New edition of “The Link” from Armidale — Dec 2024-Jan 2025

The latest issue of Armidale Diocese’s magazine The Link is now available for download form their website.

On the cover is the Rev. Julie Cook, just announced as the new Diocesan Deacon for Women.

Download your copy here (PDF file) – and do pray for the continued ministry of the gospel in the Diocese of Armidale.

Bishop Mark Calder’s Christmas message 2024

Here’s the Christmas 2024 Video Media Release from Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder.

Text version below:

Joy to the World

We sing it every year, and we hear the familiar words: peace on earth. But as we look around our world, we might ask, where is the joy, and where is the peace?

The peace that Jesus came to bring was not the end of wars and strife in the world. It is a far deeper peace—peace with God. This peace comes through the forgiveness of sins, which Jesus made possible through his death and resurrection.

Because of this peace—a peace that goes beyond our understanding—we can be people of great joy. When we come to God, say sorry, and receive his forgiveness, we can know that everything we’ve mucked up in the past has been dealt with and forgiven.

This Christmas, my hope is that you will experience the peace that Jesus came to bring—a peace that leads to lasting joy.

Wishing you a joyful and peaceful Christmas.

– Good to share.

You can be Certain — Luke 1.26-38

“What do we do with Mary? We don’t pray to her or worship her, or claim she remained a virgin – for the very same reason we believe the virgin birth… because we trust the Bible to tell us what is true and real… and if it’s not here – in the orderly account – we don’t claim it or teach it or embrace it! But we ARE moved by her beautiful submission and surrender… and we endeavour to live with her level of trust: ‘I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to be me fulfilled.’ ”

– Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder continues his Advent series.

Also from the Diocese of Bathurst:

“This morning Bishop Calder announced the appointment of lay stipendiary ministers for an initial period of 6 months to the parish of Nyngan – praise God for the generous sacrifices involved for Philip and Deanne Gerber.”

Bathurst Diocese Advent 2024 Newsletter

The Bathurst Diocese Advent 2024 Newsletter is now available to download for your encouragement and prayers. (PDF file.)

Precious opportunities await!

A reminder, from the Diocese of Bathurst, of precious opportunities for gospel service in these parishes –

“1. Condobolin
2. Trundle
3. Warren
4. Coolah-Dunedoo
5. Nyngan
6. Bourke-Brewarrina
7. Gilgandra
8. Coonamble
9. West Wyalong
10. Wellington
11. Coonabarabran
12. Cumnock
13. Canowindra
14. Cudal-Molong.”

– From the diocesan Facebook page.

You can be certain — Luke 1:1-4

Bishop Mark Calder begins his Advent/Christmas series for the Diocese of Bathurst: You can be certain

December 01 ADVENT 1 Why? Luke 1:1-4
December 08 ADVENT 2 John the Baptist prepared the way. Luke 1:5-25
December 15 ADVENT 3 Jesus was miraculously conceived. Luke 1:26-38
December 22 ADVENT 4 God’s eternal promises were being fulfilled. Luke 1:39-56
December 25 CHRISTMAS A Saviour was born – Messiah and Lord! Luke 2:1-21.

Watch the first talk at this link.

Encouragement for church members, and great to share.

Women in the Anglican Diocese of Armidale

From the Diocese of Armidale:

“At the recent Synod (September 2024), the Bishop presented a position paper on the Role of Women in the Anglican Diocese of Armidale.

In the paper he seeks ‘to explore the way Christian men and women can partner together in ministry, to grow and build Christ’s church in accordance with the Scriptures’ (Bishop’s synod address, p9).

This was in preparation for employing a Diocesan Deacon for Women. Everything is now ready for the role to begin in January 2025 – the new Deacon for Women will be announced in December…”

– This page has links to Bishop Rod Chiswell’s Position Paper here and his Synod Address.

Image: The Synod of the Diocese of Armidale.

‘A wound that can’t heal’: Church calls for recognition of genocide

“The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne has joined calls for the 1915–1923 Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides to be recognised by the state government.

More than 3 million Armenian, Assyrian/Syriac and Greek Orthodox Christians suffered from the systematic mass murder, expulsion and forced conversion beginning on 24 April 1915.

This population continues to be one of the most persecuted, dispossessed and scattered in the world. …”

– Report from The Melbourne Anglican.

Armidale’s “The Link” – November 2024

The latest edition (November 2024) of The Link, the magazine of the Diocese of Armidale, is now online.

Download a copy for your edification and your prayers.

A reminder of the need for gospel ministry in the country

This was posted on the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page:

“Molong? Gilgandra? Canowindra? Bathurst? (assistant role at the Cathedral). Where might you come and experience the blessings of regional ministry? Or perhaps somewhere a little further away? West Wyalong? Coonabarabran?

Keen to talk to men and women open to exploring ministry in central and western NSW.

(Also: Coonamble, Condobolin, Bourke-Brewarrina, Nyngan, Warren, Coolah-Dunedoo, Cumnock, Trundle.)”

– see also the Diocesan website.

From the Archives: Archbishop Sir Marcus Loane remembers the beginnings of the SUEU

From our archives:

In 1980, Archbishop of Sydney Sir Marcus Loane (1912 – 2009), addressed the Sydney University Evangelical Union’s End of Term Service.

In his 19 minute address, Sir Marcus recalls the beginnings of the Evangelical Union, fifty years previously.

A wonderful encouragement.

Photo: Marcus Loane as Vice Principal of Moore College, 1950.

Archbishop of Perth approves changes to Faithfulness in Service

“The Archbishop of Perth, Kay Goldsworthy, has written to members of the diocesan synod to confirm that she has assented to the motion passed earlier this month to approve changes Faithfulness in Service that effectively approve of extra-marital sexual activity.

In her letter she sets our her argument…”

– David Ould has the details.

Photo: Diocese of Perth.

A Tamworth ministry to the local Indigenous community

“In West Tamworth, there is palpable excitement in Glen Street on Wednesdays. Children finish school and go straight to Aunty Lucy Gibbs’ place where they wait for Frontyard Church to begin, filling in the time by running around or jumping on the trampoline.

In the late afternoon, about a dozen people arrive from St Peter’s, South Tamworth, spending the next half hour in the vacant block next door unpacking a shipping container full of chairs, tables and lights, plus a sound system and the all-important barbecues. …”

– SydneyAnglicans.net relays this encouraging story from the Diocese of Armidale.

Bishop of Bathurst’s newsletter — Synod 2024

The Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has released his latest newsletter.

Food for your prayers and a great way to catch up with what is happening across the diocese.

Ridley’s Principal to deliver farewell lecture

“The Reverend Brian Rosner will deliver a public farewell lecture at Ridley College on Wednesday, 16 October, marking the conclusion of his more than 12 years as principal.

The lecture, titled Strengthened by the Gospel: The Purpose of Romans and the Future of Ridley College, will focus on the enduring role of the gospel in Christian life and ministry. …”

– Report and photo from The Melbourne Anglican.

And a good reminder to also pray for the College and for Rhys Bezzant as he takes up the reins in January.

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