Retiring Dean preaching this weekend

Retiring Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, is preaching his final Sunday Sermons at St. Andrew’s Cathedral tomorrow, Sunday 21st December 2014, at 10:30am and 5:00pm.

Phillip is also preaching at the Cathedral’s Christmas Day Celebration at 10:00am on Thursday.

“Christmas speaks more loudly than ever” — Hope and Prayer service at St. Andrew’s

“A packed service of Hope and Prayer for Sydney has shown the depth of feeling, shock and mourning after the siege in Sydney’s Martin Place in which two people died…”

– Report from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Includes links to news reports, and the audio of Archbishop Glenn Davies’ sermon.

Hope and Prayer for Sydney

“The Governor of NSW, General David Hurley, and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione will attend a special service at 6pm, Wednesday 17th December in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney Square, in the aftermath of the Martin Place siege.

The service of Hope of Prayer is open to all and will include prayers for victims’ families and friends, police and emergency services and media.

The service will be led by the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies.”

– from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Update: 2UE’s Andrew Voss spoke this morning – Wednesday December 17 – with Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies about the upcoming service. (h/t SydneyAnglicans.)

Pray for the Hostages

From Anglican Media Sydney:

The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, has urged all Christians to pray for the safety of the hostages in the Martin Place siege and for police and security forces dealing with the situation.

Dr Davies issued a statement this afternoon, commending the swift action of police.

“It is alarming when terrorism reaches our shores but that alarm reaches a new height when it occurs in the centre of the city in which so many people live and work.”

“I was heartened by the swift response of our police and security officials. We are well served by Commissioner Scipione and his team” Archbishop Davies said “Premier Mike Baird is right when he describes this as a test for this city and for our peaceful, democratic way of life.”

“We must pray urgently for the outcome of the siege. I ask Sydney Anglicans, and all Christians, to pray for the safety of those still held hostage, for the police and security forces working so hard to protect lives, and for the speedy delivery of justice for those who would seek to invade our world with such a doctrine of hate and violence.”

– source.

Kay Goldsworthy elected Bishop of Gippsland

“Kay Goldsworthy has been elected as the Anglican Bishop of Gippsland.”

– Report from The Gippsland Times. She will be the second woman diocesan bishop in Australia.

Update: David Ould has posted these observations.

Hundreds farewell ‘champion of Christian education’

“Hundreds of people have gathered at a funeral service for prominent Sydney layman John Lambert, the architect of a resurgence in building Anglican schools. …

From 1994 to 2009 Mr Lambert was the Director of Schools Development at the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, during which he contributed significantly to the establishment of 12 new Anglican schools within the Diocese of Sydney.”

– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Challenge and Choice — Australian Anglican Schools Today

“The book Challenge and Choice – Australian Anglican Schools Today by Dr Ruth Edwards was launched in Brisbane on Wednesday 3 December.

The work represents a significant attempt to not only survey the history of these religious schools but to map something of the future that lies before this sector.”

– See the story from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.

Moore College redevelopment under way

Archbishop Glenn Davies has ceremonially started the demolition of 1 King Street, Newtown, as part of Moore College’s redevelopment of their site.

“The new building will provide a new purpose-built facility for the College, including a library and research centre, more teaching areas, research and study spaces and a large auditorium enabling the entire student body to come together in one space.”

– from Moore College. See also SydneyAnglicans.net.

Anderson Consecration photos

Adam Burgan of the Diocese of the Northern Territory has shared these photos he took at Dr Greg Anderson’s consecration as Bishop on Saturday.

Greg Anderson consecrated in Darwin

“Dr Greg Anderson has been consecrated as the sixth Bishop of the the Northern Territory. …”

– Report at SydneyAnglicans.net. Photo by David Höhne.

We understand nearly 500 from around Australia were present at this morning’s service.

Greg Anderson Consecration to be streamed live from Darwin

Dr. Greg Anderson will be consecrated as the next Bishop of the Northern Territory this Saturday, 29th November 2014, at 9:00am CST (GMT + 9.5 hours, i.e. 10:30am AEDT), in Christ Church Cathedral in Darwin.

Phil Zamagias in Darwin writes:

“Non-Darwin friends, if you would like to watch the Consecration service on Saturday morning I am going to attempt a live stream. It will be a basic, single camera broadcast but it should be a good way to virtually ‘be there’ for Greg and his family.

You will need to visit this link and create a free account so that you can view the live stream.

Be sure to click the ‘Follow’ button if you would like to get a notification when the stream begins.

Please feel free to pass this info on to anyone who may be interested and pray that it all works on the day!”

Northwest Network December 2014

The latest edition of Northwest Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of North West Australia, is hot off the press.

Download your copy (750kb PDF file) to inform your prayers for our brothers and sisters – and for those with whom they long to share the gospel.

“It has been a challenging few months. After our 7,500 km safari around the diocese Christine and I returned home for the School of Theology, followed by Synod. Then there’s the pressing issues which have required attention, including the finding of locums or new ministers. But in the midst of it all God’s faithfulness keeps returning, especially in those times when the pressure is intense, or the difficulties seem insurmountable. One of God’s blessings has been Peter Grice and his family – Peter will begin as the new dean of the cathedral in late January, 2015…”

– Bishop Gary Nelson.

Life and Ministry with Peter Jensen

Geoff Robson has conducted a “sweeping conversation with Peter Jensen, former Archbishop of Sydney, about life and ministry – including his favourite book of all-time, how he became a Christian, why he wanted to be a stand-up comedian, why he tries to emulate Billy Graham, and how he has found spiritual refreshment for the last five decades.”

– Take the time to read it here – and please remember to pray for Peter as he continues to serve Christ.

Moore College ends academic year

“Dr Thompson encouraged the graduating students to hold on to Jesus as they go through changes in their lives,

‘When people go climbing, seriously climbing, they often use rope. But those ropes need to be tied to something: something that will not move, something that will still be there when they get to the top… There is only one properly unchanging thing in all the universe. Lash your rope to Christ and know he is the same, yesterday, today and forever.’…”

– Report from the College.

Read the Principal’s Graduating Students’ Dinner Address.