Update from Bishop Andrew Hedge

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 bishops. All have their part to play in proclaiming God’s love, building up the body of Christ, serving in the model of Christ, transforming injustices and protecting creation - our 5-fold mission as Anglicans. Within our life as a church the deacon offers a particular ministry in being a bridge of sorts between the church and the communities in which we live. Deacons proclaim the gospel in word, enact the gospel in service, and model the gospel lived out in community in a way that others are invited to participate in God’s redeeming work. We offer our prayers of thanksgiving and support for Donna as she offers herself into this ministry as a vocational deacon. 

Future thinking

This past week I’ve had the privilege of being engaged in deep conversation with a variety of groups across Waiapu and Te Pīhopatanga speaking about our future - vision for the future, challenges along the way, sense of God’s call in and through it all. It is good to be able to lift our heads from the everyday to think collaboratively about where God is calling us to move and act. There are very positive discussions happening in many places around the diocese where I can see that willing and open hearts are responding to God’s direction and invitation to participate in a positive future together. God is never finished with any of us. We all have room to move and grow in God’s love.

A special Happy Birthday

I was told this week of a special celebration coming up at the end of next week for a joint 90^th birthday celebration for Bishop Murray and Judy Mills. Bishop Murray and Judy are well-known around Waiapu having served here for around 40 years including in retirement before moving up to the winterless north to be close to family, and where they continue to minister. Murray and Judy, I know you still stay in touch with Waiapu through eNews, so please accept from me, on behalf of us all, our love and affection as you celebrate your 90^th birthdays together. We rejoice with you and your family and give thanks to God for your 90 years. May your birthday celebrations be filled with joy, laughter and love. Happy Birthday from us all! 

The coming week

I’ll be spending time over the first half of next week with our Ministry Educators looking at their roles and plans for the remainder of the year. Christopher will also be spending some time with our Shared Services Team as part of his orientation to Waiapu, and Deborah will be spending a day with the Tikanga Pākehā Liturgical Working group on our behalf. Part of our time together will be looking at the tool that Graeme has been developing to help parishes engage with strategic thinking and planning, to aid implementing the 5 priority areas of our vision in parish life. Later in the week I’ll be visiting one of our retired bishops, Bishop George in Auckland to catch up with him and learn more about his experiences during his time in the BOP. On Trinity Sunday I look forward to being in Hastings for a service of Confirmation at St Matthew’s and then enjoying King’s Birthday to rest. 

Remember to pray for Bishop-elect Susan

It won’t be long before the church will gather with Te Waipounamu at the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral to consecrate Susan Wallace as Pīhopa o te Waipounamu on Saturday 6 June. Please hold Susan and her whanau in your prayers as they prepare for the service; the Archbishops and Bishops as they also prepare for the consecration; and Archbishop Marinez (Amazonia) and her family as they travel for the service. 

Take care all, may the God of all creation bless you today.

+Andrew