Pihopa Ngarahu retires
Today I want to begin by acknowledging the announcement from Archbishop Don earlier this week that Pihopa Ngarahu Katene will retire at Easter this year. Pihopa Ngarahu has been a steadfast episcopal colleague to all the Bishops, and a passionate leader within Te Hui Amorangi o Te Manawa o Te Wheke for many years. I have valued the time that I have had to be alongside Pihopa Ngarahu and have learned much from him during that time. We will join with Te Manawa o Te Wheke in their acknowledgements and farewells for Pihopa Ngarahu and we will share details of those opportunities as they become available. I wish Pihopa Ngarahu and Kamana God’s blessings and peace as they look forward to time in retirement together. You can read Archbishop Don’s announcement here.
Bishop’s Leadership Team
Over the summer my team have been working on a number of facets of developing the implementation of the Vision and Strategic Plan. An important aspect of their work has been to look at how we as a team communicate developments to the whole Diocese. Each week in eNews the team will share a reflection or some news of how their work is developing. Today you will find a reflection on “Resourcing Parishes”, including an outline of how a Resourcing Parish will help us to flourish as a Diocese. You can read more about that here.
Ministry Standards Commission, Registrar and Process
Yesterday I received an email from the Ministry Standards Commission advising of some changes to the staff team in their office and also some changes to the complaints process. There are two attachments which are a Letter to the Province, and a copy of the updated Complaints Process flow chart. The letter recognises the resignation of Wendy Ball and the announcement of Winston McCarthy as Ministry Standards Registrar, and Alice McCarthy as Deputy Registrar, who both commence in their roles today. The letter also introduces the inclusion of Kooyoora Limited, an organisation based out of the Diocese of Melbourne in Australia who have been contracted to support the Registrar with aspects of the complaints process, mostly in the reception and initial triaging of a complaint. We are likely to share some more information about this but the letter and flow chart are self-explanatory. The Complaints Process flow chart describes the process for the whole Province, and should replace any old flow chart documents in circulation. Any questions regarding the new process should be directed in the first instance to our Risk and Safeguarding Manager, Penny Hales: penny.hales@waiapu.com
The routine of the year is kicking off …
Our Standing Committee met today and it has been good to continue to build the sense of working together for the Diocese with the new membership since our Synod last year. Today we have spent some time looking at a variety of issues and concerns across the Diocese and were pleased to receive the initial end of year financial reports for the Diocese. This shows a significant improvement on an expected deficit which was approved by Synod 2023 to near break even position. Standing Committee have been monitoring the Diocesan team’s approach to deliver this result throughout 2024 and were very pleased with this indicative end of year balance. The Shared Services team under Neville’s leadership and with Colleen’s oversight are to be congratulated for delivering this fine turn around in financial performance. The finance team are busy working hard to deliver end of year financial statements for all the parishes and entities we serve and I know that it is their expectation to have these delivered to the parishes in time for AGMs.
Today was also the first meeting of the year for the weekly morning ZOOM for the Pakeha Bishops. It was good to see nearly all the Bishops able to gather by ZOOM to reconnect and check in on how our summers have been and talk about the issues and concerns. It was special to welcome Bishop-elect Anne van Gend to our meeting as we prepare for the service of consecration next month in Dunedin.
Over the next few months I will be inviting people to participate as members of our Faculties Committees. These groups assist me in authorising faculties for works to be done in our parishes, a helpful safeguard and support for parishes as they approach significant works and changes to the fabric of our parishes.
Overseas Mission Tikanga Pakeha
Last year I received the resignation of The Rev’d David van Oeveren as the Waiapu representative to the OMTP group. David had served well in that role and had been chair of the group. We now have a vacancy to fill and I know the group are keen to have a Waiapu representative. This group works closely across Tikanga Pakeha to support the work of overseas missions, aligned with our Anglican Missions Board. If you have an interest in being our representative please contact @Sandra Gifkins with the subject line OMTP – Waiapu. I will consider expressions of interest over the next fortnight and look to make an appointment in early March.
Continued prayers and support
We continue to hold Margie Delaney, Tim and all their family in our prayers, grateful for the supportive ministry of clergy, parishioners, community and friends who are able to provide encouragement and comfort close at hand for Margie.
Have a good week everyone,
+Andrew
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