Southern Cross July-August 2022

The Diocese of Sydney’s magazine, Southern Cross, for July-August 2022 will be available in parishes this weekend.

It’s also available for download. Grab your copy now.

Old Books

At the Church Society website, Chris Moore and Lee Gatiss discuss why we should continue to read ‘old books’.

How do we deal with anxiety in the Christian life – with Paul Grimmond

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“‘Do not be anxious about anything’ says the Apostle Paul.  But Paul Grimmond says saying that to an anxious person is a bit like telling an ice-cream not to melt in summer. How do we think biblically about anxiety while taking on board what else is happening with a person’s biology and environment?…”

– Watch or listen here.

“Deep Grief” for Sri Lanka

“Amid a crisis unparalleled in the history of Sri Lanka, millions of people are suffering the effects of the complete collapse of the nation’s economy.

With less than 30 million dollars in reserves, Sri Lanka does not have enough money to buy what it needs from the outside world. Many essential items are not available, while sky-rocketing inflation means that even when they are available, they are unaffordable for most people. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net Russell Powell has details of appeals for the people of Sri Lanka and a special prayer gathering at Auburn Anglican on Thursday night (20th June).

2021 Census shows changes in Australia’s religious diversity

“The 2021 Census has revealed increasing diversity in the religions Australians identified, reflecting continuing changes in our social attitudes and belief systems.

Christianity is the most common religion in Australia, with over 40 per cent (43.9 per cent) identifying as Christian. This has reduced from over 50 per cent (52.1 per cent) in 2016 and from over 60 per cent (61.1 per cent) in 2011. As in earlier Censuses, the largest Christian denominations are Catholic (20.0 per cent of the population) and Anglican (9.8 per cent). …”

– The latest media release from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reminds us that there is plenty of scope to share the saving message of Jesus Christ.

Suffering – Moore Q&A Video

“What does the Bible have to say about suffering?

A Q&A with me & my Moore College colleagues Jane Tooher, Dan Wu, and Chase Kuhn.”

– Lionel Windsor writes at Forget the Channel.

Archbishop Ben Kwashi’s visit to Sydney cancelled

From Anglican Aid Sydney, 20 June 2022 –

“It is with great excitement that we will be welcoming Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria, Ben Kwashi to Sydney in August, 2022. Archbishop Kwashi has agreed to present at an event for Anglican Aid supporters and ministry leaders on Saturday 13 August 2022.”

Update:

Anglican Aid has reported that Archbishop Kwashi’s visit has been cancelled due to his need for a medical procedure in late July.

Please continue to uphold in prayer Archbishop Kwashi and his family.

And do continue to support Anglican Aid.

Earlier:

Frontline church leader battles cancer – SydneyAnglicans.net, October 2020.

ACT Discrimination Law Reforms Narrow Religious Freedom

“The Australian Capital Territory government has released an Exposure Draft of a Bill to amend that jurisdiction’s Discrimination Act 1991 (“DA”). They have invited public comment by 1 July 2022.

As key protections for religious freedom in Australia are often found in “balancing clauses” in discrimination legislation, it is always worth keeping an eye on reforms to these laws.

Sadly, these proposed reforms will significantly narrow religious freedom protections in the ACT. …”

– Associate Professor Neil Foster takes a look at proposed law reforms in the ACT.

GAFCON Sunday message from Archbishop Ben Kwashi

“This Gafcon Sunday (26 June 2022) will mark 14 years of faithfully proclaiming the unchanging word of God to a lost and desperate world.”

– See more here.

Statement on Supreme Court Dobbs decision by TEC Bishop Michael Curry

“Today the Supreme Court released its decision in the case of Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The court has overturned the constitutional right to abortion that was recognized in the seminal 1973 case Roe v. Wade.

While I, like many, anticipated this decision, I am deeply grieved by it. …

The church holds that ‘reproductive health procedures should be treated as all other medical procedures, and not singled out or omitted by or because of gender’ (2018-D032). …”

– From The Episcopal Church.

The Supreme Court Decision

“No matter on which side of the abortion debate you stand, this week’s US Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization is rightly viewed as monumental. For almost 50 years the precedent established by the Court’s Roe v Wade decision (1973) has stood, declaring a constitutional right to abortion in the United States. …

It is important to recognise precisely what was done by the US Supreme Court, and in particular the legal principle which lies at the heart of the dispute. …

Christians in many places will be rejoicing in this decision by the US Supreme Court. Some Christians will not, and there will be outrage from some quarters. There does however, need to be a measure of restraint on all sides. I dare say a measure of humility would not go astray either.”

– Principal of Moore College, Dr. Mark Thompson, has written on last night’s Supreme Court decision in the US.

‘This Is The Day The Lord Has Made’: A Monumental Victory for Life at The Supreme Court

Albert Mohler has released a special edition of The Briefing in response to the ruling by the US Supreme Court.

He beings with ‘a word from the heart’ before taking a closer look at the decision. He describes the decision as earthshaking’ and ‘an answer to prayer’. The first six or so minutes gives the summary.

Related:

The FAQs: Supreme Court Overturns Roe, Sends Abortion Back to States. – Joe Carter writes at The Gospel Coalition.

Carter concludes:

“This is one of the most significant acts of justice in modern history. While ruling brings only a change of direction, not an end, to the fight over abortion, it is an essential victory for the pro-life cause that should be celebrated by all Christians.

Roe was one of the most evil and repugnant decisions of jurisprudence in our nation’s history, on par with Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) and Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). Because of the Court’s complicity with injustice, millions of children were legally allowed to be killed in the womb with the consent of the federal government. Even if, in the short-term, the number of abortions does not significantly change, this ruling will likely save many lives in the future. For that reason, we can thank God for this decision, which restores the balance of justice and gives us greater opportunities to fight for our most vulnerable children.”

Bishop of Gippsland: “There is no obstacle” to Same-sex Blessings. Is Brisbane next?

“In his recent Presidential Address to the Diocesan Synod, Bishop Richard Treloar has told his diocese that there is no longer any bar on the blessing of same-sex marriages. …

Having summarised the position, Bishop Treloar then makes his announcement, presenting this as a fait accompli that he has no power as bishop to resist …

Gippsland is the first of what may be many dioceses taking similar steps; simply acting as though the matter is now decided rather than passing the relevant motions at their synod. Next up is the Diocese of Brisbane which begins tonight.”

– David Ould shares the latest from Gippsland and speculates on what might be announced at the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane.

What will happen at Lambeth 2022?

“The Lambeth Conference which is set to take place from 26 July to 6 August, last met with all Anglican bishops in attendance in 1998 – 24 years ago. …”

– At Anglican Mainstream Canon Chris Sugden in the UK gives some background to the coming Lambeth Conference.

He points out the reason some provinces will not be attending: “The Africans’ boycott is the consequence not the cause of disunity.”

Related:

Lambeth speaks plainly (that was then) – Dr Stephen Noll.

Annual General Meeting 2022 — Report

The Annual General Meeting of Anglican Church League was held at St Andrew’s Cathedral School on 16 June 2022. Here’s a report.

Bible reading and Prayer

ACL President the Rev Andrew Bruce shared from God’s word on Acts 14:1–20. He encouraged us that in this passage, the gospel of Christ is preached in all its saving power. Nevertheless, the preacher is (shockingly and appallingly) bashed and left for dead. We saw that as the gospel goes forward, opposition arises. We prayed for encouragement and perseverance as the gospel goes forward in our own circumstances.

Presidential Address

Rev Bruce noted that this was his last address as President, having served in this role for seven years. He reflected that during the time of his presidency, the ACL had restructured its operations to better achieve its aim of having “the right people in the right places doing the right things”. The restructuring had resulted in greater efficiency and effectiveness for the Council and greater engagement with members.

Treasurer’s Report

The treasurer spoke to the financial reports. He noted the surplus over the last couple of years is related to the lower than usual expenses due to reduced activity during the COVID pandemic.

Vice-Presidents’ Reports

Reports from two Vice-Presidents were interspersed with elections (see below for election results).

The ACL and the Sydney Diocese

ACL Vice President the Rev Canon Phil Colgan spoke on the vital work of the ACL in promoting Christ and the reformed evangelical Protestant faith through the structures of the Sydney Diocese. He noted that we see ourselves as servants of the Synod. While the COVID pandemic has meant that Sydney Synod had not been able to meet recently, there have been elections, and the ACL has nominated good candidates who have won those elections.

A significant challenge facing the Synod is that it is becoming harder to find and raise up lay people for important roles on boards and committees. This is especially important in our schools, where the key issues of gender and sexuality are at the fore. Members of the ACL have a vital role in finding excellent lay candidates for the Council to recommend.

General Synod and The Line in the Sand

ACL Vice President Dr Claire Smith spoke on the recent General Synod in May 2022. She noted that there were many reasons to be thankful to God, including the godly leadership of Archbishop Kanishka Raffel, and that many good motions were discussed graciously and passed. She commended the excellent daily email updates for ACL members written by ACL Council member the Rev Kate Haggar.

Dr Smith noted with sadness the decision of 12 out of 24 Bishops (plus two abstentions) to defy the will of the General Synod by rejecting a key motion on marriage and human sexuality. Members of the ACL will be familiar with the book The Line in the Sand, published jointly by the ACL and the Australian Church Record and available for free download, that addressed the issue in detail. Dr Smith also commended the ABC Religion & Ethics article by ACL Vice-President the Rev Canon Dr Mark Thompson, “I contend that twelve bishops did defy the will of the General Synod over human sexuality: A response to Matthew Anstey”. Thankfully, the General Synod passed other motions and statements affirming the biblical understanding of marriage.

Election results

New ACL President The Rev. Roger Cunningham

The following office-bearers were elected:

President: The Rev Roger Cunningham
Chairman: Dr Robert Tong AM
Treasurer: Mr Ned Teuben
Secretary: The Rev Mike Leite
Elections Secretary: The Rev Andrew Bruce
Membership Secretary: The Rev Mike Taylor
Communications Secretary: The Rev Dr Lionel Windsor
Minutes Secretary: The Rev Matthew Whitfield

Vice Presidents:

Mr Clive Ellis
Dr Laurie Scandrett
Dr Claire Smith
The Rev Canon Phil Colgan
The Rt Rev Dr Gary Koo
The Rev Canon Dr Mark Thompson

Councillors:

Ms Stephanie Adams
Mr Jeremy Freeman
Mr Edward Hannah
Mr Michael Latten
Mr Angus Martin
Mr Malcolm Purvis
Mr Henry Pascoe
Mr Phillip Witheridge
The Rev Dr Mark Earngey
The Rev Nigel Fortescue
The Rev Dr Raj Gupta
The Rev Kate Haggar
The Rev Canon Tom Harricks
The Rev Graeme Howells
The Rev Caitlin Orr
The Rev Gavin Parsons
The Rev Gavin Poole
The Rev Jason Ramsay
The Rev Craig Roberts
The Rev James Warren

Motions of thanks

A motion of thanks to the Rev Andrew Bruce for his faithful service as President over many years passed by acclamation.

A motion of thanks to Dr Laurie Scandrett for faithful service as Treasurer passed by acclamation.

The meeting closed in prayer, led by newly elected President the Rev Roger Cunningham.

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