Dear Friends,
Our special Synod held on Saturday, 22 June 2024 in the Transitional Cathedral considered the current financial challenge the Cathedral Reinstatement Project faces. The formal motions proposed to the Synod have been published on our Diocesan website. With a minor amendment to one of the motions, all were passed by the Synod. This means (in summary) that subject to a funding pathway to completion of the reinstated Cathedral we have agreed to contribute a further $16.2m of Diocesan funds to the Project. Since a significant portion of this amount would come from the sale of the Transitional Cathedral site, any such sale will need to be on the basis of that pathway being established (since otherwise we need to remain on that site) and on the condition that we have continued use of the site until we return to the Square. We also resolved to support CPT accepting recommendations to descope the Project such as reducing the seismic strength of the building from 100% New Building Standard to 67% of that standard, and deferring construction of the proposed Visitors’ Centre and Cathedral Centre to an unknown future date. Accepting such recommendations will reduce the overall cost of completion of construction from $248m (as announced on 6 April 2024) to $219m or lower. I thank all members of the Synod for their deep engagement in these important matters. Next steps in securing needed funds will focus on a formal conversation with the NZ Government. We continue to live by faith and not by sight with this Project!
This past Sunday it was good to be part of a very large congregation at All Saints’, Burwood in the Parish of Shirley, Burwood and Marshland where I confirmed five adults, Guy, Michelle, Kaylin, Piripi, and Ben. On Sunday evening we were at the Christ’s College Chapel for the last Sunday chapel service which Garth Wynne, Executive Principal, will take part in. Garth leaves Christ’s College at the end of this term and I wish him and Annie every blessing for the next chapter of their lives in Brisbane. I am grateful on this particularly busy and intense weekend that the Reverend Dr Carolyn Robertson preached at the morning service and Garth Wynne preached at the evening service.
All are welcome to our next Diocesan Ordination service. Cassie Tumanaga and Teresa Kundycki-Carrell will be ordained deacons at 10.30am on Saturday 20 July 2024 in the Transitional Cathedral, Hereford Street. Cassie will serve in the Parish of Shirley, Burwood, and Marshland, and Teresa will continue her ministry as Chaplain of The Cathedral Grammar School.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Bishop Kaleem John from the Diocese of Hyderabad, Church of Pakistan, would be visiting our Diocese around 12-16 July. Unfortunately, Bishop Kaleem has had to cancel his planned visit to Australia and New Zealand.
The Royal Commission on Abuse’s final report has now been presented to the Government, and the Commission has published this news release. The publication of the whole report will be in the week beginning 22 July 2024. During that week there will be further comment from our Archbishops and from me as part of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia’s response to the report. In the next few weeks there will be some pre-publication messages in e-Life to assist us as a Diocese to prepare for this report and its impact on those among us who are survivors of abuse (in whatever context that abuse occurred).
It is so disappointing to read day after day of war and consequential death and suffering continuing in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan (in particular among many troubled places on our planet). National and international leaders seem unable to bring change to these terrible situations. Worse in my view are the apologists for unnecessary suffering, especially populist politicians in Europe and the USA taking Putin/Russia’s side in his aggressive invasion of a sovereign nation. Let’s keep praying for a just and lasting peace everywhere.
Matariki is celebrated this weekend, and Friday is a welcome public holiday. It is good to learn of creative Christian engagement with Matariki and how it will be celebrated this weekend in our ministry units. Matariki is our Aotearoa recognition of the turn of a year as the star cluster Matariki (Pleiades) arises on our horizon after disappearing for a period. In Job 38:31, as the Lord speaks to Job, we read, “E taea ranei e koe te here nga ahuareka o Matariki, te wewete ranei nga here o Tautoru?” (Paipera Tapu) // “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the cords of Orion?” [NRSV] This is a reminder of the wonder of God’s power over and within the universe and a challenge to us to listen to what God wants us to do rather than tell God what should happen.
Last night recipients of grants from the Journey to Jesus fund – a fund provided by a generous benefactor to support ministry initiatives in the greater Christchurch area which develop discipleship – gathered for Evensong in the Transitional Cathedral and for a meal afterwards with the benefactors. Brief reports were given by recipient churches and Christian-based trusts. God is doing amazing things in the largest city in our Diocese and the variety of initiatives being taken across many churches, including Anglican churches, is inspiring. Our Diocesan journey to regeneration is helped by such benefaction. Across our whole Diocese I continue to be encouraged by reports of growth in congregations.
This Sunday 30 June is Ordinary 13 and the Gospel is Mark 5:21-43. A lot is going on in this “double” story of healing. Something to quiz the text on is asking what other transformations are happening apart from the physical healing of the young woman and of the older woman? One answer is that Jesus places the importance of women, young, and old at the centre of the kingdom of God.
Arohanui,
+Peter.