Australian Primate’s Election Deadlocked — report
David Ould reports that the electors for the new Australian Primate were unable to reach a consensus.
“The electoral panel adjourned and agreed to meet again before 30 June 2020.”
Australian Bishops in ‘Tense’ Meeting as Signs of Division Grow
“The Australian House of Bishops have been gathered over the past few days for their annual meeting. Their time together climaxes with the election of a new Primate tomorrow (where they will be joined by 24 lay and clergy electors).
davidould.net has been in contact with a number of those present and, while we cannot provide any direct quotes, it is now quite clear that there is a real division within the House of Bishops over the question of sexual ethics and, particularly, whether same-sex marriage ought to be blessed in one way or another. …”
– David Ould shares his understanding of what’s happening as the Australian Bishops meet. Good to pray about this.
(Graphic adapted from the Anglican Church of Australia website.)
An invitation to hear about ministry opportunities in Tasmania
“Come and sample some of the tastes of Tasmania and hear about what God is doing in the Diocese of Tasmania.
The Bishop of Tasmania, Richard Condie, will be sharing some of the highlights and challenges of ministry on the Apple Isle, and talking about ministry opportunities for youth and children’s ministry, church planters, assistant ministers and rectors.
If you’re interested in Tassie, or wondering if God might be calling you to ‘come over and help us’, or just want to sample some Tassie produce, then come along and join us.”
– Bishop Condie will be in Melbourne and Sydney in mid-April.
Lent in the Diocese of Bathurst – The Road to Calvary
Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has invited the Rev Mike Raiter to record a series of Lenten Studies to be used in parishes across the diocese this Lent.
The studies, “The Road to Calvary”, are based on chapters 26 and 27 of the Gospel According to Matthew.
The first Study is available here – and the rest will be available on Bishop Calder’s Youtube Channel. Pray that they will be a great blessing to many.
Related:
Bishop Calder has been in Forbes where the Anglican Church is looking for a minister “to teach them God’s Word, partner with them in ministry, and help reach Forbes with the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ”. He’s posted a 19 second video on Facebook.
What Future for the Anglican Church of Australia?
“We’re in the middle of what I think is best described as a tentative ceasefire. Of course, with any ceasefire there’s opportunities for both sides to position themselves for the conflict that is yet to come.
If you think all this language sounds combative then you’d be absolutely right. Both sides recognise that this is exactly what it is – a battle for the soul of the Anglican Church of Australia. There are clearly defined positions; one that seeks to uphold the orthodox view on human sexuality (but sees that as part of a wider issue – the authority of Jesus in the church through the Scriptures) and the other side that sees a liberalising of sexual ethics as a gospel imperative. …”
– David Ould shares his thoughts on what may happen in 2020 in the Anglican Church of Australia.
(Image adapted from the website of the Anglican Church of Australia.)
‘Few Anglicans back blessing gay marriages’
“Only a small number of submissions to an Anglican tribunal examining a push to allow the blessing of same-sex marriages say the move is legitimate under church law.
The Victorian Diocese of Wangaratta in August passed a resolution providing for the blessing of same-sex couples who married under the Commonwealth Marriage Act. …“
– Report from The Canberra Times.
Sporting brain snaps
“When you read this I will be winging my way to Melbourne for part of a holiday.
Why Melbourne? Well we don’t have the Australian Open Tennis in Armidale. We don’t have the rich celebrity temper tantrum, racket smashers from around the world in Armidale. We just have the normal temper tantrum racket smashers and club throwers of our local region. I think it will be interesting to see how the great ones of the sporting world do it. I am not planning to take any tips from them, however I might just be embarrassed and perversely entertained by them…”
– Diocese of Armidale’s Bishop Rick Lewers shares some challenges about anger.
Patient leadership required
“What has become of our culture that we, who are sown into the fabric of the culture, have become so impatient? The computer, by comparison with the old typewriter, is quick. But when I turned it on just now, the time this piece of genius took to awake from its slumber had me impatiently complaining. …”
– Bishop Rick Lewers of the Diocese of Armidale writes his regular column. Very timely.
Pastoral letter from Bishop Mark Short to the Anglican Parish of Cobargo
Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn, Mark Short, has sent this pastoral letter to the Anglican Parish of Cobargo. In this fire season across Australia, each loss is locally felt, and this is one.
January 1 at 12:27 PM ·
Dear sisters and brothers of the Parish of Cobargo,
I write as your Bishop at a time of shared loss and grief.
You have lost treasured buildings, valued homes and beloved friends and neighbours. Many of you have faced overwhelming situations and have worked selflessly to care for others .
The Bible assures us that God is close to the broken-hearted and it is right and healthy to grieve. The Bible also assures us that in Jesus Christ God is able to bring restoration and hope. This journey of hope will take time, and it is a journey we will make together. Be assured of the prayers of the rest of the Diocese and our readiness to work with you as, with God’s help, we renew and rebuild.
Almighty God,
In your wisdom you have so ordered our earthly life
that we must walk by faith and not by sight:
give us such trust in your fatherly care
that in the face of all perplexities
we may give proof our faith by the courage of our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. APBA, p465
In the love of Jesus,
+Mark Short
The Bishop’s pastoral letter includes the prayer, written by the Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral, The Very Reverend Kanishka Raffel, to be read on Sunday:
“Lord of all days and years, and time and eternity, You made this land and have blessed us with its riches and beauty.
You are a refuge to all who seek your shelter, our strong defence in trial and tribulation.
Send rain we pray to extinguish flames and heal our land.
Mercifully protect life and property.
Give help and hope to our neighbours assailed by fire.
Comfort and provide for those who grieve.
Uphold those who suffer loss,
Give peace and hope to those bewildered and broken-hearted.
We thank you for men and women of courage and selflessness.
We thank you for brave communities of care and support, We thank you for those who share your comfort and hope, We thank you for those at a distance giving and praying.
Lord, you sent your Son so that we would know your power to save, your presence with your people in this world of turmoil, and your promise to renew the whole creation. Turn our hearts to you, that we may have faith for this day and hope for eternity.
We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“St Saviour’s Church Quaama in the Parish of Cobargo. Locals tell me that the bell-tower always appeared to be the most rickety part of the structure. Yet it still stands [top photo]; a reminder that in the most challenging circumstances our call to summons people to find comfort and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ endures. Thank you for your prayers as the communities of the Diocese face a difficult weekend.”
(With thanks to Ramon Williams for forwarding this letter and images.)
Bishop Mark Calder’s Christmas message 2019
Bishop of the Diocese of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has released his Christmas message for 2019 –
“Christmas – that time when God turned up on earth as one of us.
That is what Christmas is about and it’s worth celebrating!
It’s the sure sign that God cares enough about us to turn up, loves so much that he would come and live among us in humility; that he died and rose again so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life if we put him back in control of our lives.
So despite living in a drought ravaged land, a land deeply impacted this year by bushfires, we have in Jesus a sure sign that God loves us, cares for us, is with us, is alongside of us, wants to know us, wants to be in relationship with us and promises us a glorious future.
Friends, have a happy Christmas!”
You can also watch Bishop Calder’s Christmas sermon, on Luke 2:1-4.
It’s all a good reminder to pray for the people of the Diocese of Bathurst, which covers the region bordered by Oberon, Cowra and West Wyalong in the south; Cobar and Bourke in the west; across the north-west to Coonamble and Coonabarabran; and Coolah, Mudgee and Rylstone in the east.
Bishop of Bathurst’s Christmas Sermon 2019
Newly installed Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, is sharing his sermons from Bathurst Cathedral by video as an encouragement to people across his far-flung diocese.
Here’s his Christmas sermon, on Luke 2:1-4.
North West Network – Nov 2019
The latest North West Network is full of encouraging stories and fuel for prayer.
Download it as a 3.1MB PDF file.
We shall see His face – Advent sermon from Bathurst
The new Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, is publishing the audio of his weekly sermons on the diocesan website.
His topic for Advent Sunday was “We Shall See His Face”. Audio here.
2019 Christmas message from the Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn
Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, Mark Short, has released his Christmas message.
New Anglican Diocese of Bathurst Bishop Mark Calder’s hope for region
“Just over eight months after Ian Palmer’s retirement, the Right Reverend Mark Calder was recently appointed as the new bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst and he has a big hope for the region.
Rev Calder was installed as bishop on Saturday, November 23, at the All Saints Cathedral… And just a week into his new rule, he’s made his number one goal as new bishop clear for all. …”
– Story from The Western Advocate.
Photo: Mark and Susan Calder with Archbishop Glenn Davies at the Installation service at Bathurst Cathedral, 23 November 2019. From The Diocese of Bathurst.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…