‘Sydney and Anglican: A Fresh Look at Mission’

A Conference “organised by a small group of like-minded Sydney Anglicans” is set for for Friday June 17th, 2011, at St. Philip’s York Street.

Details here.

‘GAFCON throws down gauntlet to Dr. Williams’

“The tone of the Nairobi statement from the Gafcon archbishops: Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, West Africa, the Southern Cone, Rwanda, Sydney and Archbishop Robert Duncan of the ACNA, speaks to the mounting frustration the reform movement’s leaders feel with the course of events taken by the London-based instruments of the communion, one insider told The Church of England Newspaper.

Given the African church’s historic deference to the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and their cultural predisposition not to air their differences in public, the Nairobi letter was a remarkably frank document, CEN was told…”

– George Conger reports for The Church of England Newspaper.

Presbyterian Church (USA) votes for gay ministers

“After 33 years of debate, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has voted to change its constitution and allow openly gay people in same-sex relationships to be ordained as ministers, elders and deacons…”

– Story from The Sydney Morning Herald.

Press release from the PCUSA.

Albert Mohler writes:

“But even beyond the specific issue of homosexuality, the church faced two of the most fundamental questions of Christian theology — the authority of the Bible and the Lordship of Christ. In making this change, the church clearly affirms that one may submit to the Lordship of Christ without submitting to the clear teachings of Scripture.…”

(Photo: PCUSA.)

Plans announced for GAFCON 2 and London and Africa offices

“GAFCON primates meeting in Africa have announced plans for another international conference as well as opening offices in London and Nairobi.

The council of Anglican leaders was established by the Global Anglican Future Conference in 2008, representing more than 35 million Anglicans.

Now, the Primates are planning for a second GAFCON in 2013 preceded by a leadership conference in New York in 2012. …”

– Read more at the GAFCON website.

Diocese of Montreal: two canons resign from Cathedral Chapter

“Two priests have resigned from the honorary post of canon of the Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral, at least one of them because of disagreement with the appointment a gay man with a partner as the new rector of the cathedral and dean of Montreal.…”

– From page 3 of The Montreal Anglican (3.8MB PDF) – via the Anglican Essentials Canada blog. (Photo: Diocese of Montreal.)

Pope John Paul II set for ‘Beatification’

“John Paul II’s coffin has been carried out of its Vatican resting place ahead of his Beatification ceremony. … The coffin will be brought into Saint Peter’s Basilica on Sunday… A sample of John Paul’s blood… will also be put on show for adoration.”

– Report from The Herald Sun. Related.

(Image: The Vatican.)

Bishop David Mulready to conclude North West ministry in October

The most recent prayer notes from the Diocese of North West Australia have been uploaded to their website, and also a pastoral letter from Bishop David Mulready:

“I wish to let you know that Maureen and I will be ending our ministry amongst you in the middle of October this year … We have thoroughly enjoyed over seven years in the North West … We have a great team of leaders and others are soon to come.“

Bishop Mulready’s letter and the prayer notes are on the DNWA website for your prayers.

Abp Wabukala — new Chairman of GAFCON Primates Council

This statement has been released by Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, on his election as Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council —

GAFCON Primates Council

Statement from the Most Rev’d Eliud Wabukala, Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya and newly elected Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council:

Praise the Lord! It is a great joy to greet all of you as we celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Christ was an event that changed the course of history for good and as a result, my life and the lives of millions of others have been changed for eternity.   Read more

How to prepare for Synod? – video

In this second short video from the ACL, Dr Karin Sowada explains some good ways to prepare for this year’s Synod.

(Here’s a link to Robert Tong’s Synod Survival Guide.)

Abp Peter Jensen interviewed at Easter

Archbishop Peter Jensen was interviewed on his Easter message and more – for Sky News. Watch it via The Courier Mail. (Runs for 12:50.)

Archbishop Peter Jensen’s 2011 Easter Message

Archbishop Peter Jensen’s 2011 Easter Message has been released —

People talk glibly about ‘death with dignity’. I can take the idea of a heroic death, a quiet death, an early death, even at a stretch a peaceful death – but ‘death with dignity’ just seems like a cover up, like wishful thinking.

There is nothing dignified about the pain, helplessness, loss and anxiety of death. It is undignified. It takes God’s noble, glorious creation of a human being and turns us back to dust. It strips us of achievements, history, honours, dignity and relationships and destroys our bodies.

By way of undignified deaths I can scarcely think of a worse case than crucifixion. It was capital punishment designed to humiliate and intimidate. When God became man and joined us, that is how he was murdered. But out of the shame of Jesus’ death has come a never ceasing flow of mercy and forgiveness, sufficient even to deal with my faults and sins. And after the indignity of death he left the grave in glory.

I can’t imagine the indignity of my own death. It may come over a long period of time; it may be terribly painful; it may be as a result of accident and be instantaneous. Who can tell?

But this I do know – and you can know it too – my Saviour Jesus has walked this way ahead of me. He has walked it in the worst of all ways. And this I know – that he has been raised from the dead and walks not only ahead of me, but with me, every step of that road. And this I know – that out of my indignity will come the glory of being with him for ever.

— Dr Peter Jensen, Archbishop of Sydney, Easter 2011

Watch Archbishop Jensen’s message at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Easter Convention 2011: Putting Evil to Flight

Friday, 22 April 2011,  2:00pm — 5:00pm at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.

Details here.

‘What’s so good about Good Friday?’

Phillip Jensen and Kel Richards discuss this most important of questions — on Vimeo, with thanks to Audio Advice. Many may be surprised to discover that popular traditions associated with Good Friday are quite novel. So what is Jesus’ death really all about?

28 minutes well spent! (Downloadable from Vimeo as a 159MB mp4 file.)

Missing the point of Good Friday

From the Anglican Journal — the national newspaper of the Anglican Church of Canada:

“The almost magical confluence of Good Friday and Earth Day on Apr. 22 presents an opportunity for Christian environmentalists to ponder humankind’s crimes against the planet. And at this time of penitence, sacrifice and redemption, to reflect on ways to reverse our unremitting exploitation of the created world.

The Greening Anglican Spaces task group … has compiled a ‘Good Friday Earth Day Reflection’…”.

(Image: Anglican Journal.)

Abp Ben Kwashi on BBC Radio Sheffield

Archbishop of Jos, Dr Ben Kwashi, was interviewed on BBC Radio Sheffield about why he stays in Jos.

The 7 minute interview was broadcast on Sunday (April 17) on Sunday Breakfast with Sarah Major. It starts at 1 hour 10 minutes into the programme and is available for 7 days on the Radio Sheffield website.

(h/t Julian Mann. Photo: Anglican Diocese of Jos.)

← Previous Page — Next Page →