John Hebenton's Podcast

 Rev John Hebenton, the retiring vicar of the Anglican Parish of Gate Pā offers some thoughts on the importance of remembering the battles of Pukehinahina-Gate Pa and Te Ranga as we renegotiate our way through this crossroad in the life of Aotearoa-New Zealand. 

This year is the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Pukehinahina-Gate Pa. This is an important event for our city, especially with some of the other things happening in Aotearoa at the moment. We again offered free lectures to help the community understand our city's history and how it shapes our present.This lecture was the second lecture, It was in two parts . The first part was on The Battle of Te Ranga- 21 June 1864, as was offered by Dr Cliff Simons. Cliff, a retired army officer, has specialised in New Zealand's colonial wars for over 35 years. He has written two books and numerous articles and frequently gives talks about the various battles and campaigns, as well as conducting battle field tours. Cliff will be exploring the story of both these battles within their historical context so that we can understand the ongoing legacy today.

As this year is the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Pukehinahina-Gate Pa, Gate Pa Anglican Parish offered free lectures to help the community understand our city's history and how it shapes our present.This lecture was in two parts. This is the second, given by Buddy Mikaere. Buddy spoke about the planned New Zealand Wars Museum at Gate Pā, Putake O Te Riri.Buddy is a former Director of the Waitangi Tribunal and a historian with an extensive list of publications. He is a consultant working largely in the resource consents area and has a national client base. In Tauranga he represents the environmental interests of several local iwi/hapu in their interface with local Councils and developers.

A sermon to say thankyou-          To explore the process we are all going through – and that it is ok-          Use the ascension to invite us all to trust God in all this-          Offer some thoughts about what the future might beAnd then invite people to embrace all that the liminal space might offer with thankfulness, hope and trust.You can read the notes here

The writer of John’s gospel is not a linear Greek thinker. He presents Jesus using older circular ways of teaching – circling around a topic, with each pass going deeper into the abundance of layers of meaning, into the abundance at the heart of the message, How does that help us read John 15:9-17                 ?How does this help us be open to all the image of Jesus the true vine, we are the branches offers as we continue this season of having our minds blown and letting our imaginations run wild.How might we learn about love by supporting each other in this time of grief and lossHow might that open us up to the possibilities of this moment?You can read the notes for this sermon here

Easter is a time to have our minds blown by and for our imaginations to run wild with the possibilities of what the reign of God might look like. -          What does that mean for us as we commemorate ANZAC Day and offer a place for our city to commemorate the Battle of Pukehinahina Gate Pa.  -          What does mean for us facing very uncertain future as a parish?John uses the story from Acts about Phillip and the Ethiopian to explore what that might involveIn face of that Jesus offers very pastoral words in John 15.  John explores what they are about, and then asks - How do we experience these words in our context today?You can read the notes for this sermon  here

Psalm                                           Psalm 4                                                                                    First Reading:                          Acts 3:12-21                Second Reading:                    1 John 3:1-7                Gospel:                                        Luke 24:36-48 Easter is a time to hear stories of the resurrection and how those first disciples responded. We hear them not to be convinced of the truth of the resurrection, but to be opened to our own experiences of the resurrection, and to take time to reflect on how we respond.This week we hear from Luke, with the disciples offering all kinds of responses. Where are we in this mix?As the parish faces an uncertain time with John going, how do we respond in light of all this? John offers some thoughts around our response in terms of the time and financial support for the parish.You can read the notes here

A sermon exploring what it was like for those male disciples when they heard Jesus had risen – They had abandoned Jesus to his death, denied him, betrayed him. They did not die with him as Thomas promised not so long ago – and now he is back!!-          How does that help us read about these two appearances?Thomas teaches us that the Resurrection is not something to be convinced of, but something to be experienced. And when we do it changes everything!How might we live out our own resurrection appearances?You can read the notes for this sermon here

                                                                      Gate Pa – Year B  Easter Sunday 2024Readings:First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9     Second Reading: Acts 10:34-43Gospel:John 20:1-18What I want to say:Our friend died this week. The resurrection affirms that she is with God now. Swallowed in God’s life. I don’t know what that means or what it looks life. That is ok. I trust God for all that.This story is bigger than Liz, or me, getting into heaven, if that is what being swallowed by God’s life is. Jesus death is more than Jesus dying on a cross for me and my sins. It is God dying on a cross, showing us where all our greed, selfishness, lust for power. The powers of death thought they had won, but God would not be held in death. When all seemed lost God’s life prevailed. When all seems lost, God’s love and life will prevail. I trust God for that.Mary watched her friend die, a humiliating horrific degrading death. She watched her hopes for herself and Israel die. She was swallowed in grief, outrage

A reflection to help people into the story of Palm Sunday, to ask where are they in this story, and what do they see?Invite them to ask, as Jesus sees everything, what are we invited to see?We watched Rev Dr Rodney Aist speak in front of Church of the Holy Sepulchre  on St George's College Jerusalem: Ways in the Wilderness Hosanna means both thanksgiving and praise,  or God save us.What do we see that we give thanks for or that we or others seek deliverance from?  – Use these palm fronds to write - What do we give thanks for and whose prayers for deliverance are we invited to join today?  (All were given paper palm fronds as they entered the church.  They were invited to write on the palm leaf path as they go up to communion)  You can read the reflection here

John talks about the writer of John's gospel and Jeremiah both reframe what is going on to find hope in the midst of despair.As we approach an interregnum and gather for our AGM how might we reframe the story of Anglican Parish of Gate Pa?What might the parable of the seed dying to bear fruit offer us in these fragile times?What I want to happen:How does John help us reflect on:What do we need to reframe as Anglican Parish of Gate PaAs we come to our AGMAs we come to uncertain future with my retirementHow does this morning’s reading from John help us be that seedHelp us be vehicle for new lifefind hope.You can rad the notes for this here

Readings:Hebrew Scripture:      Numbers 21:4-9Psalm:                         107:1-3,17-22Epistle:                        Ephesians 2: 1-10Gospel:                        John 3:14-21What I want to say:We began by watching part of the video -  St George's College Jerusalem: Ways in the Wilderness, looking particularly at the Hermitage, Solitude and Community.How do these themes help us this Lent?Then John uses the Jerusalem Bible version of Ephesians “We are God’s works of art,”, and asks, do we see ourselves and others as works of art?He uses this to reflect on John 3 – second half of the conversation with Nicodemus – which is all about identity as well.Belief as Trust – what does it mean to trust God-          For our identity – quote Mary MacLeod Bethune (1875–1955)-          For all we needWere does the cross fit with all this?What I want to happen:Reflect on how "Hermitage, Solitude and Community" help us grow into being God’s works of art, to trust this image and receive the grace to see t

Last week we talked about “carrying our cross with some examples of “martyrs”. When John got home he read about MLK Jr, and some of his experiences with his father in Jim Crow South  – living the truth that he was created a man in the image of God. God made him "Somebody!"  Carrying our cross can be as simple as this.In light of that explore Exodus 20 – 10 Words – not as something to be done to earn God’s approval, but given to people already brought out o slavery with God’s presence in their midst – in clouds and tent of meeting.10 Words taught them to live as people marked by God’s compassion and generosity – displaying that justice, mercy, aroha for all – Blessed to be a blessingJohn portrays Jesus as one step further – not marked by God’s compassion and generosity, but God’s compassion and generosity enfleshed! He is God’s compassion and generosity.Read John 2 and John’s “Temple Incident” in light of that, remembering that when John is written there is no temple! Jesus is not superseding  the te

We began by watching Dean Richard talk abut the wilderness, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTZ5cuEz1kk&t=98s>John then offers some thoughts on how Genesis 17 and Mark 8 help us in this Lenten time.The Abrahamic Covenant offered in Genesis 12 and 15, and affirmed in Genesis 17 remind us that the blessing is so that the people of God will be a blessing for all people and all creation – so that humanity is restored, and creation renewed. Jesus reaffirms this when he says “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Let that blow your minds and change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” What does that look like?John explores how Caesarea Philippi shapes Peters hopes for this kingdom, and how Jesus rejects this way of violence and power over, as he did in the wilderness. His way is love, replicating the service he received from the angels offering God’s healing mission particularly to the poor, marginalised, rejected. This way can only lead to rejection and death. And Jesus invites us into

It is Lent – traditionally a time to give something up, to pray and read the bible more, and to support charities. John explores the point of all that using his three questions – whose are we, who are we, what is ours to do? He suggests that it is a time to begin again joining in God’s disruptive work in the worldWhat I want to happen:People to take the time to both give up things that hinder living as beloved children of God, and take up new practicesYou can read the notes to this sermon here

John  uses Mark 1:40-45 to explore some ideas around the point of the healing stories in Mark, using David Loses’ “4 words about Jesus”. (https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/four-words)What do these teach me/us about God and the divine presence?What might they say about the Kingdom of God?How might I live this?What I want to happen:How does all this help us be open to invitation in Lent to We finished by thinking about leprosy today and the work of the Leprosy Mission. We watch this video <https://leprosymission.org.nz/shanne>You can read the notes for this sermon here

John starts by exploring  what Candlemas is. He then wonders what is revealed of Jesus in story from Mark 1 – that we might see and live in the reign of God today, and  what has this to do with Waitangi Day?What I want to happen:-          How are we a restored community of justice, generosity and aroha this Waitangi weekend?You can read the notes here

John talks about Epiphany and what that is all about, and how we are to read our readings in light of the themes of Epiphany.He uses the 1 Samuel story to explore place of others in call, especially with young people. Then use this story to talk about call.Part of call is being knowing God speaks through and works through the unexpected.Part of call is being found by God through othersWhen might we say we were foundWho were we revealed to beHow have we and do we continue to live that outHow do we help other people, especially young people, be found?You can read the notes for this sermon here

John talks about how we have two principal feasts and should not be displaced by any other celebration:  Epiphany and the Baptism of the LordOriginally they were on the same day, and still are for many Eastern Orthodox Churches.Both stories are unsettling, intense, almost violent. They rupture the lives of those involvedHe finishes by askingWho is the God revealed in JesusHow do we live that revelationWe then watched "Rich" by Rob Bell, part of the Nooma series.The notes for this sermon can be found here

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, using the story of the Annunciation from Luke's Gospel, John explores who is Mary, and how she might inspire us in our life of faithAnd he invites us to reflect on who helps us be disciples and who we help.You can read the notes here