Known in the breaking of the bread Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whos

Many of our parishes across the Diocese of Waiapu have made the decision to not hold services tomorrow morning, Sunday 12 April, due to the forecast timing and severity of Cyclone Vaianu. These decisions have been made at a local level by each parish and supported by Bishop Andrew Hedge. The Cathedral will be closed, however the Cathedral clergy will be hosting an online service of worship via ZOOM which is open for anyone to join. We welcome you to share in this service of p

From Bishop Andrew Hedge This weekend Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to cover much of the North Island, bringing gale‑force winds across the Diocese of Waiapu. Please prepare first for your own safety. Follow reliable weather forecasts such as MetService  and MetService on YouTube . Be ready to self‑evacuate if necessary, with the basics and a grab bag. Stay alert to advice from your local Civil Defence  group. Keep tuned to Radio New Zealand  for any state of emergency declarati

What happens when love leads us ? Around 2,000 years ago there was a teacher who told his disciples that he had a new commandment for them. “You should love one another”, he said, “in the same way as I have loved you.” Most of us would welcome that idea. It evokes a sense that we could be fair, and just, and kind to each other and even have compassion for one another. It sounds good. But if we know the story, then we know that what this teacher had in mind was far more than j

Happy Easter everyone. This year I had the pleasure of journeying through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday with the Parish of Havelock North, and then at our Cathedral for the Easter Vigil and Easter morning.    As I reflect on these photos from the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral, I’m reminded how the light of that night continues to guide us into the season we now inhabit. Easter is not a single day but a fifty‑day journey in which the Church lingers with the mystery and joy o

2026 Chrism Mass Sermon – Luke 4.16–21 The Rt Rev’d Andrew Hedge, Bishop of Waiapu We gather today at one of the richest, and most demanding, moments in the life of the Church. The Chrism Mass always draws us close to the heart of our vocation, and this year it does so in a context that many of us feel deeply in our bones. We are in the midst of Holy Week and the threshold of the Triduum. The pace of ministry has not been light. The years behind us have not been easy. Many of

The day that changes everything   Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the

E te whanau a te Karaiti o Waiapu, Greetings and peace to you all as we enter Holy Week. I am pleased to announce two new appointments, effective 1 May 2026. These roles are part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening communal life, deepening discipleship, and fostering greater connection across Waiapu. The Rev’d Christopher Tweddell will serve as Ministry Educator and Archdeacon located in the Bay of Plenty. The Rev’d Dr Deborah Broome will serve as Ministry Educator a

Today the Anglican Communion has celebrated in witnessing the installation of the 106 th  Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev’d and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally. All around our province we rejoice at Archbishop Sarah’s appointment and look forward to the continued connection with See of Canterbury, one of the four instruments of our Anglican Communion. Our Primates, Archbishops Don, Sione and Justin, were all present at the service to represent our province and share in the

The Cooperating Parish of St Francis in Clive and Haumoana will be celebrating 50 years of becoming a Cooperating Parish with a service at 9.30am on Sunday 17 May 2026 at St Francis Church, Ferry Road, Clive fo.allowed by morning tea and a chance to catch up and chat. The service will be conducted by Reverend Tim Barker. Further information from Catherine Webster, Parish Council Chair on Ph 0274 497 684 or gracat1815@gmail.com .

Who is this? When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet:     “Tell the daughter of Zion, L

As the third week of escalating conflict unfolds between Iran, Israel, and the United States, we are called to raise our voices in prayer for peace and safety for all of God’s children. The shifting objectives of the February 28, 2026, strike on Iran, conducted while peace talks were still in progress, alongside the tragic loss of over 150 girls at Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab, raise serious questions about compliance with international humanitarian law. This escalation

This week I have been in the Bay of Plenty, spending time with the parishes of Ōtūmoetai, Gate Pā, Mt Maunganui, Whakatāne, and with Te Manawa o Te Wheke. On Sunday afternoon we gathered to farewell the Rev’d Tony and Christine Kippax as they conclude their ministry in Ōtūmoetai and prepare to move north to the Diocese of Auckland. Tony has accepted the role of Canon Precentor at Holy Trinity Cathedral, where he will work closely with the Very Rev’d Anne Mills, the Dean. We s

New life and hope Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.  So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”  Though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.  When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.  When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, wh

The service to farewell The Reverend Tony Kippax will be held at St John’s Anglican Church on Sunday 15 March at 2.00pm.  All are welcome.

I can see clearly now As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spa

Please make a note in your diaries: Synod this year will be held in Hawke's Bay Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October 2026. Further information to come.

A message to the Diocese of Waiapu Returning from summer leave, I’ve been grateful for the steady rhythm of re‑entering the life of our Diocese—catching up with many of you, stepping back into familiar routines, and noticing signs of energy and renewal as the year begins. The time away reminded me how deeply I value the relationships and shared ministry we hold across Waiapu, and I’m thankful for all who carried the life of our communities through the quieter months. A partic

On Saturday 23 May (the Eve of Pentecost) I will ordain Donna Cruickshank (Parish of Central Hawke's Bay) to the vocational diaconate.  The service will take place in Waiapu Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, beginning at 2pm. Clergy should attend (alb and red stole). Please keep Donna in your prayers as she prepares for her ordination.

Water in the desert From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarrelled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to