Manawatū iwi were hopeful for a voice at the Council table with the establishment of a Māori ward in time for the 2022 local election. But when Council voted against the move on the 6th of May, hundreds of Feilding locals - Māori and Pākehā alike - decided to march on Council offices. Joining the march was the town's Priest in Charge, Rev. Sarah McMenamin, and colleagues from our nearby churches in Palmerston North, Rev. Andy Hickman and Rev. Amy Houben.

Have you ever seen those inspirational wall decals that say things like "in this house, we do family, we do fun, we do laughter, we do hugs..." They remind the family who dwells therein of the values and kaupapa of the house. This weekend (7-9 May), our ministry leaders and their families spent 48 hours being refreshed and renewed at El Rancho Camp, and we could practically write a diocesan decal based on the experience.

As winter comes closer we’re seeing less sunshine and light in our days. It’ll be the shortest day (June 21st) before our darker mornings and nights gradually start to get lighter. It can seem like a long wait.

Have you ever noticed that every year there are some seasons that negatively affect your mood, or the mood of someone you know?

It can seem hard to know whether our prayers for others are heard, or even answered. Yet despite the sporadic nature of our prayer life, we can know that God hears and responds, as we see in this story from Rev. Ana Fletcher, from St Peter’s Anglican Church in Gonville, Whanganui.

Dominating the intersection that overlooks our Parliamentary buildings, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul was built to be a cathedral for the nation. Now overlooking the most secular city in the country, it was still here in our Cathedral that the nation farewelled our Queen's loyal and loving husband - and behind the ceremony was the hard work and long hours of Richard, Katie, David, Pixie, Michael, and our whole Cathedral whānau.

Dr Andrew Shepherd is a lecturer in theology and public issues at University of Otago, with his office based at the Anglican Centre. He wrote for the Otago Daily Times recently, asking what moral frameworks should be used to shape our future economic models and practices as we grapple with climate change.

Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to our life or safety but can be any event or situation that leaves us feeling overwhelmed by fear, horror, helplessness, or distress. The greater the trauma, the greater the impact it has on us. Trauma is subjective – what one person may find deeply traumatic another might not.

Just over 100 members of our St David’s Naenae whānau had a wonderful kingdom experience on their church site during Palm Sunday weekend. It was a Palm Saturday/Sunday Sleepover and Climate Change Prayer Vigil on the St David’s church site, with plenty of activities, food and fun.

Many of us have experienced rest, re-creation, refreshment and manaakitanga at Ngatiawa River Monastery. Now, our NRM family are asking for our help - to stay accessible by repairing the legendarily pot-holed driveway.

Palmerston North’s Māori name, Papaioea, means “how beautiful it is” – and several Palmerston North Anglicans pitched in on a project recently that gave new life to that description.

Without the benefit of hindsight, the disciples gathered in Bethany six days before the Passover, where a meal was given in honour of Jesus.  They did not realise the suffering He would undergo on behalf of them and all of us, they had not fathomed the work of power and love that would occur on the third day. Openly criticising Mary in front of the gathering for pouring out such expensive perfume on Jesus' feet, Judas missed the point, and Jesus' response to him poses some interesting questions to us all.

We just wanted to shout out a huge thank you to all those who took part in the Climate Mission for Submissions over the last few weeks – together, we are raising our voices to make a difference for the biggest issue facing our planet.

Warning: This article contains discussions around self-harm and suicide

In Aotearoa and across the globe self-harm is, and continues to be, a complex and increasing issue. Despite a growing awareness of mental distress, the act of self-harm continues to bring a lot of misunderstanding, confusion and concern for those struggling, their families, whānau, and friends. As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus and model his compassion for those in distress. Today we will look at how to do this in the context of self-harm.

The donkey hire industry must have had a bumper weekend this past Palm Sunday, with a number of parishes using live donkeys to bring the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem to life. In our Rongotea whānau, the humble creature chosen to play the part went by the name of Pockets, and the many children there were delighted to have her there.