Last weekend we were privileged to remember the ministry of so many – clergy, both Vicars and Priests-in-Charge, and committed lay women and men - who have served the Parish of St John the Baptist, and the wider community, over the last 125 years. Bishop Andrew joined with us for Sunday which saw an Anniversary Eucharist, followed by time to view displays and memorabilia from the past, and a beautiful luncheon. It was lovely to have a previous vicar, Rev’d Brian Hamilton join

A glass of cold water [Jesus said] “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

E te whānau a te Karaiti o te whare karakia nui o Waiapu, Greetings and peace to you in Christ. We have great joy in announcing together the appointment of the Venerable Ruihana Paenga as the next Dean of Waiapu Cathedral. We believe that The Ven Ruihana Paenga will serve the Church well as the Dean of Waiapu Cathedral, and help us to live into the vision of Te Oranga Ake for Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and Waiapu together. Our appointment has been supported by the work of Pari

Greetings all, This week has been a slow one for me as I’ve been unwell with a cold that has laid me low for most of the week since Saturday evening. Sometimes these things come along and really knock the stuffing out of you, and this week has been one of those ones for me. If we learned anything from COVID it was that it really is ok to take a break to rest and recover properly and that is preferable to sharing bugs around! As a result there are a few meetings and events f

More than sparrows [Jesus said] “A disciple is not above the teacher nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and wha

Kia ora koutou, Just a brief update from me today as I'm attending a meeting at St John's College today. I'm here with our Ministry Educators for the meeting of Tikanga Pakeha Ministry Council (TPMC). The highlight for the past week was the opportunity to be in Otautahi over the weekend for the consecration of Pihopa Susan. It was a wonderful celebration held in the joy and grace of God. There is a link below to one of the stories posted by Te Pihopatanga which shines a light

Recently, Clive Parish marked 50 years as a cooperating parish with a special celebration. The service began with a bagpiper warmly welcoming everyone, setting the tone for the occasion. Rev'd Tim Barker then led a meaningful service attended by a large congregation, reflecting on the parish's history, honouring those who have come before us, and offering prayers for the future. Our three oldest parishioners had the honour of cutting the cake, followed by a delicious morning

All are invited to the collation of The Venerable Dr Deborah Broome as Archdeacon at a service of Evensong at Waiapu Cathedral, on Sunday 14 June at 5pm. Everyone is welcome to attend, particularly those from within the Archdeaconries in Hawke’s Bay. Clergy please robe in Choir Dress or Alb with green stole.

The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out

Bound together in relationship [Jesus said] As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

From the Right Rev'd Andrew Hedge E te whanau o Waiapu I write to express our condolences to the Rev'd David van Oeveren and his family as they mourn the recent death of David's mother, Ruby. Ruby has been well-known to a generation of clergy who have enjoyed her gift of creativity in the design and production of many stoles, chasubles, copes and banners for liturgical use. Ruby was also the inspiration and coach behind a number of people who have taken up the work of designi

Greetings all, Last weekend we celebrated the ordination to the Diaconate for the Rev’d Donna Cruickshank at Waiapu Cathedral. Donna was supported by her children Ysabella, Eve and Jamie, wider family and the community from Takapau and the Parish of Central Hawke’s Bay. It was a festive celebration in the Cathedral held on the eve of the feast of Pentecost, such an appropriate time for an ordination. The Rev’d Sybill Gibson was the preacher and preached with wonderful insig

Sent on mission by an outward-facing God Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And

Hello everyone, A vocation to the Diaconate This weekend sees us celebrate the festival of Pentecost and rejoice in the gift of the Holy Spirit. How appropriate it is that on Saturday of this weekend we will ordain Donna Cruickshank to be vocational deacon. Ordination services remind us of one of the forms of ministry in our church which is the calling and vocation of ordained life. Clergy serve in the church alongside laity within a tradition of laity, deacons, priests and

The gifts of the Spirit When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. No

Kia whai korōria hareruia ki te Atua i runga rawa, kia mau ai te rongo ki te whenua, me ngā whakaaro pai ki ngā tāngata katoa! He reo pōwhiri tēnei ki te iwi, ki ngā hau e whā, ki Te Hāhi Mihinare puta noa, ki te iti me te rahi, ki te rahi me te iti, kia kotahi ai tātou katoa, i te aroha o Karaiti Ihu, kia whakanuia te rā motuhanga me te whakanohoanga a Susan Hinemoa Wallace hei Pīhopa hōu mō Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu. Date: Saturday 6 June 2026 Venue: ChristChurch Tra

70 years young Kia ora koutou, this past weekend I spent time in Mt Maunganui joining the celebrations at St Peters-by-the-sea as they acknowledged 70 years of that church. It was good to reconnect with past Vicars of that parish, Rev’ds Marie Gilpin and Geoff Crawshaw, who were among those who shared memories of their time in the parish. The liturgy focused on the celebration of the life of the church and our calling as disciples to continue to be bearers of Faith Giving Lif

The time for hopeful, prayerful waiting So when they had come together, they asked [Jesus], “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watchin

On 1 May 2026 the Venerable Christopher Tweddell commenced as Archdeacon for Tauranga Cities and Coast as well as co-Ministry Educator alongside The Venerable Dr Deborah Broome at the Diocese of Waiapu. Christopher says he has been fortunate to journey alongside people from all walks of life—from the local communities he has served in Taranaki, Waikato, Auckland, and Central Otago to the diverse settings of Hong Kong and Wales. His path began simply as a youth worker in Taura

Penny Hales, Safeguarding & Risk Manager has scheduled a safeguarding training session at Holy Trinity, Tauranga on 6 June starting at 9am. Please complete the registration form and email to penny.hales@waiapu.com.