Beware of imposters
Just in case you get any appeals for money –
“It has been ascertained that there are accounts on Facebook purportedly using the name of the Primate of the Anglican Church in Nigeria Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh asking for funds for various projects. This is no doubt the handiwork of fraudsters to extort money. To link the name of the Primate with these clandestine activities on the Internet is deceitful. Primate Okoh will not ask for this, never.
We therefore warn people of questionable character to desist from these illegal acts or face the wrath of God.”
– from the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion.
Update: Scam warning for Anglican Communion members.
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.
GAFCON and the Archbishop of Canterbury
“The Archbishop of Canterbury will visit GAFCON primates just before the opening of GAFCON 2013 in Nairobi.
GAFCON Primates are holding a two day meeting, then 1200 leaders and lay people from the UK, Asia, Africa, the Pacific and South America will fly in to Nairobi for the Global Anglican Future Conference starting on Monday, October 21st.
GAFCON Chairman Eliud Wabukala invited Archbishop Justin Welby to send greetings to the conference and he indicated he was unable to do so in person because of commitments during the week. His office has since confirmed he will make a flying visit to speak with the Primates.
The general secretary of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, Dr Peter Jensen, says “The Archbishop’s decision to come to the Primates meeting is a recognition of the importance of such a large and significant gathering of Anglicans from around the world and he will be made very welcome.”
Issued 7/10/13.”
– News from GAFCON.
Related: Unforced Anglican errors from The Telegraph – GetReligion.
Remembering Archbishop Gitari
“Archbishop David Gitari, the retired Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) died Monday … He was 76.
Gitari was one of those larger than life figures. He was absolutely courageous, brilliant, and committed to the implications of the Gospel in everyday life. He was marked for death by government hit squads and three times had to escape in the middle of the night when they came to kill him. One of the times, he escaped through the roof of his house and slipped into the jungle. …”
– Bishop Bill Atwood remembers and gives thanks.
A future for Anglicans?
“In October 2013 GAFCON II will meet in Nairobi. GAFCON (Global Anglican Futures Conference) might be described as the illegitimate brainchild of Rowan Williams when he was archbishop of Canterbury and it may yet turn out to be his most enduring legacy…”
– In his editorial in the Autumn 2013 issue of Churchman, Gerald Bray gives his take (PDF file) on GAFCON II and the future of the Anglican Communion.
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.
Death toll from Pakistan church suicide bomb rises
“The death toll from last month’s suicide bombing (22 Sept) at All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan now stands at 127, with 170 injured…”
– Report from Eternity Newspaper.
Photo: Diocese of Peshawar.
Related: Memorial Service held in Sydney.
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid website and donation page (select “Pakistan Emergency All Saints Church” from the drop down list).
‘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.
GAFCON Chairman’s Pastoral Letter
“I know … that, like me, you will have been very distressed by the callous and violent attack on the Westgate shopping centre here in Nairobi last week. … We have seen a manifestation of evil in this city, but my prayer for our conference is that it will be a manifestation of the presence of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
– Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCON Primates’ Council writes in his latest Pastoral Letter as GAFCON approaches.
Christians now suffering mass martyrdom, says Archbishop of Canterbury
“The Most Rev Justin Welby said that there had been more than 80 Christian “martyrs” in the last few days alone.
He was speaking about the bombing of All Saints Anglican church in Peshawar, Pakistan, in which 85 were killed and more than 200 injured. But he said that Christians were also being singled out for violence in a string of other countries.”
– from The Telegraph.
Related: As Lambs in the Midst of Wolves – six godly reactions to persecution, drawn from 1 Peter.
First woman bishop of Church of Sth India
“The Church of South India has today appointed its first woman bishop.
The Revd Eggoni Pushpalalitha was ordained in 1983 and has most recently been a priest in the Diocese of Nadyal in Andhra Pradesh. …—
– from the Anglican Communion News Service.
Potentially hundreds dead in Peshawar church bombing
“Potentially hundreds of people have been killed in a suicide bombing attack against an Anglican church in the Pakistani border city of Peshawar. …
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has sent emergency aid to the congregation and Archbishop Davies has written to the Bishop of Peshawar, the Rt Rev Humphrey Peters, expressing shock…”
– SydneyAnglicans has a comprehensive report on the bombing,
See also the Anglican Aid page to send a donation to help (select “Pakistan Emergency All Saints Church” from the drop down list).
Anglican Aid seeks help for three urgent causes
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid is seeking donations for three key causes:
1. Emergency Appeal for Anglicans in Peshawar
2. Helping Tanzanian Bishops and Leaders go to GAFCON2
3. Emergency Appeal for Syrian Refugees being cared for in Egypt
See the Anglican Aid website and donation page for more.
Reform Ireland statement on the appointment of the new Bishop of Meath
“The Church of Ireland, in common with the Anglican Communion worldwide, has always prized doing things ‘decently and in order’ (1Corinthians 14:40).
With the appointment of the first woman bishop in Britain and Ireland, it has furthered the disorder in God’s church that it originally initiated with the decision to appoint women as presbyters and bishops by an act of Synod in 1990. …”
– full statement here.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…