Christian B&B loses Supreme Court appeal
“The UK Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by a Christian B&B that only allows married couples to share a double bed.
Owners Peter and Hazelmary Bull had been successfully sued by gay couple Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy, and ordered to pay £3,600 in damages. …”
– from The Christian Institute. (Some background… PDF.)
‘Archbishop Glenn Davies: At ease in his world and it’s still in fashion’
“Archbishop Glenn Davies makes no apologies for his conservative stand on the ordination of women, gay marriage and sex outside marriage. …”
– The Sydney Morning Herald has this piece today on Archbishop Glenn Davies.
(h/t SydneyAnglicans.net.)
Does the Cross save?
At Stand Firm, David Ould asks what the Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Grafton believes about salvation – and about what she describes as a “rather mechanistic and grim understanding of atonement” (among other things).
Tasmanian Abortion legislation debate
Bishop of Tasmania John Harrower:
“Today the Members of the Legislative Council are debating the extreme abortion legislation. I wrote the following letter to each Member. Please join me in praying for the legislation’s rejection or significant modification. …”
Grafton elects new Bishop
Dr Sarah Macneil (former Dean of Adelaide and archdeacon in Canberra-Goulburn) has been elected to the Diocese of Grafton – the first woman to be elected as an Australian diocesan bishop.
‘Tears & Hope’ – a service of healing for survivors of abuse
There’s to be a special service of healing for survivors of abuse – at St. John’s Darlinghurst at 7:00pm on Monday 25th November 2013.
Kerrie Newmarch, Chaplain Professional Standards Unit, writes, “Much thought and care is put into the program so that all attendees can feel relaxed and at ease. Previous participants have found the prayers and the words from the Archbishop to be helpful, at times bringing comfort and healing.”
Download a PDF invitation with contact details. Related: Abuse Report Line.
Curtain falls on another Moore year
“Moore College has finished yet another academic year – its 157th to be exact.
A series of events have been held to mark this occasion including a special dinner, chapel service and a community barbecue. The highlight was last night’s Graduating Students’ Dinner which included an address (PDF) from Principal Mark Thompson.…” – from Moore College.
WA Provincial Council votes against Human Sexuality resolution
“The Anglican Church’s Provincial Council of Western Australia today voted unanimously against adopting the resolution on human sexuality passed by the Synod of the Diocese of Perth in October 2013.”
– Full release via the Diocese of Perth.
What Bugged Me in Church
“Strange things happen in church but to see a cockroach cross the floor of the cathedral can distract attention from the sermon.
My first thoughts were to get up and squash the thing. But what if some bug loving attendee was offended by my callous heel? Where would be the reputation of the Bishop then?
I remained motionless, trying to get my attention back on the sermon but that jolly roach was bugging me. …”
– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers and the lesson from a cockroach.
Introducing Bishop Greg
The Diocese of Newcastle website introduces recently-elected diocesan Bishop Greg Thompson to their readership.
Rector bashed outside Sydney church (updated)
“The Rector of Naremburn/Cammeray, Canon Rick Smith, is recovering after being bashed by a group of drunken youths at the weekend.
The incident happened at the front of the church building at 9.30 pm on Saturday night, after several youths had held up a pizza delivery boy and stolen pizzas. …”
– Russell Powell has the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Please pray for Rick and his family.
Update: Police media release, “Anglican minister assaulted – North Shore”, 13 November 2013.
Chris Edwards to be Bishop of North Sydney
“The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has announced that a church planter, with experience in Australia and overseas, is to be the next Bishop of North Sydney.
The Rev Chris Edwards was the founding minister of Holy Trinity Adelaide Hills, in South Australia, which grew more than tenfold under his leadership. He later led St Paul’s Anglican Church, Tervuren, Belgium and was chairman of its school. He is 52 years old.
Since returning to Australia, Mr Edwards has been the Mission Director of Anglican Retirement Villages, ARV, in Sydney.”
– Announcement via SydneyAnglicans.net.
And from Moore College:
Moore College graduate Rev Chris Edwards has been appointed the new Bishop of North Sydney. Moore’s Prinicipal Dr Mark Thompson moved the motion at last night’s Diocesan Standing Committee to confirm the Archbishop of Sydney’s appointment of Rev Edwards.
In his speech Dr Thompson remarked: “Many of us here might not know him — that’s true, he has spent 17 of the last 20 years outside of this diocese — but those of us who do will be confident that he will continue the good work done by Glenn in the northern region of our diocese.”
“He is a son of this diocese who understands us and will champion what we stand for. He values our heritage, loves our College, understands both our strengths and our weaknesses”
North West Australia could opt out of weddings
“The Bishop of North West Australia has warned that if the state or federal governments legalize same-sex marriage, Anglican clergy in his diocese would no longer serve as marriage registrars.
The statement by the Rt. Rev. Gary Nelson follows the decision last month by the Australian Capital Territory to legalize same-sex marriage…”
– George Conger reports for The Church of England Newspaper.
At 95, Billy Graham’s ‘last’ message is the same as his first
“Come to the Cross, by repentance and faith.” – Billy Graham’s Message.
29 minutes. Watch it and pass it on.
This is currently being shown across the United States in a national outreach as Bill turns 95.
Why we are contributing to Greenfields land
Through the Sydney Synod, the Anglican churches of Sydney have resolved to work together to purchase land in ‘Greenfield’ areas.
If we don’t get in early, it will be too late to purchase land to build centres where Christ’s people can gather and be beacons of light in their new communities.
Dominic Steele at The Village Church Annandale has kindly shared this video he made for his own church. He speaks with Stuart Starr at Oran Park. It’s ideal to show in your church to help everyone get behind the vision.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…