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Archive Letters
Bishop Tom Brown's writings are available by clicking below:
What Does God Smell Like?
It is the sort of provocative question Barbara Brown Taylor encouraged 230 of us to consider at the workshop in the Cathedral, which was sponsored by the Wallis Trust. The point she wished to make was that we too often think of our Faith in abstract terms. For instance love, mercy and forgiveness are abstract terms. By way of contrast Barbara reminded us that Jesus tended to use language that contained images of substance: ‘I am the light for the world’, ‘You are the salt of the earth’ and ‘the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed’....more...
Can we be better at sharing?
For some time I have encouraged us to be collaborative. Whenever it comes up there are nods of agreement and yet there is more we can do surely. I'm thinking particularly of how one Mission Unit [Parish] might work with another and how groups of Mission Units can make a more effective Diocesan Community. ....
The Lambeth Conference 1998 affirmed the doctrine of subsidiarity: what can be done locally and what needs to be done globally. ...more...
Stepping Over the Threshold into Faith
I was asked recently whether we were still getting converts to Christianity.
It is the sort of question that makes one think - what is happening in this regard?
My response was to tell two encouraging stories. Both are about Confirmations and have taken place in Parishes since the beginning of the year. ...more...
"The One Without the Collar" - John Sentamu, Archbishop of York. At the bishops meeting planned to coincide with the consecration of St Mary's Cathedral in New Plymouth we had a half day session with the Archbishop...
Also "The Amazing Missions Race 2010" with photos. ...more...
GST
It looks as though GST is about to go up to 15%. With regard to the essentials that might not be such a big deal for high income earners but for those at the other end, there will be stresses and strains.
The proposed changes which we are not going to debate here, come as a reminder that life goes on regardless of the rises and falls in GST and that we shouldn't rely on material well-being alone for our happiness... more...
Be Alert
It is as if we are reliving the theme for Stir Up Sunday. That is insofar as being alert and ready for what the future may hold.
While we may be lamenting the lack of a summer, that pales into insignificance in the light of the suffering in the nation of Haiti. As earthquakes go, this was a big one and the casualty list seems neverending.... more...
There is probably no God!
...so said a story in The Dom’ on December 11. It is a report about an atheist campaign in Britain which is running advertisements on buses and it may come “to a bus near you” the article said. It comes as a surprise just before Christmas which should not of course take place if there is no God. In so far as it is an atheistic claim it sounds as if they are not at all sure about their claim - that ‘there is probably no God’. ...more...
On Your Knees
Two experiences recently have reminded me how place, space and attitude can profoundly affect us in what might be described as a holy moment.
The first was while attending the recent consecration of St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane which formed the centre of that Diocese’s Sesqui celebrations. In the service itself there were several quotes on the Cathedral or matters relating to it. ...more...
So what are we gong to do about it then?
We have had the Visioning Weekend and since then discussion across the Diocese. We have also affirmed and added a seventh aim at Synod. So, what comes next remembering the vision is: “to be a vibrant, spiritual and co-ordinated faith community that reaches out and transforms our world”.
...more...
From the President’s Chair
A reflection on Synod – Deepening our corporate identity as a Diocese was a feature of Synod this year.
Not only did we work with a sense of unity as we usually do, but the DVD of the starlings in their thousands flying-dancing synchronised together seemed to inspire us as we related to each other time and again as an entity held together in relationship. The two-minute silences for prayerful reflection enabled us to go spiritually deeper together.... more...
How Vulnerable We Can Be
When the ferry sank in Tonga I was reminded how vulnerable we can be. There were those who perished; caught by the speed of the sinking boat, and there are the loved ones who suffer the pain of the loss. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with those affected – relatives, friends and the nation of Tonga.
While we seek security in all sorts of ways from retirement savings, to river flood protection works, to fire engines; life still contains risk.... more...
Bell Brings Peace
Something has changed at the Anglican Centre.
Thanks to the hourly tolling of the bell at the Visioning Weekend that heralded a two minute silence for quiet reflection the team at the Anglican Centre have instituted their own version.
At 3.00pm each weekday the bell tolls and the office falls silent – a time to pause, to reflect, to centre ourselves on the reason for all the activity.... more...
More about Visioning: Creating the Future in Children, Youth, Schools and Families – The Fourth Aim
"Mummy went away even though I loved her." - Michael aged 6.
Children have the habit of getting right to the heart of a matter. Michael is telling us something sadly profound about his loss – something he can’t understand – that despite loving his mother she ‘went away’. That is going to makes ripples in his life forever.... more...
Forming the Future
300 minds energized, 300 hearts touched, 300 souls inspired...
The Diocesan Visioning Weekend just past was timely, far-reaching and hope-making as more than 300 people gathered to dream about the future and where we will place the emphasis as we carry out the mission of the church..... more...
An Easter Call to Serve
When 50 Clergy, some with spouses, from the northern Parishes of the Diocese gathered with me on Tuesday of Holy Week for the Blessing of Oils for healing and Christian Initiation, and for the Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows, I was aware..... more....
I wonder....
“More than one philosopher has remarked that if there were no god, we would have to invent one.” So wrote Phyllis Tickle. She goes on to say that this is so because we need to be able to cope with “despair and huge vulnerability”.
Loren Mead put it another way when he said that Christian faith brings Good News to confront and overcome the bad news. more...
An Historic Relationship is Formed
The growing relationship between Urban Vision and the Diocese has reached a point where a covenant was signed on 8 February 2009 recognising Urban Vision as an order within the Anglican Diocese of Wellington. In doing this Urban Vision, which had been a non-denominational entity, seeks to be accountable to the wider church..... more....
2009 Year of Opportunities
The global economy is facing a major test which is beginning to have an impact on us. What that means isn’t altogether clear at present, with opinions abounding as to the extent of the length and depth of the recession. While the media haven’t brought about the current situation their penchant for broadcasting bad news ...... more.....
Christmas
Dear Friends
As we draw near to Christmas there is much to do. There are the gifts we may possibly be considering for friends and family; cards or email equivalents to send; a deserving cause to support; and end-of-year functions to join in. more....
Weaving on
Having completed a highly successful Sesqui year of pilgrimage celebrating 150 years as a diocese we now take the strands of history, commitment, ministry and hope and weave them into a fabric for the future. So, this Advent season.... more....
Can Synod be interesting?
Tim McKenzie told Synod which was held this past weekend at the Convention Centre in Palmerston North, that contrary to what some of his friends thought of it, he felt stimulated by attending.
And that’s what it was like for all of us from what I can gather. We gained new insight..... more....
Pilgrimage to Canterbury: Journey to Lambeth
The Sesqui year of Pilgrimage takes another turn on the road as Dwyllis and I prepare to go to the Lambeth Conference, held every 10 years at Canterbury in England. The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams invites bishops and spouses from the Anglican Communion to ..... more...
The Pilgrimage Goes On
In this Sesqui Year we are only up to April and already three of the Archdeaconries have had their pilgrimages. For the most recent, and with a clear day on the top of Mt Kaukau scores of pilgrims came from all directions along paths well worn..... more....
Theologian John Macquarrie once suggested the best proof of the Resurrection is the existence of the Christian church in the world today.
The body of Christ, the Church, is alive. That is not to say the accounts given by Mary and Thomas and others of Jesus’ resurrection appearances are any less authentic. Nor should we imagine more....
... was the reply from a young teenager interviewed in South Auckland as to whether he was at all concerned about the damage he was doing to people’s property by tagging. His response came... more...
Joy & Peace to You All this Christmas
As our family begins to gather with us for Christmas and we anticipate spending time with them we are aware that for many of you, it will be similar. But I am also aware... more...
Caring for Children
The Dominion Post recently carried the heart-rending story of a three-year-old girl who, having been stabbed by her father with a large carving knife, “valiantly tried to protect her younger siblings as he attacked them”. It is almost impossible to imagine... more...
For whom the bells tolls
It was a great relief to learn that St Christopher’s Church in Avonhead, Christchurch can continue to ring its bell before the 8am Sunday Service. The city council responded... more...
Planes, Prayers and Parliament
The pilot said as we taxied for take-off “let us pray”. Not so unusual in the circumstances - when Dwyllis and I went to Tanzania to visit the diocese of Kagera a few years ago with Ted and Rosie Newport. The ‘prayer time’ was at Nairobi, Kenya and the airline was ... more...
Caring for Kids
Caring about our kids means caring about their parents and care-givers as well. That should be our focus in the wake of not only the kafuffle over the repeal of section 59 of the Crimes Act no matter what our views but also ... more...
It’s not the World Cricket Cup I’m thinking of, but the climate. That the temperature is rising is the view of a large body of scientists and it appears... more...
Two Dedications and a Pancake
In the past two weeks I have been involved in the dedication of two parish building projects. Both wonderful. The first was the blessing and opening of the new parish hall at S.Peter’s, Palmerston North and the second was... more...
No reira waiho ko te aroha o Te Matua Kaha Rawa hei korowai mou.
May the love of Almighty God enfold you!
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