This has been a series by Michael Godfrey over the Easter Season, read on for the last reflection. The reflections will return after a short break with a focus on daily mass readings.

Our Child, Youth and Family Educator has created some activity sheets for children for the celebration of Pentecost.

The Bishops have received some advice from the Ministry of Health on singing in congregational settings and have also received new guidelines for religious gatherings.

We moved to Alert Level 2 at 11.59 pm on Tuesday 7 September 2021. This has meant some adjustments for faith communities, with a requirement for contract tracing, up to 100 people only indoors and encouragement to wear face coverings. The Diocesan office is open Monday to Friday 9 to 3 pm, please let us know if you want to visit (03 488 0820) and bring your face covering with you.

Below are links to the Pandemic Response Framework and Diocesan Policy for Worship at all Alert Levels.

There has been a long awaited revision of the restrictions on gathering numbers... but we need to plan carefully and stay safely on the path.

At Level 2, some staff have returned to the Diocesan office and some are continuing to operate mostly in a remote capacity. We can continue to help with setting up your virtual meetings......

We are continuing to update our list of on-line worship opportunities, many you can use any day. We also have a link to an excellent Tear Fund resource if you - or others you are supporting - are feeling stressed.

Supporting children who have a special need in Fort Portal, Uganda Africa. Please read on for an urgent appeal for food relief supplies....

With the increasing plight of many in our communities and the demand on foodbanks, this is an ideal way to offer assistance when goods can't be collected in our parishes.

The Theology Programme at the University of Otago is offering another series of “Faith Thinking on Zoom” - one hour FREE sessions on Zoom, generally led by one of the staff of the Theology Programme. These will involve input on a topic followed by facilitated discussion.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence runs from November 25 – the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to December 10 – International Human Rights Day. It is a global campaign to focus our efforts towards working to eliminate violence against women in our families, our communities and our world.