Archbishop Philip Freier elected Primate
The Archbishop of Melbourne, Philip Freier, has been elected Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia at the meeting of Electors in Adelaide today.
Russell Powell has the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Related: Boy from bush takes Anglican reins – News.com.au.
Challenges facing General Synod
General Synod begins in Adelaide this weekend.
Many of the documents and reports to be discussed have been placed on the General Synod website.
For example, the Report of the Viability and Structures Taskforce (Book 8, PDF file) includes this quote –
“In only three dioceses (Armidale, North West Australia and Sydney) are sufficient numbers of clergy being ordained to replace those in current active ministry.” [for the period 1995-2010.]
and the table on page 8-029 (page 34 of the PDF file) showing numbers of Anglicans, Clergy, and Attendance figures is worth pondering.
These figures raise questions as to why this is so, and what can be done to help the national church. And they provide encouragement to pray for all gathered for the General Synod, for godly wisdom in seeking to make Christ known.
Prayers for General Synod
General Synod meets in Adelaide from Sunday to Friday (June 29–July 4), at St. Peter’s College.
Please be encouraged to uphold in prayer all who are meeting (including those who will be electing a new Primate tomorrow), and in their travels to and from Adelaide.
The current Primate, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, will end his term at the conclusion of the General Synod on Friday.
Graphic: ACA website.
Religion vital to Australian education — AEC news release
Anglican Education Commission news release
Religion vital to Australian education
“Recent press reports have seriously misrepresented the position of the Anglican Education Commission on public education policy.
The commission has not called for the scrapping of the chaplaincy program or for the replacement of Special Religious Education (Scripture) in NSW schools.
By conflating several distinct policy areas, a report in the Sydney Morning Herald (Page 1, 25/6/14) seriously misled the public.
It is unfortunate that in the debate about the future of the National School Chaplaincy Program, the provision of NSW scripture (SRE) has been linked to chaplaincy. These are, and have always been, separate. The SRE program is not government-funded.
It its submission to the recent Review of the Australian Curriculum, the Anglican Education Commission, in looking to the long term, argued for the inclusion of a mandatory study of ‘Worldviews and Ethics’, which would incorporate the study of all religions and be available for all students. If such a subject was added to the Australian Curriculum it would have significant benefits for all students.
This would not replace the vital SRE program in NSW schools and as a national move, would have much wider implications.
The Anglican Education Commission in the Diocese of Sydney strongly believes that education is incomplete unless it includes a study of religion. The diocese has had a strong history as both a provider of education through diocesan schools and in the provision of Special Religious Education (Scripture) in public schools. The Commission is absolutely committed to the future of both.
Secondly, the diocese, like the Catholic Church, does not have a policy on chaplaincy as such. The AEC has not called for the scrapping of the chaplains program. However, should the NSW Government decide to take over the chaplaincy program in its present form, some hard questions will need to be asked about its nomenclature and whether ‘chaplain’ is the right word to use for such a program. If the program is purely a secular one, why not call it a welfare program and direct its focus to the high priority areas of wellness, psychology and student health?
Press reports with misleading headlines and out-of-context quotes are not helpful as governments consider these crucial areas of policy.
Dr Bryan Cowling,
Executive Director,
Anglican Education Commission
25/6/2014.”
This press release by the Executive Director of the Anglican Education Commission, Dr Bryan Cowling, is an important corrective.
Good news for the Top End
Reactions to the news that Greg Anderson has been elected Bishop of The Northern Territory –
Dr Mark Thompson, Principal of Moore College:
“It is very good news for the Anglican Church of Australia that Dr Greg Anderson has been elected as the sixth Bishop of the Northern Territory. Greg is a godly and gifted teacher and pastor. We are very sad to see him leave the College since he has made a terrific contribution as the Head of Department of Mission and a vital member of the community.”
“However his love for the Northern Territory and Indigenous people in particular is well known, so it is no surprise that he should be elected Bishop of the Northern Territory. We will continue to pray for Greg, Annette and the family as they prepare for this very important ministry”
Dr Glenn Davies, Archbishop of Sydney:
“This is an excellent outcome following a long and protracted process which makes the decision worth waiting for.
Greg has had experience working in the Northern Territory and has a very good knowledge of Aboriginal culture, deepened by his groundbreaking study of their music.”
And via SydneyAnglicans.net, Bishop-elect Anderson says,
“We’re grateful for the prayers of many as we look forward to the new situation. The Territory has a rapidly growing population, with many challenges, and also many opportunities, including opportunities for Christian ministry.”
“The situation of the indigenous churches is precious – people whose traditional culture is thousands of years old, and who are thinking hard about what it is to be both Aboriginal and Christian. A particular opportunity for Territory ministry is for people from different cultures to read the Bible together and be open to how God can correct our own culturally-shaped blind-spots through hearing one another’s perspective of what God is saying.”
Greg Anderson elected Bishop of The Northern Territory
The Head of the Department of Mission at Moore Theological College, The Rev Dr Greg Anderson, has been elected the sixth Bishop of the Northern Territory.
Here’s the announcement (PDF) from the Administrator of the Diocese, Bishop Clyde Wood:
23rd June, 2014.
The Administrator of the Synod of the Diocese of the Northern Territory is pleased to announce that The Reverend Doctor Gregory David Anderson has been elected as the Sixth Bishop of the the Northern Territory.
Greg Anderson has been the Head of the Department of Mission at Moore Theological College, Sydney since 2007. Prior to that he and his wife worked in the Northern Territory from 1995 as missionaries with the Church Missionary Society. Greg trained indigenous church leaders at Nungalinya College, Darwin, and was Indigenous Ministry Development Officer for the Diocese of the Northern Territory. His interest in the Aboriginal church began when he was researching the traditional music of central Arnhem Land.
Greg is married to Annette and they have four children. Apart from their church involvement, they are very involved in music activities and fitness.
Consecration and Installation dates have yet to be determined. We will provide further advice when available.
Yours in Christ.
Bishop Clyde Wood
New Moore College faculty member appointed
“The Governing Board of the College has approved the Principal’s nomination of Rev Dr Lionel Windsor to the faculty from 1 January 2015. Dr Windsor is a graduate of the College who is currently serving as Assistant Minister at St Augustine’s Anglican Church, Neutral Bay…”
Archbishop Aspinall to refocus on Brisbane
“In a few weeks my nine year term as Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia will come to an end…
The Board to elect a new Primate will meet in Adelaide on Saturday, June 28. I will then preside over the 16th General Synod from June 29 to July 4, immediately following which I will hand over the reins to the newly elected Primate.”
– Archbishop of Brisbane Phillip Aspinall reflects as he nears the end of his time as Primate – in the June – July 2014 issue of FOCUS from the Diocese of Brisbane. (Page 2, see also page 15ff.)
Thanksgiving service for Margaret Rodgers
It’s been announced that there will be a Thanksgiving service for Deaconess Margaret Rodgers (who died on 31st May) at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney at 2:00pm on Thursday 19th June.
Renovated St Mark’s Library rededicated
“The library of St Mark’s National Theological Centre, Charles Sturt University, was filled to overflowing on Wednesday 4 June with students, friends and staff for its dedication by Bishop Stuart Robinson and the Revd Dr Jane Foulcher with prayer and thanksgiving…”
– from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
VCC Mourns Bishop John McIntyre
An exceedingly sad announcement from the Victorian Council of Churches –
“We stand with our Anglican Community today as we mourn the passing of a beloved, Bishop, Ecumenical companion, family man and friend.”
Please be encouraged to join in prayer for John’s family and friends, and also for the churches of the Diocese of Gippsland.
See also: The Gippsland Times.
Update: David Ould has some information about plans for John’s funeral. (It seems previous information was incorrect.)
Photo: Diocese of Gippsland.
‘When we get it wrong’ — Southern Cross
“Some months ago, the team at Southern Cross started planning to do a cover story on prayer.
They say everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it. With prayer, we don’t talk much about it and do it even less (myself included).
Article complete, we went about trying to illustrate it. It seemed ‘knee fitness’ might be catchy and contemporary. Because we don’t have the funds to stage our own photography, we used a stock image of a woman in fitness gear.
In an effort to focus on the knees to make the theme work, the cover unhelpfully drew attention to other parts of her body and cut off her head, depersonalising the image.
Let me be clear. This was a mistake. With the best of intentions we actually did the opposite of what we were trying to do. …”
– Russell Powell, CEO of Anglican Media Sydney, issues an apology. An exemplary way for Christians to respond.
And you can now download the updated version of Southern Cross – with lots of great content – here as a 5.3MB PDF file.
Prayers urged for Bishop of Gippsland, John McIntyre
We’ve heard from several sources (among them. BCA on FaceBook, and David Ould’s website) that the Bishop of Gippsland, John McIntyre, is very ill. Please be encouraged to uphold John and his family in prayer at this time.
Sad news: VCC Mourns Bishop John McIntyre.
Vale Margaret Rodgers
Readers will be saddened to hear of the death of Deaconess Margaret Rodgers early this morning (31 May 2014).
Margaret was a well-known figure in Sydney Diocese over many years.
Most notably, she served as Principal of Deaconess House (now Mary Andrews College) 1975–85. As well, she was Research Officer, General Synod, 1985–1993, CEO of the Anglican Media Council 1994–2003 and the Archbishop of Sydney’s Media Officer 2004–2007.
Margaret also served on a variety of key boards and committees within and outside Sydney Diocese.
In the 2014 Australia Day Honours List, Deaconess Rodgers was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Kara Hartley, Archdeacon for Women in Sydney Diocese, writes:
“Margaret was passionate for women to be mobilised for ministry. As Principal of Deaconess House, and through her involvement in the Diocese and national church, she was tireless in her support & encouragement of women seeking to serve The Lord. The deaconesses have lost a dear friend and sister.”
Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson writes:
“Moore College owes a considerable debt to Deaconess Rodgers who, as Principal of Deaconess House, gave lectures in church history and participated in the life of the faculty, and of the College more generally, in a variety of ways. The College has lost a very dear friend.”
Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies writes:
“A warrior for Christ, not ashamed of the gospel and not afraid to confront those with whom she disagreed, but always with a winsome smile and a heartfelt desire to see Christ honoured in all areas of life. She will long be remembered, but greatly missed.” (More here.)
Jane Tooher, Director of The Priscilla & Aquila Centre at Moore College, adds:
“I last spoke to Margaret a couple of months ago when I invited her to speak at a conference. Although she was unable to be involved because of her precarious health, the conversation with her was remarkable. She encouraged me and her wonderful sense of humour left me in hysterical laughter at points. All who knew her, and especially those of us at Moore College, have very good reasons to thank God for the life of this faithful servant.”
John Sandeman of Eternity Newspaper has this tribute:
“Most Australian Christians will complain about how the mass media deals with their church, or Christianity itself. It’s rare to see someone set out to deal with this problem and even rarer to see someone succeed, not just once but many times. Margaret Rodgers, who ran media relations for the Sydney Anglicans for a decade and a half, fitted the third category exactly.”
In 2007, Margaret was farewelled on her retirement. “Media Officer’s brilliant career.”
In 2011, the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney took time to specially thank Margaret.
(Photo: Mary Andrews College.)
ChristChurch Cathedral to be ‘deconstructed’
“An order preventing deconstruction of ChristChurch Cathedral has just been lifted by the High Court…”
– Report from The NZ Herald. (Photo: The Cathedral before the earthquake.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…