Mo te Mihinare

ABOUT ANGLICANS

Our Vision: A Family in God who are Followers of Christ

In the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki we are committed to prayer, discipleship and the communities we live in. God calls us to be family, disciples and servants as we seek to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, Crucified and Risen. By the grace of God, we seek to be a people of hope, reconciliation and peace.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR VISION HERE

The Bishop's Charge

Every year at Synod (our annual strategy and business meeting), the Bishop challenges the Diocese with a vision. This not only opens the Synod weekend, but sets the tone and direction of all we hope to achieve as followers of Jesus Christ.

Our Tradition: The Middle Way

The Anglican tradition is almost 500 years old and it is represented in most countries around the world. In many respects we straddle two traditions: the Roman Catholic and the Protestant. That means we have priests and sacraments mixed with an emphasis on Scripture, mission, and evangelism. We are deeply invested in bi-cultural partnership. We recognise diversity, and pray for unity.

Our Diocese

The Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki stretches from the iron sands of South Taranaki to the beautiful Bay of Plenty; some of the most spectacular and abundant land of the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Taking its name from the mighty Waikato river and the majestic Mt Taranaki, the Diocese honours its shared heritage with the people of Te Manawa o te Wheke and Te Upoko o te Ika.

The Diocese of Waikato was constituted in 1926. In 2010, and honouring the dream of Bishop Selwyn 165 years ago, the Diocese was renamed as the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki.

This Diocese has held a unique place in the Anglican Communion, having had two Bishoprics; the Bishopric of Waikato and the Bishopric of Taranaki. This also means that there were two co-equal Diocesan Bishops; The Bishop of Waikato and the Bishop of Taranaki, and two Cathedrals; the Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary. At this time however, we share one Bishop who holds episcopal authority for the whole Diocese.

Currently, however, both the Bishopric of Waikato and the Bishopric of Taranaki are led by the Most Rev'd Philip Richardson, who is also the Archbishop of the New Zealand Dioceses.

The map above demonstrates how we are divided into archdeaconries. To find out where our ministry units are see our Interactive Location Map. To see a list of parishes/ministry units by archdeaconry click here.

Bishop

Bishops are sent to lead by their example in the total ministry and mission of the Church. They are to be Christ’s shepherds in seeking out and caring for those in need. They are to heal and reconcile, uphold justice and strive for peace. Bishops are to exercise godly leadership in that part of the Church committed to their care, and to maintain wise discipline within its fellowship. The Church looks to them to promote peace and unity among all God’s people, and to encourage their obedience to God’s word. They are to keep the Church true to its faith, as found in Scripture and the Creeds, to teach this faith and proclaim it. Bishops are to ensure that an episcopal ministry is maintained. They are to ordain, send forth and care for the Church’s pastors, and to preside over its worshipping life.

(Extract from A New Zealand Prayer Book, page 913)

Archbishop Philip

The Most Reverend Philip Richardson is the Bishop of Waikato and Taranaki and Archbishop of the New Zealand Dioceses. He was ordained priest in 1982 and undertook parish ministry in Auckland City, Whangarei and Dunedin, following which he was head of Selwyn College at Otago University and was involved in post graduate study and teaching at that University. It was there that he further developed his interest in ethics and was part of the teaching team for this discipline. Since being Bishop of Taranaki he has consistently advocated for a servant focussed commitment from each local Church to the communities in which they are set.

The Most Reverend Philip Richardson was appointed Archbishop of the New Zealand Dioceses from 1 May 2013. Archbishop Philip carries wide-ranging responsibilities across our Church and represents us internationally.

See Bishop Philip's latest sermons and reflections here.

Bishop's Charge - Archive

(Go to top of of page to see most recent Charge.)

Bishop's Charge 2018 docx

Bishop's Charge 2017 pdf

Bishop's Charge 2016 pdf

Te Hahi Mihinare

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH

Anglicans are Christians – people who follow the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.

We believe in the Trinity and the over-arching love of God. We uphold the Bible as sacred Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit and interpreted by the Church. We affirm the Creeds and our connection with the Apostles.

We believe that everyone was made in the image of God and that all are equal. The church is the Body of Christ and all the baptised have an important part to play in God's kingdom. Each of us has different gifts and so are called to different areas.

We love because God first loved us. God calls us to be in relationship with one another. As we share in
one another's lives and seek to support those in need we respond to God's call. As a Church, God calls us to be Christ in our communities.

We are a sacramental church. That means that we baptise and celebrate the Eucharist (Communion/Lord's Supper). We worship God with prayers of thanksgiving, songs of praise, and words of affirmation. We acknowledge our need for forgiveness as well as our need to reconcile and forgive others. We give thanks for God's awe-inspiring love and mercy, and we seek to share that with others.

From its very beginning the Anglican Church has been described as being via media or the 'middle way'. As a Church we accept that the world is not black and white. We work hard to understand and honour the different experiences and perspectives that believers contribute. As a result you will find that evangelical, liberal, conservative, high-church, low-church, and many others should all find a place to express themselves.

"The Anglican Way is a particular expression of the Christian Way of being the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. It is formed by and rooted in Scripture, shaped by its worship of the living God, ordered for communion, and directed in faithfulness to God's mission in the world. In diverse global situations Anglican life and ministry witnesses to the incarnate, crucified and risen Lord, and is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Together with all Christians, Anglicans hope, pray and work for the coming reign of God."

(An extract from S Pickard & D de Chickera, The Anglican Way: Signposts on a Common Journey (Anglican Communion Office, London: July 2008), p2)

Want to learn more about Anglicanism? Take a look at this list of recommended books and the Anglican Communion website.

Inoi

PRAYER

"Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

MATTHEW 6:9-14

All prayer is an attempt to communicate with God: we reach out to God in need or thanksgiving - we share our lives with the One who loves us.

In the church's tradition we recognise two basic ways of praying: private and public. The hour or two of public (or corporate) prayer that most believers engage in each week is only a fraction of the time they
spend in prayer. A daily rhythm of private prayer is the bedrock of our faith. In the same way that we maintain relationships with our friends and family by talking with them, you should also talk to God regularly and share your life.

Family Prayer

Praying with your family is one of the most important and rewarding responsibilities a parent or guardian can have. An hour on a Sunday morning is simply not enough time for anyone (let alone a child) to develop a meaningful and long-lasting relationship with God. There are lots of different ways to pray together and we recommend you keep experimenting until you find something that works for your family.

If you are looking for a place to start then you should check out this video (and the Strandz website generally).

Private Prayer

"Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life."

JOHN 4:14

If you find it difficult to pray it can be helpful to hold a pattern or structure in your mind to guide you. Using a sequence like the one below may help you to identify and engage with different needs in your life. The more time you spend in prayer the easier it will become. Hold fast to the promise of Scripture - "Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38) - and use prayer to access the WATeR (Worship, Apology, Thanksgiving, Request) Jesus promised you.

Worship

Praise God as the creator of the universe. Worship Jesus as the son of God, our Lord and Saviour. Celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit.

Apology

Acknowledge any mistakes you have made and ask for forgiveness. At the same time give thought to anyone in your life who you need to forgive.

Thanksgiving

Give thanks to God for the good things in life: for opportunities, family, friends and the many blessings we enjoy in this country.

Request

Remember the needs of others and pray for them: think of the world, the church, your country and community, your own needs. (Matthew 7:7-11)

Br Brian (Society of St Francis) has written an excellent guide to prayer which he has kindly made available to the Diocese (and so for you). Please download a copy here: Lord, Teach us to Pray.

In addition A New Zealand Prayer Book offers several services of private and small group devotion:

Daily Services, Daily Devotions, Midday Prayer, Night Prayer, Family Prayer

Public Prayer

In the Anglican tradition public prayer is captured in regular church services. To learn more about worship and liturgy click here.

To join your prayers with Anglicans worldwide see the Global Communion's Daily Prayer Cycle.

Te Koropiko me te Tikanga Whakahaere Karakia

WORSHIP AND LITURGY

"worship is the response of the people of God to the presence of God"
(A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, page xiv)

"Worship is the highest activity of the human spirit."
(A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, page xv)

Worship is an expression of our love for God: an attempt to engage with the source of all things, to give thanks and praise, and to acknowledge our place in the created universe. When we worship we reorient ourselves to our Creator.

In the Anglican Church worship takes many forms. We invite you to explore our different churches, talk to the communities, and discover for yourself the many ways in which we worship God. For a map of parishes in the Diocese please click here.

"Liturgy describes the People of God. Liturgy expresses who we believe we are in the presence of God. Liturgy reveals the God whom we worship. Liturgy reflects our mission."
(A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, page xiii)

The Eucharistic liturgies (or Holy Communion services) used in the Diocese are derived from traditions that stretch back to the earliest church practices. While the language reflects our contemporary context, the structure is ancient. When we join together as the Body of Christ to worship we go on a journey together that prepares and nourishes us for our mission in the world. The biblically rich language calls us to:

Gather in the name of the Lord Acknowledge who we are and what we've done
Proclaim the Gospel and respond to it
Pray for the World, the Church, our communities and ourselves
Affirm our faith
Reconcile and make peace
Receive Holy Communion.

This activity engages us in the Gospel and calls us to service.

Although services of Holy Communion are our principal worship services we offer many other prayers to God. Parishes provide Taize-style worship and a rhythm of daily prayer alongside art exhibitions and contemporary Christian music. Again, we invite you to explore the variety and depth that our Anglican churches have to offer.

May God bless you as you worship.