The Sydney Family Album 6 — Thomas Moore

In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the sixth in the series, on Thomas Moore.

“When the foundation stone [of St. Luke’s Liverpool] was laid (7th April 1818), Thomas and Rachel were present, as well as Governor Macquarie’s four-year-old son, Lachlan.

Thomas and Rachel had been appointed guardians for young Lachlan, should anything happen to his parents while in the colony.”

Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section.

Do pray for General Synod as it meets in Melbourne 9-14 August

The Nineteenth Session of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia will be held from Sunday 9 August to Friday 14 August 2026 in Melbourne.

“The Session will commence with an Opening Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, at 5.30 pm on Sunday, 9 August.”

Today and tomorrow, General Synod members will be travelling from all around Australia. Please pray for them as they travel and as they meet for this Session.

Via the GAFCON Australia Facebook page, here are some prayer suggestions –

“Please continue praying with us for General Synod for the Anglican Church of Australia, as it kicks off next week (August 9-14) in Melbourne.

Pray that there would be helpful motions and that godly, competent people will be appointed to all General Synod bodies.

Thank God for faithful people who serve as General Synod members and on General Synod bodies currently.

Pray for wise and gospel-focused decisions about how to respond to dioceses that are struggling financially. Pray that ministry will be prioritised over money.”

And you could pray for each of the members by name, asking for the Lord’s blessing, grace and wisdom, and that Christ will be honoured in all discussions and decisions.

Image: The crests of the Australian dioceses, thanks to the Anglican Church of Australia.

Elizabeth Foord — A woman of “irrepressible joy” in the Lord

From Judy Adamson at SydneyAnglicans.net –

“Small in stature but mighty in faith, Mrs Elizabeth Foord died on July 25 at the age of 97.

A servant of God wherever he placed her, Mrs Foord was known and loved throughout the Diocese and other nations for her love of the Bible, her willingness to talk to anyone about Jesus, her sharp mind and her teaching – both of women, and of groups in partnership with her husband of 55 years, Bishop Dudley Foord. …”

– Read the full tribute here.

Related:

With much thanks for Dudley Foord – September 2013.

Anglican Media CEO Russell Powell to step down

News from SydneyAnglicans.net –

“After almost 20 years in the media and communications arm of the Diocese, former broadcaster and journalist Russell Powell will be stepping down as the CEO of Anglican Media Sydney at the end of the year.

He was appointed CEO in 2010 in addition to his position as the media advisor to the Archbishop of Sydney, which began in 2007.

Over his 19 years of involvement, Mr Powell has guided the organisation through times of peace and major challenges such as the global financial crisis and COVID.

During his time as CEO, the work of Anglican Media has included establishing a social media footprint, solidifying the SydneyAnglicans brand, and refashioning Southern Cross.

He also played a role in communications at the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), from the historic first moments in Jerusalem in 2008.…”

– Read the full story – with prayer points – here.

Photo: Russell interviewing Al Stewart in Galilee during the first GAFCON gathering in 2008.

The Sydney Family Album 5 — Frederic Barker

In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the fifth in the series, on Bishop Frederic Barker.

“Barker’s long episcopate (until his death in 1882) saw massive change in the colony. Barker was certainly up to the challenge. He was a gifted administrator and was both visionary and practical.”

Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section.

Southern Cross for August – September 2026

The latest issue of Southern Cross, the magazine of the Diocese of Sydney, is now up on their website. Printed copies should arrive in parishes soon, if not already!

Online version available here.

Jono Squire to be Bishop of Wollongong

From SydneyAnglicans.net –

“A church planter from the greenfield suburbs of south-west Sydney has been appointed as the next Bishop of the Wollongong Region.

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has announced the Reverend Jonathan Squire will follow Peter Hayward who has given significant service as Bishop of Wollongong since 2010. As is required, Mr Squire’s appointment was approved by Standing Committee.

Describing the Bishop-designate as a ‘capable and effective minister of the gospel, and a godly and able pastor and teacher’, Archbishop Raffel pointed to his work as rector of the Parish of Camden Valley, a region he has served for 20 years. …”

– See Russell Powell’s full story.

The Sydney Family Album 4 — William Macquarie Cowper

In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the fourth, a guest post by Peter Bolt on William Cowper.

If you’ve ever been confused about who the two William Cowpers were, this will help!

“Together, the two William Cowpers were largely responsible for the strength and vitality of Evangelicalism in Sydney.”

Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section.

The Well prepares Indigenous stream

“The Rev Michael Duckett looks out at the firepit, surrounded by gum trees, at Macarthur Indigenous Church’s ministry centre at Wedderburn.

We’re talking about plans for the first-ever training program designed for Indigenous people in the Sydney Diocese…”

– Russell Powell has this encouraging story at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Diocese of Tasmania recognises the Global Anglican Communion in recent Synod

We missed this news from Gafcon Australia when it came out last month –

“We are delighted by the motion recently passed by the synod of the Diocese of Tasmania. The following was moved by the Venerable Jennifer Hercott:

‘That this Synod:

1. Notes that this Diocese has previously affirmed and assented to the Jerusalem Declaration as a faithful expression of Anglican doctrine and identity;

2. Acknowledges its continued constitutional relationship with the Church of England in England as presently established;

3. Recognises the Global Anglican Communion as a genuine expression of Anglican fellowship, grounded in historic orthodoxy and shared commitment to the authority of Scripture;

4. Declares that this Diocese considers itself to be in fellowship with those Provinces and Dioceses within the Global Anglican Communion that uphold the doctrine and teaching reflected in the Jerusalem Declaration;

5. Encourages the strengthening of relationships, prayer, and mutual support with these Anglican bodies for the sake of the gospel and the unity of Christ’s Church. …’ ”

– Read more at Gafcon Australia, where the question is posed, “Could your diocese propose a similar motion? Or your local church begin by adopting the Jerusalem Declaration?”

The Sydney Family Album 3 — William Cowper

In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the third, a guest post by Peter Bolt on William Cowper.

Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section.

The Sydney Family Album 2 — Samuel Marsden

In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, penned a series of posts entitled The Sydney Family Album, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the second, a guest post by David Pettett on Samuel Marsden.

Related:

Sunday sermons shed light on pioneer – SydneyAnglicans.net, December 2016.

The Sydney Family Album 1 — Richard Johnson

In 2011, Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore College, penned a series of posts entitled The Sydney Family Album, for his website, Theological Theology.

We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.

Here’s the first, starting at the beginning with Richard Johnson.

How Katoomba shaped a generation of Sydney Evangelicals with Phillip Jensen, David Cook and Al Stewart

From The Pastor’s Heart –

“For a generation of Sydney evangelicals, the Katoomba Christian Conventions weren’t just events in the calendar – they shaped church programs across the city.

In the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, thousands gathered under the circus tent and then later in packed auditoriums to hear the Bible taught, sing with conviction and be raised up for ministry.

But how did Katoomba become such an influence in Sydney evangelicalism? What decisions shaped its extraordinary impact? And what lessons are there for today.

We start a new occasional oral history series on the Pastor’s Heart, with former Katoomba Chairs Philip Jensen, David Cook and Al Stewart, reflecting on Katoomba’s phenomenal influence, the priority of expository preaching, the importance of guarding the platform and why ‘we teach the Bible’ became a defining conviction.”

– Watch here.

Much cause for thanksgiving, as well as some sobering memories, and a reminder to pray for the continued work of the Katoomba Christian Conventions.

23 volunteers, five languages, one mission

From Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net –

“Peter Au knows the stones and stories of St Andrew’s Cathedral better than almost anyone. But for him and his team of 23 welcomers, a visit is never just about the architecture – it’s about the Architect.

Earlier this year, The Daily Telegraph newspaper recommended that people visit the Cathedral, on the corner of George and Bathurst streets. ‘Plenty of history in this place as the host of countless state funerals and royal visits,’ the paper said. ‘Pop in when you’re next in the city. Soul-cleansing stuff.’

The writers may not have realised just how literally the welcomers take that description. …”

– Read about this strategic ministry.

Related:

St. Andrew’s Cathedral history.

The Sydney Family Album – 8, Howard Mowll – Dr Mark Thompson.

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