Looming Famine in South Sudan
Anglican Aid’s David Mansfield writes:
“Anglican Aid has entered a partnership with the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSS&S) to support a project to assist communities prepare for an expected famine during the summer of 2014/15.
The expected famine is due to the inability of displaced people to plant crops.
While emergency food security will be provided by other agencies, the Church in South Sudan is assisting through a Peace Dividends Project to assist people to plant crops to provide longer term food security.…
Anglican Aid [is] suggesting people forgo a meal out and contribute the money to support South Sudan.”
Donations may be made online or by phoning 02 92841406. (Click the image for a larger version.)
An Apology to any hurt by the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn
“On Sunday 10 August 2014, parishes across the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn will hold a special commemoration service called Lamentation Sunday.
These services will include a public apology by the Right Reverend Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn.” – Read it here.
Moore College Sunday 2014 — Watch the video
Moore College wants to encourage you to pray for the college, and they’re going to great lengths to solicit your prayers!
See their Moore College Sunday website and watch the video. (Moore College Sunday in 2014 is this weekend, Sunday August 3rd.)
Open Letter to the PM regarding Iraqi Christians
“Thu 31 July 2014
Dear Prime Minister,
I write this ‘open letter’ on behalf of Anglicans across southern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to express our deep distress and dismay at the creation of a new wave of refugees by militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS); a situation about which, I am sure, you are fully cognisant…”
– Read the full letter to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, from Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn.
Related: Church leaders call for support of Christians in Iraq. (NSW Council of Churches.)
Archbishop of Sydney calls for an end to Iraqi persecution
Public Statement
July 30, 2014
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has joined calls for prayer and international assistance for Iraqi Christians facing severe persecution, even death, for their faith.
“It is an outrage that a community established in the early centuries of the Christian era should face expulsion from their own land, simply for their faith.” Dr Davies said.
In Mosul, near the ruins of the ancient city of Nineveh, the militant Islamic group ISIS gave Christians an ultimatum: convert to Islam, pay a “protection tax” or face death.
Churches have been looted, burned or occupied. Christian homes have been marked with the Arabic letter “N” (for the word ‘Nasrani’ which translates to ‘Nazarene’, a follower of Jesus).
Thousands of Christian families have been driven from the city.
“In the same area where God sent the prophet Jonah to turn back the people of Nineveh from their evil ways, we pray for a turning back of the evil which has come upon the Christians of Mosul, stripped of their livelihood, property and possessions.”
“The Australian government, the international community and the UN must not stand by while such persecution continues unabated.” Dr Davies said.
The Archbishop called on churches to pray for peace and justice in Iraq and also for Palestinian Christians caught in the conflict on the West Bank and the Gaza.
“We have entered a period of significant suffering for Christians around the world: from Iraq to Syria and from Egypt to Sudan.” the Archbishop said. “While the Cross is the symbol of suffering for all who are followers of Jesus of Nazareth, we have a responsibility to stand with our brothers and sisters in the face of such unmitigated persecution.”
– from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Related:
Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.
The silence is deafening – Catholic Herald.
Bathurst’s All Saints College named in bank’s legal action against diocese
“Court documents have revealed the Commonwealth Bank is looking for damages of more than $24m from the former Anglican bishop of Bathurst and five other defendants…”
– Report from ABC News.
More time needed for Bishopscourt sale
“The chairman of the Anglican Property Trust, Dr Robert Tong, says an initial offering of the neo-gothic mansion ‘Bishopscourt’ in Darling Point, has been encouraging but no buyer has yet emerged…”
— news from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Around the ACA — 29 July 2014
Here are a few items from around the Anglican Church of Australia –
- Newcastle – Vigil Service to commemorate beginning of World War I, 03 August.
- Canberra & Goulburn – Lamentation Sunday, 10 August.
- Bathurst – Diocese to raise funds for court proceedings.
- Armidale – Talking Sense about Sex: Dr Patricia Weerakoon visit to diocese.
- Tasmania – Position Statement on Suspended Sentences. (Image: ACA.)
New ARV Director of Mission
“The Rev Andrew Nixon has been appointed the new Director of Mission for Anglican Retirement Villages (ARV). He replaces Chris Edwards who is now Bishop of North Sydney.
Mr Nixon is best known as the Executive Director of the Diocese’s “Connect 09” campaign. He has since been the Director of Youthworks’ Year 13 programme and more recently Principal of Youthworks College…”
– More from SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo: Youthworks.)
Archbishop Phillip Aspinall’s Brisbane Synod address
The Presidential Address given at last week’s Brisbane Synod by Dr Phillip Aspinall is now online – PDF format.
‘Retiring Dean [of Perth] leaves his mark’
“For almost a quarter of a century, John Shepherd has worked in one of Perth’s most recognisable and loved buildings. As Anglican Dean of Perth, he has filled St George’s Cathedral with song and music.
“What a cathedral does is give people permission to imagine God … to imagine the dimensions of the divine,” he said. …
He ruffled the feathers of conservative members of the Church by inviting a Buddhist abbot and a Muslim cleric to preach.”
– from The West Australian. (Photo: St. George’s Cathedral Perth.)
MH17: Prayers at Parliament House
“Prayers were said in Parliament House, Canberra, surrounding the signing of the Book of Condolence for the victims of the MH17 aircraft disaster on Wednesday 23 July 2014…”
– from Defence Anglicans.
Once were Anglicans
“‘If anyone else thinks they have reason for confidence in their Anglican heritage, I have more.
Baptised an Anglican at three months, confirmed at 11 years, my parents are Anglicans, both sets of grandparents were Anglicans, my father is an Anglican priest, I attended Anglican schools. An Anglican of Anglicans, I studied theology for five years, have served as a curate and vicar for the past twenty, have sat on two General Synods. As to zeal… no one has ever questioned that.’…
Last Friday my licence from the Bishop to serve as vicar of the West Hamilton Parish was withdrawn. It was withdrawn because I had withdrawn my submission to the authority of General Synod. …
In deciding to withdraw my submission to the authority of General Synod I have asserted that the Bible is the Church’s supreme authority.”
– The Rev. Michael Hewat, until now the Vicar of West Hamilton Anglican Church – explains his departure from the Anglican Church – in the Waikato Times.
Related: Update following meeting with Bishop Helen-Ann, 11 July 2014 (PDF at West Hamilton Parish).
“In view of the overwhelming majority supporting Vestry’s and my refusal to submit to the authority of General Synod, Kimberley and I will offer ourselves as pastors to all who wish to remain with us – either here or on another site.”
(and other documents here.)
Please pray for Michael and the congregation in this uncertain time – and give thanks for their obedience to the revealed word of God.
Update, 25 July 2014: “Church defectors forming new flock in funeral home.”
“Former manager of the Diocese of Waikato Russell Armitage said Michael and Kimberley Hewat’s decision was ‘almost incomprehensible’ and took them down a ‘no-exit route into the religious wilderness’. [Oh yes – just like Hebrews 13:13 – ed.]
(Photo: Affirm.)
Melbourne ‘Multifaith Service for Flight MH17 victims’
“A Multifaith Service at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne on Thursday 24 July at 10am will mark the tragic loss last week of 298 lives aboard Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17. The Primate of Australia, the Most Revd Dr Philip Freier, and the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Dr Denis Napthine…”
– More here.
ACL President’s Address — 2014 AGM
President of the Anglican Church League, the Rev. Gav Poole, spoke at tonight’s ACL Annual General Meeting –
“Psalm 145 is a song of praise about ‘praise’. The only fitting praise for the LORD, is perfect praise. Praise that is declared everyday, everywhere for ever and ever.
Praise of the LORD is a return to order, a reversal of sin, curse and rebellion. It is to tell of his character – abounding in love; wondrous works and mercy to all. It stands opposed to speech that blasphemes, bears false testimony, incites rebellion or ignores the LORD. Read more
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…