E te whānau O te Pīhopatanga O Otautahi, kia ora koutou katoa
On Tuesday of this week, we remembered Mary Magdalene in the calendar. Mary is one of our most blessed and significant ancestors in the faith. As I reflected on her part in the gospel narratives, three things struck me. Firstly, her life was completely changed by a radical encounter with Jesus. Secondly, she followed him faithfully thereafter; even to her own material cost and even to the very foot of the Cross of Calvary. Thirdly, Mary proclaimed the resurrection, despite the misgivings of others.
My hope and prayer for us all is that our lives will continue to be transformed by radical encounter with Jesus; through the work of the Holy Spirit, through the regular and thoughtful reading of the Gospels, and through our witness, one to another, of lives similarly transformed by our Lord.
Further that, like Mary Magdalene, our determination to be followers of Jesus will be serious and faithful, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves; and finally, also like her, that we will be proclaimers, by word and deed, of the wondrous resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Each month on a Friday, our newly ordained deacons and priests attend their Post Ordination Training (POT), led by mentors Reverend Jenny Wilkens (Diocesan Director of Ordination), Archdeacon Nick Mountfort, Reverend Chris Orczy, and Gareth Bezett (Directory of Theology House). In the cover photo above is the current cohort taken last Friday, with a few apologies.
Our Archbishops and Primates of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia released this Statement of Solidarity on Gaza Church strike last week. A plea for us all to pray for the people of Gaza and those in government in Israel.
It is with sadness that I inform you of the sudden death of Reverend Don Pilgrim while traveling through the North Island. Don was ordained to the priesthood in 1982 and served in the UK and the Diocese of Wellington before returning to his home turf to begin a long ministry in what is now the parish of South Christchurch, as priest-in-charge and then vicar. He also served as chaplain to the WesleyCare complex in Christchurch, and most recently, since December 2020, as Spiritual Director of Cursillo in this diocese.
Please uphold Justine and all of Don’s family as they bring his earthly remains home from Hastings later this week; and as they arrange for a funeral, the details of which will be shared in due course.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
As we give thanks for Don’s more than 40 years as a priest, our thoughts also turn to those whose priestly ministry is about to begin next month:
The Reverend Robert Jamieson, at 7pm, Friday 8 August at St. Michael’s and All Angels church, Oxford Terrace, Christchurch
The Reverend Andy Dickson, at 7pm, Thursday 14 August at All Souls church, Church Lane, Merivale
The Reverend Dr Anne Shave, at 5.30pm, Wednesday 27 August at the Transitional Cathedral, Hereford Street, Christchurch
All are welcome – clergy please robe with red stoles. May the Lord bless them as they prepare for this.
To all of you, members of the priesthood of all believers, and followers of the example of Mary Magdalene, may you be blessed on your journeys of transformation, faithfulness and proclamation.
With love,
Mark Barlow
Vicar General