Canberra – Goulburn conference to focus on discipleship
The Centre for Lay Ministry and Mission in Canberra & Goulburn diocese is running a discipleship conference in May.
Bishop Stuart Robinson writes, “We’d love to see people from all over Australia attend and learn from Mike and Sally Breen.” Details here (PDF).
Around the Anglican Church of Australia 27 February 2016
Here are a few snippets from around the Anglican Church of Australia this weekend.
Please pray that all of us will keep Christ’s saving gospel front and centre, and proclaim it clearly, as we should (Colossians 4:4, Matthew 28:16-20):
Melbourne
Anglican Media Melbourne has this video from a forum held on Ash Wednesday. One of the speakers was The Rev Andy Bowman (pictured), Co-Director of the Anglican Alliance:
“Ash Wednesday’s appropriate because first, we’ve got to lament the kind of poor response we’ve shown over the last two decades – and so we began the day today thinking about how we should be grieving that, how we should be seeking forgiveness about that…”
“… How can we restore the Earth to what it should be – what it was – when God first created it and gave us that great responsibility of stewarding it.”
North Queensland
The funeral of Bishop John Lewis (Bishop of North Queensland 1971-1996) will be held at St. James’ Cathedral in Townsville, today Saturday 27th February.
In his weekly bulletin, current bishop Bill Ray explains that he is sorry medical reasons prevent him being at next month’s Australian Bishops’ Conference in South Australia. He writes:
“Despite what you may have read in the press, it has been my experience that each Bishops’ Meeting is a time of fellowship and learning as well as a time where people show respect to each other.
I have found each conference very helpful and I am disappointed that I will not be present.”
Bathurst
Bathurst Diocese is advertising an Encouragement Workshop at St. John’s Wellington in March.
Canberra & Goulburn
Canberra– Goulburn Diocese reports that a UK expert in children’s church, The Rev Mark Griffiths, is touring regional areas next month to help churches reach young people.
Perth
The Diocese of Perth has an essay on “Liberation theology in modern Australia”.
Call to help Aboriginal church leaders thrive
“The Anglican Bishop of the Northern Territory is calling for up to 50 mature Christians to move to Arnhem Land to disciple up-and-coming Aboriginal church leaders on a long-term basis.
Dr Greg Anderson, a former CMS missionary to the NT who returned to Darwin as bishop a year ago, sees the need for ‘an ongoing, possibly permanent partnership’ between mature Christians and Aboriginal churches in Arnhem Land.
‘We have local, ordained leaders but some of them are old, well past ‘whitefella’ retirement age, and there’s a younger generation we’re looking for to come up behind them and there are some signs of those people coming forward, but those people need [cultural] scaffolding.’…”
– Story from Bible Society Australia.
Related: Diocese of The Northern Territory.
‘Newcastle Anglican Bishop … concerns about a breakaway conservative movement’
“Fractures in the Australian Anglican Church on the issue of gay clergy are set to boil over at a national meeting of bishops in early March, prompting Newcastle Anglican Bishop Greg Thompson to miss the event and accuse Sydney diocese of leading a breakaway conservative movement.
The emergence of a ‘para Anglican Communion’” was underway, Bishop Thompson said in a letter to Anglican Primate Archbishop Philip Freier in December, in which he declined to attend the annual bishops conference in South Australia from March 6 because it would give the impression of a united church that conflicted with reality.
He accused Sydney diocese of demanding other dioceses sign up to Anglican protocols on homosexuality, or Sydney would not attend any further national bishops’ conferences…”
– Story from The Newcastle Herald via SydneyAnglicans.net.
At his blog, David Ould shares some thoughts on the article.
Update: Newcastle Anglican Bishop Greg Thompson “could not simply stand by” as Sydney diocese acted against two bishops – The Newcastle Herald.
Same-sex marriage activist returns to Wangaratta Diocese church
“In yet another move in the Diocese of Wangaratta to push forward the Same-Sex Marriage agenda … the outspoken Archdeacon Peter Macleod-Miller has invited prominent campaigner Rodney Croome to speak at St Matthew’s Albury as part of their Easter and Lent 2016 lecture series. Last year’s lecture was part of the 9am Eucharist service…”
– David Ould has the story.
Nungalinya College vacancies
Nungalinya College in Darwin is seeking to fill three vacancies. Perhaps you know (or are) the right person for one of them.
Either way, we are sure the College would be glad of your prayers. Details here.
Bishop of Bathurst ‘reflects on a year of challenges and opportunities’
“By any measure we might regard 2015 as a challenging year for our Diocese.
It began with terminating the employment of four people in order that we might meet our budget. I then moved to Dubbo becoming a part-time Bishop and part-time Rector, as the Endowment of the See could no longer afford to pay me.
In April the matters relating to the Diocesan loans and the CBA began to be heard in the Supreme Court, a hearing that lasted 36 days! Then the Judgement was handed down early in December.
Pour into the mix my heart attack and significant dental surgery later in the year, and we might be forgiven for wanting the year to close!…”
– Bishop of Bathurst Ian Palmer reflects on a difficult year. It’s a good reminder to pray for Christian witness in the Central West.
Bishop Greg Anderson’s Christmas message
Bishop of The Northern Territory, Greg Anderson, has released his Christmas message – read it on the NT website.
Archbishop of Melbourne’s Christmas message 2015
Melbourne Archbishop Philip Freier’s Christmas message for 2015 has been released. His focus is on the ‘humanness’ of Christ’s incarnation, and ‘Jesus’ way of peace’.
You can watch it here.
Hearing both Sides of the Argument
“In a nation where all things in politics seem possible, some things still amaze me – or perhaps the word should be ‘stagger’ me.
It is always dangerous for a man of the cloth to make political comment. While I appreciate the separation of church and state, that does not exclude the church and the sum of its members from entering national debate. So as a citizen of this great country, who happens to be a Bishop of the Anglican Church, I write.
Occasionally, the foolish thoughts of politicians expressed in emotive and seemingly protective and manipulative rhetoric should be exposed. …”
– Bishop of Armidale, Rick Lewers, responds to reported comments by the Leader of the Opposition about a plebiscite on same-sex marriage.
Christmas message: Canberra & Goulburn
The Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, Stuart Robinson, has released his Christmas message.
“Christmas can appear fragile or even shallow in a world filled with hatred, violence and ideology. The tinsel, trees and tinned puddings of Christmas can seem like weak and trifling distractions in a world filled with pain, hopelessness and despair…”
– Read it here.
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.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…