Concrete joy when it’s needed   The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.    

We’re excited to share that the Diocesan Office is relocating to a new home! Our new address will be 21 Hastings Street, Napier, right beside the Napier Cathedral. This move follows the sale of our current premises at 2 Bower Street. The transition is already underway, and we expect to be fully settled in by Wednesday 17 December 2025. During this period, there may be some minor disruptions to our availability, but we’ll do our best to respond promptly. Our contact details re

Message from a weirdo In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘ Prepare the way of the Lord;    make his paths straight.’ ” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all

By Rev’d Birgitta Rolston Waiapu Cathedral, 29 November 2025   I was privileged to be ordained Deacon at Waiapu Cathedral last weekend and have been asked to write a brief article about my experience. It is actually difficult to know where to start, as really my whole discernment and formation process [to date, as this is on-going of course] has been leading towards my experiences on Saturday, but that would mean writing a book! So – highlights of the event itself! One of the

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...