It is with deep sadness that we share with you that our wonderful Communications Advisor, Duncan Brown, passed away last Thursday 2 December. Many of you across our Movement will have encountered Duncan and his mahi with us since he joined the team in 2016.

On the 13th November around 50 of our Oroua Anglican whānau picnicked in the paddock of George and Ellie Bartlett’s farm. Eight years ago, spurred by a call from Bishop Justin to plant more native trees, the Bartletts planted 10,000+ native trees on their farm.

Otaki to Ohakune. Cathedral to Carterton. One vocational deacon. Five transitional deacons. Fourteen priests. Five couples. Thirteen services.

Parishes with just a few motivated individuals can get the ball rolling for environmental transformation.

Our Masterton whānau had many reasons to celebrate this past Sunday 21st. As well as the ordinations of Mannie Marara, Lorna Grey and Peter Hull, St Matthew’s also baptised 13 people in a backyard swimming pool.

Submissions for the Emission Reduction Plan are due in tomorrow, the 24th of November. If you've done this and have a stack of completed submissions you haven't sent through to the Advocacy team, do it now so they can submit them by the deadline!

After 17+ years, Chris Casey is leaving the team at the Anglican Centre. The main focus of Chris’s ministry has been with our young people, from intermediate age to young adults. We spoke to Chris about his time with us.

It’s official. Our global leaders have formally concluded their negotiations at COP26 and plan to keep the earth’s warming within 1.5°C. While it looks alright on paper, the road ahead is neither clear nor straightforward and is lacking real oomph. Many critics are slamming international leaders for their “watered-down” deal - the promises are there, but they are non-binding begging the question of when will the matching actions follow? Though we have yet to see the delivery of majorly effective solutions, we can still acknowledge some of the smaller progresses and glimpses of hope from COP26.

We have reached the home stretch of COP26: UN Climate talks and there has been no shortage of big promises. If you haven’t been keeping up with COP, allow me to draw your attention to what I think are some pretty significant highlights. Collected and written by Olivia Yates, a member of Karakia for our Climate (K4OC).

At our recent Synod, again as a Movement we committed to being a people who advocate for care for our climate. Here are some upcoming opportunities for us to learn, pray and take action as hopefully Jesus people.

One of our Synod priorities is to care for our climate; safeguarding all creation by actively reducing carbon emissions. And now we have an opportunity to put forward submissions on the Emissions Reduction Plan that our government has released for consultation.

Last Tuesday, we joined with our brothers and sisters in faith to formally present a Climate Change Statement to the Minister for the Climate Change, Hon. James Shaw.

In this article you will find a summary of all the Motions passed at Synod 2021, as well as Elections.

At Synod, each Bishop casts the vision for the forthcoming season. Read Bishop Justin’s Synod Charge here.

At Synod, each Bishop casts the vision for the forthcoming season. Read Bishop Ellie’s Synod Charge here.

In this Hotspot, Archdeacon Sue updated Synod about the work of the Royal Commission, and outlined the Sacred Spaces, Safe People training being rolled out across the Diocese.