Dear Friends,
It has been lovely over the past few days to learn of ways in which churches in our Diocese have creatively and thoughtfully celebrated Matariki. Attending a secular celebration of Matariki on Saturday, I noticed and have reflected on an emerging tendency as we embrace Matariki to write into the concept of Matariki what we wish, including investing in these stars certain powers to influence the course of the year ahead. As Christians, let’s always proclaim that it is the Creator who made the stars who rules the universe and not the stars themselves.
On a cold, wet winter’s night last Wednesday it was wonderful to share with parishioners of Temuka-Te Ngawai and visitors in the Induction of the Reverend Sue Paton as the new Vicar of the Parish of Temuka-Te Ngawai. Please pray for Sue and Josh, her husband as they settle into life and ministry in this parish.
Remaining in South Canterbury: I am very pleased to announce that the Reverend Brett Roberts, Vicar of Balclutha, will be the next Vicar of St Mary’s, Timaru, beginning on Sunday, 4 October. Please pray for Brett and Ella, and their children as they prepare to move to this new appointment.
I am also very pleased to report that the Reverend Tim Handley, our Missioner Priest in the Parish of Westland, has been re-appointed to this post for a further three years. Please pray for Tim and Kathryn as they continue their missional and ministry leadership in this large parish which runs from just south of Kumara to Jacksons Bay.
The Abbey begins at Living Springs, this Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July. Please pray for safe travelling for those attending, for speakers and workshop leaders, and for the music ministry team, and that all participants will be spiritually blessed through this gathering.
A final notice about the Christchurch part in an NZ speaking tour for widely-respected Palestinian Christian Theologians Dr Lamma Mansour and Dr Yousef Khoury in July. All are welcome to the following public events: Christchurch Transitional Cathedral-7pm, Sun 19 July; Oxford Terrace Baptist Church-7pm, Mon 20 July. During the weekend 17-19 July, Yousef will preach at St Aidan’s, Bryndwr’s 10am Sunday service, and Lamma will be speaking at The Abbey, at Living Springs.
An important pastoral care course, previously advertised in e-Life takes place on Saturday 25 July. This Pastoral Care course takes place 9.30am to 4pm, Saturday 25 July 2026 at St Timothy’s, Burnside. The course is suitable for pastoral carers, ministers, chaplains, youth workers, small group leaders, community ministries, and anyone wanting to extend skills in this area. Registrations close this Monday, 20 July. Places are still available. Further details can be found in this e-Life at Pastoral Care 101: Pastoral Conversations.
The Reverend Canon Bosco Peters has published an updated, 2026 version of his latest liturgical work, Book of Prayers in Common Today. This publication provides collects for Sundays and other important days which are common to (at least) Anglican and Catholic worship traditions. It is available for access and/or downloading on his website.
Last Thursday evening it was good to take part in Leave No Voice Uncounted, a workshop run by Common Grace Aotearoa Co-Director Kate Day. An important “work on” from this event is this: we can all gently and quietly encourage people we know—family members, friends, fellow parishioners—to make sure they are enrolled to vote in this year’s election. Recently, rules about enrolment were changed by our government, so that enrolment on election day itself is no longer possible. Enrolments must take place before the election voting period begins, that is, by midnight Sunday 25 October 2026.
Some links to reading relevant to recent or continuing matters of our day:
On the recent Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Belfast.
On AI, an “Anglican” view is offered here.
This coming Sunday, 19 July 2026 is Ordinary 16 and the Gospel is Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. What is the kingdom in view here? A strong clue seems to be in verse 38, ‘the field is the world’. Jesus has the whole world in view here and the spread of the kingdom of heaven through it. More than church congregational life is being considered in this parable. Life in the world, lived under the rule of God involves the children of the kingdom and the children of the evil one mixing together societally. The parable and its interpretation is a specific command for the kingdom children to refrain from attempting to carry out God’s judgment. What are children of the kingdom to do? The application of the passage is, in the end, plain for us: remain faithful to our calling as children of the kingdom, bearing grain (i.e. living fruitful lives for God), avoid becoming “weeds”, refrain from playing the role of God as judge, and patiently endure the presence of evil people in the world.
Arohanui,
+Peter.