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.
Archbishop of Melbourne Synod Address
The text of the 2014 Synod Address by Dr Philip Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne, is now up on their website. (PDF file)
Diocese of NW Australia recognises ACNA as “a member church of the Anglican Communion”
“The Diocese of NW Australia, meeting in synod this weekend, passed the following motion,
That this synod:
- welcomes the impending investiture of the Most Reverend Dr Foley Beach, the Archbishop of The Anglican Church in North America;
- recognizes the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) as a member church of the Anglican Communion, in full communion with Diocese of North West Australia; rejoices that the orthodox faith is proclaimed in word and deed through ACNA and its member churches;
- continues with ACNA to pray for and call for repentance from those churches which have turned to a different gospel;
- calls upon faithful Anglicans around the world to join us in joyful praise to God for the renewal and rebirth evident in ACNA and the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans. …“
– from David Ould.
Around the ACA — 28 September 2014
Here are a few items from around the Anglican Church of Australia –
- A history of the Diocese of Armidale was launched at their Synod last week – On Tablelands, Slopes and Plains “I will Build My Church”.
- Melbourne has hosted a forum on “sustainable living in urban Australia’.
- Newcastle Cathedral today held a Conversation on “conscious urbanism”.
- Sydney purchases land in Leppington for ministry centre. (Image: ACA.)
More:
Why I walk with the cross
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.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…