Lent, Holy Week and Easter 2025
Diocese of Dunedin (Anglican) – Opportunities for Worship over Lent, Holy Week and Easter 2025
Clicking on the blue text below will take you to individual websites.
See our Directory Page for a map of loations
This Lent and Easter we focus on the Good News that following Jesus still brings to our world, choosing a different way…
Many Christians on Ash Wednesday will have received the mark of the cross on our foreheads, made with ashes from last year’s palm crosses. This mark is a reminder of our human frailty our desire to follow the way of Christ and our failure to do so. Yet also an invitation to imagine how our lives might be if we absorbed Christ’s courageous compassion into our hearts and lived fully from that reality.
In the gospels the 40 days Jesus spends in the wilderness is preceded by his baptism and the affirmation that he is God’s beloved Son. Christians also have a vocation as God’s beloved children. We also enter the wilderness, so that we might let go of all that challenges our ability to live as Christ’s people expressing the compassion, mercy and love of God in a hurting world.
Lent is traditionally a time for all of us to reflect on our identity, our relationship with God and with others. This includes eamining our lives to discern the personal work we need to do to become holy, integrated people, more fully able to live the demanding call of the gospel… which is a very different way.
The church has traditionally observed disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving during Lent. These encourage us to take the inward journey so that we can be free to respond more sensitively to the needs of the vulnerable and to work for the establishment of justice and peace.
I found the quote from Nouwen a blessing in a recent Quiet Time – perhaps you will find it helpful too:
Whenever there is a lack of clarity of ambiguous circumstances, it is time to wait. Active waiting is essential to the spiritual life. In our mostly active lives and fast-paced culture, waiting is not a popular pastime. It is not something we anticipate or experience with great joy. In fact, most of us consider it a waste of time. Perhaps this is because the culture in which we live is basically saying, “Get going! Do something! Show you are able to make a difference! Don’t just sit there and wait.” But the paradox of waiting is that it requires full attention to the present moment, with the expectation of what is to come and the patience to learn from the act of waiting.
Henri J Nouwen
Join us on a journey this Lent and Easter: closer to the heart of God and our neighbours, allowing our lives to be transformed by love.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
– Psalm 27: 14
The world is a far stranger place than we thought it was 100 years ago. Whether scientists are studying the endless reaches of space, the increasingly tiny elements of quantum mechanics, or the possibility of a cosmic consciousness, everything is less able to be controlled or predicted than was once thought. A local priest and quantum physicist commented once that he was fine with not understanding God, as he worked daily with things he couldn’t understand!
Many strange things are true. At Easter we celebrate the strange idea that the God who is Love became human, lived, died and conquered death. This cannot be proven 2000 years later, but many great thinkers of every age have found sufficient reason to trust its truth. As neuroscientist Iain McGilchrist said,
This trust is not blind. It’s no more blind than if you are fording a stream and someone on the other side reaches out a hand to you. You don’t take a blind leap of faith; you answer to the hand that is stretched towards you.
Easter is God’s hand, stretched towards us.
Dunedin Area
Churches in Dunedin, from Port Chalmers to Brighton and Mosgiel.
Cathedral District
Cathedral Church of St Paul – 228 Stuart Street Dunedin
Click here for Cathedral Information for Lent and Easter
Cathedral District
Cathedral Church of St Paul – 228 Stuart Street Dunedin
Ash Wednesday 5 March – 7pm Ash Wednesday Choral Mass
Sunday 13 April – 10am Palm Sunday Mass and Choral Passion
Wednesday 16 April
12pm Midday Mass
6pm Chrism Mass
Maundy Thursday 17 April
9.00am Te Hākari Tapu
7.30pm Joint service at All Saints North Dunedin
GOOD FRIDAY 18 April – 2pm Liturgy of the Cross
GOOD FRIDAY 18 April – 8pm Choral Tenebrae Service
HOLY SATURDAY 19 April – 8pm Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter
EASTER SUNDAY 20 April- 10am FESTIVAL CHORAL MASS
EASTER SUNDAY 20 April – 7pm FESTIVAL CHORAL EVENSONG
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Caversham Parish
St Peter’s – 500 Hillside Road
Wednesday, 5 March : Ash Wednesday. Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes at 7pm.
Fridays in Lent : Starting on 5 March, Eucharist and Lenten Study at 5.30pm followed by a Fish and Chip Supper.
Palm Sunday 13 April 2025
8am Holy Eucharist (1662)
10.30am Solemn Sung Eucharist
5 pm Evensong and Benediction – to be confirmed
Maundy Thursday 17 April 2025
7pm Stripping of the Altar and Vigil
Good Friday 18 March 2025
12noon Veneration of the Cross
Holy Saturday 19 April 2025
8pm Easter Vigil Mass and Ceremony of the New Fire
Easter Day 20 April 2025
8am Holy Eucharist (1662)
10.30am Solemn Sung Eucharist
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Dunedin North Parish
All Saints’ – 786 Cumberland St
Click Here for Dunedin North Information (All Saints - St Martins) for Lent and Easter
Dunedin North Parish
All Saints’ – 786 Cumberland St
March 5 Ash Wednesday
6.30pm High Mass & imposition of ashes
March 7 World Day of Prayer
7 pm Eccumenical Service, Pacigfic Islanders Church, 162 North Rd, North East Valley, see https://www.worlddayofprayer.org.nz/wdp-2025/
Sundays in Lent (from 9 April)
10.30am High Mass followed by lunch, Sunday School, 8pm Taizé Night Prayer followed by supper.
Tuesdays in Lent
7pm-8.30pm. This year’s Lent study course explores key themes from the Nicene Creed as we mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea. March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8 @ Rockliff Hall.
Wednesdays in Lent
5.30pm French Evening Prayer (March 12, April 19). Mass (TBC)
Thursdays in Lent
8.45-10am, 4pm-6pm Fruit & Veges collection, front hall.
6.30 pm Student Christian Movement, Rockliff Hall.
Fridays in Lent
5.30pm Stations of the Cross
March 8 Arnold Spencer-Smith Memorial:
5.30 Mass 6.30 pm Reception in All; Saints Hall. 7 pm 7th Annual Spcner-Smith lecture: ‘Pathes are made by walking’, Susanna Ferrar, Antartic Historian.
April 6 Passion Sunday
Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 am.
10.30am High Mass followed by lunch, Sunday School, 8pm Taizé Night Prayer followed by supper.
Palm Sunday 13 April
- 8am Mass
- 10.30am High Mass with Procession (begins outside Selwyn College on Castle Street) and Sunday School
- 8pm Taizé Night Prayer
April 14-16 Monday – Wednesday
5.30pm Stations of the Cross
Maundy Thursday April 17
7.30 pm Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper with washing of feet, watch at the altar of repose until midnight.
Good Friday April 18
10.30am Liturgy of the Lord’s passion
Holy Saturday April 19
7.30pm Great Vigil, First Mass of Easter followed by Potluck party
Easter Sunday April 20
10.30am High Mass, children’s activities including Easter Egg hunt
(no 8am Mass or 8pm Night Prayer)
St Martin’s- 194 North Road, Dunedin
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday 13 April 10.30am Eucharist with procession
Easter Day 17 April 10.30am Eucharist followed by morning tea
No 8 am Mass or 8 pm Night Prayer.
St Matthew’s Parish (Dunedin)
30 Hope Street, Dunedin
Good Friday 10am – A dramatic service in the church (preceded by morning tea with hot cross buns at 9am in the Hope Centre)
Easter Sunday 10 am: Easter Communion Celebration of the Resurrection
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St Martha’s (North Dunedin) – services to be confirmed
PALM SUNDAY, 13/4/25: St-Martha’s-on-the-road – Liturgy of Palms
10.30am: St Martin’s Church, 194 North Rd, NEV.
Come with us as I lead a combined liturgy of Palm at St Martin’s. Flax to wave, palm crosses, and Eucharist.
Join us after the service for a cuppa.
GOOD FRIDAY, 18/4/25: St-Martha’s-on-the-road – Stations of the Cross
12 noon, St. Peter’s Church, 57 Baker Street, Caversham.
Join us as we gather ‘at the foot of the cross’ for this beautiful, solemn, combined service led by Joel Stutter.
HOLY SATURDAY/EASTER EVE, 19/4/25: St-Martha’s-on-the-road Easter Vigil Mass and Ceremony of the New Fire
8pm St. Peter’s Church, 57 Baker Street, Caversham.
Join us on Easter-Eve for this ancient, spectacular lturgy, and the first communion of Easter. Led by Joel Stutter, Edward Prebble, and myself. This would be my pick of the month to bring teenagers along to.
EASTER SUNDAY, 20/4/2025: Combined service with St Martin’s
10.30am: St Martin’s Church, 194 North Rd, NEV.
Come join us to celebrate the Resurrection: Eucharist, awesome Easter music, lots of flowers, candles, colour, and children-friendly activities. Join us after the service for a cuppa and a hot cross bun.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1228317920551807
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Otago Peninsula
St Michael’s and All Angels’ – Elliot Street, Andersons Bay
Palm Sunday 13 April
- Afternoon with Joy Cowley and the Easter story at Macandrew Bay Bowling Green Hall, 12 Conway Street, Macandrew Bay, 3 pm top 5 pm.
- Incudes fun activites and afternoon tea – suitable for adults, children and families.
Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Hand and Foot Washing
Good Friday 18 April
- 9.30am An ecumenical service based on the Stations of the Cross at St Philip’s Presbyterian Church, Belford Street, Waverley.
For those who would like to, there is the opportunity to walk the Stations of the Cross. Those walking will gather at the playground in Larnach Road ready to set off to St Philip’s at 9.30am, so that the two groups are together for the final part of the service at the church.
- St Michaels from 12 -3pm Good Friday: join us to pray and reflect.Refreshments available in the Harding Lounge.
Easter Sunday - 6.30am Dawn Service Broad Bay, BBQ fish on the beach and a ‘plunge in the sea’ reminder of our baptism
- 10am Family Eucharist at St Michaels’ Church.
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Port Chalmers Parish – contact Judy Ringland Stewart (Church Warden), 03 4728476 or 0274728477, box9portchalmers@gmail.com
Holy Trinity – corner Grey and Scotia Streets, Port Chalmers
- Good Friday 10.00am – Service of Reflection
- Good Friday 7.30pm – Tenebrae
- Easter Sunday 10.00 am
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Roslyn Parish
St John’s – 373 Highgate, Roslyn, Dunedin
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm
‘Three days in the belly of the whale – Reflections on ‘the sign of Jonah’’ with a short Eucharist
Good Friday at 10 – Liturgy of Good Friday – “Dying to live”
At 2pm An hour of Silent Meditation
EASTER
- 6.45am Service of Light followed by breakfast
- 9am Holy Communion
- 10am Sung Eucharist
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Contact Ven Jan Clark 027 351 5171
Good Friday
- Mornington Walk with the Cross 9.30 am: Begins at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church (concludes at St Mary’s Anglican). Following the service, we share hot cross buns.
- 2pm Holy Cross, St Kilda, Stations of the Cross.
- 7pm St Mark’s , Green Island. Good Friday reflections
Easter Day 20 April
- 7.15am Sunrise Service on Brighton Beach followed by Eucharist and breakfast at St Margaret’s .
- 9.30am St Mary’s Mornington Eucharist & renewal of Baptismal Promises
- 11am Holy Cross 5 Bellona St, St Kilda Eucharist & renewal of Baptismal Promises
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Taieri Parish
St Luke’s – 67 Gordon Rd, Mosgiel
- Good Friday 18 April 10am Service
- Easter Sunday 20 April 10am Service
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Southland and Central Otago – Lakes
Churches in Gore, Invercargill, Southland through to Te Anau, Central Otago and the Lakes District
Dunstan Parish
St Aidan’s – 42 Shannon Street, Alexandra
St James – 12 Ferry Road, Roxburgh
Good Friday
9.30am. Combined Churches service, venue to be confirmed
St Aidan’s, Alexandra
Easter Sunday
9.30am. Holy Communion
St James, Roxburgh
Good Friday
3.00pm. Stations of the Cross
Easter Saturday
5.00pm. Holy Communion at St. James, Roxburgh
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Fiordland Parish – Contact: Miriam Dudfield, 021 054 2027, miriamdudfield@hotmail.com
St Michael’s – 49 Mokonui Street, Te Anau
- 13 April Palm Sunday 9.30am
- 20 April Easter Sunday 9.30am Easter Eucharist
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Gladstone Parish
All Saints – 509 Dee Street, Invercargill
- Good Friday – Devotional Service 10am
- Holy Saturday – Service of Light 7pm
- Easter Sunday – Said Communion 8am and Resurrection Eucharist 9.30am
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Gore Parish
Holy Trinity – Trafford Street, Gore
Palm Sunday 13 April
10am Family Eucharist
Maundy Thursday 17 April
6pm Agape meal, service and vigil
Good Friday 18 April 9am Liturgy
Holy Saturday 19 April
5pm Celtic Healing Service
Easter Sunday 20 April
10am Family Eucharist
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Invercargill – St John’s Parish
St Luke’s – 10 Black Road, Otatara
Please join a service at a neighbouring Invercargill Parish – no Easter services scheduled for St John’s Parish.
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Invercargill Children’s and Family Easter Celebration Service
To be confirmed…
Contact 021 326 307 for more details.
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Maniototo Parish – Contact Warwick Smith (Bishop’s Warden), 021 434536
St. Hilda’s, 16 Welles Street. Ranfurly;
St. George’s, 46 Derwent Street, Naseby;
Easter Sunday 10.30am Family Communion Service at St George’s Naseby
St. Alban the Martyr, Downs Road, St. Bathans
Open for quiet reflection
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North Invercargill Parish
Holy Trinity – 61 King Street, Invercargill
Palm Sunday 13 April – 9.30am Eucharist and blessing of Palm crosses, 11.45 am Potluck luncheon in the hall
Maundy Thursday 17 April
6 pm – Pot luck tea @ Cheynes
7. 30pm Service of Shadows and stripping of the Altar
Good Friday 18 April 9.30am Stations of the Cross
Easter Sunday 20 April Easter Eucharist
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Upper Clutha Parish
St Columba’s – Corner Upton Street and McDougall Street, Wanaka
St Andrew’s – Corner Blyth Street and Donegal Street, Cromwell
Tarras Community Church – Church Road, Tarras
Holy Week and Easter Day in the Upper Clutha Parish
- Palm Sunday: 13 April
- Maundy Thursday: 17 April
- Good Friday: 18 April
- Holy Saturday: 19 April
- Easter Day: 20 April
St Andrew’s Cromwell
Palm Sunday, 9.00am
Maundy Thursday, 7.00pm
Good Friday, 2pm
Holy Saturday, 7.00pm (Taizé)
Easter Day, 9.00am
St Columba’s Wanaka
Palm Sunday, 11.00am
Maundy Thursday, 7.00pm
Good Friday, 2.00pm
Easter Day, 8.00am & 10.00am
Tarras Church
A service celebrating Easter will be held at the Tarras Church on Sunday 4 May at 11am
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Wakatipu Parish
St Peter’s – 2 Church Street, Queenstown
St Paul’s – 16 Berkshire Street, Arrowtown
Glenorchy Community Church – 13 Argyle Street
Maundy Thursday 17 April
7pm Holy Communion and optional foot-washing – St Peter’s
Good Friday 18 April
8.30am St Paul’s Arrowtown
10am St Peter’s Queenstown
11.15am Walk of the Cross – St Joseph’s Church, Queenstown
Easter Sunday 20 April
8.30am – St Paul’s Arrowtown
10.30am – St Peter’s Queenstown
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Western Southland
St Mary’s Riverton:
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Winton – Contact: Rev’d Richard Johnson, 021 124 2746
Holy Trinity Church – 252 Great North Road, Winton
Good Friday 10 am
Easter Sunday 10am
Oamaru – East and South Otago
Churches from Warrngton (north of Dunedin) to Oamaru and the Waitaki Valley, and south of Dunedin to South Otago.
Balclutha Parish
St Mark’s – 19 Renfrew Street Balclutha
- 9.30am Good Friday
- 9:30am Easter Sunday
St Peter’s – 8 Church Street Clinton
Joining with St Mark’s Blaclutha
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Oamaru-Maheno Parish
St Lukes – 2 Tees Street, Oamaru
St Andrew’s – 6 Short Street, Maheno
Tuesday 15 April at 6pm in the hall:
Pancakes! Come and join us as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday by eating pancakes together and sharing the fun of pancake tossing competitions and pancake relays. It’s a lot of fun for participants and spectators – invite friends and families! Pancakes are supplied, bring your favourite pancake topping to share.
Sunday 13 April Palm Sunday
9am: Holy Communion at St Andrew’s
10:30am: Holy Communion at St Luke’s
7pm: Taizé service at St Luke’s
Tuesday 15 April
9am: Morning prayer at St Luke’s
7:30pm: Holy Communion at St Luke’s
Wednesday 16 April
7:30pm: Tenebrae service at St Luke’s
Thursday 17 April: Maundy Thursday
10am: Holy Communion at St Luke’s
7:30pm: Foot washing and Holy Communion at St Luke’s
Friday 18 April: Good Friday
9am at St Andrew’s
2pm: Good Friday Service St Luke’s
Sunday 20April: Easter Sunday
9am: Holy Communion at St Andrew’s
10:30am: Holy Communion at St Luke’s
7pm: Night prayer at St Luke’s
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Milton – Tuapeka
St Johns – 165 Union Street, Milton
Easter Sunday 9am Holy Communion and Hymns
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St Barnabas’ 282 Coast Road Warrington
- Maundy Thursday 7pm
- Good Friday 10am
- Easter Sunday 9.30am
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Waikouaiti
St John’s
94 Beach Street, Wakouaiti
Good Friday at St Johns at 10 am
Hui Te Rangiora Church
Apes Road, above Puketeraki Marae
Karitane
Easter Sunday 10am
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Waitaki North Oamaru – services to be confirmed, tentative arrangements below
St Mary’s Church – 410 Thames Highway, Oamaru
Good Friday 9.00 am
Easter Sunday 9.30am
St Alban’s Church – 5635 Kurow-Duntroon Rd, Kurow
Good Friday 12 noon
Easter Sunday 9.30am
St Martin’s Church – Earthquake Road, Duntroon
No services this Easter
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Daily On-line Opportunities and More…
- Daily Morning Prayers. Tuesday to Saturday at 9 am via Zoom. No computer or smart phone? Telephone 03 659 0603 (it may be a toll call depending on your plan), then key in the meeting ID: 959 771 603 66
- Daily Evening Prayer: Tuesday to Friday at 5 pm Meeting ID: 934 8425 0283
- Scattered People of the Good Shepherd: Monthly zoom worship services for individuals and small congregations, 10 am on the third Sunday of each month.
- Otago Access Radio Radio Church – 8 am on Sunday mornings or catch up on previous services via the link above.
- Hymns for Sunday Morning – traditional and contemporary hymns in this long-standing NZ favourite.
For anyone who hasn’t use Zoom before, have a look at instructions on our Contacts page and Zoom User Guide. You can join zoom from any device (phone, tablet or iPad, computer) that has a camera, microphone and speakers.
