Why I walk with the cross

Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn Stuart Robinson In Bishop Stuart Robinson’s Canberra & Goulburn synod address (PDF) he speaks about his Bishop’s Walk of the Cross through towns in the diocese –

“While the cross-carrying bit may appear a tad idiosyncratic, nonetheless it opens up opportunities for conversation. When asked why I do this, my consistent reply is twofold.

To begin with, I believe communities need to see their leaders, especially bishops, engaging in public evangelism and giving people the opportunity to turn to Christ. Do you know one fellow, as he came forward to give his life to Christ, said, ‘Bishop, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to do this for 40 years…’

Another reason is this: it provides opportunities – and a model, for any person of faith to share what Jesus has done for them – whether in parks, nursing homes, clubs, classrooms, fire-trucks or fishing wharves – and to gently but confidently, invite a response…”

And there’s a report on the Synod here.

Bathurst’s Anglican synod grapples with $24m debt

“The gravity of the financial situation facing the Bathurst Diocese of the Anglican Church hit home this weekend for members of the 47th Synod. …”

– report from The Western Advocate.

Bamboo cross draws Japanese bishop to Canberra

“Bishop Andrew Yatuka Nakamura, the Bishop of Kobe, and his wife will visit Canberra on 16 and 17 September. Bishop Andrew follows in the steps of Bishop Michael Yashiro who came to St John’s on 10 June 1950 and presented a small bamboo cross with the inscription Reconciliation and Repentance at a service.

The Sydney Morning Herald on 10 June 1950 reported the visit, the first by a Japanese leader at a time when the wounds from the Pacific war and its infamous prison camps were still raw…”

– a story of reconciliation from the diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.

Greg Anderson consecration date set

“The date for the Consecration of Reverend Doctor Greg Anderson, the 6th Bishop of the Diocese of the Northern Territory, has now been finalised.

The Service and Installation will take place on Saturday 29th November 2014 at 9 am in Christ Church Cathedral in Darwin. A Morning Tea will follow in the grounds of the Cathedral.”

– from the Diocese of the Northern Territory.

Abp Davies to preach at Bathurst Synod service

“The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, will preach at the annual Synod Eucharist in All Saints’ Cathedral, Bathurst, on Friday evening, September 19, commencing at 6:30pm.

Dr Davies will also attend the beginning of the Synod meeting at Bathurst Goldfields the following morning. The occasion will be the first official visit of the Archbishop to this diocese, in his capacity as Metropolitan of NSW…”

– from the Diocese of Bathurst.

Northwest Network — Pray for the DNWA

“I write this from Tom Price – the highest town in WA, under the shadow of Mt Nameless.

Christine and I are on a six week, 7000km safari visiting our more northerly churches. But what a blessing to journey through the spectacular country of North West Australia. How thankful to God for such a blessing! Yet the greater blessing comes from meeting the saints in the churches and spending time with ministers and their families. We are very grateful for their faithfulness and perseverance.”

– Bishop Gary Nelson writes in the September 2014 edition of Northwest Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of North West Australia. Download it as a 950kb PDF file.

New Rockhampton Bishop to be consecrated

“In a first for the Anglican Diocese of Rockhampton, the consecration of new Bishop David Robinson will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow. Previously, the new bishop was either already consecrated or the consecration took place in Brisbane. People are travelling from all over the diocese to witness the historic occasion, including as far afield as Winton…”

– from The Rockhampton Morning Bulletin.

Archbishops seek asylum for refugees from northern Iraq

“Archbishop Philip Freier, has urged the Federal Government to accept as refugees some of the Christians facing unimaginable suffering in northern Iraq.

Dr Freier, who was inaugurated as Primate of Australia at a service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday evening (August 13), praised the government for its “rapid response in providing aid to the displaced thousands in Iraq”.

He told a press conference that he had written to the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Abbott, and Immigration Minister, Mr Scott Morrison, asked them to emulate France in offering asylum to those facing forced conversion or death.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who gave the sermon at the inauguration service, told the conference that what was happening right now in northern Iraq at the hands of the ISIS jihadi fighters was “off the scale of human horror”.…”

– Story (and photo by Kit Haselden) from the Diocese of Melbourne.

Happy birthday to the Province of Western Australia

“On this day in 1914, the Province of Western Australia came into being when the relevant papers were signed by Archbishop John Wright, the Primate of the, then, Church of England in Australia…”

– A little bit of history, via the Diocese of Perth – but a good reminder to pray for the clear preaching of Christ in WA – in the Dioceses of Perth, Bunbury, and the North West. (Image from ACA.)

Lamentation Sunday Apology from Canberra & Goulburn

Bishop Stuart Robinson has released this apology for any hurt by clergy or church workers in the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.

An Apology to any hurt by the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn

“On Sunday 10 August 2014, parishes across the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn will hold a special commemoration service called Lamentation Sunday.

These services will include a public apology by the Right Reverend Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn.” – Read it here.

Open Letter to the PM regarding Iraqi Christians

“Thu 31 July 2014

Dear Prime Minister,

I write this ‘open letter’ on behalf of Anglicans across southern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to express our deep distress and dismay at the creation of a new wave of refugees by militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS); a situation about which, I am sure, you are fully cognisant…”

– Read the full letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, from Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn.

Related: Church leaders call for support of Christians in Iraq. (NSW Council of Churches.)

Bathurst’s All Saints College named in bank’s legal action against diocese

“Court documents have revealed the Commonwealth Bank is looking for damages of more than $24m from the former Anglican bishop of Bathurst and five other defendants…”