Diocese of the Northern Territory Prayer Cycle for 2026
The Diocese of the Northern Territory’s Prayer Cycle for 2026 is now available on their website.
A great way to be reminded to pray for gospel ministry in the Northern Territory and around Australia.
On this page – or direct download (PDF).
Authentic Anglicanism: Interview with Ed Loane
From The Australian Church Record, here’s an interview with Ed Loane first published in their Synod 2025 Journal:
“ACR: Ed, thanks for chatting with the ACR in your role as a member of the Sydney Diocesan Doctrine Commission.
In his presidential address to the Brisbane Synod on the 25 June 2022, Archbishop Philip Aspinall made comments that caused the Sydney Diocesan Standing Committee some concern. What were these comments?
EL: The Archbishop spent a large section of his speech focused on the Diocese of Sydney, and particularly its advocacy of the traditional Christian position in relation to human sexuality. He sought to downplay the seriousness of fundamental differences in theology by portraying them as simply typical of Anglicanism throughout its history. …”
– What’s authentic Anglicanism, and how is it different from “comprehensive” Anglicanism?
“Supercharging” faith for 20 years
“As Year 13 celebrates its 20th birthday this year, there is rejoicing at the number of students who have taken a gap year to get equipped for life and strengthen their spiritual foundations.
Since beginning with 16 students in 2006, over 1200 young people have been through the program.…”
– A most encouraging report from Tara Sing at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Anglicans honoured in larger Australia Day awards
“A number of Sydney Anglicans have been acknowledged for their contributions to church and community in the Australia Day honours list, which expanded by 200 places this year.
Among the 2026 honourees was Emeritus Professor Christopher Bellenger, who was made a Member of the Order of Australia. …”
– Russell Powell reports at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Recognition on Australia Day 2026
Spotted in today’s Australia Day Honours List:
Appointed as Officers of the Order of Australia (AO) –
“Mrs Jocelyn Kathleen Edna ELLIOTT
WA
For distinguished service to international relations through humanitarian medical care in remote regions of Burkina Faso.Dr Kenneth Arthur ELLIOTT
WA
For distinguished service to international relations through humanitarian medical care in remote regions of Burkina Faso.”
You will remember that ten years ago, after serving in Burkina Faso since 1972, Christian medical missionaries Dr. Ken Elliott and his wife Jocelyn, were kidnapped by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists. (Previous posts here.)
Related:
How Ken Elliott survived seven years in the desert as a prisoner of Al Qaeda – ABC News, 29 August 2024.
Meeting Dr Ken and Jocelyn Elliott – Government House, Western Australia, 18 November 2024.
And, appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in today’s honours list –
“Emeritus Professor Christopher Raymond BELLENGER
NSW
For significant service to veterinary science, to tertiary education, and to the Anglican Church of Australia.”
In addition to Professor Bellenger’s much-valued service in the Diocese of Sydney, he has had a long association with university student Christian ministry in Australia and internationally.
Southern Cross February – March 2026
Anglican Media Sydney has posted the February – March 2026 edition of Southern Cross magazine online. (Printed editions will also appear in parishes.)
Many encouraging stories, including this one about new studios for Global Recordings Network Australia –
You may be familiar with GRN as the producers of the wonderful 5fish resource with the Story of Jesus in 7,000 languages and dialects – 5fish website – app download.
Learn more about the new studios on the Global Recordings Network Australia website – via this video – and in this radio interview on Vision Radio.
Please pray for 2026 Ordinands
SydneyAnglicans.net has published a list of those to be ordained next month –
“Please pray for these candidates as they prepare for ordination on February 21, 2026 and for taking up positions at the following parishes …”
Anglican Aid’s 2026 Prayer Diary
Anglican Aid’s Prayer Diary for 2026 is now available for download.
Tim Swan, CEO of Anglican Aid, writes,
“Our 2026 Prayer Diary includes 31 days of prayers and prayer points for a range of partners providing emergency aid and relief, ministry training, food security, clean water, education, and more.”
– Read his full letter, and download the Prayer Diary, at Anglican Aid’s website. There’s also an option to request printed copies.
Archbishop of Sydney supports calls for a national inquiry into the Bondi Massacre
Here’s a Media Statement from the Archbishop of Sydney:
Media Statement
“This act of evil … deserves the most thorough investigation and response”
The terrorist attack on Jewish Australians celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, has produced an outpouring of grief, prayer and support for our fellow Australians in the Jewish community.
This act of evil is an extraordinary event in our history, which has ongoing impacts for all Australians, and therefore deserves the most thorough investigation and response.
Since the attack, the solidarity of communities of faith with the Australian Jewish community has demonstrated our unanimity that all Australians, whatever their faith or cultural background, are entitled to live free from the threat of violence. Our own Christian response is informed by the biblical commands to ‘live peaceably with all, as far as it depends on you’ and to ‘overcome evil with good’ (Romans 12:18, 21).
I commend the State and Federal governments for their actions so far, including the announcement of the Richardson Review into the performance of Australia’s federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies. It will be important to identify any gaps or obstacles to the effective discharge of their duties that may exist.
However, we must go further. I urge our national government to acknowledge the voice of those directly impacted – the families of the victims and the survivors of the attack – and to heed their calls for a national inquiry.
The attack at Bondi represents the culmination of a period of rising antisemitism across the nation, including the firebombing of places of worship, education and commerce, as well graffiti attacks, and destruction of property including in residential areas.
Antisemitism, with its long, tragic and unique history is a threat to all Australians because it suggests that one part of the community is less entitled to the safety and respect that should be enjoyed by all and protected by all.
A national inquiry is an appropriate and essential part of a comprehensive response and recognises the singular and ignominious place that this horrific event now holds in our national life. The lives of 15 innocent Australians demand nothing less.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
7 January 2026.
– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net
Image: Archbishop Raffel at the Great Synagogue in Sydney, 18 December 2025.
Christmas morning service from St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney
Here’s this morning’s service from St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney. On YouTube.
Or go straight to the Archbishop’s sermon.
The Light of Christmas shines in our darkness — Christmas 2025
From Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net, the Archbishop’s Christmas message –
“The Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel says the message of Christmas will be felt more deeply amid the horrific events at Bondi less than two weeks before Christmas.
‘This year, a pall of darkness was cast over Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights,’ the Archbishop said. ‘The attack that brought that darkness targeted the Jewish community — our fellow Australians.’
The Archbishop said it was understandable that people will have mixed feelings approaching Christmas. …”
Also, watch (and share) the video –
and download the Archbishop’s message as a PDF file.
Full text: Read more
Southern Cross December 2025 — January 2026
The latest copy of Southern Cross magazine from the Diocese of Sydney is now available.
If you don’t see a copy in your local church, you can also read it online.
2025 Christmas op-ed from Bishop Mark Calder
Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has released this Christmas op-ed –
Christmas comes to us after a year marked by news that has been deeply unsettling. Violence close to home, ongoing conflict overseas, and stories that disturb and weary us. Into a world like this, Matthew’s Gospel reminds us that the first Christmas also arrived with shocking news.
Mary, pledged to be married, was found to be pregnant. In first-century Jewish life, this was scandalous and devastating. For Joseph, it meant confusion, fear and a decision that could have ended everything quietly and safely. Yet God intervened. An angel told Joseph that this child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Shocking news – but also the most wonderful news imaginable.
For this child was to be given two names, each filled with hope.
First, Jesus—a name that means God saves. Christmas tells us that God does not stand at a distance from human failure and sin. He steps into our world to deal with it. Jesus came to save his people from their sins—to restore what has been broken between us and God, through forgiveness won at the cross.
Second, Immanuel—God with us. Not God far away, but God alongside us. Sharing our world, our pain, our joys and our fears. God who knows what it is to suffer, to be rejected, and yet to love without limit. And by his Spirit, he is still with us today.
So, Christmas proclaims both forgiveness and presence: we can be put right with God, and we are not alone. My prayer this Christmas is that you will know both truths deeply—that you can be forgiven in Christ, and you can know that God is with you, whatever your present circumstances.
Have a joyful Christmas!
Mark
Good to share. Also available as a PDF file.
Photo: Mark and Susan Calder.
“We will not turn away from anti-Semitism in silence”
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel –
“Sydney Anglicans speak with one voice when I say that we abhor anti-Semitism. And we will not turn away from anti-Semitism in silence.”
From Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has made a passionate gesture, expressing solidarity with the Jewish community as they mourn victims of the Bondi massacre.
The Archbishop represented Sydney Anglicans at an outdoor memorial on Wednesday and then spoke at the Great Synagogue to mark Hanukkah and mourning for massacre victims.
Archbishop Raffel’s speech ended with him singing a Hebrew blessing as the congregation joined in. …”
– Read the full report – along with the Archbishop’s full remarks – here.
Updated with video, courtesy of Russell Powell —
Top image: Screenshot from the video posted by SydneyAnglicans.net.
Christmas Message from Bishop Mark Short
Bishop of the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn (and Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia) Bishop Mark Short has today released his Christmas message –
Living in an area of LED lightbulbs and powerful searchlights it is easy for us to miss how fragile and vulnerable light sources were in the ancient world. A candle could be snuffed out, a torch could be extinguished by the wind, an oil lamp made of clay could be dropped
and smashed.It’s one reason why the Jewish story of Hanukkah – the account of a supply of olive oil sufficient for one day which miraculously lit the re-dedicated temple for eight days – resonates so profoundly with members of that community.
Perhaps because of this fragility the ancients were also aware of the power of light. Light protected you from danger, it guided your way and strengthened your hope.
This combination of apparent fragility and profound strength is evident in the first Chapter of John’s Gospel. John meditates on the events of Christmas. In Jesus the true light, which gives light to everyone, comes into the world (verse 9). Yet that same world does not recognise Him for who He is (verse 10). But to all who do recognise and receive Him, there is the power to become God’s children (verse 12). “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” (verse 5).
Here is the wonder of Christmas: the vulnerable baby lying in the feed-trough is also God’s eternal Word. This Word is powerful enough to hold together the entire universe; strong enough to still a raging storm, mighty enough to defeat sin and death forever.
Where do we find the strength to confront the kind of evil that was unleashed on Bondi Beach the evening of Sunday December 14? Perhaps where we least expect to do so; in the light of the world, whose apparent weakness is strong enough to give life and hope and a future to all who believe in Him. Even now He commissions His followers to bring that same light to their world by mourning with those who mourn and by making peace (see Matthew 5:1-16).
– Download Bishop Short’s message as a PDF file suitable for printing or sharing.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…