Greetings all, I trust this finds you well and getting into the feeling for Advent and preparations for Christmas.
Napier’s 150th
Last week I joined the Mayor of Napier, her Worship Kirsten Wise, and members of the Napier/Ahuriri community in a celebration of 150 years since Napier was formed as a borough. The celebration day began with a civic commemoration at the Napier Soundshell which included the Napier Girls’ and Napier Boys’ High Schools choirs and kapa haka groups. There were also visiting guests from Napier’s sister city, Victoria in British Columbia including the city Mayor and leaders from First Nations peoples.
Ordinations
It was a great joy to ordain the Rev’ds Derry Boylan and Carl Tinnion to the Holy Orders of Deacon and Priest respectively on Saturday. Family, friends, clergy and parishioners gathered from around the Diocese for this ordination service which was supported by the Dean and Cathedral clergy as well as the Cathedral Choir. We enjoyed a wonderful celebration and wish Derry and Carl God’s blessings as they begin their new ministries among the people of God.
Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Dunedin
The Primates have announced today that the Ven Dr Anne van Gend is the Bishop-elect of the Anglican Diocese of Dunedin. We send Anne our warm prayerful support as she prepares to enter into episcopal ministry in this Church. The full announcement is attached in this edition of eNews.
Strategic work continues
On Monday I attended a conference in Brisbane which was led by the Rev’d Sarah Jackson, a priest from the Church of England, who is CEO of the Church Revitalisation Trust (CRT). Sarah shared the work of CRT as one way in which the Church of England is empowering the re-missioning of parish churches, planting new churches, and resourcing existing parishes to further the ministry in their context. Attending the conference with me were Colleen, Graeme and Alan and we shared a private conversation with Sarah over lunch to delve deeper into the thinking that informs CRT. This gave us an appreciation of how we could adapt an approach from three decades of experience in England that would support the vision we have set for Waiapu, and make sense with the ecclesiology, theology and constitutional frameworks in our Diocese. One encouraging aspect of our discussion was that the methodology of CRT is aligned with the values and thinking that have emerged in the development of the Waiapu Diocesan Vision. Also of interest was the diversity of parishes that have been nominated as Resource Churches in England, including the well-known St Martins-in-the-Fields parish in central London. In 2025 the Diocese of Auckland is hosting the Vicar of that Parish, well-known author the Rev’d Sam Wells, and we are working on creating space for Sam to visit Waiapu, or for some clergy and laity from Waiapu to join in his time with Auckland.
Common Grace Aotearoa resources
The resources available from Common Grace Aotearoa have been carefully considered and formed by leaders from across the wider life of the Church to assist the Church at a local level to grow in awareness and understanding of issues of justice and equity in our nation, and to also help individuals and groups to respond. The resources are easily accessible, well researched and informed and founded on sound theology. I encourage you to look at these resources for yourself, and to share them in small home groups, study sessions and consider making your voice heard in response to the issues raised. https://www.commongrace.nz
I hope you all have a good week ahead and can enjoy the increase in sunshine around the country.
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