and staff member alike, like Temple’s reference to the Church itself, is not limited to the persons present, or the time we spend together. To borrow from a sermon preached earlier in the year, Chapel can be the fuel that fires the machine of excellence. When we are doing Chapel well, all aspects of College life are enhanced, our House system is more compassionate and grounded in mutual care, our arts and culture, the stage and the recording studio are places where creativity is celebrated and thrives, and our sports fields and courts ring with the sound of individual and corporate sportsmanship and endeavour. From the luncheon queue to the community service undertaken by many students, the world – College students, and Old Boys reach into it – is more humane, civilised, and caring, because of our Chapel, and its form and function as lived faith in our community. It is one of the great paradoxes of the Christian faith that when we are looking out and up, something special and congruent with whom we were made to be is taking place within. We are formed more and more into the likeness of Christ, for whom our College was named. A special thanks to Old Boy Sir William Young KNZM KC for his address to the students at our annual Anzac Service of Remembrance for The Fallen. Thanks also to The College Warden, Bishop of
Christchurch, and Old Boy The Right Rev’d Dr Peter Carrell for leading our Ash Wednesday Service at the beginning of Lent. Bishop Peter takes an active interest in all we do
A personal highlight for 2023 was the Baptism of three students, Connor MacKenzie, Jack Morkane, and Jack Farquhar, in October. In preparation for the service, the Baptism Register of Christ’s College recording well more than 100 years of Baptisms in our community was retrieved. Of course, the great leger of men and women who have moved towards God in the sacrament of Baptism is millennia old, but it was a joy to celebrate with family and friends the first Baptisms at Christ’s College since the pre-Covid-19 years. On the first Sunday of Advent, the Chaplain took up a Canonry with The Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral, at least in part to contribute to seeing through the reinstatement of our Cathedral in the Square. As alluded to in the opening comments concerning our own Chapel, our Cathedral, too, can have a diffusive influence for faith, and God’s good work in our city. My penultimate thanks for 2023 are to Executive Principal Garth Wynne, and my colleagues, who are supportive of our Anglican identity in so many ways. Finally, to our students, parents/ caregivers, supporters, and wider community, thank you. Would that it be when asked to give an account of the hope that is within us, and what makes Christ’s the College it is, we would answer “our faith”. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Yours in Christ, The Rev’d Canon Cameron Pickering Chaplain
as an Anglican school for all. The Chapel was served by two
Prefects, George Brackenridge and Edward Nye, in 2023. Their work as an example and witness to service in producing rosters and keeping the Chapel as the place for reflection and refuelling is greatly appreciated. Dr Andrew Taylor continued in his role as Chapel Steward, and during his sabbatical in Term 3, was sorely missed. We are glad for his return. Liz Gregory has once again provided beautiful flowers for our sanctuary. To Liz now in the 14th year of this ministry, heartfelt thanks. Robert Aburn, Director of Music, has led and organised the Chapel Choir of Christ’s College once again this year. At their full complement, there have been more than 100 boys, some 15% of the College roll involved. Mr Aburn’s skill and dedication are obvious to anyone who is at College during the week. The sounds of rehearsals echoing across the Quad are today, as they have been for generations, a sign and symbol of how this College lives its faith, and what it can lead to in our daily lives. Thanks also to Nicholas Sutcliffe, inimitable on the organ, and the student leaders of the Choir who have stepped up this year.
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Register 2023 Virtues
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