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...

Being lost and found     Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes...

Faith in Action Peter Bigwood’s Ministry of Hospitality At 87 years old, Peter Bigwood, a long-time member of the Anglican Parish of...

Not very subtle, Paul! Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to our beloved coworker Philemon …  Grace to you and...

E mihi ana ki te tangata, e tangi ana ki te whenua. Tē taea ngā tapuwae o nanahi, o naianei te ūkui. No reira, kia ngawari te takahi i te...

Living Our Strategy Through Hospitality   “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown...

A place at the table   On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they...

It’s good to be back and to return to Waiapu following my sabbatical rest. The sabbatical was a valuable opportunity to take a break for...

Now [Jesus] was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled...

Hospitality - Parish of Tauranga Focusing on Intentional Welcome - Marg Jeremy and a team have been working on Welcome at Holy Trinity. ...