Dear Friends,
I am writing from frosty Hanmer Springs where about 80 people are gathered for our annual Clergy Conference.
We have been having an excellent time together, based at the Hanmer Springs Retreat, with morning and night services held at the Church of the Epiphany (thank you to Vicar Natasha Glenderran for lighting the log fire which heats the church)! Our theme has been “Refresh”.
It has been a joy to receive ministry from Pihopa Richard Wallace and from Paul and Lesley Askin, helping us to reflect respectively on our bicultural partnership with Tikanga Maori and on how faith in Christ can be strengthened even in the midst of suffering and loss.
It’s been my privilege to lead two Bible studies from the Acts of the Apostles. Our Diocesan Ministry Educator has led us through an important workshop on Title D – on what it means to minister to the highest standards and what our process is should we fail to meet those standards.
Thank you for praying for our Conference, it is much appreciated.
On Sunday night Teresa and I were at Christ’s College for a Choral Eucharist. During this service I dedicated two plaques, one which lists the ten Wardens of the College and one which lists the fourteen Chaplains of the College. My role as Warden of Christ’s College is the only role I have, that I am aware of, in which I count Bishop Selwyn as a predecessor!
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. It is one of my favourite Sundays of the year because we celebrate the fullness of God’s revelation through Scripture, that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a communion of love from which Jesus Christ God’s Son is sent in love that we might be saved and not perish.
Arohanui,
