Last Sunday my whānau and I were officially welcomed into Waimea Parish as I was installed as their vicar.
Since being ordained as a priest in 2018, most of my time has been spent focusing on the care of young people, the development of leaders and the support of youth workers. That's where I've exercised a lot of my giftings in the church. But there was always a sense that God was preparing me for parish-based ministry, at the right time.
There was something about Brightwater that really landed. It felt like God was opening the doors to that place and those people.
The induction service was amazing. It was quite overwhelming to see who had gathered – people from all kinds of different seasons of my life. There was also a large gathering from the Brightwater community, including local ministers from other churches. It was humbling to see those people gather to celebrate and support this new season for the parish.
There's a real sense of peacefulness in Brightwater. After over a decade in Tāhunanui – living amongst the sounds of an urban neighbourhood, the beach, the airplanes – Brightwater is quiet and peaceful. The people I've met here are really warm and welcoming. There's a sense of rural hospitality in Brightwater that reminds me of growing up on the West Coast.
I'm really excited for what God has planned for Waimea Parish. I come after a long line of vicars that have done faithful work here. I’m so thankful for the work they've done and that I get to participate in the continuing of that.
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Last Sunday my whānau and I were officially welcomed into Waimea Parish as I was installed as their vicar.
Since being ordained as a priest in 2018, most of my time has been spent focusing on the care of young people, the development of leaders and the support of youth workers. That's where I've exercised a lot of my giftings in the church. But there was always a sense that God was preparing me for parish-based ministry, at the right time.
There was something about Brightwater that really landed. It felt like God was opening the doors to that place and those people.
The induction service was amazing. It was quite overwhelming to see who had gathered – people from all kinds of different seasons of my life. There was also a large gathering from the Brightwater community, including local ministers from other churches. It was humbling to see those people gather to celebrate and support this new season for the parish.
There's a real sense of peacefulness in Brightwater. After over a decade in Tāhunanui – living amongst the sounds of an urban neighbourhood, the beach, the airplanes – Brightwater is quiet and peaceful. The people I've met here are really warm and welcoming. There's a sense of rural hospitality in Brightwater that reminds me of growing up on the West Coast.
I'm really excited for what God has planned for Waimea Parish. I come after a long line of vicars that have done faithful work here. I’m so thankful for the work they've done and that I get to participate in the continuing of that.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
