Annual Moore College Lectures 2014
The Annual Moore College Lectures begin this week, on Thursday 14th August.
This year’s Lecturer is Dr Mike Horton from Westminster Seminary California.
His topic: Lord & Life-Giver: The Holy Spirit Changes Everything.
Details here – as well as news that the lectures will be streamed live for those who can’t attend in person.
Happy birthday to the Province of Western Australia
“On this day in 1914, the Province of Western Australia came into being when the relevant papers were signed by Archbishop John Wright, the Primate of the, then, Church of England in Australia…”
– A little bit of history, via the Diocese of Perth – but a good reminder to pray for the clear preaching of Christ in WA – in the Dioceses of Perth, Bunbury, and the North West. (Image from ACA.)
Moore College Prayer Support Dinner — 9th October
“The Moore College Prayer Support Group would like to invite you to a prayer support dinner held on Thursday, 9 October, 7pm at the College Dining Hall. …
This dinner is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow prayer supporters, to encourage others to join us in prayer and to hear of the College’s current needs. There is also an optional College tour led by a member of the faculty…”
– Moore College needs your prayer support. Details of the Prayer Support Dinner here.
Lamentation Sunday Apology from Canberra & Goulburn
Bishop Stuart Robinson has released this apology for any hurt by clergy or church workers in the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
Murder of Iraqi Christians — second appeal for prayer from Archbishop Glenn Davies
Here is a second appeal for prayer from Archbishop of Sydney Dr Glenn Davies:
“The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, says fervent prayer and urgent action is needed as the persecution of Iraqi Christians escalates towards genocide.”
“Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Release, August 9, 2014
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, says fervent prayer and urgent action is needed as the persecution of Iraqi Christians escalates towards genocide.
ISIS militants, who have already forced many Iraqis from their homes in Christian towns and villages, are now reported to be systematically executing Christians, including children, some by decapitation.
“The reports coming from reliable Anglican sources in Iraq are horrifying” Dr Davies said.
In the last 24 hours, Canon Andrew White, the Anglican Vicar of St George’s, Baghdad reported that the five-year-old son of a founding member of the parish was attacked and cut in half by the insurgents in the Christian town of Qaraqosh.
“Not content with dispossessing Christians of their homes, unspeakable acts are now being carried out on those who refuse to recant their faith” Dr Davies said.
“Australia should be in the forefront of offering help, asylum and immediately agitating for protection of this ancient Christian community which is so desperately vulnerable.”
“Our brothers and sisters in Iraq urgently need our prayers and I hope all Australian Christians would join us in asking God to guide them to safety and restrain those who will do them harm.”
This is the second appeal issued by the Archbishop of Sydney on the turmoil in Iraq.
A week ago, after the attack on the Northern town of Mosul (near the ruins of the biblical town of Nineveh), Dr Davies said “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.”
France has already offered asylum to Iraqi Christians forced to flee Mosul and other towns.”
– Source, SydneyAnglicans.net.
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has launched an emergency relief appeal to help those fleeing their homes.
See also: Killings escalate in Iraq. – SydneyAnglicans.net
(Photo: UNHCR/ACNUR Américas via SydneyAnglicans.net.)
An Invitation from God
Part of the “Jesus Brings” initiative.
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.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…