For Hazel, prayer was a powerful tool as she and her husband faced daunting major spinal surgery - but when God answered her prayer, much to the surgeon's amazement, it became a story of spreading the Good News too.

Government ministers, CEOs, NGO leaders and migrant community representatives were all part of the recent "Tango i te Kaupae Muri - Take the Next Step" conference on people trafficking and exploitation, which we co-organised. It was a conference at which Government launched our new five year action plan to tackle the issue, and feedback suggests it has taken our country's response to the issue to a whole new level. Yet within days of it ending, another prosecution has hit the news - and the exploitation happened right under our noses.

Wellington City Mission, supported by New World, have come together to introduce an innovative new Social Supermarket, improving food security for Wellingtonians in need.

Rev. Jessica Falconer, Co-Minister in Charge in the Parish of Ōtaki, shares this encouragement for our children and family leaders, and us all.

The Government has increased their support for vulnerable seafarers visiting New Zealand ports, and this policy win is in part due to the advocacy of organisations like the Mission to Seafarers, led by our own Rev. Lance Lukin.

Churches in our diocese are busy preparing to hold their Mission for Submissions service in the coming weeks, and some are going all out to theme their service around the important need for us to respond to climate change.

Our climate advocacy team has been busy creating resources, so even if some of us can't host a speaker, or would prefer not to hold the service in the 14th of March, we can all still take part.

The kaupapa of Training Day has always been a gathering of the extended whānau, whilst upskilling and learning in the areas of ministry God is calling us into. And that kaupapa was strongly held to at our recent Training Day events, despite one of them being held online due to the week-long Level 2 lockdown.

Celebrating a new life is always special and hearing Matthew Bolton share his story of new life as a child of God was extra special – exciting even.

Climate change is a pressing global issue, but as we grapple for solutions that we can implement at a household or community level, the wero (challenge) can quickly overwhelm us. This year presents an important opportunity for us to answer that challenge, so we spoke to our Advocacy team to find out more.

Figuring out how to follow the Jesus way of life in the fast-paced 21st century can be a challenge, so our Anglican Studies team have developed a series of new short courses, or "conversations," that can equip us for the journey.

Last year in our posts we covered a wide range of challenges that mental distress can bring, both for those experiencing it and for those supporting them. We have greatly appreciated the feedback and contributions. This year we will bring a monthly post and we will look at further topics with the aim of increasing awareness, knowledge, and practical skills as we ‘do life together’ in our church communities, through thick and thin.

Alistair Davis from our All Saints Palmerston North whānau has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the motoring industry, business and sustainability. He spoke to us about his life's work, and the faith that underpins it.

An increasing amount of people within our movement are choosing to live in missional communities, centred around corporate prayer, hospitality and mission to those who are vulnerable.