Prime Minister says he will attend sister’s wedding, but not support the marriage
“Tony Abbott says he will ‘do the right thing’ and attend his gay sister’s wedding but could never support the marriage. …”
– Report from News.com.au.
(h/t SydneyAnglicans.net. Photo pm.gov.au)
Related: When a private act sends a public message – Albert Mohler.
NSW Council of Churches supports High Court challenge
Here’s a Media Release from the NSW Council of Churches, 22 October 2013 –
Prime Minister Tony Abbott is to be commended for his Government’s support of uniform national marriage laws and the decision to vigorously challenge the ACT Government’s new same sex marriage laws in the High Court. Read more
Tasmanian euthanasia bill defeated
“The legislation would have allowed terminally ill Tasmanians to end their lives 10 days after making three requests to their doctor.”
– Report from the ABC.
Uniting parishioners ‘devastated as churches sold off’
“Angry parishioners at the Glenroy Uniting Church in Melbourne’s northern suburbs have told 7.30 that there had been little consultation by the church hierarchy, which invoked a ‘special circumstances’ clause to sell the properties without the permission of the local church councils representing each congregation.” – 7:30 Report. Image: ABC TV.
Australian Baptist leaders support federal challenge to ACT marriage reform
“Baptist leaders have commended Prime Minister Tony Abbott for his Government’s support of the current legal definition of marriage, and for a proposal to challenge the ACT Government’s same sex marriage bill in the High Court as soon as it becomes law. Read more
Australian Church Record — October 2013
The latest issue of The Australian Church Record is now out.
“Every now and again ancient institutions can be forgiven for indulging in a little public self-reflection.
On January 1st, 1914, the first issue of ‘The Church Record: A Church Paper for the Commonwealth, Catholic, Apostolic, Protestant, and Reformed’ appeared, sixteen months after a Sydney group first met to float a company to run a federal paper.
As the centenary of this issue draws nigh, it seems fitting to reflect a little on the Australian Church Record as it is poised on the edge of its next one hundred years.”
– as well, there are articles on the General Synod, GAFCON, Archbishop Welby, and there’s a tribute to Bishop Dudley Foord. Downloadable from their website.
And in a reprint of an article from 1972, Bishop Donald Robinson looks at the names behind The Record in the early days.
New BCA Regional Officer for NSW & ACT
BCA has appointed the Rev Peter Adkins as its next NSW / ACT Regional Officer, starting in the new year.
7:30 Report on SSM and the Anglican Church
The 7:30 Report on ABC TV tonight ran a 6 minute story on an Anglican minister in Perth, Chris Bedding, who is moving a motion on same-sex relationships at the Perth Synod this week.
The segment allowed very brief inputs from Bishop Robert Forsyth in Sydney and Lyle Shelton from the Australian Christian Lobby. Watch here.
‘Labor MPs should be forced to support gay marriage’ — report
“Australian Workers Union chief Paul Howes has called for Labor MPs to be required to support marriage equality, saying it is ‘nonsensical’ that the party allows a conscience vote on the issue.”
– Report from ABC News. Photo: AWU.
And here’s a media release from The Australian Christian Lobby on the topic.
School Chaplains challenged again in High Court
“Scripture Union Queensland (SU QLD) will again defend national school chaplaincy in the High Court of Australia this month, with the first directions hearing to be held in Sydney on 20 September.
Ron Williams, the man behind the High Court Challenge, announced on his Facebook page in August that a Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim had been issued to the Commonwealth of Australia (First Defendant), the Minister for Education (Second Defendant) and SU QLD (Third Defendant). …”
– Report from Bible Society Australia.
And now SU Queensland is seeking support, and you can request an Advocacy kit.
“SU QLD is again being forced to attend the High Court of Australia to defend the vital program of school chaplaincy. This second challenge has the potential to impact the funding of thousands of chaplains across the nation who support and encourage our students every day. Read more
New Armidale website
The Diocese of Armidale has updated its website – and The Link, the diocesan newspaper, has gone digital.
To boldly go… with the troops
This story by Southern Cross journalist David McIntyre won the ARPA Silver Award for ‘Best Feature Single Author’. It gives a good picture of the life of Australian military chaplains –
“Navy Chaplain Andrew Lewis washes dishes in the scullery on board the transport ship HMAS Success – not because he has to, but because it gives him ‘permission to sit down with the cooking staff at morning tea’.
He then goes up to the bridge to chat to the officers on duty before heading off to a meeting with the commander of the ship. …”
– Read it all at Defence Anglicans.
Greg Thompson elected Bishop of Newcastle
“Bishop Greg Thompson has been elected by the Anglican Synod as the next Bishop of Newcastle.
The synod gathered under Bishop Administrator Dr Peter Stuart on Saturday to consider electing Bishop Thompson, 56, to serve as the 13th bishop of the city.”
– Report from The Newcastle Herald.
Quiz Worx Appeal 2013
Our friends at Quizworx need your help.
Newcastle Synod meets to elect new Bishop
“The Anglican Diocese of Newcastle is today meeting to vote on a new bishop, after a previous vote failed to reach consensus. Five candidates, including a woman, nominated for the last vote in March, to replace the retired bishop Brian Farran. This time round the Northern Territory bishop Greg Thompson is the only candidate vying for the role. …”
– Report from ABC News.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…