18/03/2026
Epiphany Church would love your support if you can.
Our connection with Epiphany began in 2020 when we moved from Whanganui to Masterton for my School Chaplaincy role at Hadlow. Moving is always a challenge, but knowing Sarah and Hennie, the priests at Epiphany at the time, made the transition feel a little less daunting.
After spending close to 10 years at Christ Church in Whanganui, the move away from the only hometown and church our girls had ever known was hard. Though tough at first, our children actually led the way. After joining Epiphany, they were not just tolerated; they were welcomed, encouraged, and included, because of this, our girls wanted to be there. Through their eyes, Epiphany started to feel like home. We had been part of Anglican parishes before - communities that were always kind and friendly, but often much older. Since arriving in Masterton , I have watched Epiphany evolve. The community has expanded, and our daughters have grown alongside it. They don’t just attend; they participate.
If you had told me years ago that I would become a priest, I would have laughed. At the time we joined, I was the chaplain at Hadlow, but not yet ordained. The journey to the priesthood took about four years - an "endless" but very rewarding stretch of nights, weekends, and fitting study around the margins of family and work.
Leading services here has been incredibly formative. Preparing sermons for an adult congregation is a weighty responsibility; it stretches you. The people here challenge you, too, in the best possible way. With a congregation that includes other clergy and their families, the feedback I received during my training was honest, thoughtful, and rooted in love - whether it was a note on a sermon, a suggestion for a hymn, or quiet encouragement when I needed it most. These contributions all worked to help in my growth and development.
Working alongside Hennie and Sarah has been a breath of fresh air. I never felt constrained; I have always been free to lead as myself. When my wife and I suggested Café Church - modeled after a format we had seen flourish in our old Church in Sussex, England - Sarah and Hennie were immediately open to it.
Cafe Church challenged some people’s expectations, and not everyone was initially convinced. But for me, it anchored back to a simple biblical truth: meeting people where they are. Church isn’t about a building; it is about the people, about connection and fellowship with others.
Our girls love coming because they feel they belong. That means everything to us. Between Café Church and the social rhythm of the parish - the Living Advent Calendar, the Amazing Race, and shared meals - we spend time together in ways that feel like family. Attending church doesn’t feel like a formal obligation; it feels like hanging out with friends.
My role remains both rewarding and challenging. I don’t feel as though I’ve "arrived" at a particular destination. My understanding of ministry work continues to change, and my faith continues to unfold. It is, as it has always been, a journey.
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In February 2025, Epiphany Church was damaged in an arson attack that deeply shook our community. While insurance covers the main fire repairs, we urgently need your help to complete essential exterior work—please consider giving through our Givealittle page to help protect and preserve this special place for generations to come: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/epiphany-recovering-from-arson-attack
