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Deut. 13.15-20, Luke 14.25-33 ‘I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life or death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God’. I remember – when I was a priest in England – a very fine priest who had been made vicar of a parish in North Oxfordshire where I worked as the diocesan youth officer – it was a long time... read more

Luke 13:10-17 I think the Gospel reading is about how institutions can get in the way of compassion and care. It is specifically about repressive religion. And we know enough about that in our own time, and not only repressive Islam. The Church has enough of it too! The passage opens with Jesus teaching in a synagogue. As was the tradition and the rule according to the Law, the Torah, any man present could read from scripture and then teach or... read more

Significant funding has enabled Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary to appoint a local architect as its Cathedral Remediation and Design Manager. Jenny Goddard, a New Plymouth architect with an interest in heritage buildings, took up the new position on August 1. Her appointment follows a grant of $80,000 from the TSB Community Trust as well as $50,000 from the General Trust Board of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. The historic church building on Vivian St was... read more

Glory to God on high, God of power and might. You are my God. I can neither add to your glory Nor take away from your power. Yet I will wait upon you daily in prayer and praise. In a few minutes, Ailsa you will make this statement of praise and faith in the living God. And in these words you will acknowledge that God is so much more than we can barely begin to imagine. I can neither add to... read more

My granddaughter was sitting on my lap when I read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch my increasingly wrinkled neck . She was alternately stroking her own neck, then mine again. Finally she spoke up, 'Poppa, did God make you?' 'Yes, darling,' I answered, 'God made me a long time ago.' 'Oh,' She paused, 'Poppa, did God make me too?' 'Yes, indeed,' I said, 'God made... read more

The popular dances of yesteryear are brought back to life once a week by the New Plymouth Modern and Old Time Dancing Club. The club meets in the Peace Hall on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, and in the Methodist Hall in Liardet St on the first, third and fifth. Visitors are welcome to go and try their hand – or foot – at dances such as the veleta, waltz, foxtrot, two-step, maxina and Gay Gordons. Live music... read more

Peace Sunday - Feast of the Transfiguration 5 August 2016 What is happening on the world scene is truly awful. Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, South Sudan, indiscrimate bombing across Europe and the USA. ISIS and its evil tentacles. What is happening to the USA in the astonishing presidential election campaign. What's happening as political aspirants nurture a culture of fear in order to scare people into actions which go against all the values we have aspired to. And in our own back... read more

Mäori Television recently aired an extended interview with cathedral Kaumatua The Venerable Tiki Raumati, part of their Huia Rau series. You can watch the programme (which is in te Reo Mäori with subtitles) at http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/huia-rau/S01E010/huia-rau-series-1-episode-10 read more

Catherine and Mike Whaley have been part of the Holy Trinity community for 13 years. Together they are leading the charge in growing groups for children and young people. They explain what’s taking place at the New Plymouth church. Sunday groups Humungous Love Club is for preschool to primary age children. Led by Catherine the group listens to stories, prays & makes stuff. Usually it's something to take home. “We are always talking about how God loves us and how we... read more

A new initiative to spread Bible knowledge in schools was launched at Holy Trinity church in Fitzroy, New Plymouth on Sunday May 15. The service marked Pentecost Sunday, and the Revd Rodney Dunlop led the congregation in prayers for the 75 Action Bibles purchased from the NZ Bible Society and the New Wine Christian Trust. Parishioners also prayed for the children and the schools who will be receiving the books as a gift. This new edition of the holy word has... read more