Kia ora e te whanau,
Last week I spent some time in Wellington attending the Tikanga Pakeha Ministry Council meeting with our Ministry Educator, Rev’d Dr Deborah Broome. This group is representative of Bishops, Ministry Educators, laity and our national pakeha roles and its focus is on our collective discussions about education and formation across Pakeha Dioceses. We meet twice a year with a series of sessions across a day or two looking at contemporary issues for our life in the Church. Over the past few years we have been exploring themes relating to our relationships within the three Tikanga Church. In particular last week we spent time sharing with one another about our respective journeys with Te Reo Māori and our connections with Te Pihopatanga and the five Amorangi. It was an enriching conversation and one that reflected that collectively we are seeing relationships being the framework for our thinking about the future of our church, and that we have much work ahead of us together in this space. It is always good to connect with others in this setting and to be reminded of the beautiful diversity we share across the country.
On Saturday I attended the investiture ceremony for the Order of St John at Waiapu Cathedral, along the Rev’ds David van Oeveren and Jenny Chalmers, Area Chaplain and Regional Chaplain respectively. Our Dean, the Very Rev’d Di Woods supported the ceremony welcoming all to the Cathedral. In particular it was a pleasure to welcome our Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Cindy Kiro, to our Cathedral. Dame Cindy addressed the congregation speaking with reference to the Parable of the Good Samaritan and reminded us all of the strong commitment that our operational Ambulance staff make to their patients every day, attending to the needs of others in vulnerable situations despite whatever is going on in their personal life. It was a pleasure to share in this service of investiture with Archbishop Emeritus David Moxon, who has also been appointed at the Prelate of St John internationally and will take up that role in June 2025. The history and presence of the Church in the life of Hato Hone St John is an important foundation for the work that this organisation carries out every day in our community.
On Tuesday this week many of you will have turned your attention to the outstanding hikoi into Wellington and Parliament, presenting a message of kotahitanga and seeking equity and justice in relationships across Aotearoa. The Archbishops released a statement on this hikoi which is attached and articulates our position as leaders in the Church. We are the Church of the Treaty, our predecessors and ancestors helped create the treaty, promote the treaty and sign the treaty. Our commitment to living out the best version of our life as Anglicans in Aotearoa/New Zealand includes a steadfast commitment to honouring te Tiriti.
Earlier on Tuesday morning it was my pleasure to join with the Hereworth School community for the opening of the new Sports Centre. This tremendous facility has been many years in the dreaming, planning, fundraising and building and will be a wonderful asset for the school community. Hukarere School will also benefit from the building due to the good relationship that has developed between the schools since Hukarere moved into Havelock North. It was very good to see the school in good heart and with great excitement at this new facility.
I’m up in Gisborne today heading back to Hawke’s Bay this afternoon after spending some time with Rawhia Te Hau-Grant, our Kaihautū for Anglican Care Waiapu and introducing her to Atipihopa Don Tamihere and some of the team from Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa. It’s been good to hear how Rawhia has visited many places across the Diocese in just these past three weeks. I fondly remember by own whistlestop tour of the Diocese when I first started and see the benefit already for Rawhia in following a similar path. We continue to look forward to seeing how the opportunities for sharing and growth can be fostered and nurtured between Waiapu and Te Pihopatanga.
This weekend I’m looking forward to being with the community at Tikokino at the community church and sharing a Eucharist with them. I suspect it may be the first time in many decades that the Bishop of Waiapu has attended a service there, so that will add an extra note to the day.
Next week our ordinands will be on retreat and I will spend some time with them in their preparation for the ordination at the Cathedral on Saturday 30 November. Please keep Carl and Derry in your prayers as they and I prepare for the ordination service.
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