Andrew Metcalfe — May 2, 2024

Keeping up to date with recent news about our parishes, organisations and the wider church.

Local & Wider News

Above: a few participants at the launch of Anne van Gend's new book: "Restoring the Story: the Good News of the Atonement", at Peter Mann House on 30 April. Want a copy? Contact Anne at enabler@calledsouth.org.nz or order via SCM

Anglican Family Care Community Connect Autumn-Winter 2024: Catch up with the latest from Anglican Family Care, including a real life example of how the Circle of Security made a difference in one family's life. and other stories. 

Change or Die: What gathered steam as a great idea in the 1960s and almost came to fruition as a form of organic unity in the 1970s, stumbled at the last hurdle and crashed to never rise again. I’m talking about the ‘Plan for Union’ (Rev Andrew Doubleday, UCANZ Ministry Facilitator, reflects on the future of cooperating parishes, Touchstone 2 May 2024). 

The Headlines are a powerful place to pray: Have a look at the latest news from Anglican Missions, including a new prayer blog (Anglican Missions, 30 April 2024)

Rev'd Michael Holdaway rings the reinstated bell at St Michael's — Image by: Andrew Metcalfe
Above and below: The bell tower at St Michael's, Otago Peninsula Parish, has been reinstated and rung with joy after a blessing from Bishop Steve. 
Bishop Steven Benford blesses the bell and tower. — Image by: Otago Peninsula Parish


Getting their vowel sounds right for Otago tour: Some of the country’s best young singers have been working on their vowels. The New Zealand Youth Choir embarks on a tour of Otago next week, and the Dunedin-based members say they are looking forward to performing in front of friends and family (ODT, 18 April 2024)

EPN Special with Al-Ahli Arab Hospital Director Suhaila Tarazi: a very special conversation captured on the fly at the Episcopal Parish Network Conference in Houston, Texas, with Dr. Suhaila Tarazi,he director of the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, which was recently in the news for a bomb that fell in their parking lot (The Living Church podcast, 8 April 2024). 

A simple model of ministry is emerging in New Brighton in Christchurch - walking alongside, listening and praying: Luke Watson is a 'Community Faith Connector' and is part of the St Faith's New Brighton ministry team. He listens to what the Spirit is doing in the hearts of people, offers prayer and walks alongside people - many of whom may not be part of the parish (Anglican E-Life, Christchurch, 17 April 2024)


Christchurch Catholic Cathedral decision made — CathNews

National Anglican News at Taonga 

Anglican Missions prays the news

Reverend Michael Hartfield and the team at Anglican Missions are sharing their humanitarian aid insights and prayers for the world with anyone who wants to log in to ‘Pray the news’.

Prayers hail hard-won unity

Catholic and Protestant worship leaders in Burkina Faso have spoken of their “ecumenical conversion” as they prepared this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which Southern Hemisphere Christians will mark between Ascension (May 9) and Pentecost (May 19) this year.

The Wider Church and World