E te whānau O te Pīhopatanga O Otautahi, kia ora koutou katoa!
As you will be aware, Bishop Peter is currently on study leave. As Vicar-General, I will be working with the team at Cardale House to help keep the wheels of the diocese turning. I anticipate spending the bulk of my Tuesdays at 95 Tuam Street in his absence.
Last week I spent some time with Dean Ben, which is always a joy for me. Ben was our curate in the parish of Lincoln before his move to be vicar of Opawa-St Martins. When he was appointed as dean of Christchurch, there was a flush of joy, (and a modicum of permissible pride) in the congregations hereabouts, as well as amazement at how time flies by.
When Rev. Matt Maslin was appointed to the position of curate at the cathedral there was further incredulity that our former curate, now has one of his own! I was glad that Ben got to experience the joys and challenges of this relationship from the other side of the equation. Now he is having to wrestle with the anticipatory grief of seeing that curate depart into the cut and thrust of parish life as a vicar in his own right now that Matt has been appointed as the next vicar of the Parish of Bryndwr! His induction will be in early September.
In other news, Rev. Joshua Taylor has been appointed as the next vicar of the Parish of Avonhead. Joshua will be inducted in January 2026, following the completion of his doctoral studies at St John’s College in Auckland. I encourage you to pray for Matt, Josh, and the parishes of Bryndwr and Avonhead as they prepare for the next chapter in their journeys of faith.
It has been announced that Rev. Bruce Childs has died. Bruce was ordained later in life in a Local Shared Ministry context to serve in the parish Cheviot. May he Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.
2025 pre-Synod meetings are scheduled as follows:
Tuesday 12 August, 2pm – 4pm by Zoom
(https://anglicanchurch-nz.zoom.us/j/96973815483) Meeting ID: 969 7381 5483
Wednesday 13 August, 7pm – 9pm at St Barnabas
145 Fendalton Road, Fendalton
Tuesday 19 August, 7pm – 9pm at St Peter’s
2 Dyson Street, Temuka
Wednesday 20 August, 7pm – 9pm by Zoom
(https://anglicanchurch-nz.zoom.us/j/99683775457) Meeting ID: 996 8377 5457
He mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa.
Mark Barlow
Vicar General