Helping People to Meet God • Make Friends • Grow in Faith

Posts from October 2025

Papanui Youth Development Trust Annual Report

PYDT serves the communities of NW Otautahi with 148 community groups and programmes operating, with 47,455 being impacted across the board. Some young people might attend more than one programme.Our centre (LOOP) is functional and funky and maintained by Te Papanui Trust  and volunteers.Our purpose is to empower young people to reach their full potential.Currently…

Parish financials

After some concerns in Vestry last year, the Wardens and I indicated to the Diocese that the long-term finances of the Parish do not look healthy. We met with the Bishop, the Diocesan manager and CPT manager early this year. They indicated that the Parish could continue a little longer under the current administrative and ministry set-up, but long-term this might need…

Faith and Nature

A common argument by atheists is that most people are in some way atheist because they don’t believe in the many thousands of gods that have been part of human religion through time. Most believe only in one god and are therefore “atheist” with respect to all the other gods. Therefore, they argue, how do…

The beauty of gardens

It seems to me that the bluebells in St James Park are more numerous and vibrant this year. There under the mature linden trees (also called “common lime tree”) they are the very picture of serene beauty. And they represent something of an old-world charm. We can be grateful at the beauty of God’s creation…

Troubles of the world

A few weeks ago someone asked me why I think that the world is so evil these days. I suggested that it was the way of a sinful world, that the troubles besetting the world seem to come in waves. Yes, there is a lot wrong in the world at the moment, but I’m not sure that this is the worst time…