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, YosayB 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:
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7pm, Sunday 21 December 2025, Nine Lessons and Carols at the Transitional Cathedral. This will be an extraordinary musical feast.
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7pm, Tuesday 20 January 2026, at St. Christopher’s, Avonhead, when the Reverend Joshua Taylor will be inducted as Vicar of Avonhead.
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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.