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.
Can the new St. John’s Shaughnessy really tell you anything about God?
From their website –
“St. John’s Shaughnessy is a small but flourishing congregation, living our calling as Christians by faithfully walking the Anglican path. Our road is less travelled.
We do not claim absolute knowledge of the Divine. We really welcome everyone and are enriched by the dynamic tension of differing beliefs. We embrace doubt. Pray hopefully. And celebrate diversity.”
This is the new Diocese of New Westminister congregation using the building vacated by St. John’s Vancouver. (h/t Anglican Essentials Canada blog.)
Canterbury’s Lords Speech leaves door open for Same-Sex Blessings
“Welcome though the Archbishop of Canterbury’s opposition to the same-sex marriage bill is, Dr Justin Welby’s speech in the House of Lords on Monday made some significant concessions that bode ill for local churches. …”
– Julian Mann takes a look at Archbishop Welby’s address in the House of Lords this week.
Women Bishop Proposals may bar many evangelicals from parish ministry
“New proposals for introducing women bishops run counter to the Church’s desire to see those on both sides of the debate flourish in the Church of England, according to Reform …”
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…”
Church Society calls on House of Lords to put the brakes on Same Sex Marriage Bill
Here’s a Church Society Press Release, dated Wednesday 29th May 2013
Lee Gatiss, Director of Church Society, has written to the Lords Spiritual to express concern about the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill which will be debated in the House of Lords next week.
The debate may focus on the notions of ‘rights’ and ‘equality.’ As Christians, we support and should defend the legal equality (properly defined) of all those who experience same sex attraction, and recognise them as made in the image of God. What this Bill would actually achieve, however, is not a great advance for minority rights but a fundamentally-flawed redefinition of a basic institution for every single one of us. Read more
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
Gay marriage Bill — Letter to The Telegraph
This letter from church leaders across England, was published in The Telegraph yesterday (20th May 2013) –
The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill is set to isolate hundreds of thousands of young students and workers across the country who hold a fuller view of marriage based on religion or a traditional view. These young people, from teenagers to 30-year-olds, will suffer discrimination and face new risks to their careers, and futures, if the Bill passes in its present form. Read more
Calling the demonic ‘holy’
TEC Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, last Sunday, on Acts 16:16-40 –
“Paul is annoyed at the slave girl who keeps pursuing him, telling the world that he and his companions are slaves of God. She is quite right. She’s telling the same truth Paul and others claim for themselves.
But Paul is annoyed, perhaps for being put in his place, and he responds by depriving her of her gift of spiritual awareness. Paul can’t abide something he won’t see as beautiful or holy, so he tries to destroy it. It gets him thrown in prison.”
Read it all via The Episcopal News Service. Another copy here.
From the category of “You couldn’t make this up if you tried.”
(h/t “The Worst Sermon Ever? The Presiding Bishop Explains Away Paul and the Female Slave.” from Not Another Episcopal Church Blog, where there is more on this sermon.) Photo: ENS.
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
GAFCON 2013
Archbishop Peter Jensen on GAFCON 2013 –
‘God is establishing new churches creating new believers and transforming lives. Our hope for the future is in him. Our aim is to move forward confidently, to plan and experience in fellowship a future for Anglicans in which his Word is honoured and our witness is clear. We are looking forward with great expectation to seeing God at work as we meet in Nairobi.’
– from the latest news release on GAFCON 2013, which is coming up in October.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…