Under the summer sun, the people of Tolaga Bay gathered on Saturday to celebrate a milestone that speaks to both faith and community; the 100-year anniversary of the opening of St Andrew's Church Hall. St Andrew's was built in 1913 for the cost of 678 pounds and was dedicated on 23 November 1913 by the Right Reverend Alfred Averill, Bishop of Waiapu at a service attended by over 250 people. In 1925, the parish hall was built and became a cornerstone in community life. From th

Wake Up to Hope – A Fresh Start for Advent    Jesus said: “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so, too, will be the coming of the Son o

Christ the King: A Throne Made of Wood   When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldier

Bishop Andrew was overseas as part of a delegation attending the Belem Pilgrimage – Tapiri & People’s Summit 2025 last week.  His travel plans have had to change, while he supports some unwell travellers in the group, and will now not be returning until late next week.

A vision of the future For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth;   the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating, for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it or the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days    or an old person wh

Kia ora koutou katoa, Thank you to all our members of Synod who gathered with me in Rotorua recently. We enjoyed the hospitality and friendship of Te Manawa o Te Wheke with our opening service at the beautiful St Faith’s Church, Ohinemutu, and the companionship of members of Te Pihopatanga throughout our synod. I have many fond memories of occasions for worship in that church including the years when I was Chaplain at King’s School. Each year we would bring our school Kapa Ha

This Sunday’s reading from Haggai speaks to a people discouraged by what they see.  Here’s how the prophet puts it:   On the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: “Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,  governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and s

On Saturday 29 November I will ordain the Reverend Derry Boylan (Parish of Taradale) to the priesthood, and Birgitta Rolston (Parish of Central Hawkes Bay) to the transitional diaconate.  The service will take place in Waiapu Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, beginning at 11am.  Clergy should attend (alb and red stole).  Please keep Derry and Birgitta in your prayers as they prepare for their ordination.

Called to be Saints In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inherit

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector   Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax c

The Waiapu Synod is a sacred time for reflection, fellowship, and discernment as members of the Shared and Corporate Services team and ACW’s Senior Leadership Team joined Synod members in prayer and purpose. Worship was central to our gathering, beginning with Friday morning prayers held at St Faith’s Anglican Church, home to the stunning etched window depicting Jesus walking on water, which beautifully blends Māori and Christian symbolism. It is well worth a visit if you fin

A new covenant – written on the heart The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. In those days they shall no longer say: “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”  Bu

Advent begins on Sunday 30 November.  This year’s 3-session Advent study, focusing on the key Advent figure of John the Baptist, is now...

Seek the welfare of the city   These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders...

E te hāhi horapa, kia ū ki te kotahitanga o te wairua, he mea paihere nā te rangimārie.   Kua tohungia he hēpara hou e te hāhi o...

No one gets in here without a grandmother   Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that...

A rich man and a poor man   “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at...

An unlikely tale of grace     Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him...

The “One Thing” One of the strongest themes to come out of the TPMC forum on Flourishing Small Churches was the power of doing “one...

Flourishing Small Parishes At the recent TPMC forum in Auckland, leaders from across Aotearoa gathered to reflect on what helps small...