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.

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.”

Details here.

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.

Bishop of Ballarat declares support for same-sex marriage, despite Bible’s teaching – report

“Ballarat’s Anglican Bishop Garry Weatherill has declared his support for same-sex marriage and said he opposed the Federal Government’s proposed plebiscite on the issue. …

Bishop Weatherill told the ABC he supported ‘marriage equality’.

‘The local position of this particular bishop is for marriage equality,’ he said.

‘The Bible teaches marriage is for man and woman, that is pretty clear and that is our standard position.

‘But it is saying marriage is good for people and society, and I think whether or not we approve of same gender relationships, we want people to be in strong, monogamous and sustainable relationships that give harmony to their lives and to the community.’…”

– ABC News report, 15 September 2016. Emphasis added.

Northwest Network September 2016

The latest issue of Northwest Network – the newsletter of the Diocese of North West Australia – is now available.

Download the 1.3MB PDF file, and use it to fuel your prayers for the people and churches of NW Australia.

New Vicar for St Jude’s in Melbourne

St. Jude’s Carlton in Melbourne has announced that John Forsyth is to be the new Vicar, with his Induction at the end of January 2017.

John is currently Assistant Minister at St. Swithun’s Pymble, in Sydney. (Richard Condie, who had been Vicar of St. Jude’s, was elected Bishop of Tasmania and began his ministry there in March.)

Announcement here. Photo: St. Swithun’s.

Pastoral Letter to Clergy, Parishioners and Friends of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn from Bishop Stuart Robinson

“Beloved in Christ,

I am writing, with a heavy heart, in response to concerns expressed by parishioners and people in our wider communities around the reports of sexual abuse in the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle. Like me, you will be appalled at what has been alleged and what has taken place…”

– Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, has published this pastoral letter.

Newcastle Bishop shares a message on the eve of the Royal Commission

From the Diocese of Newcastle:

“The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is holding a public hearing into the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle at Newcastle from Tuesday, 2 August 2016.

Bishop Greg Thompson shares a message with the Diocesan community about working together through what will be a confronting time as we face the past to help build a healthy future.”

Watch Bishop Thompson’s message here. And please pray for all concerned.