Kia ora e te whanau This weekend past found me in Auckland – mainly to participate in the Open Table, ably hosted by Somervell Presbyterian Church. The 2nd person I met (200 registered), somehow recognised me and led with our being in the same class in 1966 – Std 4, at St Clair Primary School in Dunedin. […]
Update Week Beginning 22 June 2026 Read More »
Kia ora e te whanau Curating Worship 10am, next Tuesday morning (23rd June) is the 2nd of our ‘Curating Worship’ sessions. Our opening session today was a modest start. We’ll be a little more structured in the weeks ahead. We intend to spend a little time each week considering the Gospel Lectionary for the coming Sunday. While not
Update Week Beginning 15 June 2026 Read More »
Kia ora e te whanau Curating Worship 10am, next Tuesday morning (16 June) is the first of our ‘Curating Worship’ sessions. It’ll be introductory – finding out who’s on the call, what your interests and questions are, and some introductory reflections on leading worship. I’ve had a number of requests to record the session and post
Update Week Beginning 8 June 2026 Read More »
Kia ora e te whanau Curating Worship Last week I floated the prospect of starting a weekly zoom conversation in preparation for the coming Sunday’s worship. This is to be primarily targeted for congregations without ordained clergy in the driver’s seat – an increasing reality across the motu. I have a number of colleagues (and
Update week beginning 1 June 2026 Read More »
Kia ora e te whanau Curating Worship We’ve been reflecting on the reality that many of our Parishes are lay led, with no stipended clergy. It’s going to be increasingly true of many of our smaller parishes in the days ahead. This is not only the case in CVs (Co-operative Ventures), it’s also true in
Update week beginning 25 May 2026 Read More »
Kia ora e te whanau Lynne and I had a couple of nights away in our caravan. Just to be together and to recalibrate. We returned home Monday morning. I parked the car and van facing the ‘wrong’ way outside our property. We live on the main street of Lincoln. Backing the caravan into the
Update week beginning 18 May 2026 Read More »
Another full week – this one full of distractions. I’ve found myself needing to tune-out of American politics – it’s not good for my mental health. I’ve been a keen student of US politics for the past 20+ years – simply because where they go, we inevitably seem to follow. I’m reminded, yet again, of
Update Week beginning 11 May 2026 Read More »
It’s been a full week. Sunday afternoon saw me engaged in a series of pastoral visits – something, since being out of Parish ministry, I haven’t engaged with this intentionality in years. I loved it! My heart was grieved in visiting a woman in a locked ward in Hillmorton Hospital – who told me she’s
Update week beginning 4 May 2026 Read More »
Kia ora e te whanau Sunday saw me at that the official opening of a new ancillaries building attached to the Ellesmere Co-operating Parish in Leeston. It was very well done. And, it was a joy to be part of an event that demonstrates that CVs continue to believe in themselves, in their own future,
Update week beginning 27 April 2026 Read More »
Kia ora e te whanau Adverse weather has caught many off guard – in places where we may have previously thought ourselves to be ‘safe’. This has included some of our folk. You are in our prayer. I look at the images and think, “O, these are strong people – look at what they are
Update Week Beginning 20th April 2026 Read More »
