December 2015 Northwest Network
The December 2015 edition of Northwest Network – from the Diocese of North West Australia – is now out.
Download your copy (850kb PDF) and use it to prompt you to pray for the people of the North West, that Christ might be glorified.
Diocese of Bathurst — Court Judgment
The Judgment in the Supreme Court case, involving the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst, has been released.
We can be sure that all involved in the Diocese of Bathurst would value your prayers as they consider their options.
See also:
“Anglican Diocese of Bathurst liable for $40 million Commonwealth Bank loan: court” – The Sydney Morning Herald.
“The Anglican Diocese of Bathurst is liable for a $40 million loan from the Commonwealth Bank and may have to sell property including schools, churches and other land and buildings to meet its outstanding debt.”
Richard Condie Bishop-elect of Tasmania
“The election board of the Diocese of Tasmania has just elected the Ven. Dr. Richard Condie, currently vicar of St Jude’s Carlton and Archdeacon in Melbourne, as its next bishop…”
– David Ould has the news. (Richard is Chairman of FCA Australia.)
Here’s the Media Release from the Diocese of Tasmania. (PDF)
And here’s a letter from Richard to the churches of the diocese. (PDF)
Photo: SydneyAnglicans.net
Newcastle Synod 2015
The Second Session of the Fifty-First Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle was held the weekend before last. Bishop Greg Thompson’s Synod Charge has been published on the diocesan website (PDF file). Photos here.
‘I was abused by clergy’: Bishop of Newcastle tells of abuse
“Anglican bishop Greg Thompson has spoken about being groomed by an Anglican bishop and senior clergyman in the 1970s and later sexually abused, after an historic diocese apology on Sunday for the ‘shameful’ treatment of abuse survivors in the past…”
– from The Sydney Morning Herald.
See also: Anglican bishop leading charge against child sexual abuse says he too was a victim – ABC News.
(Photo: In June 2015 Bishop Thompson apologised on behalf of the Diocese of Newcastle to all who have experienced abuse.)
Bathurst Synod reflects on a year of change
“Bishop Ian Palmer’s Presidential Address to the annual Synod of Bathurst Diocese recalled a year of significant changes in many areas of diocesan life.
The first session of the 48th Synod of the Diocese met in Bathurst on the weekend of September 18-20…”
– It’s been another difficult year for the Bathurst Diocese, with the sale of the Bathurst Goldfields property on Mount Panorama, retrenchments in the diocesan office and the move of the Bishop to Dubbo – as well as the matters still before the Supreme Court of NSW.
Please pray that Christ would be known and loved across the Central West, through the preaching of his saving gospel.
Sydney Synod “grieved” by actions of Bishops of Gippsland and Wangaratta
“Wednesday night’s [Sydney] synod ended with the passing of a robust motion responding to the actions of Bishop Kay Goldsworthy and Bishop John Parkes in undermining the Biblical doctrine of marriage and human sexuality.
The final motion, which was passed overwhelmingly, reads as follows…”
– Read the full text as posted by David Ould.
See also page 5 of the September 2015 edition of The Gippsland Anglican (PDF file).
(Image credits – Photo of Bishop John Parkes: Diocese of Wangaratta. Photo of the Rev. David Head and Bishop Kay Goldsworthy: Diocese of Gippsland.)
Former Bishop of Grafton stripped of holy orders
“A former bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton has been stripped of any standing within the church over his handling of allegations of abuse at the North Coast Children’s Home…”
– Report from ABC News. Please pray for all involved in this sad situation.
See also: Ad Clerum from The Archbishop of Brisbane and press release from the Diocese of Grafton. (500kb PDF file)
Northwest Network Sept 2015 — Keeping the Cross Central
The latest (and 100th!) issue of Northwest Network is out – with news and encouragement to pray for the cause of Christ in North West Australia.
Bishop Gary Nelson writes:
“I find it easy in our world to be distracted from the core truth, the fundamental basis of Christian belief. But Paul reminds us here in 1 Corinthians that the cross is the ground of our faith and preaching. While he goes on to say in 2:2 …
‘For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.’
Now the message we proclaim isn’t merely moral – as if you could extract, for example, the Sermon on the Mount from the rest of the Bible and somehow retain its integrity and power – but rather, Christianity’s morality arises from the Christ who is Lord and Saviour through his sacrificial death on the cross for our salvation.
So in a world that regards the message of Christ crucified as weak and foolish, Christians – whether as individuals, churches or dioceses – will always be tempted to look elsewhere for power and wisdom that appears impressive. Thus we must keep asking ourselves,
…‘will this message or movement point me to the crucified Christ? Will it grow my knowledge, love and service of Jesus as Lord?’ …”
Read it all in NWN – download it here as a 770kb PDF file.
‘Tamworth’s Anglican Ministers take marriage equality concerns to Barnaby Joyce’
“A group of Anglican church leaders from Tamworth have used a meeting with New England MP Barnaby Joyce to call for a balanced debate on same sex marriage…”
– Report from and audio ABC New England.
Rod Chiswell from St. Peter’s South Tamworth was interviewed – worth listening. (Photo: Barnaby Joyce Facebook.)
Bishop John Harrower reflects on 15 years in Tasmania
The Diocese of Tasmania is preparing to elect a new Bishop on 27-28 November. Nominations closed on Friday.
Last month, in an interview with Dean of Hobart, Richard Humphrey, Bishop John Harrower reflected on his 15 years as Missionary Bishop of the diocese.
Related:
A prayer of thanks – Bishop John’s blog.
My intention to retire – Bishop John’s blog.
“Following much prayer and consultation with family, senior colleagues and close friends, I believe God is leading me to draw my ministry as the 11th Bishop of Tasmania to a close mid-September.”
Please pray for the churches of Tasmania as the election synod draws near.
Perth consecration
From The Book of Common Prayer, 1662, Consecration of Bishops: The Archbishop is to ask the candidate,
“Be you ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God’s Word; and both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others the same?”
(page 591, Cambridge pocket edition.)
David Ould publishes some excerpts from a recent consecration at St. George’s Cathedral in Perth.
Newcastle diocese committed to changing ‘culture of fear’
“Newcastle’s Anglican Bishop Greg Thompson says he is preparing for the harsh realities that a royal commission probe into the diocese may bring…”
– report from ABC News. (Image from Bishop Thompson’s earlier apology.)
Canberra & Goulburn: Pastoral Letter concerning the Redefinition of Marriage
Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, Stuart Robinson, wrote to members of his diocesan Synod in a pastoral letter yesterday:
“At our Synod in September, I am already aware that people will want to discuss either the rights and wrongs of homosexuality or the merits and problems of same-sex marriage. It is important for us to remember that there are already some limits around what such discussion can and cannot achieve, because…”
Bishop’s Vision for the Diocese of The Murray
“Before the motion was passed unanimously, Bishop Ford spoke on how his vision for the Diocese may be considered.
He believed the Diocese had too many buildings and that in many small communities, it may be more effective if a group of believers met around a table to pray, study and learn…
Bishop Ford believed communication was another important area to be looked at over the next year. He thought many of our church signs were ‘appalling’, adding that it was no wonder that other people found it difficult to join us when we met in secret…”
– The Winter 2015 edition of The Murray Anglican (PDF file) reports on Bishop John Ford’s vision for the Diocese of The Murray, endorsed at their Synod in May.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…