Repeat the Sounding Joy – all episodes now online

Posted on December 21, 2025 
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Tyndale House in Cambridge has now published the final episode of their Advent podcast series:

“In this four-part series for Advent, Tony Watkins talks to Christopher Ash, Writer in Residence at Tyndale House, Cambridge, about Luke chapters 1 and 2.

These chapters are the focus of Christopher’s book of Advent devotions, Repeat the Sounding Joy (pub. Good Book Company).”

– See all four episodes here. Most encouraging and helpful.

When time feels broken

Posted on December 21, 2025 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on When time feels broken

“Bad timing drives me nuts.

The bus pulls away just before you reach it. The priceless opportunity disappears just before you can grab it. Just when that person finally gets back on their feet, something else goes wrong. Bad, broken timing.

Why does time feel so broken?

Don’t let those swish Swiss clocks confuse you: time does not run smoothly. It slips away, races past and—ultimately—runs out. But why? Why does it feel like our times are out of joint when there’s a perfect time Lord holding all our times together?…”

– At The Australian Church Record, Annabel Nixey continues her series on time.

This isn Part 2. Part 1 (The Bible’s guide to time travel) and Part 3 (You only live twice) are also available.

What are the (Church of England) bishops up to now?

Posted on December 20, 2025 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars Comments Off on What are the (Church of England) bishops up to now?

“On Tuesday, 16th December, the House of Bishops of the Church of England announced that ‘more time’ was needed to finalise its ‘proposals on the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process’.

While they said that the decisions they took in October had not been ‘contested’, they ‘identified some areas where further clarification is needed and agreed to continue work on a letter to the Church summarising LLF and setting out an agreed position.‘ Later in the press release it was explained that the text of the letter would ‘take the form of a statement from the House,‘ which would have a degree of authority in any future dispute.

Archbishop Stephen Cottrell also reassured the Church that the bishops ‘remain on course to bring proposals to Synod for consideration in February.’

This has led many observers to scratch their head and ask ‘What are the bishops up to now?’

Of course, unless there is a leak from the House of Bishops, the Church will need to wait until January to find out for sure. Meanwhile, this blog explores the possibilities that arise from a careful reading of the both the statements and the theological and legal advice the bishops received.…”

– Curious. Read it all at Anglican Futures.

But see this post at Church Society from 7th November 2025: Why we can’t have the Prayers of Love and Faith after all.

Image: Archbishop Stephen Cottrell speaking at the Church of England’s General Synod in February 2025.

2025 Christmas op-ed from Bishop Mark Calder

Posted on December 20, 2025 
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Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has released this Christmas op-ed –

Christmas comes to us after a year marked by news that has been deeply unsettling. Violence close to home, ongoing conflict overseas, and stories that disturb and weary us. Into a world like this, Matthew’s Gospel reminds us that the first Christmas also arrived with shocking news.

Mary, pledged to be married, was found to be pregnant. In first-century Jewish life, this was scandalous and devastating. For Joseph, it meant confusion, fear and a decision that could have ended everything quietly and safely. Yet God intervened. An angel told Joseph that this child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Shocking news – but also the most wonderful news imaginable.

For this child was to be given two names, each filled with hope.

First, Jesus—a name that means God saves. Christmas tells us that God does not stand at a distance from human failure and sin. He steps into our world to deal with it. Jesus came to save his people from their sins—to restore what has been broken between us and God, through forgiveness won at the cross.

Second, Immanuel—God with us. Not God far away, but God alongside us. Sharing our world, our pain, our joys and our fears. God who knows what it is to suffer, to be rejected, and yet to love without limit. And by his Spirit, he is still with us today.

So, Christmas proclaims both forgiveness and presence: we can be put right with God, and we are not alone. My prayer this Christmas is that you will know both truths deeply—that you can be forgiven in Christ, and you can know that God is with you, whatever your present circumstances.

Have a joyful Christmas!

Mark

Good to share. Also available as a PDF file.

Photo: Mark and Susan Calder.

“We will not turn away from anti-Semitism in silence”

Posted on December 19, 2025 
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Archbishop Kanishka Raffel –

“Sydney Anglicans speak with one voice when I say that we abhor anti-Semitism. And we will not turn away from anti-Semitism in silence.”

From Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net –

“Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has made a passionate gesture, expressing solidarity with the Jewish community as they mourn victims of the Bondi massacre.

The Archbishop represented Sydney Anglicans at an outdoor memorial on Wednesday and then spoke at the Great Synagogue to mark Hanukkah and mourning for massacre victims.

Archbishop Raffel’s speech ended with him singing a Hebrew blessing as the congregation joined in. …”

– Read the full report – along with the Archbishop’s full remarks – here.

Updated with video, courtesy of Russell Powell —

Top image: Screenshot from the video posted by SydneyAnglicans.net.

Making your ‘Christmas Talk’ better

Posted on December 19, 2025 
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From The Pastor’s Heart –

“How to preach Christmas that engages and connects.

We’ve pulled in three experts to help us prepare for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We share talk structures, attention hooks, and illustrations that connect with guests who didn’t come for a sermon but need a Saviour.

Sam Chan talks about tailoring length, tone, and imagery for each.

Andrew Barry frames Christmas with a pastoral lens: some in the room are celebrating their first Christmas in Christ, others their last — and how this shapes content and cadence, putting joy and gravity side by side.

Adrian Russell talks about speaking into tragedy at Christmas, by preaching peace that is more than a feeling—reconciliation with God that makes real.

For Christmas morning, we share passages and closes that put God’s face turned toward us and the cross in view, with invitations that are personal and memorable.”

– This is a good reminder of the opportunities at Christmas – and especially in church Christmas gatherings.

Christmas Message from Bishop Mark Short

Posted on December 19, 2025 
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Bishop of the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn (and Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia) Bishop Mark Short has today released his Christmas message –

Living in an area of LED lightbulbs and powerful searchlights it is easy for us to miss how fragile and vulnerable light sources were in the ancient world. A candle could be snuffed out, a torch could be extinguished by the wind, an oil lamp made of clay could be dropped
and smashed.

It’s one reason why the Jewish story of Hanukkah – the account of a supply of olive oil sufficient for one day which miraculously lit the re-dedicated temple for eight days – resonates so profoundly with members of that community.

Perhaps because of this fragility the ancients were also aware of the power of light. Light protected you from danger, it guided your way and strengthened your hope.

This combination of apparent fragility and profound strength is evident in the first Chapter of John’s Gospel. John meditates on the events of Christmas. In Jesus the true light, which gives light to everyone, comes into the world (verse 9). Yet that same world does not recognise Him for who He is (verse 10). But to all who do recognise and receive Him, there is the power to become God’s children (verse 12). “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” (verse 5).

Here is the wonder of Christmas: the vulnerable baby lying in the feed-trough is also God’s eternal Word. This Word is powerful enough to hold together the entire universe; strong enough to still a raging storm, mighty enough to defeat sin and death forever.

Where do we find the strength to confront the kind of evil that was unleashed on Bondi Beach the evening of Sunday December 14? Perhaps where we least expect to do so; in the light of the world, whose apparent weakness is strong enough to give life and hope and a future to all who believe in Him. Even now He commissions His followers to bring that same light to their world by mourning with those who mourn and by making peace (see Matthew 5:1-16).

– Download Bishop Short’s message as a PDF file suitable for printing or sharing.

No Longer The Lucky Country for Jews

Posted on December 19, 2025 
Filed under Australia, for your prayers Comments Off on No Longer The Lucky Country for Jews

Published last Friday, just two days before the attack at Bondi, this interview is disturbingly prophetic.

“Julian Leeser joins John Anderson for an assessment of the disturbing return of anti-semitism to the Australian public sphere.

Leeser sets out the historical contours of anti-semitism and why Hamas’s October 7 attacks became a catalyst for hostility on Australian soil.”

While the discussion does critique some of the political responses to anti-semitism, the video is especially useful to help us understand how people in the Jewish community are feeling – and those feelings must have been amplified greatly in the last week. Fuel for your prayers.

– Watch here.

Not a New Communion: Anglican Reformers are always called Schismatic

Posted on December 19, 2025 
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Gafcon General Secretary Bishop Paul Donison writes at The Gospel Coalition –

“Since Gafcon—the Global Anglican Future Conference—released its Martyrs’ Day statement on October 16, 2025, the same question has followed me from Belfast to Sydney to Dallas: Have we just witnessed the birth of a new Anglican Communion?

It’s understandable. The statement was bold—speaking of a ‘reordering of the Anglican Communion’ and introducing the phrase ‘Global Anglican Communion’ (GAC). For some, that sounded like a split. But it wasn’t a Declaration of Independence; it was a confession of Anglicanism’s ongoing dependence on the unchanging Word of God. …”

– Read it all here.

Diamond Jubilee in Kununurra

Posted on December 18, 2025 
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From the Diocese of North West Australia:

“St James’ Anglican Church Kununurra recently celebrated 60 years of God’s faithfulness.

Rector Daniel Faricy said it was a joy to celebrate that God has been at work, establishing and equipping believers, through the Anglican Church, for six decades in Kununurra.

The ministry has been sustained through a partnership with Bush Church Aid. St James’ is the longest continuing BCA-supported ministry in Australia, with Coober Pedy running a close second.

About 90 people attended the service which was followed by a potluck lunch and celebratory cake.

St James’ is also preparing to farewell the Faricy family, as Daniel will take up the role of Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral Rockhampton in the Diocese of Central Queensland from 2026.

Please pray for the Faricy family as they finish up and begin a new ministry, and for God to raise up a new minister to serve in Kununurra.”

– Source.

Don’t overlook the ministry of Church Greeters

Posted on December 17, 2025 
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“In a world where houses double as impenetrable castles and most shopping is done online, serving as a greeter is countercultural. Greeters reflect an otherworldly gospel. They hold the church doors open for everyone, regardless of status—welcoming all, whether rich or poor, to the gathering of God’s people. Greeters reflect the unity believers have in Christ, a unity that transcends all worldly bonds. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition (US), Zac Lusk reminds of this important ministry.

This coming weekend, it’s quite possible that new people will come to church, seeking comfort after the attack at Bondi. A friendly, welcoming face at the door might make all the difference.

Mourning with those who mourn

Posted on December 16, 2025 
Filed under News, NSW Comments Off on Mourning with those who mourn

“Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has laid flowers at the scene of the Bondi massacre as Sydney Anglicans express sorrow at the death of 15 people and injuries to 25 others in a terrorist attack at a Hanukkah festival. .…

Churches have been urged to hold one minute’s silence on Sunday for the victims of the massacre. …

Archbishop Raffel will join faith leaders at 7:15pm on Wednesday night on the forecourt in front of St Mary’s Cathedral. The Prime Minister and Premier will be speaking at the memorial gathering. The public is invited.”

– Russell Powell has the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Image: Seven News via SydneyAnglicans.net.

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel on love in the face of terror at Bondi

Posted on December 15, 2025 
Filed under NSW, Resources, World news Comments Off on Archbishop Kanishka Raffel on love in the face of terror at Bondi

From the Pastor’s Heart – a very timely edition –

“Sydney’s Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel calls on Sydney to embrace our Jewish neighbours in love, friendship and support and to reject antisemitism, violence and hatred.

Archbishop Raffel says this is the way of Jesus.

Minister of Bondi Anglican Martin Morgan says they sheltered people in the church last night, who were terrified, running for their lives.

In a The Pastor’s Heart special, Archbishop Raffel is joined by minister of Bondi Anglican Church Martin Morgan and Messianic Jew Ben Pakula (also an Anglican Minister) in praying for those family and friends and the Bondi community, impacted by the gunman opening fire – leaving 16 dead including a 10 year old girl.”

– Watch or listen here.

And the page linked also includes the prayers made available by St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.

Archbishop of Sydney Statement on the Bondi terrorist attack

Posted on December 15, 2025 
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The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

We have been shocked and sickened by the horrific terrorist attack on Sydney’s Jewish community last night at Bondi Beach.

We embrace our Jewish neighbours and fellow citizens in love, friendship and support. We reject antisemitism, violence and hatred.

We pray to the God of all comfort and the Father of compassion, for the safety and protection of the Jewish community. We pray for those grieving the tragic loss of loved ones, those injured or traumatised, for the police and medical workers, and for our government and security agencies as they respond.

We pray for the peace, safety and recovery of the community in Bondi and more widely across Sydney.

We give thanks for the many people who offered help to those around them, including Ahmed al Ahmed who bravely confronted and disarmed one of the gunmen.

During this Jewish festival of Hanukkah, and as Christians anticipate the celebration of Christmas, we give thanks that Jesus, a Jewish man, came into our world of sorrow and sin, to bring the light of life, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
15 December 2025.

— Media statement from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel.

See also the Archbishop’s video version of his statement.

These prayers have been written for anyone who wishes to use them – PDF file.

 

Earlier related posts:

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s statement on antisemitism — 13 October 2023.

“In recent days we have witnessed repugnant expressions of antisemitism in Sydney which have appalled most Australians and heightened fears among the Jewish community. …”

Action on anti-semitism – SydneyAnglicans, 21 January 2025.

“Any attack on a place of worship is an attack on the principles of freedom of religion, association and conscience, which are foundational for our multicultural and cohesive community,” the Archbishop said in his fourth public statement since the crisis began.

Antisemitic slurs must be rejected – Archbishop Kanishka Raffel, 10 November 2025.

“The rally staged outside the New South Wales Parliament on Saturday has rightly drawn condemnation from across the community – particularly as it occurred on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 pogrom against Germany’s Jewish community. …”

Threats “will be repudiated by all Australians of goodwill” – Archbishop Kanishka Raffel, 05 March 2025.

“The threat of a mass shooting against a Western Sydney mosque is abhorrent and distressing, especially as it references the horrific attack in Christchurch that resulted in the murder of 51 people. …”

Further antisemitic attacks – Archbishop Kanishka Raffel, 13 January 2025.

“For the second time in two months, I am taking the step of expressing the dismay of many Sydneysiders at grotesque acts of antisemitism in our city. …”

Antisemitic attacks – Archbishop Kanishka Raffel, 11 December 2024.

“The latest attack on the Jewish community in Sydney is egregious, cowardly and despicable. All people of good will, faith or none, will condemn this outrage.…”

Protest action in Sydney Square – Anglican Diocese of Sydney, 30 September 2024.

“It is a long-standing principle that protests around the precincts of St Andrew’s Cathedral, which flow into Sydney Square and the Town Hall, are not supported in any way by the Diocese of Sydney. …”

Prayer for Israel – Archbishop Kanishka Raffel, 08 October 2023.

“Sydney Anglicans have been shocked and distressed to hear of the attacks on the Jewish people and the State of Israel that have taken place over the last 24 hours. …”

And a reminder to pray for those in authority:

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV.

Bondi pastoral note from the Bishop of Bathurst

Posted on December 15, 2025 
Filed under Australian dioceses, for your prayers, NSW Comments Off on Bondi pastoral note from the Bishop of Bathurst

Bishop of the Diocese of Bathurst Mark Calder has released this pastoral note this morning, in text and on video.

“In moments like this, we are reminded of the radically upside-down nature of the Christian faith. Our leader — our King — urges us to love our enemies, not to kill them. Our Lord laid down his life for his enemies. Our Lord forgave those who drove in the nails.”

“Dear friends across Diocese,

What we’ve been hearing about has disturbed our hearts deeply.

Many of us don’t even know how to process it. I know for myself that I turned the TV off last night — not out of denial, but as an act of self-protection.

What has happened is not only tragic; it is outrageous. Anger is an appropriate response when something like this occurs on our shores — reflecting ancient conflicts between peoples whose origins are far away from here. We don’t want this here. We don’t want it anywhere, of course. And yet we find ourselves asking: why bring it here? Don’t people come to Australia to escape such things?

In moments like this, we are reminded of the radically upside-down nature of the Christian faith. Our leader — our King — urges us to love our enemies, not to kill them.

Our Lord laid down his life for his enemies.

Our Lord forgave those who drove in the nails.

And our Lord will one day return to bring justice, and his righteous rule will last forever.

This is what Advent is about. It is designed to lift our eyes from the muck of this world to the coming — the Advent — of our King, who will right all wrongs and rid the world of evil and death. Come, Lord Jesus.

But what are we meant to do about this today?

Teachers and children still have to get up and go to school. Retailers will open their stores. Accountants will pore over the books. Farmers will be out and about — some still finishing harvest.

Life goes on, even when our hearts are heavy.

The only way we can deal with this is:

• to cast all our cares on him who cares for us

• to admit that there is much in this world we will never understand

• to turn to the Lord who is close to the broken-hearted, who saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34)

• and to pray.

We pray for those being treated in hospital — for healing and comfort.

We pray for the families of those who have died — for comfort in their distress.

We pray for the many witnesses to what has happened, who may be traumatised for a long time to come, and for police and paramedics who are stretched and under great strain — that they may receive the care and help they need.

We pray for members of the Jewish community, who may be living on edge — for protection, reassurance, and hope.

And yes, we pray even for the perpetrators and those who stand with them — that they may bow the knee to Jesus, who loves his enemies.

Above all, we turn our eyes to Jesus — the true light of the world — who alone can bring light into this darkness.

The message of Advent, and then of Christmas, is the message of Jesus coming to deal with evil and to bring righteousness. That is the only reason that, even in the midst of today’s darkness, we can still be people of hope and expectation.

God bless and comfort you today.

May God draw you to himself and remind you of his love.

May the Lord grant you that peace which passes understanding.

Mark Calder, Bishop.”

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