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Last Friday my licence from the Bishop to serve as vicar of the West Hamilton Parish was withdrawn. It was withdrawn because I had withdrawn my submission to the authority of General Synod.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
Celebrating one giant leap for the gospel
St. John’s Cathedral at Parramatta is celebrating 200 years since Samuel Marsden’s first Mission to New Zealand at their 10:00am service on Sunday 20th July. David Pettett will be the guest speaker. (PDF flyer.)
As well, the book Launching Marsden’s Mission, edited by Peter Bolt and David Pettett, will be launched.
(Contributors include Greg Anderson, Peter Bolt, Malcolm Falloon, Michael Gladwin, Meredith Lake, Simon Manchester, Malcolm Prentis, David Pettett and Craig Schwarze.)
Bathurst Diocese ‘to fight asset sell-off’
“The Commonwealth Bank is demanding the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst repay its $25 million debt immediately, and to do so it must sell-off church buildings. However, Bishop Ian Palmer says the church will not go down without a fight and will do all it can to protect its churches…”
– Story from The Central Western Daily.
‘Out of step’ with the times — but not the Bible
“The Church of England’s decision to allow women bishops may represent a historical shift in attitudes in its General Synod, but to the dismay of supporters of the ordination of women, the move may hold little sway for Sydney’s Anglican community…
‘As much as we respect the Church of England, it is no longer the centre of our world,’ Bishop Forsyth said. ‘It’s not our Rome, it’s a partner church in the worldwide community of Anglicans.’…”
– from The Sydney Morning Herald.
Includes a quote from ACL President Gav Poole –
”Sydney is known around the world for its evangelical character and its holding to the authority of the scriptures,” he said. ”That’s a long tradition here in Sydney and something we have always appreciated.”
‘Anglicans mad only if they ignore Bible’
“Amid the swirl of opinion around the Anglican General Synod’s decision to commit to finding a way to bless gay couples, the epithets for orthodox Anglicans have mounted: anti-gay, homophobic, wrong, immoral, betrayers of Jesus, unloving, judgmental, intolerant, bigoted, ostracising, unjust and hypocritical. Doubtless an incomplete list, but enough to paint a nasty picture…”
– In this opinion-piece for the New Zealand Herald, Michael Hewat (Vicar of the West Hamilton) argues that the NZ Anglican General Synod has failed ‘the LGBT community’.
Related: Same-Gender blessings: NZ General Synod votes. (May 14 2014)
Armidale Diocese Centenary — 8 November 2014
The Diocese of Armidale has posted a note about their upcoming Centenary celebrations.
Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Melbourne
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will attend the installation of Dr Philip Freier as the new Primate at a service of Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne on Wednesday August 13. Archbishop Welby will preach, after flying from the Solomon Islands the day prior, and before to a trip to New Zealand the next day.
The Late Governor Peter Underwood — media release from Bishop of Tasmania John Harrower
“The news of the death of His Excellency the Honourable Peter Underwood AC, Governor of Tasmania last night is received with sadness by the Anglican community in Tasmania.
On behalf of the Anglican Church, Bishop John Harrower extends his sympathy to Mrs Underwood and their family upon hearing of this news…”
– Read the full media release from Bishop John Harrower.
Phillip Jensen to resign as Dean at Christmas
“I believe we have reached that stage of development at the Cathedral and it is time for me to resign as Dean. …
As far as my future is concerned, I have a new job lined up in 2015 with ‘Two Ways Ministries’. Being freed from the varied responsibilities of Dean will allow me to serve God’s people outside the confines of one church and without the weight and distractions of being a church pastor…”
– Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen announces his intention to retire from the position of Dean at Christmas 2014 – and he shares what he plans, Lord willing, to do next.
Related: Dean moves to new ministry (SydneyAnglicans.net.)
Archbishop Glenn Davies: “Phillip Jensen has exercised an extraordinary ministry in the Diocese of Sydney for more than 40 years, most notably as Chaplain of the University of New South Wales and rector of St Matthias, Centennial Park.”
Keeping up with General Synod
As General Synod meets in Adelaide, here are a few ways you can keep up, if you so desire –
- General Synod media releases
- General Synod program
- General Synod papers
- Sandy Grant atThe Briefing –
1. Drive away and promote,
2. Advice to evangelical Anglican churchmen.
3. Air bags on pokies. - David Ould’s blog –
1. Electing a Primate,
2. A Quest for Unity?
3. Getting Some Clarity?
4. Embracing the Marginalised?
5. General Synod Roundup – A Way Forward? - SydneyAnglicans.net –
1. Freier elected next Primate,
2. Baptism marriage rule to stay,
3. Synod calls for freedom not religious ‘gag’,
4. Governments and churches urged to take more asylum seekers,
5. Synod highlights ‘inactivity’ on gambling.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…