mountfort as Archdeacon for Ministry for the Diocese, and we will install the Reverend Bosco Peters as a Clerical Canon of Christ Church Cathedral. All are welcome to this service.

From 1 February 2026 the Parish of Upper Riccarton-Yaldhurst will be seeking a new vicar to replace Archdeacon Nick Mountfort. During the vacancy, the Reverend Dr Mike Baker will be the Interim Priest-in-Charge with the Reverend Peg Riley continuing her role of Associate Priest for this parish.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent is three weeks away: Wednesday 18 February 2025. I commend ministry units organising ecumenical services for Ash Wednesday and look forward to joining in our annual Roman Catholic – Anglican cathedrals’ ecumenical service which will be in St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Manchester Street, Christchurch at 5.30pm. All welcome.

I also commend Bible study groups for Lent and recommend for study the next instalment of Theology House’s Lenten study series, In the Spirit of Lent. The edition for Year A (2025-2026) again includes art by the Reverend Sarah West and text by Gareth Bezett, Director of Theology House. Orders can be made at Theology House and books will be posted to you as soon as possible. Copies are $9 each.

I am planning a series of Quiet Days in four parts of the Diocese in March 2026. Each Quiet Day will consist of Bible study and prayer and take place on a Saturday, 9am to 3pm. I will then preach and preside in a local church the next day. The weekends are, 7-8 March, at All Saints, Hokitika, Westland; 14-15 March at the Church of the Epiphany, Hanmer Springs; 21-22 March here in Christchurch (venues to be confirmed), and 28-29 March at St. Albans’, Pleasant Point. It would be a great encouragement to the Parishes of Westland, Hanmer Springs and Temuka-Te Ngawai if some members of the Diocese outside those localities planned to participate in one of those three weekends. More details in the next few weeks.

Diana Smith, widow of Fr Ron Smith, has died and her funeral was held in St. Michael’s and All Angels, Oxford Terrace, Christchurch last Saturday. I give thanks to God for Diana’s life and for her gentle presence in the congregation at St. Michael’s and for her support for Fr Ron’s ministry.

This coming Sunday, 1 February 2026 is Epiphany 4 and likely in many churches to be celebrated as The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The Gospel reading is Luke 2:22-40. One way to read this story is to absorb and be inspired by the example of Simeon and Anna in their devotion to Jesus Christ. They anticipate the coming of the Christ, knowing not when this will be nor exactly whom this gift of God to the world will be. Their anticipation is expressed through many years in daily devotion in prayer and worship in their place of worship – the Temple in Jerusalem. They are faithful to Jesus whom they have not seen. May we be faithful to Jesus whom we have seen.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 21 January 2026

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Dear Friends,

It is not possible to talk about a “Happy New Year” as 2026, less than one month old, sees no cessation in conflict and oppression in Gaza and the West Bank, Syria, Sudan and Ukraine, news of Iranian citizens being slaughtered by soldiers, terrorists and police employed by their own government, the breakdown of international law and order via US intervention in Venezuela and Trump’s obsession with owning Greenland, and flooding in parts of our islands as heavy rain falls in summer (once unknown but now a regular feature in our changed climate). I ask that our intercessions in regular services and our foci in parish prayer meetings includes prayer that our God will deliver the world from evil, with a special focus on deliverance from the evil of killing people in the Middle East: Gaza, West Bank, Syria and Iran. I also ask, as we perhaps have our attention taken up with the latest headlines, such as those about Iran, that in our prayers we continue to pray for all caught up in war, not forgetting enduring conflicts that now may not receive headline treatment. Evil is being visited on our world in these days. There is no cause in this world worth killing people for. I honour those who have given their lives in recent times for the simple cause of seeking to live free lives in a civil, just society.

Nevertheless, at the beginning of this year, we have some things to celebrate, and I congratulate the following in our Diocese who have been awarded honours by the King on recommendation of our Government: the Reverend Dr Patricia Allan (ONZM), Mr Graham Carr (ONZM), Mrs Bev Forrester (MNZM), Miss Jill Kerr (MNZM). I also note that Mrs Jane Zintl who lives in Wellington but in recent times has contributed to our diocese’s boundaries training has received an MNZM. Please open up this link (or In the Media in this e-Life) in order to find citations for each individual’s award.

Last night we had a wonderful induction service for the Reverend Dr Joshua Taylor as he became the Vicar of Avonhead. Please pray for Joshua and Jo and their family as they settle into their new life in Avonhead. As a new era begins for Avonhead, I thank the Reverend Dr John Fox for his work as Interim Priest in Charge of Avonhead and the Reverend Les Memory for his work as Assistant Priest through the past year. John Fox reverts to being Assistant Priest for Avonhead (0.5 FTE) and continues as Senior Ecumenical Chaplain at the University of Canterbury (0.5 FTE).

This Friday night, 23 January, at 7pm in St. Barnabas, Fendalton, I will induct the Reverend Dr Andrew Butcher as Vicar of Fendalton and commission the Reverend Kay Webster as Senior Associate Priest for the Parish of Fendalton. All are welcome to this service and clergy who robe should vest in alb and red stole. Kay Webster comes to our Diocese from the Diocese of Wellington: welcome Kay!

This Sunday afternoon, 26 January, at 4pm in St. John’s Church, Barrhill, the Archdeaconry of Mid Canterbury meets for worship. Archdeacon Indrea Alexander will be our preacher and I will be presiding at the eucharist. All are welcome – from within and without the Mid Canterbury area.

Today is the final day for Nathan Muirhead in his work as our Diocesan Safeguarding officer. Nathan shortly takes up a full-time teaching role at Paparoa Street School here in Christchurch. Thank you, Nathan, for your outstanding work in this role. We are moving ahead on a new appointment for a successor to Nathan.

The Reverend Jim and Sandra Robb have recently shared news of their son Timothy Robb‘s death, on 7 January 2026. Timothy has been the Vicar of St. Mary’s Church in Eaton Socon in Cambridgeshire, England. Please pray for Jim and Sandra and the whole Robb family as they grieve, and for Timothy’s widow, Julie and their daughter Sarah as they prepare for his funeral.

Mrs Wyn Ehau has died. She is lying through this week at Te Pa Mihinare o Te Waipounamu, Ferry Roard, Christchurch, with visitors to Te Pa Mihinare welcome. Wyn’s funeral will be in the Aranui Wainoni Community Centre, 31 Hampshire Street, Christchurch at 1pm, this Friday 23 January. Wyn has been a longstanding and much-loved member of the congregation at Te Pa Mihinare. Together with her late husband George they founded Wai-Ora Trust and Wai-Ora Enterprise, a faith-based community organisation dedicated to the restoration of people and the environment.

Our Synod in September last year concluded with one lay membership on Standing Committee vacant. Recently the lay members of Standing Committee have filled that vacancy by electing Ross Jones (Hornby, Templeton and West Melton). Congratulations, Ross!

I am very pleased to announce that the Reverend Bosco Peters will be a Clerical Canon of Christ Church Cathedral, filling a vacancy created when the Reverend Mark Chamberlain retired as a clerical canon at the end of 2024. Bosco will be installed as canon at Evensong, 5pm Sunday, 1 February 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral.

During that same service we will be commissioning Archdeacon Nick Mountfort as Archdeacon for Ministry. In this role Nick will be undertaking work associated with the role of “ministry educator” for our Diocese, including leadership of Post Ordination Training, collaborating with me in our Diocesan Discernment process, representing the Diocese at various national church meetings concerning ministry formation and theological training, and facilitating such training and education as we need for lay and ordained ministers in our Diocese. For the time-being Nick will also continue as Archdeacon for Selwyn-Tawera.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent is imminent: Wednesday, 18 February 2025. I commend ministry units organising ecumenical services for Ash Wednesday and look forward to joining in our annual Roman Catholic – Anglican cathedrals’ ecumenical service (details next week). I also commend Bible study groups for Lent and recommend for study the next instalment of Theology House’s Lenten study series, In the Spirit of Lent. The edition for Year A (2025-2026) again includes art by the Reverend Sarah West and text by Gareth Bezett, Director of Theology House. Orders can be made at Theology House and books will be posted to you as soon as possible. Orders made before this week are being fulfilled this week. Copies are $9 each.

I am planning a series of Quiet Days in four parts of the Diocese in March 2026. Each Quiet Day will consist of Bible study and prayer and take place on a Saturday, 9am to 3pm. I will then preach and preside in a local church the next day. The weekends are, 7-8 March, at All Saints, Hokitika, Westland; 14-15 March at the Church of the Epiphany, Hanmer Springs; 21-22 March here in Christchurch (venues to be confirmed), and 28-29 March at St. Alban’s, Pleasant Point. It would be a great encouragement to the Parishes of Westland, Hanmer Springs and Temuka-Te Ngawai if some members of the Diocese outside those localities planned to participate in one of those three weekends. More details in the next few weeks.

Archbishop Don Tamihere has announced that the Electoral Synod for next Bishop of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu will be on 17 and 18 April 2026. Please pray for Archbishop Don and the committee planning for this important hui, and pray that God will call candidates to be presented for consideration by the synod members.

This coming Sunday, 26 January 2026 is Epiphany 3 and the Gospel reading is Matthew 4:12-23. The mission of Jesus is (a) for the whole world, for all peoples, irrespective of nationality or tribe; (b) centred on a simple message, paraphrasing, turn away from wrongdoing, live under the rule of God; (c) always personal because the mission involves calling individuals to follow Jesus.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 17 December 2025

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Dear Friends,

The act of terrorism in Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, intentionally shooting to kill Jews and not Gentiles, has shocked Australians, Kiwis and the rest of the world. We should reflect on how we might support efforts to find a just peace in the Middle East without rhetoric which fuels anti-semitism. It is anti-semitism when we blame Jews living locally for Israel’s actions far away. We should ask why Russia’s aggression against Ukraine does not engender anti-Russian killings away from Ukrainian battlefields, but Israel’s aggression in Gaza and the West Bank engenders murderous hatred of Jews outside of Palestinian-Israeli battlefields. It has been astutely observed that anti-semitism was significant in Western culture until the Second World War, then more or less absent as news of the Holocaust sunk into our consciences. But now anti-semitism is back with a vengeance, supported by an ironic mix of left and right wing politicians, influencers and podcasters.

On Monday I wrote to a local synagogue leader, Yosay B to express our Diocese’s support for Christchurch’s Jewish community at this time. Part of her response is worth sharing with you:

“The tragic news of the horrific Bondi Beach attack reached our Christchurch community shortly after our special gathering to mark the first day of Hanukkah. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the innocent people who died, were injured or forced to witness what our society abhors. Even though this was an attack that specifically targeted Jews, we know this affects all members of our society. It is reassuring to see how people gather in times of tragedy and stand up for what is right.”

Over the weekend we were privileged to be part of two lovely church services. On Friday evening in the Church of the Epiphany, Jollies Pass Road, Hanmer Springs, the Reverend Hilary Willett was inducted as Vicar of Hanmer Springs. Welcome Hilary and Kit to the Diocese of Christchurch!

Then at 5pm on Sunday 14 December, we were at a special Evensong in the Transitional Cathedral to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the First Four Ships on 16 December 1850. I thank Dean Ben Truman and Dr John Linker, Director of Music, for the wonderful service they arranged, and for the choir, readers and intercessors who led us. The text of my sermon is available here.

Earlier that Sunday it was a special joy to share in the final lunch of this year’s Sony Weekend. This weekend annually offers fifteen young people with special needs a weekend away from home, with lots of activities, fun and friendship. The Sony Weekend is jointly run by staff and students of Christ’s College and St. Margaret’s College, supported by the Sony Corporation and Ovation, a catering company.

This year’s Primatial Christmas Message – a message from our Archbishops – can be read on our Diocesan website.

Congratulations to Kathryn, daughter of Sarah Dunnings (our Theology House Librarian) and Shane Hollis, who won three gold medals in equestrian events at the recent Special Olympics held here in Christchurch.

A few days ago, the Reverend Michelle Cockell, a former Vicar of Temuka and Te Ngawai parishes, wrote to me from Canada to let me and the Diocese know that her husband, Gord Cockell, died recently.

Important services are coming up this weekend and in January, to which all are welcome:
- 7pm, Sunday 21 December 2025, Nine Lessons and Carols at the Transitional Cathedral. This will be an extraordinary musical feast.
- 7pm, Tuesday 20 January 2026, at St. Christopher’s, Avonhead, when the Reverend Joshua Taylor will be inducted as Vicar of Avonhead.
- 7pm, Friday 23 January 2026, at St. Barnabas Church, Fendalton, when the Reverend Dr Andrew Butcher will be inducted as Vicar of Fendalton and the Reverend Kay Webster will be welcomed and commissioned as Senior Associate Priest for the Parish of Fendalton.
Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent is not far away as we plan for 2026. It is on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. I commend ministry units organising Bible study groups for Lent and recommend for study the next instalment of Theology House’s Lenten study series, In the Spirit of Lent. The edition for Year A (2025-2026) again includes art by the Reverend Sarah West and text by Gareth Bezett, Theology House director. Orders can be made at Theology House and books will ship from mid-January 2026 in plenty of time for Lent. Copies are $9 each.

I am working on a series of Quiet Days in four parts of the Diocese in March 2026. Each Quiet Day will consist of Bible study and prayer and take place on a Saturday, with me preaching in the local church the following day. More details in January 2026, but I am pleased to announce that one of the weekends, 7-8 March, will be at All Saints, Hokitika, Westland. It would be a great encouragement to the Parish of Westland if some members of the Diocese living on the other side of the Alps planned to travel over to Hokitika for that weekend. Other weekends will be in South Canterbury, North Canterbury, and the outskirts of Christchurch.

This coming Sunday, 21 December 2025 is Advent 4. The epistle reading is Romans 1:1-7. There is a lot to unpack from this passage, but the central point is that the Good News is all about Jesus, God’s Son, David’s descendant. The Christian message is not a set of philosophies or policies. It is a human being, Jesus Christ, who not only announces the “gospel of God” (Romans 1:1), but who also is the Good News himself. Jesus came to give us life, to save us from our wrongdoing, to dwell in us that we might share in the divine life. Christmas is the celebration of the beginning of this human announcement who is himself the message. Hence John the Evangelist’s declaration of the deep truth about Jesus, that he is the Word become flesh (John 1:14).

This is the last e-Life for 2025. Thank you for reading through this year and for your feedback. Thank you for praying for the Regeneration of our Diocese. Thank you for serving God in the life of Christ’s church through 2025.

I wish all readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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Anglican e-Life | 3 December 2025

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Dear Friends,

At the heart of our Diocesan theme of Regeneration is an expectation that God is at work among us. I continue to pray and encourage every member of our Diocese to pray our regeneration prayer:

“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.”

When we pray in this way, we are both asking God to continue to work among us and challenging ourselves to be co-workers with God in this task (2 Corinthians 6:1a). In a few weeks we come to the end of 2025, six-tenths of the way through the period 2020-2029. How are we doing? Returning to the Diocese recently, and catching up with our archdeacons, I have been struck afresh by the range of situations our ministry units are experiencing. Some flourish in respect of three critical aspects of our life together as church: people, staffing, funding. Some rejoice in two of these three things and are challenged by a shortfall in the other one. A number are feeling the pinch of inadequate staffing (e.g. with no resident priest available to preside at the eucharist), few active parishioners and funds drying up. As bishop, I rejoice in signs of regeneration but every day I feel the burden of our shortfalls, especially in the supply of clergy. Blessed though we have been in recent years with new clergy who have come into our diocesan family through ordination and appointment of new clergy from outside the Diocese, we remain understaffed across the Diocese.

What are we to do? As Kiwis we value hard work and that makes us susceptible to temptation to work harder to ensure regeneration of our Diocese. I ask us to consider resisting that temptation. Instead, let’s redouble our prayer for regeneration. The church is God’s church and through Christ we have been promised that God will build the church (Matthew 16:18). Let’s continue to pray that God’s will for the church be done.

I am delighted to announce that the Reverend Dr Andrew Butcher, currently Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Fendalton, will become Vicar of Fendalton from Friday, 23 January 2026.

I thank the Reverend Justine Tremewan who recently concluded her role this year as Missioner priest for the Parish of Linwood-Aranui. My thanks also to the Reverend Ruth Blair for her role as Team Leader for the ministry team in the Parish of Marchwiel, Timaru. After three years in the role, Ruth concludes her appointment at the end of this month. I am very glad that Ruth will continue as part of the ministry team in Marchwiel.

Important services are coming up, to which all are welcome:
- 7pm, Friday 12 December 2025 in the Church of the Epiphany, Jollies Pass Road, Hanmer Springs for the induction of the Reverend Hilary Willett as Vicar of Hanmer Springs. Due to the small size of this church, clergy intending to be at the service are asked to RSVP to Veronica Cross, bishopsea@anglicanlife.org.nz, by 5 pm Wednesday, 10 December 2025. Clergy who robe – red stole please.
- 5pm Sunday 14 December, Evensong in the Transitional Cathedral will celebrate the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the First Four Ships on 16 December 1850. I am the preacher.
- 7pm, Sunday 21 December 2025, Nine Lessons and Carols at the Transitional Cathedral.
- 7pm, Tuesday 20 January 2026, at St. Christopher’s, Avonhead, when the Reverend Joshua Taylor will be inducted as Vicar of Avonhead.
- 7pm, Friday 23 January 2026, at St. Barnabas, Fendalton, when the Reverend Dr Andrew Butcher will be inducted as Vicar of Fendalton, and the Reverend Kay Webster will be welcomed and commissioned as Senior Associate Priest for the Parish of Fendalton.
Last week I acknowledged the ordained ministry of the Reverend Philip Robinson 55 years, the Reverend Paul Hammonds 60 years, and the Reverend Jim Riley 65 years. This week I acknowledge the Reverend Geoff Paterson’s 55 years in ordained ministry. Thanks be to God for these 235 years of ministry.

The next instalment of Theology House’s Lenten study series In the Spirit of Lent has arrived from the printers. This edition for Year A (2025- 2026) again includes art by the Reverend Sarah West and text by Gareth Bezett, Theology House director. Orders are open now and books will ship from mid-January 2026 in plenty of time for Lent. Copies are $9 each.

The past week in our diocese has been unusually busy in our Diocese. College House’s 175th anniversary was celebrated with events through Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning, including a book launch for Lifted Up – The Chapel of the Upper Room, a book telling the story of the extraordinary chapel at College House, built in the mid 60s, damaged in the quakes, and recently restored and strengthened. It was a privilege to share in services in the chapel on Friday night and Sunday morning with the Reverend Peg Riley, the Reverend Dr John Fox, and Archbishop Emeritus Sir David Moxon.

On Saturday morning, Wanjiru (Cirũ) Muriuki (for the Parish of Riccarton-Spreydon), André Muller (for the Parishes of East Christchurch, Linwood-Aranui and Avonside), and Bruce White (for the Parish of Burnside-Harewood) were ordained deacons in a beautiful service in the Transitional Cathedral. At the conclusion of the service, we farewelled the Reverend Jenny Wilkens from her role as our Diocesan Director of Ordination – thank you, Jenny for this ministry in the Diocese!

On Sunday evening, the Transitional Cathedral’s Advent Carol Service featured, as always, beautiful sung worship glorifying God and the re-reading of our sacred scriptures as we prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ into our world.

Late Saturday afternoon, Teresa and I were warmly welcomed to an inaugural event organised by the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox church here in Christchurch, in which several different churches with origins in South India participated, including a Christmas Tree competition and a Christmas Choirs’ competition. This was held at Middleton Grange School. Three of the congregations participating in this event use three of our churches in greater Christchurch for their regular worship services.

This month, Christ Church Cathedral is hosting the 10-metre steel City Mission Christmas Tree along with Pete Majendie‘seight banners in the style of Colin McCahon’s famous paintings featuring words of Scripture as part of a 12 Days of Christmas event which offers bookings for up to 50 visitors at a time on weekdays from Monday, 1 December to Tuesday, 16 December 2025. On Monday night there was a formal opening for this festival of art. The banners are magnificent – thank you Pete! They complement the familiar City Mission Christmas tree superbly.

This coming Sunday, 7 December 2025 is Advent 2. The epistle reading is Romans 15:4-13. This is a deep passage, bookended by the theme of “hope”, with our hope in God grounded in the coming of Christ into the world as a fulfilment of past hope – that the promises of God to the patriarchs would one day come to be realised. The work of God in Christ is for the world, for you and me, for Jew and Gentile, in other words, for everyone, that all are welcomed into the enduring family of God.

Arohanui,

+Peter.

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