We get it! Prayer is important! And yet intentional prayer also seems to be one of the hardest things for most of us to engage with – both personally, and as church communities.

I work with both churches and other faith-based organisations, serve in spaces where there is gender-imbalance and a need for intergenerational, cross cultural leadership, and amongst the voiceless and vulnerable, for social and ecological justice.

“Some of these races can literally last for days!” says Levi. “My friends think I'm crazy for undertaking such an enduring race, I think I can use this race to grow closer to God and get a higher understanding of myself.”

Our hosts for the next week would overwhelm us with joyful hospitality and gratitude for being on their small place in a very big ocean.

The Planted to Flourish Intergenerate workshop day earlier this month had over 30 participants and was a rich gathering in every way.

"I thought I’d be the vicar of parishes until the day I could no longer. But long story short, in 2019 I ended up here as funeral director and assistant embalmer."

"I know that there is power in the Word of God, and children should have the opportunity to experience that for themselves. And yet where can they have that unless their parents have a faith?"

Sheena Pearson’s preserves have helped fund countless camp attendees, mission trips and church interns. Her latest project is called “Bottled Sunshine”, made to support Bishopdale College.‍

Motueka Parish is three but one – we have churches in Motueka, Ngātīmoti and Riwaka. Distinct but together. Yet not many know each other. So Emily and I wondered: how do we get them to hang out together without organising a service?‍

The Sharing Shed op shop not only contributes to parish finances, but serves the community of Cobden. I had a chat with Nicki Mora, who joined the around five years ago and has been a part of breathing new life into the faithful establishment.

“In all three gatherings I found it validating and rather exciting to hear fresh stories of Jesus meeting people and some radical transformations. It really is a new day!”‍

Having run 100 kilometres alongside Rev Matt Watts in May, the bishop is beckoning others to join the mission in a crowdfunding-style campaign.

A group of youth leaders from our diocese travelled to Living Springs in Canterbury for The Abbey 2026. With the theme "Breathe", the weekend invited leaders to slow down, reconnect with God, and be equipped for sustainable ministry.

"We’re seeing people come to faith, new leaders emerge, and communities transformed. Ultimately, you can only point back to the fact that people have been faithfully praying."

The Emmaus training day on Saturday saw around 60 people from all across the Māwhera deanery gather to inspire each other in faith and ministry.

A chat with a Motueka community pastor on the art of saying no, looking for God wherever you are, and how life is like a bike wheel.

"We live in a fast-paced world where lots of things are changing. It’s easy for people to feel bewildered and alone. As a result of isolation, our seniors are yearning for a sense of belonging."

A number of people asked how I was feeling about getting ordained, but the honest answer was I wasn’t too sure. But what I did know is how it felt in the two months leading up to the ordination.

Anglican leaders gathered for Nelson Waimea's first Emmaus day – a new, affordable leadership gathering format trialled, with two more to come in Greymouth and Blenheim next month.

"I just want everyone to meet Jesus because it’s all real. There are so many lost and broken people out there, and he just makes life better."

"Looking after older people is not only essential in ensuring their health, dignity and independence, it also honours their contributions to both family and society."

Nigel Irwin was commissioned on Sunday as minister-in-charge of St Christopher’s in Redwoodtown, Blenheim. I caught up with him to ask about his journey.

"I think the library can be missional in fostering spiritual growth and equipping people to better serve God. To be part of God’s mission is very satisfying for me."

Ordination at 70, parish scandals and church at a lighthouse – four retired clergy share stories of calling and ministries as varied as the communities they served.

Bishop Steve running 100km to raise money for Bishopdale College earlier this month reminded me of another bishop in our diocese who took up a huge journey nearly two decades ago...

Carol is one of the founders of Winning with Words – an affordable after-school literacy programme taught by volunteer teachers, held every week in the parish centre at St Thomas, Motueka.

At the Epiphany morning service on Sunday in Tākaka, vicar Mark Johnson declared that Pentecost is the birthday of the “messed-up blessed-up” global Church itself.

If I had been told even three years ago that I would want nothing more than to live my life in a small New Zealand town, serving a small church community, and sharing the hope found in Jesus until the day I died, I would not have believed it.

I remember when my radio cohost told me about this new form of sound: "Podcasting! Trust me, it’s going to change everything." Sure enough, it took off. I spoke with three NZ Anglican podcasters to find out more.

It all changed for me as we entered the town of Kumara. I had a pain in my side and was feeling dizzy. My heart rate started to go up and I felt like I had to work extra hard to keep moving.

As we stood outside the Greymouth Railway Station, ready to hit the West Coast Wilderness Trail, I knew the day of reckoning had come. I thought about the training I had done – wondering whether it was enough – and realised there was no turning back.

I’m inviting young adults on a trip to the place where the gospel was preached for the first time in Aotearoa New Zealand. But before I give you the details, I’d like to tell you a story for context. 

Rev Dr Clint Ussher, an ordained Wesleyan Methodist minister, is our guest speaker at this year's leadership training gatherings. I met with Clint to ask him about himself, his church, and what his heart burns for.

With just two days to go, Bishop Steve and Rev Matt are making their final preparations for the 100km ultramarathon this weekend. And what better way to prepare than for the bishop to run 5km in his collar?

"Sometimes a Japanese person will come to our church, and it’s so obvious they are touched and want to make a commitment to Christ. Of course I invite them to receive Jesus, and the answer I often get is, 'But what if my family found out about it?'"

"We want seafarers to know that there are people here who see them, who appreciate the fact that they are keeping the world economy afloat, and that we genuinely care for them."

I caught up with Steve and Matt to find out why this "Go the Distance" campaign is so important, and to check in on how their training is going.

After 31 years of service, Jenny Allnutt has retired from church leadership in the parish of Wakefield & Districts.

Last week, Revs Andrew and Emily Spence were welcomed into Motueka Parish to serve as co-vicars.

Bishop Steve and Rev Matt Watts are taking on a 100km race next month, kicking off a campaign called “Go the Distance”.

It is very likely that there are people in your networks making very difficult “food or fuel” decisions. What does it look like to “love thy neighbour” in the midst of a fuel crisis?

Around 70 people joined us for an Easter party in Brightwater. More than just a fun event, the afternoon carried a deeper purpose. It was an opportunity to extend an open invitation into the heart of the Easter story.

David Allpress has been an energetic, enthusiastic and creative force in our church life for many years. I caught up with him to uncover the secrets of his passion and encouragement.

11 Bishopdale College students graduated on Friday – including someone you might not have expected…

St Peter’s in Atawhai flowed with bargain-hunters and brainstormers on Saturday as a diocesan team opened the building up to offer a garage sale, give out free sausages, and invite locals to dream up ideas for the future of North Nelson.

The Uniting Church building is now being sold, but before it begins its new season, Hills Community Church wanted a fitting send off for the building and the land upon which it sits.

“I'm not going to go join a monastery. But how much easier would it be to commit to spiritual rhythms if you got a bunch of people together in a house where you all agree to do those rhythms?”

Dancing to the Can Can and the inception of one 98-year-old's "youth group" – Nicola tells me about the antics that go on in older persons ministry.

I conducted a survey last year to hear from women across the diocese. Many expressed a desire for intentional spaces where they could connect with other women in ministry and grow as leaders. This cohort is a response to that feedback.

"Faith shapes the way I think about people and leadership," says Alex, leadership and coaching business owner. "The Christian story places enormous value on the dignity of every person and calls us to serve rather than dominate."

Sure, most people schedule a few holidays over the year, but few of us schedule in a time to get away from the hustle to be with God. We’d love to see that change, so more people can experience the joys that come from this rhythm of retreat.

"I firmly believe the mission of this parish is a continuum. It’s not about which vicar you’ve got or which one leaves."

Miranda and the team from Hikitia! are helping Christians explore the online landscape that young people are growing up in.

The three tikanga constitution is a commitment to honouring diverse groups of people who make up the body of Christ.

Convergence Camp saw a fantastic turnout with over 200 members of our diocese gathering at Bethany Park in Kaiteriteri over the weekend for fun and fellowship.

The idea of God’s kingdom coming and his will being done in the normal stuff of life has always inspired me.

I’ve come back from sabbatical deeply grateful, and with a renewed sense that God has important work for the diocese to do together in the years ahead.

As bittersweet as it is to leave, I take with me many learnings and memories of beautiful conversations and input from many trusted people in this region.

"I'm always surprised how many people in Aotearoa don't realise that in places like Waitangi or Rātana, we can actually touch history, breathe history, and be a part of that history now."

Since being ordained as a priest in 2018, most of my time has been spent focusing on the care of young people. But there was always a sense that God was preparing me for parish-based ministry, at the right time.

I caught up with Zara – former Attitude presenter and Korowai Tupu manager, now teaching Laidlaw’s youth and young adult papers (“the fun papers”) – and we talked about youth ministry in today's world.

"We would love people to go away inspired, encouraged, refreshed, full of faith, and with a renewed determination to give God everything."

"I had been seeking God and solutions for my life for years – through plant medicine ceremonies, spiritual practices, and even planning to train as a shaman in Peru – but nothing had brought lasting peace."

A group of nine rangatahi, young adults, and leaders travelled to Fiji as part of the Nelson Anglican Diocese’s ongoing partnership with our Tikanga Pasifika whānau.

As we've seen the horrific scenes in the media over the past two days, the deep darkness that has taken lives at Bondi reminds us all that the kingdom of the Perfect King hasn't fully come yet.

St John’s in Wakefield partnered with Church of Christ Spring Grove to host the “Christmas is Coming! Faulkner’s Bush Bonanza!” – a free community event held at the Faulkner’s Bush playground.

In the last two years, I’ve been encouraged and challenged in my role in this diocese – allow me to share my musings as I pass this baton on to the next coordinator.

In another instalment of “Where are they now?” Jesse and I chatted about what he’s been up to since flying the nest.

I’m excited to say I can see our diocese has plenty of people who are hungry for the nurture and challenge of deep discipleship. But they usually need to be given the opportunity and a good nudge.

10-year-old Barney Hossain is proof that you don’t have to be a grown up to make a difference, having raised thousands of dollars to go towards sepsis awareness.

I popped into Nelson Cathedral on Tuesday to witness the assembly of some of the Christmas trees and chat to a few of the organisations.

During my recent sabbatical, I had the opportunity to undertake the 30-day Spiritual Exercises developed by St Ignatius of Loyola back in the sixteenth century. I chose St Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre in north Wales.

We started Whānau Church in the hopes that it will help demystify Christianity and make it more accessible to people who want to explore what it all means.

With Christmas coming up, many are starting to prepare for family gatherings: the food, the presents – but what about the conversation?

Two church-led op shops turned Nelson into a treasure hunt. All Saints raised funds for a Fiji ministry trip, while St Stephen’s car boot sale drew neighbours and vendors. Donations poured in, conversations flowed, and the community showed up.

Runanga Healing Rooms opened for ministry in July this year. As well as praying for those who come to the rooms, we intercede for each other and for the whole community.

The Rest Home Volunteer Chaplains are an interdenominational group, trained by the Nelson Diocese to serve the entire rest home community. Eight new rest home chaplains graduated yesterday afternoon.

For me, internships are one of the best formational vehicles we have in the Church. I know this firsthand.

What began as a few friends jamming has become Home Sweet Homies, a six-piece band based in Nelson. I had the honour of asking the band a few questions about their music, faith and future.

Torrential rain, power cuts and road closures threatened to derail this year’s Spring Camp, but the weather broke just in time. 

We are to be a people bound to particular communities, to bear one another’s burdens. Our lives are meant to support and be supported, to be intertwined – that kind of mahi is both beautiful and hard.

Three things stood out to me in particular from examining the Patmos World Attitudes Bible Survey – what can we learn from them?

"Often it’s hard to find the right language for mental health and wellbeing. But this is the language of art, which is universal."

A team from All Saints in Nelson showed "what a community can achieve when it gets behind something" in the highlands of Papua New Guinea to support Mission Aviation Fellowship workers gathering for a staff conference.

I want to create spaces where women – regardless of theological persuasion – can find support, training, and companions to walk alongside them through the seasons of leadership.

Something remarkable has been happening in the Awatere: groups of RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) workers gathering around the Bible – in two languages.

Hello everyone! This week I started my role in the Nelson Diocese as ministry coordinator for older persons services.

Here are three ideas that I, along with two other Nelson-based parishioners, have said “yes” to in the last month – ideas that take little time or money to run but care for the holistic wellbeing of people, including ourselves.

Day one back as diocesan manager – and straight into the diocesan synod. What a welcome!

I caught up with Hana about how she's found her Bishopdale internship this year. Read this if you might be interested in an internship yourself – scholarships close next week!

While strategies and plans are vital, they are not enough. For the revitalisation road ahead, we need fresh fire. I believe God is inviting us to a deeper work: to cultivate hearts that burn.

It was a gift for me to have members of my church family come into my workplace at Restorative Justice a few weeks ago to pray for the work, the people and the space we meet and operate in.

Artists and art appreciators gathered to "Make Sense of Making" in the Makery in a two-day course led by Venn Foundation's Centre for the Arts.

This week, we celebrate 50 years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week). So why is it important for us, as Tikanga Pākehā, to learn and speak te reo?

What matters most for someone in their first months of faith? I spoke with Rev Mark Johnson, who shared some inspiring stories and offered practical insights on the art of welcoming fledgling believers.

Nurses from the Nelson-based not-for-profit Whanake Youth travelled to Apia in Samoa, seeing over 200 children and connecting with the local school.

Cat obsession, bus driving and herbal tea – introducing Kimberly and Nathan, who are bringing the word on restoration and justice at Spring Camp 2025.

"There's a hungry nation waiting to hear from Jesus. Every time we go out on the street or every time we do a bigger event, we just see God move and see how hungry people are."

The Anglican Church was present at the signing of Te Tiriti and remains called to walk alongside its ongoing story. That means we’re part of this conversation already. The question I ask is how can we engage with grace?

The Abbey 2025 wrapped up at El Rancho in Waikanae this weekend after drawing around 300 youth workers and young adults from across Aotearoa.