Top Centre magazine 23.1 from the Diocese of the Northern Territory
The latest issue of Top Centre magazine (23.1) from the Diocese of the Northern Territory is available on their website.
A great reminder to continue to pray for the ministry of the gospel in the Top End and Centre.
Family, Being and Home
“Many people have expressed much care and concern for Elizabeth and myself knowing we have left many close family and friends on the other side of the country to come and live and serve in the North West. …”
– Recently-installed Bishop of North West Australia Darrell Parker writes of being ‘home’.
Michael Calder commissioned at St John’s Wishart
The Rev Michael Calder was yesterday commissioned as priest-in-charge at St John’s Wishart in the Diocese of Brisbane.
Michael had been serving as Assistant at St Bart’s Toowoomba.
Do pray for Michael and his wife Rachel and the St John’s congregation, as well as for Peter Judge-Mears and his family and others who formed Southside Anglican in Brisbane late last year. Pray that both churches might be used by the Lord to bring eternal blessing to the people of Brisbane.
Photos on the Bathurst Diocese Facebook page.
Canowindra partnership opportunity
From the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page.
“To minister full-time, some of our ministers rely on the generosity of others.
At the moment, Jono Williams in Canowindra, would so appreciate your support. The parish can only afford 3 days a week stipend. Jono is working full time.
Click this link (not the photo), hit ‘Give’ and then find Jono from the drop down menu to give regularly (or a one-off).”
A matter for prayer – and perhaps for action.
Click the image for a larger version.
Bishop of Bathurst’s newsletter – Lent edition 2023
Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder has published his Lent newsletter – a great way to be informed and to remember to pray for the people and churches of that diocese.
Download here as a PDF file – or on the Bathurst Facebook page.
Ordinations in Armidale — February 2023
From The Diocese of Armidale:
“Some good news for your encouragement.
On Saturday 18th February, ordinations were held at St Peter’s Cathedral, Armidale. Matthew Hearne, Angus Martin and Jeremy Lin were made Deacons; Matthew Stones, David Thompson and Philip van’t Spyker were made Presbyters.
This is the largest group ordained for some years and is a wonderful blessing for our Diocese. It was also great to see so many clergy and lay people from around our Diocese come to support and encourage the six men.
Give thanks to God for those he has called to be shepherds of His church and that the clergy team in our Diocese is growing. Pray also for the ministry of each of the men who were ordained.”
(Click the image for a larger version.)
New start at Cobar — Commissioning Saturday morning 11:00am
James Daymond will be commissioned to minister in Cobar on Saturday 18th February 2023 at 11:00am.
It’s been more than 20 years since there was a resident Anglican minister in Cobar. (According to the diocesan Facebook page, James’ great uncle was once the minister there.)
Please pray for James and Brittany Daymond and for the church in Cobar, that this will be for the eternal good of many people, and for the glory of Christ.
Here James and Brittany are pictured with Dr Warwick Baines, business manager and registrar of the Diocese of Bathurst.
You can watch the livestream here.
Darrell Parker to be installed as Bishop of North West Australia — Wednesday 9.00pm AEDT
Darrell Parker will be installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of North West Australia at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Geraldton tonight, Wednesday 15th February, at 6:00pm AWST (9:00pm AEDT).
We understand the service will be live-streamed – available via the Geraldton Cathedral website or on the Cathedral Youtube channel.
Photo: Darrell and Elizabeth Parker.
New start in West Wyalong
From the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page – news from Saturday 11th February –
“A joy to see Steven and Caitlin Klouth warmly welcomed in West Wyalong as the Rev’d Steven Klouth was commissioned this morning as Priest-in-Charge.
This full time appointment would not be possible without the generous partnership of the Bush Church Aid Society.
NSW director of BCA, Paul Sampson joined us, as did CFO Greg Bridge and Chair of council, Fred Chilton and his wife Jill.”
– Food for your prayers.
Michael Calder appointed as Priest-in-Charge of St. John’s Wishart
From the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page comes the news that the Rev. Michael Calder, who has been serving as Assistant at St Bart’s Toowoomba, has been appointed as as Priest-in-Charge of St. John’s Wishart in Brisbane.
Do pray for Michael and his wife Rachel and the St. John’s congregation, as well as for Peter Judge-Mears and his family and members of the church who formed Southern Cross Anglican Church, Southside late last year.
At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell reports on the consecration – for the Diocese of North West Australia – of Bishop Darrell Parker:
“They came from all parts of Australia to see Bishop Darrell Parker consecrated as a bishop to serve the Diocese of North West Australia. But it was his former boss, the Bishop of Armidale Rod Chiswell, who summed up his task.
After a sermon from Titus chapter one, where the Apostle Paul exhorts Titus to appoint elders to the churches on Crete, Bishop Chiswell estimated there might be a similar number of churches in the Diocese of the North West.
He reminded the new Bishop of the sign over the doorway of the Armidale Diocese office which reads ‘Jesus is Lord’. ‘For people to have the certain hope of eternal life, we must keep speaking this truth in love,’ Bishop Chiswell (below) said. …”
Image of Mrs Elizabeth and Bishop Darrell Parker from the St. Andrew’s Cathedral lifestream.
‘LGBTQIA+ Anglicans [in Melbourne] standing proud amid same-sex marriage debate’
“LGBTQIA+ Anglicans in Melbourne are celebrating during the city’s annual Midsumma Festival amid news Church of England bishops have continued to prohibit same-sex marriages within the church.
The Midsumma Festival, which runs in January and February each year, is a month-long event showcasing LGBTQIA+ arts and culture. The festival was first held in 1988.
Churches and religious organisations have been involved with the festival for years. …”
– Story from The Melbourne Anglican.
(Photo: St. Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne as the backdrop for an evangelist’s sign on Princes Bridge.)
How do I pray for central west NSW?
Here’s a brief video from The Bush Church Aid Society’s National Director, the Rev Greg Harris.
Commissioning in Cowra
From the Bathurst Diocese Facebook page:
“A great afternoon commissioning Ben (with Alissa) Connelly for ministry in Cowra with great thanks to BCA for their partnership. In the photos you’ll see the Rev’d Greg Harris, national director of BCA and various Bathurst clergy and spouses of who gathered for today.”
– A cause for thanksgiving and prayer. See also the BCA website.
Darrell Parker be installed as Bishop of North West Australia on 15th February
The Diocese of North West Australia advises that Darrell Parker will be installed as the Bishop of North West Australia at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Geraldton on Wednesday 15th February at 6:00pm AWST (9:00pm AEDT).
“We would be delighted if you could join us for this special occasion, either in person or through the livestream.
But above all, please join us in praying for Darrell and Elizabeth as they work out how to serve God faithfully and well in this new role, and that under Darrell’s watch the gospel will be boldly proclaimed in all the towns in North West Australia.”
Darrell will be consecrated at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney at 7:00pm AEDT (4:00pm AWST) on Friday 3rd February 2023.
Both services will be live-streamed on the Geraldton Cathedral website.
Photo: Darrell and Elizabeth Parker.