Yours Faithfully – now showing on TVNZ on demand Making a TV series about faith in Aotearoa is a surprising and yet very helpful venture. Surprising because New Zealanders don’t talk about religion. It is seen as something private, not to be discussed in polite company. And helpful because we really need some education in … More Religion on the TV!
The church usually only gets a mention in the media if it’s being homophobic or being accused of abuse. After the Christchurch massacre we had the opportunity to see a faith community respond with love and care to the deepest sorrow that a community could imagine. For a while anyway it seemed that we had a … More The church, the LGBT community and “apologies”
A couple of the recent conversations in my world: On Saturday 4 May I was interviewed by the indomitable Kim Hill. You can listen here And on Sunday 28 April we were privileged at St Matthew’s to celebrate the blessing of a marriage for 2 women parishioners who were to be married later in … More Conversations
The Auckland City Mission has been next door to St Matthew-in-the-City for the last 40 years. The Mission work began 98 years ago when Rev Jasper Calder was appointed the first Missioner, building on work already begun as the “Dock Street Mission.” So it was a big day for us when fittingly on St Matthew’s … More City Mission on the Move
Some time in the last year the good people at Auckland Council decided to review their rates policy relating to landowners not currently paying rates. Churches were informed of this review but safe in the knowledge of the exemption provided under Schedule 1, Part 1, Clause 9, of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002, (revised … More Should churches pay rates?
On Sunday the church around the world focused on Saint Mary Magdalene. It was her day on 22 July. For many centuries Mary has been thought of as a prostitute or at very least the model “penitent sinner.” If you actually read about her in the Bible you discover none of that is true; she … More St Mary Magdalene
In May 2018 the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand agreed to allow for the blessing of civil marriages of same sex couples. This was limited to situations where the clergy and dioceses concerned wish to do so, and their bishop agrees. My previous blog It was a small step, a minimum, … More Where has our leadership gone?
History was made today by our Anglican Church. The blessing of same sex relationships has finally been permitted. After years (and years) of debate, discussion and argument we finally made it over the line, just. What passed? This is not marriage; nor even a fully authorised church liturgy; but clergy who wish to and when … More Same sex blessings at last
Time for Love; the Bible and Same Sex Attraction is a documentary made by the Auckland Rainbow Community Church and Ponsonby Baptist Church. I was privileged to speak at the launch of the film on Sunday and this is what I said: This film is a gift, a generous gift. It is made for those … More Time for Love
Last week I was somewhat surprised to find myself on a panel at a conference about immigration. The Caddanz conference is an annual one for academics and others working and researching in the immigration field. This year via the auspices of the Race Relations Commission the role of religion was a topic. The “radical reverend” … More Bringing religion back into public conversation
