Standing above the Pack
“As I opened my computer this morning this article was on the work list for completion.
Writing is a lot of fun but it is not always easy to come up with material every week. So as the computer sparked into action and another google picture filled my screen I actually had a bit of a laugh along with a thought for what you now read. …”
– Bishop of Armidale, Rick Lewers, shares a Christmas message.
Bishop Geoffrey Smith elected Archbishop of Adelaide
Bishop Geoffrey Smith, assistant bishop and Registrar in the Diocese of Brisbane, has been elected the Archbishop of Adelaide, according to reports.
The Diocese of Brisbane has some background information.
Update: This announcement of the news is now on the website of the Diocese of Adelaide.
New ‘progressive’ Assistant Bishop for Brisbane
The Archbishop of Brisbane, Dr Phillip Aspinall, today announced that Archdeacon Jeremy Greaves will be the new Bishop of the Northern Region of the diocese of Brisbane.
Read his full announcement here (PDF file).
David Ould has some background:
“Greaves’ appointment will be viewed by many as controversial, and even provocative.
He gained notoriety for himself when Dean of Darwin Cathedral, as a proponent of ‘progressive Christianity’, most recently being lead organiser of the 2016 ‘Common Dreams’ conference in Brisbane.
He is an outspoken supporter of same-sex marriage but, perhaps even more troubling, he rejects key understandings of Christianity that he will be required to reaffirm at his consecration (having already promised at his ordination to teach them). One particular example will suffice. …”
(Photo credit: St. Mark’s Buderim.)
‘Pride Mass’ at Branxton, Newcastle Diocese
In last week’s “This Week Around the Diocese”, photos of a “Pride Mass” held on Sunday October 23 at Branxton in the Hunter Valley in the Diocese of Newcastle are featured.
Archdeacon of the Central Coast, Rod Bower, evidently took part in the service.
The uglier side of humanity
“Tolerance and acceptance is important for a nation’s well-being but tolerance and acceptance is a lot easier when people are respectful. This is particularly important in the current climate of debate on issues of human sexuality and marriage.
Before people misunderstand or misquote me, by tolerance and acceptance I do not mean that I agree with all the sexual choices people make. …”
— Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers writes on the need for genuine civility.
AFL’s scheduled Good Friday match in 2017 another win for market, not for people
“The AFL’s decision to schedule a match on Good Friday for the first time in 2017 is another win for the relentless and commodifying logic of the market overwhelming all other considerations, Bishop Philip Huggins, an Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, said today.”
– Read the full media release from the Diocese of Melbourne.
How Noosa is growing its church attendance
The Anglican Parish of Noosa is featured in the latest Brisbane Diocese magazine, Focus, as the beginning of a series on growing churches.
Moore College graduate Mark Calder is asked about the growth –
“Any growth here has been due entirely to the grace of God and answered prayer. In his kindness, the Lord has brought new people … We see clear Bible teaching as a key to people growing in their love for God and their understanding of his purposes for the world and in their lives.”
An encouraging article, from page 16 of October/November 2016 edition (PDF file).
Same-sex marriage on Melbourne Synod agenda
Here’s a press release from the Diocese of Melbourne, October 19, 2016:
“Same-sex marriage, legal aid and poverty are among the issues to be discussed at the Melbourne Anglican Synod, which opens at St Paul’s Cathedral tonight. Read more
‘Accusations laid bare: In defence of the Archbishop’
From The Australian Church Record:
“The editor of the Australian Church Record has penned a important response to a recent article by Julia Baird concerning a group of Anglican church leaders who have accused Archbishop Glenn Davies of silencing supporters of same-sex marriage.
The ACR response can be downloaded by clicking on ‘Download Special Issue’ from australianchurchrecord.net.”
Direct link to the special issue – PDF file.
Related: Same-sex marriage: Anglican Church leaders accuse Sydney Archbishop of silencing supporters – by Julia Baird, ABC News.
In other media news this week, David Ould has received an apology from The Sydney Morning Herald.
Archbishop of Perth ‘stands aside’
The Archbishop of Perth has released this “Pastoral Letter to the Clergy and People of the Diocese of Perth”.
Blessing of the Animals a highlight in Newcastle Diocese
“All creatures great and small were found in churches across the diocese of Sunday for the annual blessing of the animals.”
– News from the Diocese of Newcastle.
Confident Disciple Making for Tasmania
The Diocese of Tasmania is running an event to equip church members in Confident Disciple Making – in Hobart, on 29th October. Colin Marshall is the keynote speaker.
From Bishop Richard Condie:
“Making disciples is our great task, set for us by none other than the Lord Jesus himself. But the task is challenging, especially in our present time. We need help and assistance to know how we are going to do it effectively and confidently.”
Rod Bower in his own words
“Three decades on, Father Rod Bower, 54, is the one causing headaches as Australia’s most outspoken, social media savvy and incongruous priest. …”
– The Australian has this profile of Rod Bower, Archdeacon of the Central Coast in the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle.
(h/t David Ould. Photo: Rod Bower via Facebook.)
Related: From October 19, 2014, Report: Bishop of Newcastle appoints Rod Bower as Archdeacon of the Central Coast. (Which includes this link.)
Bishop of Newcastle to bless “Multi Faith Bridge”
“Bishop Greg Thompson, Anglican Bishop of Newcastle, will be visiting Albion Farm Gardens in Woodville on Sunday September 25 to bless a multi-faith bridge.
The bridge will become a significant part of Maitland’s history as it was constructed from stone given by a variety of faith communities.
Stone has come as from as far as Jerusalem, as well as from local faith groups including Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, Uniting, Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim. The Jewish community gave a stone from a synagogue…”
– from the Diocese of Newcastle.
Also coming up: Blessing of the Animals at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle.
Canberra & Goulburn updates Bishop’s election process but retains Synod vote
“The most important decision a synod makes is to select its next bishop. The 2016 Synod revised the process by which future diocesan bishops will be elected. It decided to retain the capacity to elect the bishop while expanding the role of an election committee to vet and nominate candidates for consideration…”
– Report from The Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…