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.

(A livestream of the service will be available at the link above.)

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.

Bathurst Diocese Ministry Opportunities October 2025

The Diocese of Bathurst has posted its latest page of Ministry Opportunities.

New to the list is the parish of Blayney, Millthorpe, Barry and Trunkey.

Ten Years of Trump Misunderstanding the Gospel

“President Donald Trump is comfortable telling you what is on his mind. For good or bad, that means there is a long history of recorded statements from Trump, giving his frank and unfiltered thoughts on a variety of topics.

For the last ten years, I have been particularly interested in noting whenever he has spoken about his personal views on spirituality, salvation, and his own eternal destiny. It reveals a decade-long spiritual journey in relationship to the gospel of grace that is both fascinating and, at times, tragic. …”

– No, this post by Simon Camilleri at The Gospel Coalition Australia, is not about politics.

But it is a strong reminder to heed the words of 1 Timothy 2:1-6 –

“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.

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

Image: President Trump in Jerusalem, October 2025.

China arrested 30 Christians. Some fear it’s the start of a bigger crackdown

“Last Friday Grace Jin Drexel received a text from her father in China, the prominent pastor Jin Mingri, telling her to pray for another pastor who had gone missing.

The text said that the other pastor had been detained while visiting the southern city of Shenzhen.

‘Shortly after that, I got a call from my mum. She said she couldn’t contact my dad,’ Ms Jin Drexel, who lives in the US, told the BBC.

Within hours her family realised that Mr Jin had also been caught up in what has been described by activists as China’s largest arrest of Christians in decades. …”

– Story from BBC News.

Related:

Open Doors International Day of Prayer, 2nd November 2025.

Illustration: Autograph book entry, probably by a student studying at SMBC.

Growth in AMiE

Prayer update from Gafcon:

“Today we give thanks to God for the ongoing growth of the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE), a Gafcon-established diocese committed to guarding and growing the gospel in England.

New church plants have begun in Hackbridge (South London), Denton (Manchester) and Bracknell (near Reading). Pray for the leaders and members stepping out in faith to proclaim Christ.

We praise God that some AMiE churches are now holding two services on Sundays, a sign of gospel growth and gathering. Pray for the Lord to raise up more leaders and resources for this new season.

We also rejoice that Bishop Tim Davies will be installed as diocesan bishop at a service of celebration and consecration on 22 November at Christ Church Central, Sheffield, 2 pm.”

– Source.

Continuing to Pray

1 Timothy 2:1-4

“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.” – ESV.

Queensland Supreme Court judgment says that Queensland Presbyterians liable for debts for its aged care operations

“The Presbyterian Church of Queensland (PCQ) is liable for tens of millions in debt incurred by Prescare, its former aged care operator. This is the latest result in continuing litigation that has already placed the church denomination in receivership, and future court cases will be needed to determine how the debt can be paid.…”

– At The Other Cheek, John Sandeman reports on further challenges for the Presbyterian Church of Queensland.

Societas 2025

The 2025 edition of Societas, the Moore College student magazine, is now available.

If you can’t obtain a printed copy from your church, be sure to download it as a PDF file – or read online.

Informative, encouraging, and fuel for your prayers.

Diocese of Armidale Synod begins tomorrow

The Synod of the Diocese of Armidale meets this weekend (Friday 26 – Sunday 28 September).

“Bishop Mark Calder (Bathurst Diocese) will join us on Sunday to preach at our concluding service.”

– It’d be good to uphold the Anglican churches of that diocese in your prayers.

Presidential Address — Bathurst Synod 2025

Video of Bishop Mark Calder’s Presidential Address to the Bathurst Diocesan Synod today is now available.

– Watch here.

See also:

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s sermon at last night’s Synod service – and his Saturday morning Synod Bible Study.

Thanksgiving in Sydney Synod as Bathurst Diocese shares what God has been doing

On Tuesday of this week, three representatives of the Diocese of Bathurst were welcomed to the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney – Bishop Mark Calder, Dr Warwick Baines (Registrar) and Adrian Ahern (Chancellor).

As shared with the Diocese of Bathurst via their Facebook page –

“Bishop Mark reported on all that God has been doing among us for his glory as we prioritise Sharing Jesus for Life.

He also thanked the Diocese of Sydney for their generous financial and prayerful support, which makes such a significant difference to the ministry here.

Finally, he shared the great need for more gospel workers, noting this would wonderfully maximise Sydney’s financial investment.”

 

These slides were used by Bishop Calder in his presentation –

The summary and further images can be seen at the Bathurst Facebook page.

The Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, travelled to Bathurst Cathedral to speak at their Synod service tonight.

It’s all a great reminder to pray for the eternal welfare of the men and women of this huge area of NSW, and for the churches of the diocese as they are committed to Sharing Jesus for Life.

Thanks to the Diocese of Bathurst for the images.

A Bounceback in Attendance – and a clear mission goal

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“Twelve months ago we heard the sobering news of a significant attendance drop in Sydney Anglican Churches. Over the decade from 2013 to 2023, weekly attendance fell by 7% – and when you factor in population growth, attendance was 14% behind.

At last year’s Sydney Anglican Synod, the mood was serious. A resolution was passed calling for confession and humble repentance – acknowledging that their hadn’t been sufficient priority, attention, reflection, or resources to seeing the lost saved by Jesus. Synod called for a five-year focus to reverse the decline – putting prayer, evangelism, church health, and leadership development at the very centre of priorities.

Ahead of this year’s Synod, there is a response. The Standing Committee appointed a subcommittee, led by the Archbishop, to bring forward concrete proposals. And what they have come back with is significant:

• A galvanising target – to pursue 5% annual growth through conversion for the next five years.
• A range of initiatives and actions designed to support churches, leaders, and congregations in this mission.

Our guests are Pete Stedman, senior minister at Norwest Anglican Church, and a member of the Archbishop’s subcommittee that has proposed the new goal, Jon Kwan, lead pastor at St. David’s Forestville and Jo Gibbs, senior consultant with Reach Australia.”

– Watch or listen here.

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