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 coping with – I don’t think I could do that!” It feels risky, making comparisons with my own experience, even where the ‘suffering’ took a very different shape. I remember back in 2011, reflecting that if you’d told me beforehand that our Christchurch lives were going experience a years long turning upside down by earthquakes followed by 10,000 aftershocks in the first year, I’d likely have been wanting to look for a way out. Oddly, when it came, I discovered the grace of God at work. This became our ‘new normal’. While I’m not keen to go through it again, and lament the many losses for many (including the losses of lives and limbs), I recognise that personally, and for many around, there emerged a strength and resilience we didn’t know we had. In fairness, unlike some, we were not forced out of our home (which I’m very grateful for), yet the recovery stage was over years. My prayer is that those in the middle of the messiness of the upsidedownness of their ‘new normal’ may also find the grace needed, not just to endure, but to grow and thrive as a result of their current experience.
Common Ground – UCANZ Quarterly Newsletter
In case you missed it – Common Ground is informative and professionally presented, and is available on our website. The March 2026 edition can be viewed here: https://ucanz.online/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Common-Ground-March2026.pdf
Remember to subscribe – that way you won’t miss future editions 
A Reminder
AI and the Christian Life – KCML (Knox Centre for Ministry & Leadership)
KCML are running a 7pm on-line series at 7pm over 4 Wednesdays, May through June. Each sessions is scheduled for 2 hours, as follows:
- May 6: Dr. Stephen Garner — AI and the spiritual life
What are the implications of AI for personal and communal spiritual life and discipleship? - May 13: Dr. Stephen Garner — What’s next? Robot preachers and worship leaders?
Is there a place for AI in the worshipping life of the church? - May 20: Dr. Andrew Shepherd — Salvific Myths and Dystopian Realities: A Critical Theological Reflection on the Technologies of AI
- June 3: Matt Ensor — Appreciative Insights on the Use of AI: Possibilities and Challenges
Insights along with a no-jargon opportunity for questions.
For more info, and to register: https://knoxcentre.ac.nz/module/ai-and-christian-life/
Leadership & Personal Development Resources
I’ll be brief: the power of just a few words
It’s easy to find ourselves caught up in an over preponderance of words, getting caught in the weeds of the details, so that the point that’s being alluded to gets lost. Just like I’m doing now. Less is more. This smartbrief article encourages us to fine down to a small number of words, carefully chosen to say just what we need to say. No more, no less. Especially when we’re seeking to articulate guiding principles. The article can be read here: https://www.smartbrief.com/original/ill-be-brief-the-power-of-just-a-few-words
3 Rare Traits Of People Who Rarely Get Offended
In this Forbes article, Psychologist Mark Travers offers insights into the steadiness of personality of those without the need to constantly cast themselves as the victim, and points to how we might find a greater level of ‘solidness’ in our own lives, in our interactions with others. It can be read here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2026/03/01/3-rare-traits-of-people-who-rarely-get-offended-by-a-psychologist/
The hidden trap of being a morning person
It may be that like me, you’re a fairly early riser. My alarm goes of at 4.45am. I love that early part of the day! If I allow myself to be focussed, it’s certainly the most productive part. The time needs to be protected, and at the end of the day I tend to be in bed much earlier than most. I’ll often have a 15 minute ‘power nap’ in my tub chair early afternoon. This article offers useful counsel on how to protect the ‘gift’ offered by this way of living: https://www.fastcompany.com/91511387/the-hidden-trap-of-being-a-morning-person
Beware! The danger of retirement
I’ve probably said this before – it’s a drum I continue to beat. I’m asked from time to time – how come I haven’t retired? The main reason is that I’ve seen too many men (yes, it doesn’t generally seem to effect women in quite the same way), retire, and then fall into a deep hole. The loss of purpose, value, and meaning to our lives, can hit hard. This article goes a little deeper, in pointing out the almost unnoticed, hidden loses, as we slowly disengage, caught off guard by what is happening to us. Important to all on the cusp of retirement, or those seeking to put words to the depression they have, and may still be experiencing subsequent to retirement, this article offers hope that there is a life-giving way forward. It can be read here: https://experteditor.com.au/blog/gb-a-children-who-watched-their-parents-retire-and-then-slowly-disappear-into-silence-routine-and-television-understand-something-most-retirement-planning-ignores-the-loss-was-never-financial-it-was-e/
Life Beyond work
Having said what I just did (above), I’m assured that no one, on their death bed, wishes they’d spent more time at the office. It has long struck me that most of us may well be described as wage slaves, unwittingly caught in a form of indentured servitude, with just enough rewards in the shape of material goodies to make it feel like we’re doing okay, and have some agency in our lives. So as a corrective I offer this little Instagram reel as an encouragement to actually step out a little, and live the abundant life that Jesus offers us – to take time to smell the roses, to see that life in the beauty around us, in the love of family and friends, in the smile of a stranger, in the enthusiasm of a random dog at play on the beach, in………. It can be viewed here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DULEJmBDMgB/?igsh=NjZpc25qYjBhYmd5
Homilies and Preaching Resources
My response to the lectionary Gospel for the 26th of April – John 10 vs 1-10, part of Jesus Upper Room discourse where he opens a conversation about being the Good Shepherd – is titled ‘God’s Priority for the Sheep’ and can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_–2FqEt3O0
Gospel Conversations – out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese. They host a conversation of 4 Theologians / Practitioners – until this year around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here: https://www.calledsouth.org.nz/gospel-conversations/. Led by Michael Godfrey, rather than the Gospel text, they are focusing on the first reading (traditionally known as Old Testament). At time of publication of this newsletter, nothing has yet appeared for the coming week. Keep an eye on the website (above).
Rev Darryn Hickling (Methodist colleague leading the Rolleston Project) has posted a brief reflection on Instagram – based on John 10 vs 1-10 and titled ‘Mansplaining identity and hearing the voice of Jesus‘. It can be accessed here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXV7uw3gZyt/?igsh=MTB3YTNybjBiNjN3dw==