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The post “The Harvest” | 14 November 2025 appeared first on Anglican Life.

Step into a world of musical enchantment as ChristChurch Cathedral’s Dr John Linker brings the majestic organ of St Mary’s Church, Parish of Timaru to life in a magical candle-lit setting.

From the whimsical charm of Grieg’s Hall of the Mountain King to the spine-tingling drama of Danse Macabre, this concert promises an evening of mystery, magic, and musical delight. With a wide variety of enchanting pieces, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Come along and experience the wonder of music by candlelight!

Purchase tickets from Humanitix online.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/zimbelsternfoundation

The post Candle-lit Organ Recital by Dr John Linker appeared first on Anglican Life.

Handcrafted items, a perfect opportunity for gift shopping, hampers, and a raffle.

Gold coin entry, under 12’s free.

Cash sales preferred, internet banking at stallholders’ discretion.

For enquiries or to book a stall, call Anne at 020 4118 4414.

Note: This event was previously held at St Christopher’s, Avonhead.

Same Craft Fair – Different Venue

Attachments

Updated_Craft Fair Flyer St Silas' Church   PDF, 106 KB

The post Craft Fair appeared first on Anglican Life.

Thinking of a visit away at show weekend? Don’t miss the Church Fair in Akaroa on Saturday 15 November, 9.30am – 1pm at Trinity church, 39 Rue Lavaud.

Wonderful prices for plants, books, jams & preserves, handcrafts, Christmas craft, baking, electrical & hardware, white elephant raffle… Stay the night and join the Community Church for worship 10am Sunday at St Peter’s church, 10 Rue Balguerie.

Funds raised from the fair help to maintain this Heritage level 1 building. St Peter’s is a “Selwyn church” built in 1863. See Heritage NZ entry.

The post Akaroa Church Fair appeared first on Anglican Life.

Join us for dinner and show your support for the people of the Palestinian community whose families need our support more than ever during this challenging time. All proceeds to humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Traditional Indonesian menu by Indo Tempeh House. Gluten free with halal chicken or vegan options.

Main and dessert $30, drinks $5. Door sales only, paywave or cash.

For more information, visit our website.

The post Share Kai in Solidarity with Palestine appeared first on Anglican Life.

From Vicar General, Mark Barlow:

Last weekend, there were four baptisms at Woodend-Pegasus Parish on Pegasus Beach. Acting Deacon-in-Charge Reverend Sammy Mould, and Reverend Stephanie Clay, with Youth Minister Nadia Fox baptised Melissa, Jane, Saffron, Neve and Temprince. Meanwhile at Sumner Beach, Vicar Reverend Harry Newton and the Parish of Sumner-Redcliffs celebrated David’s baptism. Let us pray for each of the newly baptised, asking God to bless them (and their loved ones) in their journey with the Lord.

One of the many blessings that we enjoy as a Three Tikanga Church is the opportunity to learn from and be blessed by fellow Anglicans from different cultures and traditions. One of the things that I have always loved about Tikanga Māori and Tikanga Pasifika is the way in which elders are held in such high regard and treated with respect and honour. Sadly, in the Pakeha world, we do not always follow suit.

In a culture that is heavily focussed on novelty, innovation and youth—not bad things in themselves—it can be easy to overlook or forget the importance of the contributions made by those who have trodden the path before us.

I am writing this on 11 November, Armistice Day, when we remember those who laid down their lives in the horror that was the Great War and honour those who survived subsequent conflicts. For many old soldiers, it may be one of the few occasions when their existence is acknowledged and celebrated in any meaningful way. We truly have a lot to learn from other cultures when it comes to honouring and respecting our elders every day.

I was greatly blessed and privileged to break bread at the altar and in the dining room with a goodly number of retired clergy, spouses, and widow(er)s last Thursday. It was a joy to catch up with some that I hadn’t seen in a while, to renew contact with old friends, and to honour the achievements of some celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination. May the Lord God bless, preserve and keep them, every single one.

On Saturday 29 November 10.30am at the Transitional Cathedral, Wanjiru (Ciru) Muriuki, André Muller and Bruce White will be ordained deacons. All are welcome – clergy are asked to robe with red stoles.

This Sunday, the second before Advent, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke. Now in chapter 21:5-19, Jesus warns his followers of significant events to come; specifically, in terms of the destruction of the Temple and generally as regards earthquakes, famines and pestilences. Why is he warning them about things that will be beyond their control? Surely, he didn’t expect them to try to prevent these? No, the call on them, as it remains for us, is to remain faithful throughout. In the first place, not to be deceived by fake messiahs, and secondly to endure hatred, betrayal and even disaster for his name’s sake!

It was a genuine blessing and a wonder last Thursday to spend time with many who, in their 70s, 80s and even 90s, have inspired me with their single-minded devotion to our Lord and their endurance in the face of trials and tribulations. As I prepare to travel through Advent and Christmas again, I am resolved to follow their example. Hopefully, you will determine to join me for the journey.

Arohanui

Mark

Vicar General

The post Message from the Vicar General—12 November 2025 appeared first on Anglican Life.

Last weekend, there were four baptisms at Woodend-Pegasus Parish on Pegasus Beach. Acting Deacon-in-Charge Reverend Sammy Mould, and Reverend Stephanie Clay, with Youth Minister Nadia Fox baptised Melissa, Jane, Saffron, Neve and Temprince. Meanwhile at Sumner Beach, Vicar Reverend Harry Newton and the Parish of Sumner-Redcliffs celebrated David’s baptism. Let us pray for each of the newly baptised, asking God to bless them (and their loved ones) in their journey with the Lord.

One of the many blessings that we enjoy as a Three Tikanga Church is the opportunity to learn from and be blessed by fellow Anglicans from different cultures and traditions. One of the things that I have always loved about Tikanga Māori and Tikanga Pasifika is the way in which elders are held in such high regard and treated with respect and honour. Sadly, in the Pakeha world, we do not always follow suit.

In a culture that is heavily focussed on novelty, innovation and youth—not bad things in themselves—it can be easy to overlook or forget the importance of the contributions made by those who have trodden the path before us.

I am writing this on 11 November, Armistice Day, when we remember those who laid down their lives in the horror that was the Great War and honour those who survived subsequent conflicts. For many old soldiers, it may be one of the few occasions when their existence is acknowledged and celebrated in any meaningful way. We truly have a lot to learn from other cultures when it comes to honouring and respecting our elders every day.

I was greatly blessed and privileged to break bread at the altar and in the dining room with a goodly number of retired clergy, spouses, and widow(er)s last Thursday. It was a joy to catch up with some that I hadn’t seen in a while, to renew contact with old friends, and to honour the achievements of some celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination. May the Lord God bless, preserve and keep them, every single one.

On Saturday 29 November 10.30am at the Transitional Cathedral, Wanjiru (Ciru) Muriuki, André Muller and Bruce White will be ordained deacons. All are welcome – clergy are asked to robe with red stoles.

This Sunday, the second before Advent, we continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke. Now in chapter 21:5-19, Jesus warns his followers of significant events to come; specifically, in terms of the destruction of the Temple and generally as regards earthquakes, famines and pestilences. Why is he warning them about things that will be beyond their control? Surely, he didn’t expect them to try to prevent these? No, the call on them, as it remains for us, is to remain faithful throughout. In the first place, not to be deceived by fake messiahs, and secondly to endure hatred, betrayal and even disaster for his name’s sake!

It was a genuine blessing and a wonder last Thursday to spend time with many who, in their 70s, 80s and even 90s, have inspired me with their single-minded devotion to our Lord and their endurance in the face of trials and tribulations. As I prepare to travel through Advent and Christmas again, I am resolved to follow their example. Hopefully, you will determine to join me for the journey.

Arohanui

Mark

Vicar General

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The post Anglican e-Life | 12 November 2025 appeared first on Anglican Life.

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The post “The Harvest” | 7 November 2025 appeared first on Anglican Life.

Plenty of items for sale at our Garage Sale including furniture, tools, books, clothing, toys, crockery, and much more. 

Come get a bargain. Bring your bags and cash. We will also have internet banking details available.

The post Garage Sale appeared first on Anglican Life.

Greetings from the Vicar General, Mark Barlow.

In the cover photo collage, we have the fun-filled Ellesmere Parish Fair, and Deeper 2025 with over 95 people across our Diocese gathering at Woodend for deeper fellowship, worship, kai, and indoor/outdoor activities. Many thanks to the organisers, leaders, helpers, and participants who made Deeper a wonderful family-friendly gathering for our Diocese last Saturday.

We are pleased to announce that from Sunday, 1 February 2026, the Venerable Nick Mountfort will join the Diocesan Ministry Team based at the Anglican Centre. Bishop Peter has appointed Nick to be Archdeacon for Ministry Education.

Earlier this week I took a stroll along the banks of the Liffey, which runs through Lincoln, on a warm and sunny afternoon. As I walked along, I was giving thanks to God for the many blessings in my life, of which there are many.

We had a very successful Parish Plant Fair on the weekend, raising more than $15,000.00; there was a wonderful baptism service the next day with a full church, and I was having an actual day off! I have to confess that it would have been easy to have become a bit smug about these ‘blessings’ were it not for some others that awaited me along the path.

My reverie was interrupted by the approach of a very large Muscovy duck which, without any fear, waddled right up to me wagging its tail feathers, as if in greeting. Naturally I replied, marvelling at its trust. Within a few paces, my gaze was distracted by a large rhododendron bush, utterly festooned with pale pink flowers. I had to stop to admire it. As I stood there transfixed by its beauty, a magnificent golden monarch butterfly fluttered by above me with the casual ease of a creature in no particular hurry but seemingly enjoying its journey. “Are you just showing off, Lord?” I prayed. “Absolutely!” came the reply, “Were you?” Somewhat chastened and purged of any trace of smugness, I had the blessings of the weekend put into perspective and became truly thankful to the One who graciously bestowed them.

This Sunday’s gospel is Luke 20:27-38 which contains another challenge to see things from God’s perspective rather than our own. Like the Sadducees, we can become smug about the rightness or logic of our own theological positions, and even want to use them to test or defeat another, as they did. Like us, they didn’t know what they didn’t know until Jesus enlightened them, opening their hearts to the greater priorities of the one who is not the God of the dead but the God of the living.

With love

Mark Barlow

Vicar General

The post Message from the Vicar General—5 November 2025 appeared first on Anglican Life.