Lockdown gave a us all an opportunity to think differently about how we do church. Moving into Alert Level 2 presented even more challenges for our larger congregations about how we meet in person with the limitations that came with it. Café Church is one of the responses to that challenge, and they have just turned 1! 

The Get one. Give one. campaign, launched last week, encourages New Zealanders to contribute to a global initiative that funds vaccine equality in countries that may otherwise miss out. When you get your COVID-19 vaccine, give $10 so that one of the world’s most vulnerable can get theirs. Let’s pass our gratitude on. Because COVID-19 won’t be over until it’s over for everyone.

Hello from Papua New Guinea! Thank you to those of you who have reached out to check on how we are doing since our last update. Things have been a bit up and down and challenging to navigate with COVID-19 since its arrival here in Kapuna.

Rev. Sarah McMenamin spoke in Fielding recently about why she marched in the hīkoi to establish Māori wards in Manawatū. Since the hikoi and preaching this message, the council changed their vote in favour of the new wards. Sarah talks on the importance of being transformational.

The years of work we have invested in welcoming our newest Kiwis hit an unexpected hiatus when our borders closed last year, but the Red Cross advises that resettlement of former refugees is about to resume – and we are looking for willing volunteers to help us lay down the welcome mat.

“It felt like an impossible dream, but here we are, one year later!” Sharon Williams, and her colleagues dreamed big last year when lockdown hit the community in Shannon hard.

Last Tuesday we brought you an update on Al Ahli Hospital and the situation in Gaza. Now more than ever they require our support. Al-Ahli is calling for help to fund medical supplies, essential medicines, and fuel to keep the generators operating. And Anglican Missions has launched an emergency appeal so we can help.

Find out some of the different ways we have approached Thy Kingdom Come across our movement and get some inspiration for next year!

Last Thursday the Government announced Budget 2021. Our diocesan Advocacy Enabler, Kate Day, updates us on whether our calls for increased overseas aid was heeded. She told us: “This was the Government’s opportunity to stand with the world by raising overseas aid and climate finance for the next three years. Unfortunately, they did not.”

Rev. Dr Joe McGarry, who leads our Anglican Studies, together with Dr Andrew Shepherd from the University of Otago’s Centre for Theology and Public Issues, is co-organising this year’s Morph event. Many of you will remember previous Morph events as an evening of TED-style contributors presenting on topics of interest to our time. Joe tells us about the conviction that drives him to be a theologian in this season.

What are you doing in your community for Thy Kingdom Come? Many of us are hosting regular rhythms of prayer and prayer vigils as we pray for our five friends or family members to come to know the amazing love of God. In Wairarapa, Thy Kingdom Come will conclude with an ecumenical service at Wairarapa College where all the churches in the Wairarapa will come together as one.

The conflict in the Holy Land (Gaza), has been on many people’s minds these last couple of weeks. Anglican Missions have been checking in with their partners at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City who provide free medical care to the poorest of the poor, with a particular focus on refugees, women and children.

Last Saturday afternoon, we gathered in Hadfield Hall, Ōtaki to celebrate the ordination of Colette Stevens as a Vocational Deacon.

We feel like we always say this, but it is true: our hearts are full of gratitude. This weekend over 500 mission and ministry teams from almost all of our local parishes, chaplaincies and other arms of God’s church in this Diocese gathered at El Rancho for Ministry Leaders Family Camp. Our theme was Renewing, Rebuilding, and we gathered to be refreshed after the 12 months that it has been. Huge thanks to the many people who made this all happen. It was so good to be together and we are so mindful of our privilege in doing so.

Rev. Rebecca Apperley from the Cathedral’s Café Church community is looking forward to hosting intergenerational Zoom prayers during Thy Kingdom Come. Here’s what she has to say.