Changes are underway for Atawhai-Hira Parish as they embark on a season of transformation and revitalisation. We give thanks to God for the rich history of faith and ministry in those communities, while work begins to ensure a flourishing future of Anglican mission and ministry for generations to come.

Rev Emmanuel Vallaidam has been accepted into the new Te Toi Amorangi Programme at St John’s Theological College. This full-time, fully funded three-year residential course focuses on discipleship and leadership within real-life ministry settings. This is an incredible opportunity for him to train on the leading edge of bi-cultural ministry development, ensuring that he will have essential skills in new forms of Anglican ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand. While a student at St John’s, Emmanuel will remain a clergy member of our diocese under Bishop Steve’s leadership.

Emmanuel and his wife Jessica will be deeply missed. They are an inspiring example of generous hospitality, pastoral care and a deep commitment to the local community. Please join us in prayer as the Vallaidam family prepares to move to Auckland in mid-January. Their last Sunday service will be at 10:15am on 12 January at St Peter's.

In response to a parish resolution at a November Special Parish Meeting requesting urgent assistance, Bishop Steve will initiate an intervention beginning in February 2025. This will signal a fresh start for the parish, the key elements of which include:

• Leadership transition: Vestry governance will temporarily transition to a commissioner, Rev Canon Simon Martin, who will lead parish developments.
• Worship adjustments: Services at St John’s Hira will continue with support from clergy and lay leaders, though not necessarily weekly. At St Peter’s Atawhai, services will pause temporarily to allow for a new vision and the formation of a new ministry team.
• Outreach continuity: Efforts are underway to ensure the continuation of the connections with the community in programs like Aroha Kids, with support from neighbouring parishes.
• Future mission planning: A detailed plan for the parish’s mission and ministry will be developed, with an emphasis on sustainability and effective outreach.

Bishop Steve acknowledged the challenges that come with these changes but encouraged the parish to focus on the opportunities ahead. He emphasised in a letter to the parish: 

Your labour in the Lord has not been in vain. My deep conviction is to see flourishing Anglican communities germinate from the seeds planted through your faithful presence in Atawhai and Hira.

This is a time to celebrate the parish’s rich history and to look forward to the new shoots of ministry that will emerge. The vision is clear: revitalised ministries that connect with local people through effective evangelism and transformative discipleship, that brings families into the church.

As we prepare for this new chapter, let us remain grateful, hopeful and prayerful.

This Christmas season, may we find strength in Immanuel – God with us. Together, let us embrace the new opportunities ahead with faith, hope and commitment to God’s mission.

Please pray for those impacted by these changes, especially those affected by the temporary pause of services at St Peter’s. Pray also for wisdom, guidance, and fruitfulness as Atawhai-Hira Parish steps into this promising new chapter of revitalisation.