Message from the Bishop — 26 February 2025
Dear Friends,
It was a privilege to be at St. Nicholas’, Barrington Street in the Parish of South Christchurch on Sunday and to confirm Pita, Lorraine, and Stephen. A special joy is seeing the growth and development – the regeneration – of the congregation there under the leadership of the Reverends Jeff and Jo Cotton.
On Tuesday, the Reverend Jolyon White and I made an oral submission to the Select Committee on the Treaty Principles bill. In this submission we highlighted a key point in a written submission made with the approval of Standing Committee: “Our primary objection to the Principles of the Treaty Bill is that it was written by one party to a treaty without agreement from the other party to that treaty.” This objection flows out of our experience of being a Three Tikanga Anglican church in these islands. Māori, Pakeha, and Polynesia talk with each other first before any one party to our constitution presumes to advance a change to our foundational documents.
In our wider world much is being said about the cataclysmic changes occurring in international politics, most disturbingly and visibly illustrated in the past day or so by the USA siding with Russia and North Korea in a UN motion about Ukraine. I share one thing with you which I read – something apt for today but said a very long time ago by the ancient Greek historian Thucydides in his History of the Peloponnesian War, 5.89: the powerful act and the weak give way. Or, paraphrasing: the powerful do what they like and the rest of us get bullied.
The times may be a-changing, but the rhythm of our church calendar continues. Next week Lent begins with Ash Wednesday services. I remind you that if nothing is available to you locally, then you are warmly welcomed to the Transitional Cathedral at 5.30pm for the annual Anglican-Catholic Ecumenical service, with Bishop Michael Gielen preaching.
In relation to Patrick Chrisp’s appointment, announced last week, to serve in the Parish of Hornby, Templeton and West Melton, if any reader knows of a house/flat to rent (with at least two bedrooms) in the Hornby or adjoining suburbs’ area, please contact Veronica Cross, my EA, at bishopsea@anglicanlife.org.nz .
I commend “A Short Course in Christian Living” to you, facilitated by the Diocese of Christchurch’s Cursillo Community. Running from 6pm on Friday, 21 March to 4pm Sunday, 23 March 2025 at Cracroft, 151 Cashmere Road, Cashmere, Christchurch, this weekend offers refreshment in the basics of the Christian faith and Christian discipleship. Further details are noted elsewhere in e-Life.
Cole Yeoman, on behalf of Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine, writes, “a group of us have been working on ways to mobilise our faith community behind the call for humanitarian visas/reunification for those in Gaza with family in NZ, as we approach day 50 of the Gaza ‘ceasefire’ deal and the anticipated withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt (God willing) allowing exit. Following our friends at Palestinian Christians in Australia, we’ve created an open letter for Christian leaders, organisations, churches and denominational bodies to endorse. ‘Christians United for Refuge Aotearoa‘ gives a short, clear call to get the widest spread of faith leaders endorsing it as possible. We know that combined churches have a strong voice, particularly with this current government, so we’re hoping this might renew momentum for the call at this critical moment.” I have signed this letter, noting that in the terror of recent violence in Gaza, one of the least things we could do via the agency of our government is offer refuge to at least a small group of Palestinians. The intention of the letter is that it can be delivered to Parliament on Ash Wednesday.
Sadly, and very annoyingly, there is a burglary ring targeting lawn mowers: in recent days lawn mowers have been stolen from locked sheds in at least two of our parishes (in Christchurch city). Please be vigilant, secure, and seek advice from the Church Property Trustees.
This coming Sunday, 2 March is Ordinary 8 – the last Sunday before Lent. The Gospel reading is Luke 6:39-49. Challenge and encouragement abound in this last part of the Sermon on the Plain. What speaks to you most plainly?
Arohanui,
+Peter.