Bathurst Diocese Newsletter for Advent 2025

Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder has published the Bathurst Newsletter for Advent.

Please be encouraged to use it to inform your prayers: for the churches of the diocese, that they may be strengthened and encouraged – and also for the people of this large region of NSW, that many may hear the words of eternal life this Christmas, and find salvation in Christ.

Bishop Calder writes with much encouragement in the newsletter:

“Dear friends,

As we prepare to observe Advent again, I wanted to share a few thoughts. It is a time in our church calendar which has been misunderstood AND come under increasing secular influence. Advent reminds us that Christians are people who wait. We live with the reality that the world is not as it should be BUT we cling to the promise of Jesus’ return when everything will be put right. Advent doesn’t ask us to be cheerful or sentimental. It asks us to watch, to pray, and to recognise our deep need for the One who will come again.

We look around and see conflict, sorrow, failures, and tragedies. Advent puts to us that we can face these things without despair. It invites us to hold them before God, trusting that he has not forgotten his promises. Jesus will come with justice and mercy. He will heal, restore, judge and renew. That is our hope — not a vague wish, but a sure and certain expectation.

And so, Advent urges us not to be anxious or frantic. But steady. Prayerful. Grateful for every anticipation of all that Jesus’ return will mean.

Only at the end of Advent do we turn to Christmas. And when we do, we are reminded that our Advent hope is not hope against hope but is gloriously grounded in the historical reality that Jesus has already come among us as a real human being. The child of Bethlehem is the Lord of glory who will return. His first coming assures us of his second.

May this Advent renew your hope and steady your heart as you wait for him.

Mark.”

– Read it all here. (Looking for a pre-loved car? The newsletter might contain the answer.)

Archbishop-elect looks towards a ‘new season’ in Melbourne

“Melbourne’s Archbishop-elect Ric Thorpe wants Anglicans to engage with but also challenge the collective culture on matters that might be controversial both inside and outside the church, including same-sex marriage, gender identity and divorce.

Speaking ahead of his installation, Bishop Thorpe believed his involvement with the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith process taught him what worked well and what didn’t in dealing with differences of view. …”

– This report from The Melbourne Anglican gives observers outside Melbourne some idea of what to expect from the new Archbishop, to be installed next Sunday, 30 November 2025.

Image: Bishop Ric Thorpe at The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication in the United Kingdom.

Annette Anderson to be Anglican Dean at Nungalinya College, Darwin

“We are delighted to share that Annette Anderson will be taking up the position of Anglican Dean at Nungalinya College from Monday 10 November 2025.

Annette faithfully served as a CMS missionary from 1995 -2006 in both Darwin and Numbulwar and is no stranger to Nungalinya College, having worked there as a valued teacher since 2015. The 11 years she has dedicated to the college has provided Annette with a deep knowledge of the courses, students, and churches they come from.

Annette will serve all the remote Aboriginal Anglican parishes in the Northern Territory, facilitating the next generation of Church Leaders and Lay people to travel to Nungalinya where she will continue to support them during their studies.

Annette is married to Bishop Greg Anderson and has four children.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs Annette Anderson and upholding her in our prayers.”

– From the Diocese of the Northern Territory.

And a good reminder to give thanks for, and to pray for, the ministry of Nungalinya College.

Melbourne Diocese plans 30 new churches, 30 revitalisations by 2030

From The Melbourne Anglican:

“The Melbourne diocese has a vision to plant 30 new churches and revitalise 30 existing ones by 2030 as growth corridors expand without an Anglican presence to serve them.

The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne Church Planting vision and strategy was officially launched at a Melbourne Anglican Foundation fundraising event on Thursday, 23 October. …”

– Hannah Felsbourg reports.

Image: Archbishop-Elect Ric Thorpe at The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication in the United Kingdom. Although this Melbourne plan predates the new Archbishop’s arrival, it aligns closely with what he has been working to do in London.

(Archbishop Thorpe will be installed at St Paul’s Cathedral on Advent Sunday 30 November 2025.)

Adelaide bids fond farewell to Archbishop Geoff Smith

“The Anglican Diocese of Adelaide on Saturday 1 November bid a very fond farewell to the Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith, who has served as Archbishop for more than eight years. …”

— Report and photo from the Adelaide Diocese Guardian.

Doubtless, members of the Diocese of Adelaide would crave your prayers as they move to elect a new Archbishop to lead the diocese.

Photo: Archbishop Geoff Smith greets the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson.

Bathurst Newsletter: All Saints 2025

“All Saints’ – because we are ALL Saints!”

The latest Bathurst Diocesan Newsletter is available on their website.

Religious freedom concerns raised at cult inquiry

“Religious freedom advocates have warned recommendations to criminalise coercive control in cults could target mainstream churches and faith communities.

The Victorian Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee’s inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups is holding public hearings. …

In hearings on 21 October, the Australian Christian Lobby and Freedom for Faith raised fears the inquiry’s outcome would affect how Christians practice and teach their faith. …”

– Hannah Felsbourg writes at The Melbourne Anglican.

Adelaide Synod 2025: walking together into another year

The Diocese of Adelaide held its 2025 Synod last weekend. It was the last for Archbishop Geoff Smith, who concludes his time as Archbishop on 1st November:

“The Adelaide Anglican Synod for 2025 concluded its annual session on Sunday, marked by an emphasis on synodality, youth engagement, and a move toward streamlined ministry governance.

Held once again at Starplex at Trinity College Gawler, due to the very high satisfaction survey last year, the session was, once again, affirming for Synod members to listen carefully, and speak respectfully, acting synodically – flourishing and united in God’s Love.

The weekend began with the Synod Eucharist held on Friday 16 October at St Peter’s Cathedral. During the beautiful service a new Archdeacon was collated, four new area Deans for the Triennium were commissioned and four members of the laity were awarded Diocesan extraordinary service ‘Archbishop’s Pins’.…”

– Secretary of Synod Joe Thorp reports at The Adelaide Guardian.

Bathurst Diocese Ministry Opportunities October 2025

The Diocese of Bathurst has posted its latest page of Ministry Opportunities.

New to the list is the parish of Blayney, Millthorpe, Barry and Trunkey.

My story, God’s story

“Your story is unique. Sharing your story is one of the most authentic ways you can witness to your faith and confidence in Jesus. It is so adaptable to different situations from sharing one-on-one at a cafe? or sharing to a group of people at an event, or even in written form. And when it’s our story, it’s not a debate, or pushy, or fake and, if it comes from the heart, it will be personal, engaging and real.

I am convinced that personal stories (testimonies) are a very powerful tool that the Holy Spirit uses to stir spiritual interest and to draw people towards Jesus. …”

– David Bassett, Assistant Bishop in Perth, writes to encourage Christians to share their story – and offers some simple principles to help.

On page 2 of The Messenger from the Diocese of Perth, for October 2025.

Direct link to the PDF file.

Bathurst Synod 2025 edition of the Bishop’s newsletter

See the Synod edition of the bishop of Bathurst’s latest newsletter – at this link.

Number of Bible studies doubles in Bathurst – Tara Sing at SydneyAnglicans.net.

And Bishop Mark Calder spoke at the closing service of the Armidale Synod on Sunday morning.

He is seen here with Bishop Rod Chiswell. (Other images on the Bathurst Facebook page.)

Archbishops: Installed or enthroned?

“It is all about a seat! A ‘cathedra’ is the proper name for the seat of a Diocesan Bishop or Archbishop, hence cathedral is the building in which it is placed. Its origin is the Greek, then Latin, word for a seat with arms. Why a seat? What should a bishop do when sitting in their seat?

The seat is often described as a ‘throne’, hence the words, ‘enthronement’ or ‘enthronisation’. This implies that the bishop rules the diocese from this seat, a symbol of authority. …”

– At The Melbourne Anglican, Dr Peter Adam explains how much evidence he finds in the New Treatment for “Diocesan Bishops as rulers with thrones”.

He also shares some “New Testament instructions which are relevant to a bishop’s role”.

Image: St Helen’s Bishopsgate.

Musician glorifies God

“From outback North West Australia, singer/songwriter Tenielle Neda puts scripture to song so that God is glorified and his Church is built up.

Tenielle recently moved from Karratha to Geraldton where she is part of the Cathedral congregation with her young family. She is a blessing to the Christian community, having produced a catalogue of songs that bring bible truths to bear on the heart and mind. …”

– Good news and photo from the Diocese of North West Australia.