Tasmanian Parliamentary Year Commencement Sermon 2019

Dr. Richard Condie, Bishop of Tasmania, preached at the Parliamentary Year Commencement Service in St. David’s Cathedral Hobart on Tuesday 19th March 2019.

“The events in the past few days remind us of the importance of the task before us, and particularly the task before the Parliament of this State of Tasmania.

The senseless act of violence and murder last Friday in the peaceful city of Christchurch, where now 50 people, one as young as 2 years of age, lie dead as a result of gun rampage.

It reminds us of the sacred trust given to governments, to work for the safety and well-being of the people whom they serve, to provide protection for the vulnerable.

There is an instruction to Christians in the New Testament about prayer for people in positions of ruling authority …”

You can read his full sermon on the diocesan website.

Make a difference in a crisis

“Sunday in Inverell I gathered with people in the Town Hall to pray for rain. Council members and even a Senator joined the gathering and a personal letter from the Prime Minister was read. I was dressed like a civilian and no one knew who I was but everyone knew that people were hurting. With no control of the weather people fell to prayer. Where else does one turn but to God when hope cannot be found in ourselves?…”

– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers knows there is something you can do in a crisis.

Bishop Ian Palmer’s farewell address to Bathurst Synod

“In his Presidential Address to the Synod of Bathurst Diocese, Bishop Ian Palmer has reflected on the challenges and changes of the past six years and pointed to a more positive focus for the future. …

He reviewed the steps that Synod had taken last year that, in conjunction with decisions of the Synod of Sydney Diocese, have provided a more secure future for the Anglican Church in Central & Western NSW. …”

– We missed this story when it was published a few weeks back. We are sure that all in Bathurst Diocese would be glad of your prayers.

North West Network December 2018

The latest issue of North West Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of Northwest Australia, is now available for download from their website. (1.1MB PDF file.)

Be encouraged, and be encouraged to pray!

Anglican Church of Tasmania finalises list of properties for sale

“The Anglican church has finalised its list of properties for sale, with 73 set to be closed and sold-off.

Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, the Right Reverend Richard Condie, said the church had listened and responded to community feedback. …”

– Report from The Advocate.

See also: One third of Anglican Church properties removed from sale list – Diocese of Tasmania.

New Bishop for North Queensland

“Anglicans from all over Diocese of North Queensland including the Torres Strait and the West met in Townsville on Saturday November 24th to elect a new Bishop following the retirement of Bishop Bill Ray in September.

The Very Reverend Dr Keith Joseph is the seventh Dean of Darwin. He holds a PhD in philosophy, in the area of applied ethics, and prior to ordination worked as a lecturer in philosophy, but also was a soldier and officer in the Australian Army, and an administrative officer with the Australian Federal Police. In the Army he was a logistics contracts manager, and had a similar role in the Solomon Islands with the Peacekeeping Force from 2004 to 2006. He was ordained as a as a priest in the Diocese of Central Melanesia in 2006 when he took up full-time ministry, remaining in the Solomon Islands.

At the end of 2010 he returned to Australia from Melanesia, and was a parish priest in the Diocese of Newcastle. He took up his current ministry as Dean of Darwin in November 2013 and began his role on the board of Anglicare in December 2013. …”

– From a Diocese of North Queensland press release.

David Ould provides some further background:

“Dr Joseph is an outspoken supporter of same-sex marriage, the key matter of contention facing the Anglican Church of Australia today. …”

Photo: Anglicare NT.

Failure for Newcastle Diocese challenge of Sydney Affiliated Churches Ordinance

“The Appellate Tribunal of the Anglican Church of Australia has today issued an opinion on a series of questions put to it by the Diocese of Newcastle about the Diocese of Sydney‘s Affiliated Churches Ordinance.

The Ordinance allows for non-Anglican churches to affiliate with the Diocese of Sydney and so obtain a number of administrative and other benefits while not being recognised as Anglican. …”

– David Ould has the details and links.

Canberra-Goulburn Elects Dr Mark Short as New Bishop

This news from the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn:

“The Reverend Dr Mark Short has been elected as the eleventh Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. …

Mark Short is currently National Director, The Bush Church Aid Society, and was formerly Rector of Turvey Park and Archdeacon of Wagga Wagga in this Diocese. …”

– More at the diocesan website.

Canberra and Goulburn Electoral Synod begins Thursday

“The name of the new Bishop for the Anglican Diocese of Canberra/Goulburn should be known after this weekend.

Up to 500 people are expected to converge on Goulburn on Friday and Saturday for an Episcopal Synod for the election of the new bishop.

The person will replace Bishop Stuart Robinson who retired in March after 10 years in the role. …”

– This story in The Goulburn Post reveals there are five nominees to be considered by the electoral synod.

Last week the Chair of the Episcopal Election Nominations Committee, Archdeacon David Ruthven, wrote,

“After a lot of behind the scenes work, we‘re thrilled to distribute to members of Synod a fine list of Nominees. …”

While the identity of the nominees is not yet public, please do be encouraged to pray for them and the synod members. The synod begins on Thursday 8th November and concludes on Saturday 10th.

Melbourne Synod: Women must have equal representation on diocesan council

“Archbishop Freier rebuked Synods over a number of years for failing to follow his lead in trying to diversify those involved in the governance of the diocese.

‘On different occasions, I have nominated all women… all people from non-English-speaking backgrounds and I’ve been dismayed that you, the members of Synod, when it comes to the ballot, have not seen (fit) to pick up that lead at all,’ Dr Freier said. …”

– Report from The Melbourne Anglican on the Melbourne Synod’s decision that that women must have equal representation on diocesan council.

More Same-Sex Blessings motions fail to pass in Australian Synods

“This past weekend saw synods in the metropolitan dioceses of Melbourne and Adelaide here in Australia. We’ve previously reported on the proposed motions there (Melbourne, Adelaide) to provide for blessings of same-sex marriages contracted by civil celebrants.

As is becoming clear, these motions are part of a coordinated campaign across the whole country. …”

– David Ould with an overview from last weekend.

(Image: Anglican Church of Australia.)

Anglican Super moves from AMP to Mercer

“AMP Limited has lost a key corporate superannuation mandate …

Anglican National Super announced today at the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney that it had appointed the Mercer Super Trust to manage its superannuation fund …

Anglican National Super will transition its $250m superannuation fund to the Mercer Super Trust next year. …”

– Story from Super Review.

Sydney helps Bathurst

“The Synod of the Diocese of Sydney has voted in favour of a six-year plan to help fund the infrastructure of the Diocese of Bathurst, to ensure the continuation of Christian witness in Central Western New South Wales.

The Diocese has been beset with financial problems for the past decade and with shrinking congregations, is approaching the point where it cannot support the office of the Bishop and the Registry, vital to the oversight of ministry in the region. …”

– Encouraging news of partnership from Sydney Synod. (SydneyAnglicans.net.)

Melbourne’s third woman bishop – and other news from the dioceses

“When Kate Prowd is consecrated a bishop in Melbourne on Saturday, it will create Anglican history: she will be half of the first brother and sister pair to be bishops, both in the same diocese. …”

– News from the diocese of Melbourne.

Also from around other dioceses in the Anglican Church of Australia:

Bendigo:

“It takes passion to persevere in professional sport. Even the best players need to be so in love with what they do that the training and sacrifice pales into insignificance. Perseverance in faith is enabled by setting our affection on God. How do you remind yourself how beautiful, sufficient, good, capable and praiseworthy God is? As Thomas Cranmer (the architect of Anglicanism) said, what the heart desires, the mind justifies and the will enacts. How does your affection for God then influence everything else?”

– Bishop of Bendigo, Matt Brain, writing in the October 2018 edition of The Spirit. (PDF)

Newcastle:

Blessing of our furry and feathered friends – at Christ Church Cathedral.

Tasmania:

“Saturday 22 September saw over 400 Anglicans from across the state gathering together for the 3rd annual Bishop’s Training Event, with a sense of excitement and expectation. …”

– Bishop’s Training Event 2018 – Making Disciples Every Day.

Northern Territory:

“There are many ways gardening is like Christian ministry. It takes time and we have to be patient. It is nearly three years since I planted the pineapple tops (they might have fruited faster without the Carpentaria palms). We might have conversations over a long period with someone before we see a new stage of Christian growth or a big step forward in understanding what it means to follow Jesus. …”

– Bishop Greg Anderson writes in the current issue of Top Centre. (PDF)

Diocese of Armidale Presidential Address Synod 2018

The Diocese of Armidale has published the Presidential Address by Bishop Rick Lewers to their 2018 Synod.

Well worth reading, and a reminder to pray for our brothers and sisters in that diocese.

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