Message from the Bishop
Dear Friends,
Not quite Four Weddings and a Funeral but we have three Inductions, one Ordination for three people to be deaconed coming up and yesterday there was a Funeral.
Starting with yesterday, we had a lovely funeral for the late Reverend John Ford, at All Souls Merivale-St Albans. John died at the age of 93. He was ordained in 1949 and I think that made him the longest serving clergyperson in our Diocese. Incidentally, in one of the photos on the service sheet there was a photo of John at his ordination by Bishop Stephenson at Nelson Cathedral: also ordained then were Bill Wilkens (father of Jenny Wilkens, Fendalton Parish) and Bob Hughes (uncle of Dean Lawrence Kimberley).
Inductions: all welcome, clergy are invited to robe (alb and red stole), and local archdeaconry clergy are requested to robe.
- The Reverend Susan Gill, to be next Vicar of Ellesmere at 7pm on Thursday evening 21 November 2019 at St James’ Southbridge.
- The Reverend Toby Behan, to be next Vicar of Rangiora at 7 pm on Thursday evening 28 November 2019 at St John’s Rangiora.
- The Reverend Sampson Knight to be Vicar of Spreydon-Riccarton at 3 pm Sunday afternoon 1 December 2019 at St Martin’s Spreydon.
Ordinations: all welcome, clergy are requested to robe (alb and red stole). To be ordained deacon at 1 pm, Saturday 30 November 2019 in the Transitional Cathedral, Hereford Street, Christchurch:
- Cameron Pickering (for Merivale-St Albans)
- Mary-Jo Holdaway (for Ashburton and Mid Canterbury)
- Stephen Murray (for Ashburton)
Please pray for Susan, Toby, Sampson, Cameron, Mary-Jo and Stephen as they prepare for their new ministries.
Yesterday I had the privilege of chairing my first AGM for Anglican Care and the City Mission. The work undertaken on behalf of all of us under the banners of “Anglican Care” and “City Mission” is extraordinary, wide-ranging and constantly adapting to change in society. Reports reminded us of these great ministries in the service of Christ. Critical to all these ministries is the work of dedicated people both paid staff and volunteers, those who connect directly with people in need and those who assist with governance and management. In our meeting we made particular acknowledgements to two outstanding servants of the City Mission, Denny Richardson and Michael Gorman (see above photo). But we also thanked those who have completed terms of service on committees and boards and made presentations to two outstanding leaders in governance, to Moka Ritchie, Chair of Anglican Care Trust Board and to Nalini Meyer, Chair of the City Mission Committee. Our Anglican Missioner, Roger Sutton, spoke to the gathering on the topic “Climate Emergency: What Can Anglicans Do?”. Along with Roger the meeting also acknowledged the leadership and direction given by our City Missioner, Matthew Mark and Anglican Care’s Executive Officer, Patrick Murray.
On Sunday Teresa and I (and our family who had joined us for the weekend) enjoyed being with the congregation at St Paul’s Papanui. Please pray for the Parish of Papanui as today the Board of Nomination meets to select a new Vicar.
On Friday HRH Prince Charles and the Prime Minister visit the Cathedral in the Square. No doubt there will be reports in the media on Friday evening and in Saturday’s Press. I look forward to giving you my own personal report next Wednesday.
Blessings,
