‘Premier wrong to push for same sex marriage’ — NSW Council of Churches
“The NSW Council of Churches today reiterated its call to Premier Barry O’Farrell not to lend support to a push to legalise same sex marriage in New South Wales. …”
– Media release from the NSW Council of Churches.
‘Value Vision’ — Bishop Rick Lewers
“This is NAIDOC Week. Its theme ‘We value the vision’ reflects decisions made in the past that now are captured in legislation.
Better than a vision captured in legislation would of course be a vision captured in the heart. …
Of course, God had a vision in which He would so love this world that He would give His only Son to the world so that all who trusted in Him would not perish but have eternal life.”
– Bishop of Armidale, Rick Lewers, writes on the diocesan website.
Bishop Ian Lambert to be commissioned
Bishop Ian Lambert will be commissioned as Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force on Friday in Canberra.
New Bishop for The Murray
John Ford, currently Bishop of Plymouth in the Diocese of Exeter, has been elected the new Bishop of The Murray.
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation to purchase Anglican Schools in Dubbo and Orange
The Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation is buying Anglican Schools in Dubbo and Orange –
“this decision of the Bathurst Diocese and the Board of Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation will bring stability to underpin the future operation of these schools…”
Here’s the media release from the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation –
28 June 2013
Dr Laurie Scandrett, Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, today has announced that the Corporation has exchanged contracts for the purchase of Macquarie Anglican Grammar School at Dubbo and Orange Anglican Grammar School.
“We are very excited to be able to make this announcement today. Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation has exchanged contracts for the purchase of both of these schools. We expect that the purchases will be completed at the end of September. By including the operation of these schools as part of Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, we can guarantee to students, parents, staff and each community that the future of these schools is secure. The schools will be able to continue their great work of Christian education with confidence,” said Dr Scandrett.
The announcement follows a competitive expression of interest process resulting from the decision, earlier this year, of the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst to sell these schools. Read more
Tom Frame to resign from St Mark’s
“Professor Tom Frame has announced that he will resign as Director of St Mark’s Theological [Centre in Canberra] before the start of the 2014 academic year.”
– News from the diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
Presbyterian Principal Profile
The latest issue (June/July 2013) of The Pulse, the magazine of the Presbyterian Church of NSW, has a profile of Moore College graduate Ian Smith, now Principal of their theological college at Burwood.
Pages 9 and 10 of the 4.1MB PDF file.
20,000 New Testaments for Canberra & Goulburn
Parishes in the diocese of Canberra & Goulburn are giving away 20,000 New Testaments to help celebrate the sesquicentenary of their diocese.
Diocese of Tasmania Presidential Address 2013
Bishop of Tasmania John Harrower’s 2013 Presidential address – delivered at the Diocesan Synod today – is now online (PDF file).
“In my 2012 address to Synod I mentioned the approaching “social tsunami” of issues that would be entering public debate. These issues – euthanasia, marriage redefinition and, unexpectedly, abortion, amongst others – speak to the nature of humanity, the characteristics of community, and the fundamental manner in which life is embraced, respected and affirmed in our society…”
From the Bishop of DNWA, June 2013
Bishop of North West Australia, Gary Nelson, shares the latest from his diocese…
BISHOP’S REFLECTIONS
Over recent weeks I have been thinking about being thankful. A friend Peter sees thankfulness as one of the attitudes that can transform our lives. I’ve appreciated his reminder about thankfulness as an essential mark of being Christian. At times it’s easy to take people for granted, or just expect our situation to remain stable and fulfilling. But Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says:
… give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Don’t have to wonder about God’s will for us at this point! Christians should be leading the way in thankfulness. Read more
Tasmanian Abortion Bill update 24 May
Bishop of Tasmania John Harrower has the latest (What is the current status of the proposed changes? What is actually being proposed, as it currently stands? What can I do?) at his blog.
CMS Lasting Hope appeal
Archbishop Peter Jensen, and Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, Stuart Robinson have each appeared in videos promoting the CMS NSW & ACT branch end-of-financial-year appeal. (Use them in church!)
Archbishop Jensen, Bishop Robinson.
Equality not the issue says Archbishop
Archbishop Peter Jensen on former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s change of mind on ‘same-sex marriage’ –
“Equality is not the issue. The consummation of a marriage by a man and a woman is unique and cannot be replicated. The precious differences between men and women, likewise cannot be replicated in any other bond.”
Full story:
Archbishop Peter Jensen has publicly disagreed with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has done a turnaround and now says he supports same sex marriage.
Dr Jensen says Mr Rudd’s comments “do not grapple sufficiently with the question of what marriage is and what it is for”. Read more
Support palliative care not euthanasia — NSW Council of Churches
Media release from the NSW Council of Churches:
“8 May 2013. Support palliative care not euthanasia.
The NSW Council of Churches today called on all members of the NSW Legislative Council to vote against a private member’s bill that would legalise euthanasia and assisted suicide in NSW. Read more
NSW Premier wrong to support gay marriage, says Council of Churches
Here’s a media release (19 April 2013) from the NSW Council of Churches –
“The NSW Council of Churches today expressed strong disappointment at a decision by Premier Barry O’Farrell to support same sex marriage in NSW amid concerns over the constitutionality of such law reform. Read more
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…