Generations of young adults have left the diocese to explore God’s calling and have achieved truly wonderful things, but they often fly off the radar, doing great things while we’re none the wiser. Let’s check in on a couple of them!

Changes are underway for Atawhai-Hira Parish as they embark on a season of transformation and revitalisation. As we prepare for this new chapter, let us remain grateful, hopeful and prayerful.

When we talk about evangelism, the first step is always building connections and relationships. That’s exactly what this event is about.

Christmas is always the busiest season for Nelson Cathedral, and this year is no different. We have many opportunities to share the good news of Jesus by inviting our neighbours, friends and family to the events and services that are happening.

The Makery is a special multi-use space at All Saints that has been newly renovated with a vision for it to be a creative space where we make – make art, make connections, make meaning, make memories – and it’s all about the Maker.

On 1 December 1870, a single penny could buy you the first issue of The Church Messenger, the Nelson Diocese’s inaugural diocesan newspaper.

“If you were to visit your parish 10 years from now, what words would you use to describe what it will look like?”

Haere Mai gives us an opportunity to grow in confidence in sharing our faith, to show our communities that church is for everyone, and to extend an invitation to experience the hope and love of Jesus.

We are meant to journey together, learning from and encouraging one another – across cultures, ages and stages of our lives.

Jason Shaw, our ministry coordinator for social services, and Mike Jessop, a Bishopdale College student and former NZCMS intern, share their reflections on what motivated them to get involved in Hīkoi mō te Tiriti.

"The psalms are not a theoretical talk about God, rather a direct line of communication with him. Maybe that’s why many find it helpful to pray the psalms, because they give expression to what’s hidden deep inside us."

Due to the impact of secular cultural background and government influence, many Chinese I meet here in Marlborough are not familiar with Christianity.

Parihaka, founded in the late 1860s, stood as a beacon of peace during a time when conflict and land confiscations were tearing apart Māori communities.

Spring Camp this year was marked by an unexpected twist: heavy rain. But according to Brad, our youth enabler, not even the weather could dampen the spirits of the rangatahi. 

"As a Christian I believe that God created this world. So it's pretty amazing being able to capture it and offer that as a service. The business brings a bit of light and hope to people."

Being among over 5,000 participants from nearly every nation, united in worship and mission, felt like a foretaste of heaven.

If we have healthy families living on mission and supporting one another through the generations – not just within the family unit but including grandparents, aunties, uncles and the church family – then we can really make a difference in society.

He’s a gentle souled creative, and time spent with him revealed a nuggety depth to his person.

If there's anything that youth need, it's that connection. It’s those people in their lives that believe in them, that they can talk to openly and honestly and not be judged or spoken down to, but actually heard.

When we bless animals, we're echoing the divine blessing. We often forget that God not only blesses humans with the words "be fruitful and multiply".

The inspiration struck while attending a clubs day at Canterbury University. It was a fantastic way for students to engage with different clubs, and I thought, why not bring that concept to Nelson?

The Op Shop Ball served as a runway for some truly stunning outfits, from funky jumpsuits and chilli costumes to ball dresses and suits.

"We don't just want to have ‘mission’ as a programme or ‘social justice’ as an event, we ultimately want it as a lifestyle. But if you want it as a lifestyle, you have to embody it."

I’ve just started as the new Regional Leader for Launchpad in Nelson, and I’m excited to say that we’re seeing a local resurgence after a decline over the years.

We’re trying to build a core group that will invite others, be a place that welcomes non-Christians, and grow from there.

I know that God is at work precisely because this is God’s work – healing, forgiveness and reconciliation is the family business!

"I move, Mr President, that we do not use the word ‘God’ in the prayer book..."

This year, I want to call our attention to the reality that the spiritual temperature in our society is beginning to change, that spring is arriving, and there is a “harvest in the basket” waiting for us outside the walls of our churches!

St John’s College Trust Board is offering scholarships to help cover your study costs, from tuition fees to living expenses – and applications close soon.

I still remember when I was called directly by God to reclaim my Māori identity. He simply told me to “come home”.

In our diocese, there are a few key people whose hard mahi make our annual synod happen. I spoke with two in particular, here in the Anglican Centre: Deborah Oliver and Renata van der Wal.

There are many challenges in our work, but also many opportunities for mission. Together, we’re supporting and training students to reach the 1.1 million students in the greater Tokyo region.

"When I asked Bishop Steve what his vision was for this diocese, he said to me that it is to take 'church outside church'."

There have been times in my journey where I’ve thought, "Does anyone else get this?" To be in a room where just about everyone else does get it – or at least they’re curious about it – was good for my edgy soul.

God, in Christ, is in the restoration business – and chooses to do it through human transformation.

The moving service was attended by over 130 worshipers, with some people being moved to tears witnessing the candidates publicly affirm their faith.

“Loaves & Fishes is more than just a place where people come. It's a place where people get to connect and share their lives.”

Bishop Steve is delighted to announce the appointment of Rev Mark Johnson as the new vicar at Golden Bay Parish.

Friends, church members and colleagues spoke of Watiri’s gentle, warm and peaceful presence, and her consistent integrity both in public and private life.

In early 2023 the parish was contacted by Heritage New Zealand, inviting them to apply for funding from the David Luke Heritage Bequest.

She recalls with a chuckle that, as a seven-year-old, she pictured God like a big blue balloon stretched over the earth. Diana wondered in her young mind if she could scale a ladder sufficient in height to pop him with a fork!

“We acknowledge and take full responsibility for our failures to provide the safe, caring and nurturing environment those who have been in our care had a right to expect and to receive.”

"I particularly loved coming together as the diocese and just being so encouraged by sharing stories and hearing how we’re all working for the gospel with our ups and downs, our challenges and our persevering and our celebrations."

We wanted to bring together young adults in Nelson and help them make connections.

If someone is scratching my back, I’ll scratch theirs. As long as we are all scratching each other's backs, we’re all happy. But what about when don’t receive anything back? 

Parishes with earthquake prone buildings have to consider whether to fund the strengthening work for the buildings, or re-think and re-imagine what church might look like.

Jay’s talk ignited a spark among many to explore our rich missional heritage and look deeper into the value of a reconciled, bicultural church community. 

As a Christian, I knew in theory that God is someone who sits outside of space and time, who can see the beginning from the end. But now I knew it as a reality. God knew what was going to happen in five months time.

When Juliet says goodnight to Romeo she is saying that their parting is sorrowful because she will miss him – but why is it sweet?

I’d never heard of a "human library" until I was contacted by Multicultural Nelson Tasman, asking whether I would be interested in being a part of one during the Multicultural Festival.

I was lost and stuck. It lasted for about 10 years. I didn’t realise there was a term for it at the time, but I was starting to deconstruct my faith.

This winter both Anglican Care and Fifeshire will be partners in providing winter grants, with Anglican Care focussing on the older age group across the diocese.

"It is a huge privilege to be asked to lead in this way," said Archbishop Justin Duckworth, new senior bishop of the New Zealand Dioceses.

Fostering unity among the young people, youth leaders and youth groups has been a constant priority for me. It's a crucial part of being a follower of Jesus: to be known for our love for one another.

The singing was wonderful, the prayers very appropriate and moving, the bishop’s sermon very stirring, the faith of the people obvious. God was in the building – Jesus was claiming hearts. 

Coming in as a level 5 student, I was very much ready to just learn some fancy words to have under my belt if I needed one day. I wasn't so ready to let God touch my heart with all of those things. 

Jane explains the concept of “permanent agriculture” as a way of life following some important principles.

"We see people meeting with Jesus wherever they are in their ages and stages," say Gary and Phillipa, leaders of Messy Church in Motueka.

I found in preparing for the ordination service that God kept affirming so deeply that this commitment I was preparing to make was what I was made for and every way in which he'd journeyed with me led to this.

In the Nelson diocese, we sadly have one of the highest rates of child poverty at 18.5%. So what can we do about it?

There was a level of enthusiasm for worship, prayer, prophecy and fellowship that I’ve never seen before. 

We asked a few parishes to tell us about how their Easter celebrations went this year.

Bishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia express their horror at the continuing acts of violence and join international voices in calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire by both warring parties to this conflict.

Scottie highlighted four markers in society we should be watching for as common pre-cursors to other renewal movements, and wondered if we were on the cusp of something here in New Zealand.

As I’ve had the opportunity to hear the stories of our rangatahi who went on the trip it’s become clear that the Fiji Ministry Exchange was a transformative experience for all involved.

"Every now and again God places in your life someone who inspires you and encourages you through the practical outworking of their faith."

Nearly 170 years after the first ship in the series was launched, Reverend David Hastings and Reverend John Sherlock conducted the blessing ceremony for Southern Cross 10.

If you've been part of the diocese for a while (especially the northern end), you've probably heard of a place called Mamaku Grove – but what actually is it?

“You’re not going to be beaten by a grandma are you?” works well when persuading them to do something a bit difficult for them – jumping over the side or climbing up the rigging.

"I wrestled for years about how art and craft could be spiritual, but I know now for sure that it is by the opportunities it provides."

Clear waters, golden beaches, hot days... Convergence didn’t have any coconuts with mini umbrellas to drink from, but it had everything else, as well as family and collective worship of our good God.

For Joe, a minister accustomed to being on the giving end of ministry, being on the receiving end has been a humbling and enlightening experience.

From church news and interviews with local legends to theological analyses and personal devotions, we read over 100 articles and heard from more than 40 different voices from Marlborough, Waimea, Māwhera and Nelson.

So many people are looking for hope, for a reason to rejoice, for a way to overcome the weariness. You don’t often associate the words “weariness” and “rejoicing”. It feels strange for weary people to rejoice.

Last Sunday marked a significant moment in Rai Valley as St Mark's opened its doors for the first time in nearly ten years.

Christmas at Nelson Cathedral got underway on with the Switch on Service for the Christmas Tree Festival and since then close to 7,000 people have come in to look at the trees.

After three decades of hard work, Pip and Paul Etherington celebrate the publication of the first New Testament ever written in Nggem.

I’m starting to believe that Christian community is a hugely influential – and perhaps underestimated – factor in how we do mission and disciple-making. 

"For me, food and kids are two things that I enjoy, so it was a natural space for me to move into," says Becky.

Our Christmas party was a beautiful way to extend an open invitation to the wider community, introducing them to the love and joy found within the church community.

Kākano is a key strategic initiative to raise mission-minded leaders who are hungry to impact their local communities with the Good News but aren’t sure exactly how to go about it.

As I watched my team walk through the departure gate at Nelson Airport, I realised that they were not my team anymore.

Not everyone can lay claim to six decades of serving the Lord, especially within the bounds of one parish! We celebrated Caroline Gibbs on Sunday.

Ben Truman began life on the West Coast at Holy Trinity in Greymouth and attended The Shed youth group. Last night he became the youngest Dean in the history of Christ Church Cathedral.

As a young leader, Suter Formational Hui was a game-changer for me this year. 

As somebody new to the Golden Bay region, what stood out for me was the overwhelming sense of community that still surrounds St Cuthbert’s after so many years.

On November 16, the Mission to Seafarers celebrated the opening of their new centre in Nelson, sure to be a comforting sight for those arriving after lengthy periods at sea.

Today’s youth live in a culture dominated by alcohol, drugs, social media and other pressures that can lead to dangerous and life-altering behaviours. This is where Red Frogs comes in.

"If we're doing a radio show on Sunday morning," Petra thought, "why can't it be a sacred, safe place, a spiritual place? Could it not be church on the radio?"

The situation in Israel and Gaza is devastating. It’s difficult to process the immensity of the situation or contemplate the solution. So what can we do about it?

There is a catastrophic humanitarian crisis going on right now following the escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza. Thousands of people have been killed and over a million people displaced.

There were many things going on, but this we know for sure – God is powerfully at work in the young people of the Nelson Diocese, and our young people are intensely hungry for more of him.

Some of us have been receiving odd emails from people claiming to be friends or colleagues...

"Our faith has a profound impact on our work," says Nick, "both in our service to those we host, but also in the way we steward the business and care for our staff and their families."

Sit down with Evan Hunt to hear about how he survived a near miss with a train, rescued a sheep from the meat works and overcame the troubles of life with the help of God.

Coffee & Cross came from an idea I had to make “church” more inviting. Instead of expecting folk to come to our church, perhaps we could go to them.

"If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature – even a caterpillar," says Meistar Eckhart, "I would never have to prepare a sermon."

Reuben was diagnosed with an aggressive form of scoliosis in January and now needs corrective surgery. As the Nelson Diocese whānau we have an opportunity to support the Keighley family.

Clergy and representatives from every parish gathered last week for Synod, opened by a compelling address from Bishop Steve. “It was more prayerful, Scripture-focused, and 'spiritual’ than other Synods I have attended,” says one member.

My job as your bishop is to do everything I can to make sure our diocesan family – our ship and our crew – are supported, equipped and encouraged to set sail for the journey God has for his Church.