You might have missed — 8th March 2014
Here are a few items from the last week you might have missed –
- Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle film festival during Lent with Bishop Greg Thompson.
- A Statement Concerning the Consecration of Rev Dr Sarah Macneil in the Anglican Diocese of Grafton.
- Clarification on the Church of Uganda’s Relationship with the Church of England.
- 31 Days of Purity – from Tim Challies.
- New Moore Distance Courses – new options from MTC.
Around the Anglican Church of Australia — March 2nd 2014
Here are a few items of interest from around the Anglican Church of Australia –
- Melbourne Diocese has released some resources for Lent.
- New Bishop of The Murray, John Ford, introduces “Taking the plunge together” mission programme beginning in Lent 2014.
- Canberra & Goulburn Bishop Stuart Robinson to carry a cross in Cootamundra next Saturday.
- The Vicar of Gosford in Newcastle Diocese takes part in the Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and proclaims – “I don’t really believe in Heaven and Hell at least not in the traditional sense.”
- NBN TV Newcastle reports on the consecration of Grafton Bishop Sarah Macneil.
- The Diocese of the Northern Territory is in the process of seeking a new Bishop. Doubtless they would appreciate your prayers in this task.
A Statement Concerning the Consecration of Rev Dr Sarah Macneil in the Anglican Diocese of Grafton
Here’s a Statement from ACL President, The Rev. Gavin Poole:
“On 1 March 2014 the Anglican diocese of Grafton will consecrate its new Bishop. The consecration will be hailed as ‘historic’ as she will be the first female diocesan Bishop in the Anglican Church of Australia.
The fact that the diocesan Bishop will be a woman is of concern, especially considering there has been no publicly available provision by the Grafton diocese for those who cannot in good conscience accept her episcopal ministry. The matters raised in this document however are of more grave concern. …”
Read the full text – or download it – below – Read more
Canberra Anglicare restructures aged care
“After a thorough review, the Board of Anglicare (NSW South, West & ACT) is pleased to announce a new stage in the development and growth for our five residential aged care facilities…” – story from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
“An organisation affiliated with the RSL has bought five nursing homes owned by the Anglican Church in Canberra and on the NSW south coast. Anglicare, the church’s social services agency, has sold the Ginninderra Gardens and Brindabella Gardens facilities in Canberra, as well as three on the NSW south coast…” – report from The Canberra Times. Photo: Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
Why are you doing what you are doing?
“A friend sent me a postcard once from his holiday destination with the inscription ‘Why are you doing what you are doing?” I asked myself that question recently while I was sitting in a lecture at the Australian Command and Staff College at Weston Creek, where I am posted as chaplain…”
– Moore College graduate Peter Friend, inaugural Chaplain at the Australian Defence College, shares why he is doing what he is doing. (Good point for prayer too.)
Bathurst church building destroyed by fire
The St. Barnabas’ Anglican Church building in South Bathurst (map) was destroyed by fire last night. The congregation and Bishop Ian Palmer would value your prayers.
Report from ABC News.
Report and photos from The Western Advocate.
Monday morning update from The Western Advocate.
Photo: Troy Johnson / Twitter via ABC News.
Andrew Cameron to be Director of St Mark’s Canberra
“The Right Reverend Trevor Edwards, President of St Mark’s Council, announced today the appointment of The Reverend Dr Andrew Cameron as Director of St Mark’s National Theological Centre.
The appointment follows a careful, thorough and rigorous selection process by St Mark’s Council and the consent of Bishop in Council. It will be effective from 1st July 2014, and follows the resignation of the Right Reverend Dr Tom Frame…” – news from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
Archbishop of Sydney, Dr. Glenn Davies spoke of Dr Cameron as:
“both an accomplished scholar and a faithful servant of Christ. He possess an incisive mind, a firm integrity and a pervasive godliness which he brings to every task he approaches.
St Mark’s Theological Centre has chosen well and I have no doubt that Dr Cameron will continue to bless the Australian Church in his new role.”
And Moore College Principal Dr. Mark Thompson says,
“Andrew is an extraordinarily able ethicist. His contribution to Moore during more than a decade on the faculty has been of the highest quality and the most enduring character.
While we are very sorry that he is leaving us — it is a very significant loss — we are not at all surprised that others have seen the value of Andrew’s ministry and invited him to lead them.”
‘New Anglican bishop promises justice, compassion’
“Newly installed Anglican Bishop of Newcastle Greg Thompson focused on the issues of justice and compassion during his first official sermon at Christ Church Cathedral yesterday. …”
– Report from the Newcastle Herald. (Please also keep in your prayers the Diocese of the Northern Territory as a new Bishop is sought.)
Bishop to attend ‘school’ for new bishops
“Bishop Ian Palmer is heading to the United Kingdom at the end of January to attend a ‘school’ for newly-appointed bishops. …”
– News from Bathurst Diocese.
New Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral Sale
“On Friday November 5, 2013 the Reverend Steve Clarke was inducted and installed as the new Dean of the Cathedral of St Paul and Rector of the parish of Sale.
Steve Clarke began his professional life as a jazz musician in Sydney. Following a ‘chance’ encounter with a traveling preacher, Steve came to faith and felt a strong calling to Christian ministry.”
– News and photo from the Diocese of Gippsland.
Answering the call
“Archbishop Glenn Davies thought he was too old to be appointed to the top job, heading up the Sydney Anglican diocese and becoming Metropolitan of NSW. …
Dr Davies, who has held the role since last June, was the special guest at the Diocese of Canberra/Goulburn’s Bishop’s Convention on Friday and Saturday. It was his first official visit to the city.”
– There’s a profile on Archbishop Glenn Davies in The Goulburn Post.
Open Letter to the Prime Minister regarding South Sudan
Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, Stuart Robinson, has written an open letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott concerning South Sudan.
Prayers in Melbourne for South Sudan
“More than 200 adults and 70 children gathered at the Anglican Church of the Apostles, Sunshine, for a regular thanksgiving service. But because most of those present come from the vicinity of Bor in South Sudan which has seen armed conflict this past week, the prayers reflected the anxiety and concern about relatives back home.”
– from the Diocese of Melbourne. (Map: DFAT.)
Chapter ends for Bathurst’s Anglican News
“After 34 years of publishing, the Anglican News has been printed for the last time. As the Bathurst Diocese of the Anglican Church struggles financially, the 2014 budget adopted by the Synod makes no provision for the production of a diocesan newspaper.”
– from The Western Advocate. (Anglican News Archives.)
Christmas messages 2013
As we spot Christmas messages, we’ll post them here. So far…
From around Australia —
John Harrower, Bishop of Tasmania.
Philip Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne.
John Parkes, Bishop of Wangaratta.
Ian Lambert, Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force.
Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn.
Peter Stuart, Bishop Administrator of Newcastle.
Bill Ray, Bishop of North Queensland.
And from further afield –
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…