This Week's News from Bishop Andrew

Kia ora koutou,

Episcopal consecration

It was good to share some time in Dunedin last week for the consecration of Bishop Anne. The cathedral was full of clergy, laity and many bishops as we gathered to celebrate this new beginning in ministry for +Anne, and new leadership for Dunedin. You can catch up on the news from the day online here at Anglican Taonga. If you want to see the video check out my eNews blog from last week for the livestream details, now on YouTube. We look forward to +Anne’s contributions to the House of Bishops’ meeting when we gather together in Palmerston North next week. The Pakeha Bishops will be having a day together on Tuesday before the whole House of Bishops gather across Wednesday/Thursday.

1 April 2025 – an auspicious and humble day

You may have enjoyed a fun prank or perhaps had one played on you this week as we marked the beginning of April. Of course Daylight Savings is not far from ending now that we have moved into April as we turn the clocks back on Saturday night providing everyone a wee sleep in this Sunday … no excuse to be late to church this week! However 1 April 2025 in Waiapu is the day we launched two new Archdeacons, created our first Resourcing Parish and saw the establishment of a new model for Ministry Education moving forward. This week in a very quiet way the work we have been doing to implement the strategy got underway following careful consultation and detailed planning. The Parish of Taradale has become a Resourcing Parish which is one of the styles of mission and ministry which we have committed to in order to bring about the fullness of the strategic priorities. If you’ve been following eNews for the past few months you will have seen several articles explaining Resource Parishes and our hopes for this model for Waiapu. We welcome Rev’d Alan Burnett into the role of Archdeacon of Hawke’s Bay Cities, and Hawke’s Bay Coast, and also Rev’d Peter Bargh into the role of Archdeacon of Tauranga City and Coast. There will be prayers for the commissioning and collation of the Archdeacons during the Chrism Mass services in Napier and Tauranga respectively during Holy Week. On this day we also saw the move to sharing the role of Ministry Educator 50/50 between the Rev’d Dr Deborah Broome and the Rev’d Alan Burnett. Deborah has served faithfully in this role for many years now throughout most of my episcopacy in Waiapu. During that time Deborah has been involved in delivering education to support lay and especially ordained ministry in Waiapu. In particular many people have experienced Deborah’s ministry through Lent Studies, written reflections, trainings on many aspects of ministry, conversations about discernment, training for formation for ministry, and more recently with Penny the Safeguarding training. We give thanks for Deborah’s steadfast commitment to Waiapu as Ministry Educator and for her involvement with other education activities within the province. As we move into a new phase of modelling education in ministry aligned with the Resourcing Parish model we are grateful to Deborah’s commitment to continue to serve. Personally I’m grateful for Deborah’s ministry, her commitment to serve God through the Church and to respond positively to a changing environment. 1 April 2025 rolled around without grand fanfare, appropriately as each of these changes in ministry began with a sense of service, diligence and humility in Christ, prepared for work and ready to serve the Church and God. Thanks be to God.

Te Manawa o Te Wheke Invitations

Te Manawa o Te Wheke have some important celebrations coming up next week.

On Saturday 5 April the centre at Holden’s Bay in Rotorua will be commissioned following extensive renovations over recent years. We are tremendously excited for +Ngarahu and the Amorangi as they reach this long held aspiration of providing a centre for education and ministry as a resource for the Amorangi and church as a whole. I can’t attend this event as I have committed to celebrate a wedding on the same day in Napier, however there is a good contingent of our team in Napier who will be attending along with others from the Bay of Plenty and around Waiapu. If you are nearby and can make the day it will be a wonderful celebration of new beginnings. View details here.

On Saturday 12 April  the Amorangi will be honouring +Ngarahu with a formal function to recognise his retirement from stipendiary ministry. A powhiri will be held at Tamatekapua in Ohinemutu, followed by a service giving thanks for +Ngarahu’s ministry over many years. I look forward to joining the Amorangi and others from around Waiapu and the whole motu as we gather to celebrate with thanksgiving. If you are able to attend please come along and join me in this special celebration. All are welcome, view details here.

Joint Statement on ‘Christian Seders’

Attached to this edition of eNews you will find a statement from our provincial Council for Ecumenism and Rabbi Dean Shapiro regarding the practice of ‘Christian Seder’ meals. The statement recommends that we do not to engage with the practice of ‘Christian Seder’ meals. The statement outlines the main reasons for this recommendation and provides links for further reading from Rev’d Bosco Peters on this matter to broaden our understanding. There are also useful resources to be found from the Council for Christians and Jews (UK) in the document “Why ‘Christian Seders’ are not a good idea: A brief explainer”. I endorse this recommendation  and encourage all parishes to abstain from the practice of ‘Christian Seder’.

I trust you are able to find some helpful resources to guide your reflections and prayer throughout Lent. It seems to be racing by this year with Holy Week not far away now. May these final weeks of Lent help nurture your faith and your sense of vocation in life.

God bless,

+Andrew