Welcome to this Anglican Community of faith Nau mai haere mai ki te¯nei hapori Mihinare o te whakapono
Jesus said, I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10). Christ’s College is an Anglican School for all, founded in 1850. By the Deed of Foundation, the Bishop of Christchurch licences the Executive Principal under the statutes and canons of The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia to exercise a ministry in accordance with those statutes. In term time, students attend Chapel regularly during the week and on Sundays. Students at Christ’s College have come from many religious faiths, and none. As a community of learning we value diversity, are inclusive of difference, and champion thinking beyond strict denominational lines. In aspiring to achieve our mission of Each boy at his best we are aided and strengthened by our Anglican identity. Anglican identity is foremostly relational. Ultimately, it is found in our relationship to God through Christ for whom this College is named, in the power of the Spirit. St John tells us those who do not love their brothers and sisters whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. Together we build relationships, striving to create a sense of belonging for people, inclusive of diversity and grounded in love. We love one another because God first loved us . This relational aspect of Anglicanism is realised in our worship. Our worship is grounded in commonality – Common Worship, undergirded by
scripture, the tradition of the Apostolic Church, and our God given intellect. Stirred by the Mission of the Church to express the breadth and length, height and depth of God’s love, our relationship to one another finds expression in our liturgy (singing, praying, listening, asking) and connection with God. The conciliatory nature of Anglican identity is radical. In society, locally and internationally, artificial fences are constructed, tribal boundaries are reinforced by ‘us and them’ mentalities. As pilgrim people, Anglicans seek to restore the unity of humankind in the image and likeness of God by working together for reconciliation, listening, and striving to appreciate the variety of human experience in relationship with each other, and to God. The Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia is committed to the principles of Biculturalism, and Partnership, enshrined in Te Tiriti o Waitangi (1840). We strive for ways to live out our faith, worship, and community – considering and celebrating our unique context as covenantal people in the South Pacific. Anglicans therefore value education as a bridge across differences. Together with churches and social outreach facilities, universities, and schools such as ours have been founded in the faith that our relationships under God will shape a fuller and more abundant tomorrow.
The Rev. Cameron Pickering – College Chaplain
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