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.

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...

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, h...

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 o...

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 exp...

Psalm Psalm 4 First Reading: &nb...

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 liv...

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...

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 th...