It's all go for the Wheelers
About a year ago, Scott and Nikki Wheeler from our Karori whānau were confirmed as new mission partners with NZCMS, destined for Kapuna in Papua New Guinea. But COVID-19 put a stop to all of that, throwing them into a year of waiting and wondering what might lie ahead. Now, their departure date has (almost) been set, and they're nearly ready to go.
Love into action: City Mission staff commissioned for important mahi
Wellington City Mission staff and their families gathered with our diocesan whānau at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul on Sunday afternoon, the 1st of February, for the first of what will hopefully become an annual event. Bishop Justin and Bishop Eleanor were there to commission the staff for their important mahi in the year to come.
What was broken can be mended: Waitangi Day celebrations in Ōtaki
What was broken can be mended - that's the belief of Rev. Dr Rangi Nicholson, Priest Assistant at Rangiātea Anglican Church in Ōtaki. He is, of course, referring to the relationship between Māori and Pākehā, the two peoples brought together by the Treaty partnership signed first at Waitangi nearly 181 years ago. We now look forward to another joint Waitangi Day celebration in Ōtaki.
Coffee with friends, for friends
Empowering people just by drinking coffee? It sounds like a stretch but Whanganui priests Rev. Paul and Rev. Ana Fletcher have found a way to do just that. With long friendships from their years in the cafe industry, they’ve teamed up with their friends at Crave and Kind Cafes in Auckland, and Addington Coffee Co-op in Christchurch to launch a new coffee brand that has “a strong social heartbeat.”
New Wine Festival sets us up for the year
Our friends from New Wine put on another smashing festival this Wellington Anniversary Weekend, with over 1,000 people gathering to camp at Kāpiti College for fun, worship and teaching for all the family. New Wine Festival has been running for over 25 years and serves as our annual diocesan family camp, where hundreds of us gather to share life in the summer sun together for five years.
Mission in Tītahi Bay: His will be done
As Carmen and Casey Lee prepare to move on from their many years of mission at St Matthew’s, Tītahi Bay, they share some thoughts on that time and being obedient to God’s call on their lives.
It only takes a minute to care
Rev. Chris Frazer shares some thoughts on how we prioritise our time during the holiday season.
How can I help this Christmas to be a good one for you too?
At a time when the rest of the country and the globe is busy celebrating, there will be many people who just don’t want to join in. Christmas and New Year can be a difficult and distressing time of year for lots of people, for many different reasons. For those living with mental distress of any kind right now, the increased stress can make life even harder to manage. When you offer those in mental distress some respectful support, you’re offering a gift that’s wrapped up in love.
Anglican Studies prepares for next year
We’re looking forward to another year of discipleship and formation in our 2021 Anglican Studies programme, and we are excited to offer two streams of study together. We will offer two semesters of in-person classes in 2021 as well as a selection of short 5-7 week courses as we have done in 2020.
Bishop Eleanor’s Psalm 23 tour blesses many
Over the last few weeks, Bishop Ellie has been travelling the length and breadth of the Diocese sharing the stories God has placed on her heart during her long period of illness and slow recovery during 2020.
Hundreds of people have now heard of God’s heart for each one of us to grow in deeper intimacy with Jesus.
Bishops’ Community Development Trust creator Keryn Martin steps down for sabbatical
In 2014, Bishop Justin was approached by a man with a plan. This man was a community-builder-for-Jesus extraordinaire, who had orbited the Diocese and could see the opportunities available for strategic kingdom partnerships.
In May of 2015, Keryn Martin established the Bishops’ Community Development Trust. This week, Keryn steps down from his role for a sabbatical period, and it is timely that we recognise the incredible achievement that has been made by Keryn, supported by his colleagues Adele, Annelies, and the trustees.
Bishop’s News: Royal Commission Update
We encourage all of our Diocesan whanau to continue to pray for the work of the Royal Commission into Abuse in State Care, as outlined in last week’s Bishops’ News. This week, there will be Redress Hearings relating to cases within the Anglican Church. Archbishop Philip Richardson and Archbishop Don Tamihere have released the attached statement on behalf of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we encourage you to read this. We also offer the following prayers…
The call to care for our global neighbours: Big Hearts
On Sunday, thirty churches across our Movement took action to call for generosity towards our global neighbours. During their church services, hundreds of Anglicans took time to write personal messages to Minister of Finance Grant Robertson and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta, urging them to boost aid funding.
Loving who God loves this Christmas – yourself
Your mental health matters 365 days of every year. Here are some ideas to help you enjoy this festive season – and be better able to enter 2021 positively.
Pathfinders – guiding the steps of our young leaders
Every second Sunday of the month, a group of around 20 young leaders from across the diocese have gathered at Anvil House, in Wellington Central to share stories, learn from one another, and hear the wisdom of those who have also walked through the challenges of leading.
Potatoes and God’s provision: a transitional housing story in Masterton
In collaboration with Project Manaaki, a group that works to support the homeless community in Masterton, some parishioners from St Matthew’s have been involved in getting a transitional house up and running in their community.
Big Hearts, Connected World: supporting a Collective Resilience Plan
In May of 2021, our government will announce a new three-year funding cycle. December is a critical time when politicians are setting priorities for the next year's budget. Their decisions will determine aid and climate finance spending for the next three years, so it's a key time to have our say on where the budget goes. In the lead up to this announcement our diocese wants to put forward the challenge for a Collective Resilience Plan to be implemented.
Suicide Grief - What makes it different? What support helps?
Grief is the normal process that begins after any difficult loss. It’s the way God’s wired us to be able to gradually adjust our life to the reality of what’s happened, and to slowly move forward. The thing is, while those bereaved by suicide face similar painful emotions as others who grieve a death, suicide grief is especially complicated.
