Dear Friends,
All are welcome to the Ordination of Margaret Neate as a deacon at 10.30 am, Saturday 28 November 2020 in the Transitional Cathedral. Clergy, alb and red stole. Preacher: The Very Reverend Lawrence Kimberley. Refreshments to follow. Note that parking is becoming more limited due to the closure of adjacent streets to make way for the new stadium. Parts of Cashel Street and Lichfield Street are now closed meaning there is less street parking close to the TC. Parking is available in the following nearby parking buildings: 158 Hereford Street; 71 Lichfield Street; Nurseryman Lane in the SALT District; and 198 Manchester Street.
Also, a welcome to all to the Induction of the Reverend Kofe Havea as the Vicar of Cashmere, 3 pm Sunday 29 November at St. Augustine’s Church, Cracroft Terrace, Cashmere. Preacher: Archdeacon Nick Mountfort. Refreshments to follow.
Looking further ahead re an Induction, the venue for the 3pm Saturday 12 December Induction of the Reverend Edrick Corban-Banks as Vicar of Akaroa-Banks Peninsula is St Peter’s Church, Akaroa.
I am pleased to announce the following appointments:
- The Reverend Kirstie McDonald to be Priest in Charge of Woolston, 0.4 FTE, beginning 1 December 2020.
- The Reverend Geoff Haworth to be Priest Assistant, Parish of Merivale-St Albans, 0.15 FTE, from 1 December 2020.
- The Reverend Ivan Jones to be Priest Assistant, Parish of Merivale-St Albans, 0.4 FTE for a fixed term, 13 December 2020 to 4 April 2021.
- The Reverend John de Senna and the Reverend Christine de Senna to be Co-Interim Priests in Charge, Parish of Mt Herbert, 0.4 FTE for three months from 09 February 2021.
Ordinations in Wellington: Last Saturday, among ordinations in Wellington Cathedral for the Diocese of Wellington, Andrew and Emily Spence—well known to many in our Diocese—were both ordained deacons. Michael Hartfield, National Director of the Anglican Missions Board was ordained deacon and will serve both in the sphere of Missions work and in his local Parish of Island Bay.
It feels like requirements on us re Compliance (in various areas of ministry, property and finance) increase on an almost daily basis. I ask for the forbearance of clergy, churchwardens, vestries and parish secretaries as a number of matters are circulated to you before Christmas. Beyond the forbearance when the emails arrive, as officers of the church we will need to act on these matters!
This past weekend it was a joy to confirm Robert, Leisa, Gene, Sandy, and Cheryl in the Parish of Sumner-Redcliffs and Ripeka in the Parish of Fendalton.
Cole Yeoman a student at Ara and a member of the Parish of Bryndwr writes, “Kia ora, we are a group of students studying at Ara, looking for accommodation in central Christchurch where we can start a Christian flat.
I’m really excited by the opportunity we have as students to connect with other students, and through those relationships share our faith and invite others into exploring their beliefs and what a relationship with Christ looks like for them. A big part of that is having a living space close to Ara (the closer the better!) where we can welcome people, and use as a location for prayers, worship and other gatherings. We’re looking for a 3-bedroom location, but we’re flexible so keen to hear of any locations that might work well! Let us know. 😊 Ngā mihi, Cole Yeoman.” If you know of a potential flat/house which could be an excellent base for this missional community, please let me know via Veronica Cross, bishopsea@anglicanlife.org.nz.
This Sunday we begin a new church year with the first Sunday of Advent—the Gospel for 2020/21 will be Mark and the gospel reading on Sunday is Mark 13:24-37. This passage is somewhat brutal. Jesus confronts us with the prospect of disaster and difficulty, presaging the end of the world and prefacing the return of Christ in glory both to judge and to bring home to God the elect. If Christ comes tonight, are we ready to meet him?
Arohanui,
