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!

Whether it’s a vacation or a stay-cation, taking time over the summer away from routines allows for reflection on the year that has been.

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.

In Advent, we celebrate that God does not save us from afar but rather up close – he comes to dwell among humanity, standing next to us in our struggle and redeeming us by becoming one of us.

Jesus becoming human is not incidental to our salvation – as if he becomes human simply so that he can hurry to the cross, and the cross is all that counts.

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.

If you want to know what God is like, we can’t look only at the resurrected and exalted Christ – we must also look at the manger, and the great love and humility of God which is shown there.

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."

Philemon reminds us that the gospel must change our lives and attitudes. For leaders, this change will be seen in communication to others, view of others and partnership with others in the gospel.

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.

"Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

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..."

I offer for reflection a poem penned by Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat, who teaches theology at Wycliffe College.

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!

The first thing I felt God put on my heart when I was thinking about this job was what J.F. Kennedy had said to his people in 1962.

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.

When I was younger I used to be excited at the number of things I accomplished in a day. As I get older, I’m realising that having too many things on the go means I don’t do any of them that well. 

I don’t believe in ecclesial superiority – but in the process of taking holy orders within the Anglican church, I have had to seriously wrestle with choosing a particular denomination.

In an age where few had access to the written word, the Nicene Creed was an easily memorised summary of Christian belief.

“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.

There's no one-stop-cookie-cutter worship session that you could plug and play in all differing church contexts. Yet there are some intergenerational principles that could help support a community of faith that believes we’re better together.

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

Congregational leaders successfully bring about church change when they lead with determination, flexibility, and empathy.

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.”

It’s one very human trait that we have the capacity to be stopped in our tracks by beauty and grace, and we get to decide whether or not we want to pay attention.

"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."

When Jesus is asked "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?", it's a young child who he places in the midst of the competing disciples. Why? What is it about children and childhood that, for Jesus, is key to knowing God?

In Exodus 34 we come to a moment of hope and redemption after a monumental fall from grace.

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

One of the gifts Christ gives to the church is evangelists – certain people that just can’t help but proclaim Christ everywhere they go. But we are all called to be witnesses to the good news we have received.

In church tradition, from early days, St Michael was regarded as the angel to lead Christian armies against evil, and as a protector of individual Christians against the devil.

I feel like Jeremiah's words echo down through the ages. The church in New Zealand, perceived by many to be irrelevant and out of touch, has often seized upon exilic imagery.

In the first of the series “We Recommend”, I had a chat with Rev Tim Bustin, vicar of All Saints in Nelson. Tim recommends a book by Peter Scazzero called Emotionally Healthy Discipleship.

Paying attention to the natural world is a form of worship as we read the "book of creation".

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.

A life with Jesus requires regular pruning, as does any vine. We have seasons of fruit-bearing and seasons of rest and recuperation.

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.

Spiritual direction is not a lofty concept reserved for mystics or theologians. It’s a profound person-centered spiritual exploration, a sacred practice rooted in the Christian tradition.

As “believers” we don’t go far down this theological chat about doubt without mentioning good ol’ Thomas – the Thomas with the bad rap. “Doubting Thomas”, said like it’s the biggest sin to doubt.

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. 

Pentecost isn’t over! The story that started so long ago and continued throughout the history of the early church is still being lived out by Christians today.

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you.

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. 

Many of us would love for our churches to be more intergenerational – but we can't achieve this through just a programme, an activity or a resource. So where do we begin?

"I didn't work out until my 30s that I was probably a gifted evangelist," says Julie-anne. "And the image that I'd had of what a gifted evangelist looked like was quite different. I was a bit more 'ordinary'."

About every three years some pundit in the media or politician raises the prospect of taxing the churches or decries their rates exemptions.

Invitation becomes a spiritual practice when we prayerfully invite unchurched people into some form of Christian community.

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.

For those involved in Christian ministry, our sense of worth can easily become confused with our perceived “success” or output. Living with Chronic Fatigue unmasks this dangerous fallacy.

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.

As we journey through the week leading up to Easter, I want to encourage us to think about how Easter opens the door for us in three ways. 

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."

In the early church, Christians simply focused on living quiet Christian lives. Attendance at church services was tightly controlled with only those baptised admitted. So how did the church grow?

If people stop praying, the downstream implications are enormous on every single level – when it comes to mission, the kingdom of God, future leaders, serving the poor. It begins with a life of prayer.