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.
When the smoke clears
“A journey to Port Macquarie for a funeral, a trip to Mt Tamborine to speak at a convention and a return to Armidale, these trips have more than filled my lungs with smoke. …”
– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers writes to his local community about the fires and the drought.
Archbishop Philip Freier to conclude as Primate on 31 March 2020
“The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop Philip Freier of Melbourne, has announced that he will not seek reelection as Primate. He will stand down on 31 March 2020 in order to allow sufficient time for an election and for his successor to prepare for the pivotal General Synod in June.”
– David Ould has the news.
Sermon at the installation of Mark Calder as Bishop of Bathurst
Bishop Mark Calder was installed at Bathurst Cathedral today.
Hear the sermon he preached, from Luke 18:9-14. This is a pre-recorded version. Watch and share.
Mark Calder consecrated as Bishop of Bathurst
“The Bishop-elect of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has been consecrated in Sydney prior to his installation as the new Bishop in the Central West of New South Wales two days later.
Assisted by a large contingent of visiting bishops, the bishop-elect was consecrated by the Metropolitan of New South Wales Archbishop Glenn Davies at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney on Thursday, 21 November. …”
– Story and photos by Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
(Photo: Mark and Susan Calder after the service.)
Australian Bishops issue Communiqué: “testing times”
“The Bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia met this week in Melbourne to discuss the growing crisis in the national church precipitated by the decision of the synods of Wangaratta and Newcastle to legislate for a liturgy of blessing for those in same-sex marriage.
At the conclusion of their meeting they issued the following communiqué …”
– Read it via davidould.net.
Growing Christian Communities in Melbourne
Here’s an encouraging video giving some insight into church planting in the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne.
Newcastle Synod Decision a “Stitch-Up”
Last week the Synod of the Diocese of Newcastle approved two controversial bills relating to human sexuality.
Davidould.net reports on some concerns and unhappiness as to how the bills came to the synod.
(Photo: Diocese of Newcastle.)
Bendigo Cathedral Priest enters Same-Sex Marriage
“A few weeks ago we reported on the self-publicised plan of Bendigo Cathedral priest to enter into a same-sex marriage.
The Bendigo Advertiser reported on the actual marriage itself.
Drew Reid and Father Noel Richards have become the first same-sex couple to be married in a Bendigo church.
The couple said ‘I do’ in front of family and friends at St Andrew’s Uniting Church in Bendigo on Saturday.”
– via davidould.net. (Image: Bendigo Advertiser.)
I support Sydney’s Anglicans
“The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, has been getting some rough treatment of late, aided largely by media coverage that either deliberately or negligently took his words out of context. …
The media portrayal of him as someone who was asking the faithful who struggle with the teaching on marriage and sexuality to leave was unjust and it, too, needs to be called out.”
– Monica Doumit, Director, Public Affairs and Engagement for the Archdiocese of Sydney, writes in The Catholic Weekly.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…