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.
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.”
A nation in shock
“Just minutes before, they had prayed for the Jewish community at the start of Chanukah, then, as the congregation of Bondi Anglican Church was leaving, they heard shots ringing out at the beach nearby.
‘A whole crowd of people ran past our church building which goes down to the beach, very close to where the violence occurred,’ said Bondi’s senior minister Martin Morgan. ‘So as we were leaving the church we saw people running past and we came back into the church building. Two or three of our church members who are in the crowd saw what had happened.’ …”
– Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net has this report and video from Martin Morgan, Rector of the parish of Bondi.
ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood case to proceed to Trial
“Archbishop Steve Wood of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) is to be tried in a church court according to a memorandum directed to members of the denomination today.
Wood faces a formal complaint submitted by ACNA clergy and laity alleging bullying of staff, misuse of funds, and two separate allegations of inappropriate advances brought by a former children’s ministry director and an anonymous complainant. …”
– Jeffrey Walton at Juicy Ecumenism reports on the latest developments in ACNA.
Introducing James — The impact of theological education
From Phillip Jensen:
“Next year at Two Ways News, we are expanding our regular team of Peter and Phillip Jensen by adding James Chen.
James has just finished Moore College and has been ordained to minister at St Andrew’s and St Paul’s in Wahroonga, and we hope to have him as a regular member of our team.
So this episode introduces James to our podcast family with a fascinating description of his life story.”
– Listen here.
New appointments in the Diocese of Bathurst
Wonderful news from Bishop Mark Calder in Bathurst –
“I am writing with great thanksgiving to God to share several significant developments in ministry across our Diocese. These appointments represent a remarkable time of God’s provision, and I hope you will join me in praising him for the way he is raising up gospel workers for the diocese. …
These appointments represent truly extraordinary answers to prayer. In a short space of time, the Lord has provided gifted women and men for ministry across the Diocese—people eager to serve, care for his people, strengthen local churches and share Jesus for life.”
– Do read the details here – and please continue to uphold the churches of the Diocese of Bathurst in your prayers.
A Prayer for Australia
“You may have heard around the place talk of ‘doubling the number’ of gospel-centred Christians in Australia, or the idea of praying for and working toward an annual ‘five percent conversion growth’ goal. It’s showing up all over the place.
In June of 2025 TGCA gathered a group of Christian leaders to pray and work on what we might do together. We prayed, heard a bunch of papers, discussed and debated various proposals.
Following on from that day, a small group worked on refining the statement, and the Council returned to it for a final endorsement. Here’s what we came up with:
We acknowledge God works out all things according to the counsel of his will and in his mercy saves his people through the faithful preaching of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For the glory of God, as a movement of Reformed evangelicals in Australia, we commit to pray for and work toward a doubling (at least) of the number of gospel-centred Christians in our country over the next fifteen years.
We will pray for and work toward:
- seeing 5% conversions (as a percentage of annual attendance in our churches and ministries);
- the gospel going to every socioeconomic, ethnic, and community group within our nation—especially those currently under-reached;
- a doubling of the number of men and women with the necessary conviction, character, and competency in full-time Christian ministry and missionary service.
I find it in turn exciting, daunting, galvanising, and inspiring. I hope you do too. I trust a little commentary will be helpful. …”
– Rory Shiner, Chair of the TGC Australia Council, writes to encourage us to to fall to prayer.
Latest ministry opportunities in the Diocese of Bathurst
From the Diocese of Bathurst:
“Precious opportunities await! Please pray for the 12/28 of our parishes without clergy (down from 14!!)
1. Condobolin
2. Trundle
3. Warren
4. Bourke-Brewarrina
5. Coonamble
6. West Wyalong (locum here until Easter)
7. Wellington (locum here)
8. Coonabarabran
9. Cumnock
10. Blayney (from April 2026)Currently we have amazing lay people in the following parishes, but would also welcome enquiries for clergy to serve part time in:
11. Coolah-Dunedoo
12. Nyngan.”
– Via the diocesan Facebook page.
MOCLAM: Mission to the world
For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised. (2 Cor 5:14-15)
“Today, 20 per cent of Latin Americans identify as evangelical, compared to only 3 per cent in the 1960s. Growth has been fast, and leaders have emerged with admirable enthusiasm, a sincere desire to reach the lost and a deep love for God’s people.
However, while this statistic sounds impressive, only a very small percentage of pastors have been given the opportunity to undergo formal theological training. …”
– At the Moore College website, Adrian and Anita Lovell, CMS Missionaries in Bolivia, share something of the impact and potential of MOCLAM.
‘I will be a witness to the resurrection’: Archbishop Thorpe
From The Melbourne Anglican:
“Let me state it plainly. I will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, as long as God gives me breath…”
“Melbourne’s new Anglican archbishop has been installed, beginning a new season for the church and diocese.
Archbishop Ric Thorpe became Melbourne’s 14th leader on Advent Sunday, succeeding Philip Freier who retired in February after 18 years of service. …”
– See the full report by Jenan Taylor.
Photo of Archbishop Ric Thorpe greeting Archbishop Kanishka Raffel by Janine Eastgate, The Melbourne Anglican.
Archbishop-elect looks towards a ‘new season’ in Melbourne
“Melbourne’s Archbishop-elect Ric Thorpe wants Anglicans to engage with but also challenge the collective culture on matters that might be controversial both inside and outside the church, including same-sex marriage, gender identity and divorce.
Speaking ahead of his installation, Bishop Thorpe believed his involvement with the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith process taught him what worked well and what didn’t in dealing with differences of view. …”
– This report from The Melbourne Anglican gives observers outside Melbourne some idea of what to expect from the new Archbishop, to be installed next Sunday, 30 November 2025.
Image: Bishop Ric Thorpe at The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication in the United Kingdom.
State Funeral for John Laws
The State Funeral for John Laws CBE will be held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Wednesday 19th November at 1:30pm.
Good to keep all involved in your prayers.
Prayer for the Persecuted Church
From Gafcon:
“This Sunday marks the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Across the world, faithful Anglicans and other believers face hardship and danger for the name of Jesus. Yet they remain steadfast, trusting that the Lord is their refuge and strength, and that nothing can silence His gospel.
As the global Gafcon fellowship, we stand with them in love and prayer. We thank God for their courage as they continue to guard God’s gospel in the face of pressure and persecution. Their witness reminds us that the Word of God is not chained, and that His Church endures by His power alone.
Pray that the Lord will uphold His persecuted people with faith, endurance, and peace. May their steadfast hope inspire us all to proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations, whatever the cost.”
Image: Last year’s World Watch List from Open Doors.
Since God so loved us – Sandy Grant and Rob Elder
“St Andrew’s Cathedral has always played a significant role in Sydney caring for the needs of the surrounding community. During and after World War II (1940-1947), approximately 3.5 million meals were given to active and returning soldiers in temporary Nissen huts erected on Cathedral grounds – the combined efforts of approximately 900 volunteers working for the Church of England National Emergency Fund (CENEF).
Over the last couple of decades, like many other church communities, the Cathedral has offered free English classes to serve the needs of overseas migrants and visitors. Bible reading is included as part of the approach – very appropriately, since the Bible and its message is so influential on our language, laws and culture.
Most recently, we have been especially delighted with the impact of Reverend Rob Elder on our ministry. Rob, a Moore College graduate, was appointed Community Chaplain at the start of 2024, and his position is funded by the Myfanwy Peters Estate for the relief of the needy in CBD of Sydney. …”
– Learn about and pray for this important ministry. Via the Moore College website.
A valuable perspective on the problems ACNA is facing
Anglican Theologian Martin Davie commends and re-posts an article by The Very Revd Bryan Hollon, Dean and President of Trinity Anglican Seminary in Ambridge, Pennsylvania –
“What does a faithful church look like?
For those of us in the Anglican tradition, it means children and adult converts are being baptized and confirmed, faithful lay Christians are centered increasingly on Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament – grounded in the biblically saturated liturgies of the Book of Common Prayer. It entails an appreciation for the apostolic faith guarded and transmitted over centuries and received through the English Reformation. It means leaders we can trust – bishops, priests, and deacons who serve under the authority of Scripture and take holiness seriously, bound by the doctrine set forth in the Thirty-Nine Articles and the canons of the Church. We expect to see all of this, but most importantly, we expect to meet Jesus in the breaking of bread, in the reading of Scripture, and in the prayers and fellowship of the faithful (Acts 2:42).
What, then, should we think when the church has to discipline its own leaders?
For many in the Anglican Church in North America, these aren’t theoretical questions. …”
– Read it here. ACNA (the Anglican Church in North America) is facing several serious challenges and it would be good to pray for all involved.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…