Bishop of Bathurst to walk to Dubbo
“As an act of pilgrimage, Anglican Bishop of Bathurst Ian Palmer and his wife Elizabeth will next month walk to their new home in Dubbo.
In recognition of the Diocese of Bathurst’s grave financial position, the Palmers are moving to Dubbo where the bishop will humbly and gratefully take up the role of parish priest…”
– Report from The Western Advocate.
Interview with Bishop Gary Nelson, Diocese of North West Australia
David Ould is at the NSW CMS Summer School this week – as is Bishop Gary Nelson of the Diocese of North West Australia.
David recorded this 15 minute interview with Gary.
Bishop Nelson describes ministry in the North West, and the challenges facing churches in small mining towns with transient populations. He also speaks about his diocesan synod’s decision to declare themselves to be in full communion with the Anglican Church in North America and to recognise them as a member of the Anglican Communion.
Have a listen, and be prompted to pray for the ministry of the churches in that far-flung diocese.
To learn more, you can download the December 2014 issue of The North West Network here as a 750kb PDF file. On page 4 of that newsletter, there’s information on how you can support the ministry in the North West through prayer and finances.
Bathurst Pastoral Letter speaks of significant changes
The Bishop of Bathurst, Ian Palmer, has written to all his parishes to indicate “very significant changes in the structure and ministry” of the diocese. His Pastoral Letter was made public when it was read in every parish of the diocese on Sunday 21st December 2014 –
“On Wednesday after weeks of thought, prayer and preparation the Bishop in Council agreed a budget for 2015. Very simply, they passed a budget that has no increase in the parish assessments for 2015 and shows a small surplus.
The cost of this is great. …
Because of the financial state of the Diocese I cannot continue as your full-time bishop. … At the end of January Liz and I will move out of Bishopscourt and in early February I will be commissioned as the Rector of Dubbo at the same time as remaining Bishop of the Diocese.”
You can read the full Pastoral letter here (PDF file) – and please pray for Bishop Palmer and all involved and for the preaching of Christ in the Bathurst region.
‘Staff cuts and shakeup of region’s Anglican church’
“The debt-ridden Anglican church in western New South Wales is facing staff cuts and a bishop who [will] become a part-time priest. The Anglican Diocese of Bathurst covers almost a third of NSW but it’s in dire straits…”
– Report from ABC News.
Christmas messages 2014
It’s time for Christian leaders to release their Christmas messages.
Please pray that all will speak clearly and plainly of the saving gospel of Christ.
We’ll post messages as we find them (in no particular order).
- Archbishop Philip Freier, Melbourne.
- Bishop Trevor Edwards, Vicar General, Canberra & Goulburn.
- Bishop Ian Lambert, Bishop to the Australian Defence Force.
- Bishop Bill Ray, North Queensland.
- Bishop John Harrower, Tasmania.
- Archbishop Glenn Davies, Sydney.
Kay Goldsworthy elected Bishop of Gippsland
“Kay Goldsworthy has been elected as the Anglican Bishop of Gippsland.”
– Report from The Gippsland Times. She will be the second woman diocesan bishop in Australia.
Update: David Ould has posted these observations.
Challenge and Choice — Australian Anglican Schools Today
“The book Challenge and Choice – Australian Anglican Schools Today by Dr Ruth Edwards was launched in Brisbane on Wednesday 3 December.
The work represents a significant attempt to not only survey the history of these religious schools but to map something of the future that lies before this sector.”
– See the story from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
Anderson Consecration photos
Adam Burgan of the Diocese of the Northern Territory has shared these photos he took at Dr Greg Anderson’s consecration as Bishop on Saturday.
Greg Anderson consecrated in Darwin
“Dr Greg Anderson has been consecrated as the sixth Bishop of the the Northern Territory. …”
– Report at SydneyAnglicans.net. Photo by David Höhne.
We understand nearly 500 from around Australia were present at this morning’s service.
Greg Anderson Consecration to be streamed live from Darwin
Dr. Greg Anderson will be consecrated as the next Bishop of the Northern Territory this Saturday, 29th November 2014, at 9:00am CST (GMT + 9.5 hours, i.e. 10:30am AEDT), in Christ Church Cathedral in Darwin.
Phil Zamagias in Darwin writes:
“Non-Darwin friends, if you would like to watch the Consecration service on Saturday morning I am going to attempt a live stream. It will be a basic, single camera broadcast but it should be a good way to virtually ‘be there’ for Greg and his family.
You will need to visit this link and create a free account so that you can view the live stream.
Be sure to click the ‘Follow’ button if you would like to get a notification when the stream begins.
Please feel free to pass this info on to anyone who may be interested and pray that it all works on the day!”
Northwest Network December 2014
The latest edition of Northwest Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of North West Australia, is hot off the press.
Download your copy (750kb PDF file) to inform your prayers for our brothers and sisters – and for those with whom they long to share the gospel.
– Bishop Gary Nelson.
Chappo’s contribution to the Anglican Diocese of Armidale
“This weekend (8/11/2014) the good people of the Anglican Diocese of Armidale are celebrating their centenary.
Before 1914, the Armidale Diocese existed as the Diocese of Grafton and Armidale, which covered a huge amount of New South Wales from 1867 till 1914. Over the past 100 years the Diocese has undergone massive change, and as part of my 4th year program at Moore Theological College I had the opportunity to do a large research project on the diocese.
Specifically, I wanted to look into Chappo’s time in the diocese as I had hardly heard anything about his work there. What I found was deeply encouraging for my life and ministry. As the Armidale Diocese celebrates this weekend, feel free to get acquainted with our brothers and sisters of the north…”
– Tim Stevens writes on someone close to the heart of many in Australia and around the world.
Armidale Centenary
“Sydney Archbishop Glenn Davies will be the keynote speaker at a special service in Armidale next month to commemorate the centenary of the Anglican Diocese of Armidale…”
– from The Armidale Independent. See also the Diocese of Armidale’s Centenary page, history publication (‘I Will Build My Church’), and upcoming events.
Report: Bp of Newcastle appoints Rod Bower as Archdeacon of the Central Coast
Rod Bower, the Gosford Anglican priest made famous by signs such as “Dear Christians, Some people are gay. Get over it. Love, God”, has reportedly been appointed by Bishop of Newcastle Greg Thompson to be Archdeacon of the Central Coast.
We understand the report to be correct, and he will be collated on Saturday 24th October, though the matter is not yet on the Newcastle diocesan website.
See also David Ould on the Rev. Mr. Bower’s previous public statements – on heaven and hell – and that Jesus did not die for our sins.
Related: Just before General Synod met recently, Sandy Grant considered the Prayer Book’s call to “drive away all false and strange doctrines that are contrary to God’s word”.
(Photo: Gosford Anglican Church.)
St Jude’s Carlton damaged in blaze
“Fire has ravaged a church in inner Melbourne, causing more than $500,000 in damage. St Jude’s Anglican Church on Lygon Street caught fire just after 4am, with flames engulfing the roof, windows and basement…” – Report from The Age.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…