‘Retiring Dean [of Perth] leaves his mark’
“For almost a quarter of a century, John Shepherd has worked in one of Perth’s most recognisable and loved buildings. As Anglican Dean of Perth, he has filled St George’s Cathedral with song and music.
“What a cathedral does is give people permission to imagine God … to imagine the dimensions of the divine,” he said. …
He ruffled the feathers of conservative members of the Church by inviting a Buddhist abbot and a Muslim cleric to preach.”
– from The West Australian. (Photo: St. George’s Cathedral Perth.)
MH17: Prayers at Parliament House
“Prayers were said in Parliament House, Canberra, surrounding the signing of the Book of Condolence for the victims of the MH17 aircraft disaster on Wednesday 23 July 2014…”
– from Defence Anglicans.
Melbourne ‘Multifaith Service for Flight MH17 victims’
“A Multifaith Service at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne on Thursday 24 July at 10am will mark the tragic loss last week of 298 lives aboard Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17. The Primate of Australia, the Most Revd Dr Philip Freier, and the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Dr Denis Napthine…”
– More here.
Bathurst Diocese ‘to fight asset sell-off’
“The Commonwealth Bank is demanding the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst repay its $25 million debt immediately, and to do so it must sell-off church buildings. However, Bishop Ian Palmer says the church will not go down without a fight and will do all it can to protect its churches…”
– Story from The Central Western Daily.
Armidale Diocese Centenary — 8 November 2014
The Diocese of Armidale has posted a note about their upcoming Centenary celebrations.
Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Melbourne
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will attend the installation of Dr Philip Freier as the new Primate at a service of Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne on Wednesday August 13. Archbishop Welby will preach, after flying from the Solomon Islands the day prior, and before to a trip to New Zealand the next day.
The Late Governor Peter Underwood — media release from Bishop of Tasmania John Harrower
“The news of the death of His Excellency the Honourable Peter Underwood AC, Governor of Tasmania last night is received with sadness by the Anglican community in Tasmania.
On behalf of the Anglican Church, Bishop John Harrower extends his sympathy to Mrs Underwood and their family upon hearing of this news…”
– Read the full media release from Bishop John Harrower.
Keeping up with General Synod
As General Synod meets in Adelaide, here are a few ways you can keep up, if you so desire –
- General Synod media releases
- General Synod program
- General Synod papers
- Sandy Grant atThe Briefing –
1. Drive away and promote,
2. Advice to evangelical Anglican churchmen.
3. Air bags on pokies. - David Ould’s blog –
1. Electing a Primate,
2. A Quest for Unity?
3. Getting Some Clarity?
4. Embracing the Marginalised?
5. General Synod Roundup – A Way Forward? - SydneyAnglicans.net –
1. Freier elected next Primate,
2. Baptism marriage rule to stay,
3. Synod calls for freedom not religious ‘gag’,
4. Governments and churches urged to take more asylum seekers,
5. Synod highlights ‘inactivity’ on gambling.
Archbishop Philip Freier elected Primate
The Archbishop of Melbourne, Philip Freier, has been elected Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia at the meeting of Electors in Adelaide today.
Russell Powell has the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Related: Boy from bush takes Anglican reins – News.com.au.
Challenges facing General Synod
General Synod begins in Adelaide this weekend.
Many of the documents and reports to be discussed have been placed on the General Synod website.
For example, the Report of the Viability and Structures Taskforce (Book 8, PDF file) includes this quote –
“In only three dioceses (Armidale, North West Australia and Sydney) are sufficient numbers of clergy being ordained to replace those in current active ministry.” [for the period 1995-2010.]
and the table on page 8-029 (page 34 of the PDF file) showing numbers of Anglicans, Clergy, and Attendance figures is worth pondering.
These figures raise questions as to why this is so, and what can be done to help the national church. And they provide encouragement to pray for all gathered for the General Synod, for godly wisdom in seeking to make Christ known.
Prayers for General Synod
General Synod meets in Adelaide from Sunday to Friday (June 29–July 4), at St. Peter’s College.
Please be encouraged to uphold in prayer all who are meeting (including those who will be electing a new Primate tomorrow), and in their travels to and from Adelaide.
The current Primate, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, will end his term at the conclusion of the General Synod on Friday.
Graphic: ACA website.
Good news for the Top End
Reactions to the news that Greg Anderson has been elected Bishop of The Northern Territory –
Dr Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore College:
“It is very good news for the Anglican Church of Australia that Dr Greg Anderson has been elected as the sixth Bishop of the Northern Territory. Greg is a godly and gifted teacher and pastor. We are very sad to see him leave the College since he has made a terrific contribution as the Head of Department of Mission and a vital member of the community.”
“However his love for the Northern Territory and Indigenous people in particular is well known, so it is no surprise that he should be elected Bishop of the Northern Territory. We will continue to pray for Greg, Annette and the family as they prepare for this very important ministry”
Dr Glenn Davies, Archbishop of Sydney:
“This is an excellent outcome following a long and protracted process which makes the decision worth waiting for.
Greg has had experience working in the Northern Territory and has a very good knowledge of Aboriginal culture, deepened by his groundbreaking study of their music.”
And via SydneyAnglicans.net, Bishop-elect Anderson says,
“We’re grateful for the prayers of many as we look forward to the new situation. The Territory has a rapidly growing population, with many challenges, and also many opportunities, including opportunities for Christian ministry.”
“The situation of the indigenous churches is precious – people whose traditional culture is thousands of years old, and who are thinking hard about what it is to be both Aboriginal and Christian. A particular opportunity for Territory ministry is for people from different cultures to read the Bible together and be open to how God can correct our own culturally-shaped blind-spots through hearing one another’s perspective of what God is saying.”
Greg Anderson elected Bishop of The Northern Territory
The Head of the Department of Mission at Moore Theological College, The Rev Dr Greg Anderson, has been elected the sixth Bishop of the Northern Territory.
Here’s the announcement (PDF) from the Administrator of the Diocese, Bishop Clyde Wood:
23rd June, 2014.
The Administrator of the Synod of the Diocese of the Northern Territory is pleased to announce that The Reverend Doctor Gregory David Anderson has been elected as the Sixth Bishop of the the Northern Territory.
Greg Anderson has been the Head of the Department of Mission at Moore Theological College, Sydney since 2007. Prior to that he and his wife worked in the Northern Territory from 1995 as missionaries with the Church Missionary Society. Greg trained indigenous church leaders at Nungalinya College, Darwin, and was Indigenous Ministry Development Officer for the Diocese of the Northern Territory. His interest in the Aboriginal church began when he was researching the traditional music of central Arnhem Land.
Greg is married to Annette and they have four children. Apart from their church involvement, they are very involved in music activities and fitness.
Consecration and Installation dates have yet to be determined. We will provide further advice when available.
Yours in Christ.
Bishop Clyde Wood
Archbishop Aspinall to refocus on Brisbane
“In a few weeks my nine year term as Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia will come to an end…
The Board to elect a new Primate will meet in Adelaide on Saturday, June 28. I will then preside over the 16th General Synod from June 29 to July 4, immediately following which I will hand over the reins to the newly elected Primate.”
– Archbishop of Brisbane Phillip Aspinall reflects as he nears the end of his time as Primate – in the June – July 2014 issue of FOCUS from the Diocese of Brisbane. (Page 2, see also page 15ff.)
Renovated St Mark’s Library rededicated
“The library of St Mark’s National Theological Centre, Charles Sturt University, was filled to overflowing on Wednesday 4 June with students, friends and staff for its dedication by Bishop Stuart Robinson and the Revd Dr Jane Foulcher with prayer and thanksgiving…”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…