Message from the Bishop

Dear Friends,

Please pray for all members of Synod as we prepare to gather tomorrow evening 7 September and work our way through business on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 September, at St. Christopher’s, Avonhead. Members of the Diocese are welcome to attend Synod sessions and to sit in the public gallery when doing so. Version 5 of our bills and motions is at https://www.anglicanlife.org.nz/about-us/diocesan-synod/christchurch-diocesan-synod-2023-bills-and-motions/ . A critical discussion in Synod, prioritised for the first morning of Synod, is our progress on implementing the Diocesan Mission Action Plan.

We begin Synod with our Synod Eucharist at 7 pm, Thursday 7 September in the Transitional Cathedral—all members of the Diocese are welcome to join Synod members for this occasion. For those unable to attend and wishing to join by viewing the service online, the link is: https://youtube.com/live/PRzwrfS214U.

I note that the beginning of Synod on Saturday morning (8.30 am for 9am) coincides with the end of the All Black’s first match of RWC 2023 (which begins at 7.15 am). The result of this match will determine whether AB’s quarter-final match is on a Sunday morning or not. After the recent loss to South Africa, it would be unwise to make a call about whether we then need to think about timing of semi-final and final games!

It was very good to be at St Aidan’s Bryndwr on Sunday, to confirm Tessa Vanderklei and to celebrate St Aidan’s feast day.

I once again commend the Leading your Church into Growth conference coming up from the 12–14 October. I occasionally hear those who say they’ve ‘done LyCiG’ and so can’t see the benefit of attending twice. That would be a bit like a professional golf player believing she never has to practice her swing. She may not remain a professional for long! So, if you were at LyCiG last year, bring a team this year and have the lessons learned embedded more deeply into our ministry practice. I am very encouraged that there are now over 60 registrations—however the close off date is coming up on Monday 9 October. Click here to register.

The Installation of the Reverend Canon Ben Truman as Dean of Christ Church Cathedral will take place at 7 pm, Wednesday 29 November 2023 in the Transitional Cathedral. Please save the date now in your diaries.

This Sunday, 10 September 2023, is Ordinary 23. The epistle reading is Romans 13:8-14. The lectionary skips the first part of Romans 13, which is a pity so close to a general election, not least because these affirm the authority of government to oversee a justice system and to collect revenue! Our epistle reading this week is still germane to election seasoning of the airwaves with promises and policies. First, as we discern how we will cast our vote, which set of policies and promises will fulfil the law, “love your neighbour as yourself.” Secondly, the last part of the passage lifts our horizons beyond the situation of this time. The day of the Lord—the day when we will all be held to account before God for how we have lived—is “nearer to us now than when we became believers.” Are we living in readiness for that great day?

Arohanui,

+Peter