Diocesan mergers ahead in the US and Canada

“Aging congregations and falling attendance may force the mergers of the dioceses of Montreal and Quebec, the Montreal Anglican reports. …

Last year Bishop Drainville [Quebec] told the Canadian House of Bishops his diocese was ‘teetering on the verge of extinction.’ Of the diocese’s 82 congregations, 50 were childless and 35 congregations had an average age of 75.”

– George Conger reports for The Church of England Newspaper.
(h/t Anglican Essentials Canada blog.)
See also the June 2010 Montreal Anglican PDF.

‘Australian 9/11 survivor remembers’

“Australian Hans Kunnen [well known to many Sydney Anglicans] was among those who were able to escape from the Twin Towers during the 9/11 attacks. He talks to Saturday AM about that day and how he will be commemorating it.”

– ABC Radio.

John Piper in Oz August 2011

John Piper has confirmed he will visit Australia in August 2011 and speak at a number of events organised by Katoomba Christian Convention. Details.

Bible College of Victoria moves and changes name

From the Bible College of Victoria –

“After over 30 years in Lilydale the Bible College of Victoria (formerly Melbourne Bible Institute) is moving.

The College has purchased a modern building in Wantirna, in the heart of Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs. Previously owned by beauty products company, Nutrimetics, the new campus is situated at the intersection of two main highways, the Burwood Highway and the Mountain Highway, and next to an exit off the new tollway, Eastlink. “From being situated on the perimeter of the city of Melbourne, the College will now be located in a well-known, easily recognisable, and highly accessible site”, says BCV Principal, Mike Raiter. And with 300 car parks, and plenty of space there will be ample room to grow. Read more

Saying what God said

Encouragement for expository preachers as Mike Bullmore, Bryan Chapell and David Helm chat about preaching – at The Gospel Coalition.

General Synod preview on ABC Radio

We understand that ACL Chairman Robert Tong will be interviewed by presenter John Cleary in the first hour of Sunday Nights on ABC Local Radio from 10:00pm this Sunday (September 12 2010).

“Next week the Anglican Church of Australia meets in Melbourne for its triennial General Synod. The leading role of the Sydney diocese in international church debates over women, gays, and Church Order make the Australian Synod one to watch. We preview the Synod, and highlight the issues to keep an eye on…”

– Programme website here.

Qur’an burning: ‘an unnecessary, offensive and dangerous gesture’

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund has condemned the proposed burning of copies of the Qur’an on September 11. (Richard Blight at Padstow Anglican is among many others who agree.)

“Barnabas Fund statement on the proposed burning of Qur’ans in Florida

A church in Gainsville, Florida, USA, the Dove World Outreach Centre, has announced that it will burn copies of the Qur’an on Saturday 11 September to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The stated purpose of this action is to raise awareness of the ideology and teaching of Islam and to warn against its dangers.

Barnabas Fund condemns the proposed action, for the following reasons: Read more

More encouragement to pray for military chaplains

Moore College graduate Peter Friend is currently responsible for all Australian military Chaplains in the Middle East.

The Defence Anglicans website has published his recent letter home. Read it to better include Peter and the other chaplains in your prayers.

The Australian Defence Force has Chaplains of all denominations currently in Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern countries, as well as Timor Leste, the Solomon Islands and Pakistan (working in humanitarian Aid).

Prayers for the Archbishop of Kenya

All Africa news service reports:

“The wife of Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Dr Eliud Wabukala has died. Caren Wabukala passed on suddenly after falling down the staircase at their Nairobi home on Sunday night…”

Another report from The Daily Nation.

Dr. Eliud W. Wabukala was elected the 5th Primate and Archbishop of Kenya in April 2009.

(Photo: Anglican Church of Kenya.)

St John’s Latimer Square among those damaged

St John’s Latimer Square (an evangelical church in the heart of Christchurch) is among the church buildings damaged in the Canterbury earthquake. Preliminary information from the Diocese of Christchurch here – and another view of St John’s here. (Photo: Diocese of Christchurch.)

With thanks for Silas Horton

The ACL Council gives thanks to God for the life of the Rev Silas Horton, servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, past President and then Emeritus Vice President of the League, who was called home on 31 August.

Silas was ordained by Archbishop Mowll in 1955 and served his curacy at St. Clement’s Mosman before becoming chaplain to Norfolk Island in 1956. He later served as Curate in Charge and Rector of a number of Sydney parishes, including Regent’s Park and Birrong, Beverly Hills and Roseville.

For many years he served on the Standing Committee of the diocese and also its Presentation Board. After his time at Roseville he led Anglicare’s Parish Support and Development division.

Silas was known for his tireless determination to preserve the Evangelical Anglican heritage of the diocese, to preach Christ and to serve him wholeheartedly. We extend our sympathy to Silas’ wife Corylanne and to his family.

His funeral is to be held in St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Tuesday 7 September.

(Photo: Horton family via Ramon Williams.)

‘Same-sex adoption bill clears hurdle’

“A bill allowing same-sex couples to adopt in New South Wales has been passed in state parliament’s Lower House. …”

– report from ABC News.
(Image: Google Streetview.)

Scottish Reformation Conference

The Presbyterian Theological Centre, Sydney is holding the Crowning Christ King Conference (September 10-11, 2010) to mark the 450th anniversary of the Scottish Reformation –

“The Scottish Reformation of 1560 was driven by Christians who were passionate that Christ should be Lord in his church. They wanted the truth of the gospel to be clear, God to be worshipped and his people to live for him. Those events laid the foundation of Presbyterian Churches around the world. 450 years later the truth and passion of the Scottish Reformation is part of our heritage. We need the same passion that Christ should be Lord.”

– Details at the PTC website (scroll down a bit).

ABC PM on the gay adoption issue

“Around 200 people squeezed into a small theatre in the New South Wales Parliament today to protest against a bill to allow same-sex couples to adopt. The New South Wales Council of Churches organised the protest meeting…”