St Jude’s Carlton damaged in blaze
“Fire has ravaged a church in inner Melbourne, causing more than $500,000 in damage. St Jude’s Anglican Church on Lygon Street caught fire just after 4am, with flames engulfing the roof, windows and basement…” – Report from The Age.
Archbishop of Melbourne Synod Address
The text of the 2014 Synod Address by Dr Philip Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne, is now up on their website. (PDF file)
Mission Property Committee update
This 10 minute update video from the Mission Property Committee was shown at Sydney Synod yesterday (October 13th).
It’s an encouraging overview of the progress made in securing sites in new developments around Sydney. Uploaded by Anglican Media Sydney.
Update: an edited 5 minute version is now also available.
New Bishop for Georges River Region
During his Presidential Address to the Diocese of Sydney’s Synod, Archbishop Glenn Davies today announced a new bishop for the Georges River Region – Peter Lin, Rector of Fairfield with Bossley Park.
– Story and photo from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Listen to Archbishop Davies’ address, watch it here, or read the text (PDF).
Australian Church Record — October 2014
The latest issue of The Australian Church Record, Number 1914, October 2014, is now out on their website (just in time for Sydney Synod). Here are some excerpts:
From ‘Faith Under Attack‘
“So Protestants should be alarmed at recent trends in scholarship presenting fine-sounding arguments for faith + something else. And Anglicans need to be alarmed at even small additions to their liturgy that confuse those praying it in this same direction.”
From ‘Faith Alone v. Faith at work‘
“The tendency of the human heart to want to boast in its own achievements is all too prevalent. But there is nothing that we do to merit our justification before God. Like our forebears, contemporary Protestantism must continue to work carefully and clearly in defining the place of faith.”
Diocese of NW Australia recognises ACNA as “a member church of the Anglican Communion”
“The Diocese of NW Australia, meeting in synod this weekend, passed the following motion,
That this synod:
- welcomes the impending investiture of the Most Reverend Dr Foley Beach, the Archbishop of The Anglican Church in North America;
- recognizes the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) as a member church of the Anglican Communion, in full communion with Diocese of North West Australia; rejoices that the orthodox faith is proclaimed in word and deed through ACNA and its member churches;
- continues with ACNA to pray for and call for repentance from those churches which have turned to a different gospel;
- calls upon faithful Anglicans around the world to join us in joyful praise to God for the renewal and rebirth evident in ACNA and the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans. …“
– from David Ould.
Moore College Annual Report 2014
See the Moore College Annual Report for 2014. Much cause for thanksgiving.
Sweatcon15
“SWEATCON is a training conference in the South-West (SW), for the SW, by the SW. The conference seeks to train up leaders and future leaders in the churches of the SW.”
Next year’s conference is 20th – 23rd January 2015 at Hoxton Park and there’s a promo video here.
Moore Vice Principal Bill Salier to head Youthworks College
“The Rev Dr Bill Salier has been appointed the new principal of Youthworks College replacing the Rev Andrew Nixon. He will take up his appointment in January 2015.
‘I leave Moore College profoundly grateful to our Lord for its teaching and shaping of me over many years. Now it’s time to look forward, to be used by our Father in a new context, and continue growing the complementary and mutually supportive relationship between Moore and Youthworks.’…”
– the latest from Moore College.
See also:
New Youthworks College Principal Announced.
Salier to head Youthworks College.
Around the ACA — 28 September 2014
Here are a few items from around the Anglican Church of Australia –
- A history of the Diocese of Armidale was launched at their Synod last week – On Tablelands, Slopes and Plains “I will Build My Church”.
- Melbourne has hosted a forum on “sustainable living in urban Australia’.
- Newcastle Cathedral today held a Conversation on “conscious urbanism”.
- Sydney purchases land in Leppington for ministry centre. (Image: ACA.)
More:
Why I walk with the cross
In Bishop Stuart Robinson’s Canberra & Goulburn synod address (PDF) he speaks about his Bishop’s Walk of the Cross through towns in the diocese –
“While the cross-carrying bit may appear a tad idiosyncratic, nonetheless it opens up opportunities for conversation. When asked why I do this, my consistent reply is twofold.
To begin with, I believe communities need to see their leaders, especially bishops, engaging in public evangelism and giving people the opportunity to turn to Christ. Do you know one fellow, as he came forward to give his life to Christ, said, ‘Bishop, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to do this for 40 years…’
Another reason is this: it provides opportunities – and a model, for any person of faith to share what Jesus has done for them – whether in parks, nursing homes, clubs, classrooms, fire-trucks or fishing wharves – and to gently but confidently, invite a response…”
And there’s a report on the Synod here.
Mike Horton on Moore
It’s easy to take a place like Moore College for granted.
While he was in Sydney for the Annual Lectures, Mike Horton (Westminster Seminary California) spoke about the role of Moore.
Among other things, Mike gives this advice –
“If God is calling you to ministry, start at Moore – don’t end up at some point down the line – Why not get right at it?” Take a few minutes to watch the videos:
1. On the challenges facing the church and why people should study at Moore.
2. On Moore and the need for theological education.
3. Mike is asked about his ministry.
Thinking about Moore College for 2015?
Moore College would like you to think about studying next year.
Undergraduate? Postgraduate? Distance learning? See what the college has to offer and apply by November 30 to avoid extra admin fees. Details here.
The worst media Christian bashing this year?
“There’s probably no point waiting to the end of the year to award the prize for the worst media monstering of a Christian for 2014. Because the Sydney Morning Herald has published such an egregious story on Dean Phillip Jensen… that any other winning entry is unlikely.”
– Phillip Jensen has been criticised by the media before, and John Sandeman catalogues yet another example.
See also the article in question – The truth behind ISIL – by the Dean.
Bathurst’s Anglican synod grapples with $24m debt
“The gravity of the financial situation facing the Bathurst Diocese of the Anglican Church hit home this weekend for members of the 47th Synod. …”
– report from The Western Advocate.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…