Anglican Bishop acts over report into sexual abuse claims
“The Anglican Bishop of Tasmania has launched an investigation into the response of former church leader Bishop Philip Newell to complaints of sexual abuse by clergy. …”
– Report from The Mercury.
Melbourne Anglicans grateful that terror plot was foiled
Here’s a media release from The Diocese of Melbourne:
“December 23, 2016
Anglicans grateful that terror plot was foiled
Melbourne Anglicans are grateful and relieved that a planned terrorist attack on St Paul’s Cathedral, Federation Square and Flinders Street Station on Christmas Day has been neutralised, the Dean of St Paul’s, Dr Andreas Loewe, said today. Read more
A Tentmaker for Derby? And other news from the Northwest
“Are you equipped for a tentmaking ministry and keen to see the gospel move forward in the Kimberley region of the North West?
The town of Derby, about a two-and-a-half hour drive north of Broome, is an opportunity waiting for someone to take hold of with both hands. It is the third largest town in the Kimberley, but we haven’t had any significant Anglican ministry there for a good number of years. …”
– Read the details on the last page of the December 2016 edition of Northwest Network (600kb PDF file), from the Diocese of North West Australia. Plenty of food for prayer.
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.”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…