Dear Friends,
It is always a privilege to visit our ministry units. On Sunday morning we were in the Parish of Halswell-Prebbleton, led by its Vicar, the Reverend John Shoaf. Our first service was at All Saints, Prebbleton and the second service was at St. Mary’s, Halswell with lunch following. At each service it was announced that the Reverend Andrew Hoggan is beginning work as assistant priest in the parish for the next two years (0.5 FTE). At the second service, as well as praying for Andrew, I was able to pray for Marco Bischler who has recently begun working with young people in the parish (as well as working, in another role, with children and families in the Parish of Riccarton-Spreydon).
Sunday late afternoon, Teresa and I were at St Michael’s and All Angels for a Confirmation Mass in which three young men were confirmed—Thomas, Callum and Robert, who are pictured here with me and their Vicar, the Reverend Jordan Greatbatch. Please pray for them as they continue their journey of discipleship with Christ.
Late on Saturday news came through from Melbourne that Bishop Ric Thorpe, currently Bishop of Islington in the Diocese of London, and national bishop with responsibilities for church planting initiatives, had been elected the next Archbishop of Melbourne. Bishop Ric is well known to many Anglicans (and members of other denominations) through his frequent visits to Australia and New Zealand to speak at conferences on church planting and like subjects such as “pioneer churches”. The date for his installation later this year has not yet been set.
Thank you to everyone who prayed for children and youth at 5 pm on Sunday 25 May. Our Day of Prayer, joining with other dioceses around the world is coming up Saturday 7 June 2025. So far, we have seven ministry units covering the 9 am to 2 pm opportunities for prayer. We would love to hear from a ministry unit (or other grouping of intercessors) covering the periods 2 pm to 3pm and 4 pm to 5 pm. During the afternoon, there will be a prayer walk around the circumference of Hokitika. Tim Handley our coordinator for the day would welcome new from individuals/groups who are planning to pray during the day—even a willingness to prayer for 15 minutes at a particular time during the day would be an encouragement. In the next few days, information about a format for prayer will be distributed to all who have been in contact with Tim hand.tim@gmail.com
As part of the Day of Prayer, I will be leading an Hour of Prayer, 10 am to 11 am at the Transitional Cathedral on Saturday 7 June and welcome all who wish to join with me there.
Roger Bridge, a well known Canterbury businessman and leading figure in the National Party has died and his funeral is at 2 pm, Thursday 5 June, in the Transitional Cathedral. I want to acknowledge here, with gratitude, Roger’s service to the Diocese as a Church Property Trustee through a critical period in the decision-making to proceed with the reinstatement of the Cathedral, as well as working on the Project in other ways, with other groups, including the government Cathedral working group.
The Reverend Dr Bryden Black has died and his funeral is at 1 pm, Friday 6 June, at St. Christopher’s, Avonhead. Bryden and Cathy, with their four children, came to live in Christchurch about the turn of the century. After ministry training at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, Bryden was ordained in 1977 and served in Zimbabwe before returning to Oxford for Ph.D studies under Alistair McGrath. In 1988 the family moved to Melbourne where Bryden was in ministry until shifting across the Tasman to Christchurch in 2000. Bryden’s particular connection to Christchurch was through his grandfather, well-known cricketer, businessman and philanthropist, Arthur Sims. The move to Christchurch involved taking up responsibilities with a family farm in North Canterbury. Between farm responsibilities, ministry commitments (especially at St. Christopher’s, Avonhead) and theological writings, Bryden has lived a busy life in this part of the world, made many friends and influenced many people. He will be much missed, not least by me. Please pray for Cathy and their family as they prepare with the Reverend Dr John Fox for the funeral next Friday.
Samuel Williams—formerly of Christchurch (by upbringing, schooling, and involvement in the Parish of Opawa-St. Martins and the Transitional Cathedral) and Dunedin (where his initial theological studies took place), and following theological study in Germany and Scotland, and ministry training at St. Stephen’s House, Oxford—will be ordained deacon at 11 am Saturday 28 June 2025 at St. Andrew’s, Holburn, London. Please pray for Sam as he prepared for ordination.
All are welcome to the Hura Kōhatu (unveiling of the grave) for the late Bishop Richard Wallace at 11 am Wairewa [Little River] Urupā Saturday 31 May 2025 followed by Hākari at Te Pā Mihinare o Te Waipounamu, 290 Ferry Road, Waltham. Please RSVP to admin@waipounamu.org.nz
This coming Sunday, 2 June is Easter 7 or Ascension Day transferred. The Gospel readings are either John 17:20-26 or Luke 24:44-53. An emphasis in the reading for Easter 7 is unity. An emphasis in the reading for Ascension is mission. The responsibility God through Christ places on the people of God—the church—is a twin responsibility: to be one body of Christ, our unity being part of our witness to the work of God in Christ to reconcile all things to himself; and to witness to Christ, in word and in deed, continuing the mission that God sent Christ into the world to accomplish.
Arohanui,
+Peter.