Across our Anglican Communion, in preparation for the Lambeth Conference this year, Bishops across the world have been gathering on Zoom to study 1 Peter, to pray together and listen to God for the Church. A few weeks ago I joined a group studying the theme of suffering and hospitality in 1 Peter 4.

On Saturday, St Paul’s Kapiti and All Saints Palmerston North hosted our northern training days. It was a great day of fellowship, connecting with old friends and making new ones as well as receiving some great input across a range of topics from having God Conversations, and putting them into practice to ministering to the dying to helping our children grow in their faith.

As part of the Thy Kingdom Come season our Peninsula Parish whānau are holding a contemplative prayer vigil on Saturday night.

Two training days down, two to go. If you’re on the fence about coming along to our Kāpiti or Palmerston North days here is what people had to say about Wellington and Wairarapa.

Thy Kingdom Come starts this Thursday, Ascension Day, and runs until the day of Pentecost on Sunday 5th June. Every year, millions of Christians around the world commit themselves to praying for 5 people to come to know the love and peace of Jesus Christ over this 10-day period.

My name is Annie Hawkes and my ministry is to those in residential dementia care. As the daughter of someone who had dementia, I realised how important faith was to the being of my mother. When so much of her identity was stripped away, her love of Church, her familiarity with the liturgy and faith in Jesus remained long after much of the rest of her life had disappeared.

For some of you reading this, you be thinking “Training Day is coming, yeah! Can’t wait.” For others you may be thinking, “What is this Training Day you speak of?” Training Day is for everyone and anyone!

Becoming a vocational deacon is something I’ve cogitated on (to borrow a phrase from my father) for many years. And, to be completely honest, it’s something that I tried to avoid for a long while! But as I’ve journeyed on this journey, I’ve come to realise that it’s not what I want but rather what God wants from me. So, here I am.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John 21: 4-6 (NIV)

On Sunday 29th May we will gather together to tautoko/support the call of God on the lives of Annie and Christine, two of our own who are called to be ordained as vocational Deacons.

The Teams and Worshipping Communities course, led by Bishop Justin and Archdeacon Gendy, started last month. The course is designed for teams within a worshipping faith community to encourage team health and function. We spoke to Rev. Andy Hickman about what he and his team at the Onslow Anglicans are getting out of the course.