As I write this I am deeply aware a new year, filled with grace and hope, has begun. At the same time the diocese is facing major staff changes at the Anglican Centre. In February, both Alison Jephson, diocesan manager, and Penny McKee, personal assistant to the Bishop, will leave, and John Day and Peter Carrell will begin their new positions as Archdeacon for Mission and Director of Education. We are also anticipating a full-time social justice enabler, appointed by Anglican Care, to work closely with the Diocese. Jolyon White is exceptionally gifted in communicating a vision of how the Anglican Church can own and improve our role in community social networking. Many heard him speak at the Anglican Care AGM at the Community of the Sacred Name.

Soon we will also celebrate the first anniversary of the Strategic Plan, which has been renamed Growing Forward, a name that embodies the spirit and hope behind the plan. Please take time at vestry meetings to ask how your parish is growing forward. Are you engaging in the four actions of inviting, forming, sending and serving? Do you regularly ask how your parish or chaplaincy furthers the three priorities of Christ Centred Mission, Stewardship and Young Leaders?

We are most fortunate in 2010 to have an exciting series of guests coming to the Diocese of Christchurch to assist us in growing forward. Beginning in February, the Monday evening conference series entitled “A Good Childhood” will bring an exciting lineup of speakers to engage the question of what our children really need in order to flourish and grow to God's glory. In March, Archbishop John and Mrs Margaret Sentamu of York, UK, will visit and help us answer the question of how the church acts as an agent of change for the larger society. This has been part of our role since the extraordinary events recorded in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Being a responsible agent of change is part of good stewardship, as well as Christ centred mission. It involves teaching people how to reflect on current events and how to prayerfully commit to building a better world for the sake of the Kingdom. It means never thinking that the Christian life can be divorced from daily living. It also requires us to be as responsive to the needs of our neighbours in Haiti as we are in Christchurch.


When I think about this second decade of the 21st century, I become incredibly excited about God's call on our lives and the potential for the Anglican Church to make a real difference in the world Christ died to save. Please make a commitment to assist the Diocese in Growing Forward to the glory of God. We need your help.