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.)

NZ Vicar leaves Anglican Church over same-sex blessings

Charlie Hughes, the Vicar of St Michael’s Henderson, in West Auckland, has left the Anglican Church over its decision to move to bless same-sex relationships.

“Two-thirds of St Michael’s board had also resigned as had half the staff…”, according to this report from the New Zealand Herald. (Photo: St Michael’s Henderson.)

Morning Tea for Moore

Work in the City?

This Wednesday (28th May 2014) there’s an opportunity to learn about Moore College over morning tea.

Vice Principal Bill Salier, and faculty members Jane Tooher and Peter Orr, will be on hand to chat about the College and to answer questions. In the QVB Tea Room, 10:00–11:00am – details here.

Presidential Address — Tasmanian Synod 2014

Bishop John Harrower’s Presidential Address from the 2014 Synod of the Missionary Diocese of Tasmania:

“The Aurora over the landscape of Tasmania draws from within me a deep longing that the Light of the World, our Lord Jesus Christ, will break into our lives and ministry in powerful and transforming ways. We yearn for His radiance to be fully known, that His rule and Kingdom will be on earth as it is in heaven.

Our State, Tasmania, needs the Church, our Anglican Church, and every Christian man, woman, boy and girl to fulfil our biblical mandate to proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom and to declare the purpose of God in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. …

Let me focus you – Do you still love Jesus?

Yes, I know! It is the question you have heard from me on many occasions. It is the question I ask the clergy. But on this occasion let me ask this of each one of us? Yes, each one of us gathered here on this occasion: Do you still love Jesus? Is this the focus of your life? Is your love for Jesus your inspiration, comfort and yearning? …”

– Read it all here.

Newcastle to renew Tri Diocesan Covenant

The ‘Tri Diocesan Covenant’ signed in 2008 by the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle and the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Maitland-Newcastle and Broken Bay will be renewed at a service in East Maitland next week, according to the Diocese of Newcastle website.

With thankgiving for Ailsa Knox

We are sorry to report the death, this afternoon (14 May 2014), of Mrs Ailsa Knox, beloved wife of the late D B Knox who was Principal of Moore College 1959–1985.

Ailsa suffered a stroke on Saturday and did not recover.

Ailsa was born Ailsa Lane in 1924 in Sydney. She first met Broughton at an Inter Varsity Fellowship meeting at Sydney University in 1947. They married at St. Swithun’s Pymble in September 1950. Only six weeks later she travelled with him to England as he began his doctoral studies at Oxford.

Broughton and Ailsa had six children: Margery, Deborah, Jonathan, Stephanie, David and Rosemary.

Moore College students will fondly remember Ailsa for her kindness and hospitality, and also for her beautiful soprano voice (she even gave the occasional public recital). She was a great woman of faith who gently encouraged generations of women at Moore.

After Moore College, Broughton and Ailsa left Sydney in January 1989 to found a new Theological College – George Whitefield College – in South Africa. When they returned to Sydney four years later, they left the College as a going concern.

Ailsa was persistent in prayer, and has been described as the fun-loving lighter side to the Knox family. She loved going to CMS Summer School at Katoomba each January, and last attended in January 2013.

While there is sadness for those left behind to remember Ailsa’s legacy, there is also great rejoicing that she is now with Christ.

Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies reflects –

“Ailsa modelled Christian virtues at so many levels. Her ministry especially among faculty wives and students was a great encouragement and a godly example. I have no doubt that the impact of Broughton Knox upon our Diocese would not have as profound or as significant had he not had the life companion of Ailsa by his side. Precious indeed, in God’s sight, is the death of his saints.”

– More from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson remembers –

“Among the list of marvellous ministry marriages which have served the cause of Christ and his people in this city so extraordinarily well over the past 225 years, the partnership of Broughton and Ailsa Knox has been and continues to be a cause of great thanksgiving to our loving Heavenly Father.”

“Mrs Knox’s call home is a sadness for all who knew her and were encouraged by her faith in Christ, but for her it will be pure joy as she now knows as she is known”

– See the tribute from Moore College.

And here is a Tribute from George Whitefield College.

Update: Ailsa’s funeral will be held at St. Paul’s Castle Hill, 421 Old Northern Road, at 11:00am on Friday 23rd May, 2014.

(Photo: Mrs Knox in 2005 at a College Supporters Lunch. Thanks to Moore College.)

Andrew Heard on why you should support Moore

Andrew Heard, Moore College graduate, and pastor of EV Church on the Central Coast, talks about why Moore’s theological training is so important for his life and ministry.

“The world desperately needs people who know God in his Word, who understand the gospel, and are committed to proclaiming it. There is the hope for our world.”

Watch the video here. (Andrew is visiting George Whitefield College next week.)

Same-Gender blessings: NZ General Synod votes

The Anglican Church of New Zealand claims it upholds “the traditional doctrine of marriage”… by moving to bless same-gender relationships —

“General Synod today passed a resolution that will create a pathway towards the blessing of same-gender relationships – while upholding the traditional doctrine of marriage.

It will appoint a working group to report to the 2016 General Synod on “a process and structure” that would allow those clergy who wish to bless same-gender relationships – using a yet-to-be developed liturgy – to do so. …

Synod has therefore upheld the traditional doctrine of marriage – but also moved to find ways to respond to committed relationships between two people, regardless of gender. In effect, it has also established a four-year timeline for change to take effect…”

– from Anglican Taonga.

“the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia is both affirming the traditional doctrine of marriage, exploring the recognition of those presently in life-long monogamous same-gender relationships, and seeking a process and structure to enable the possibility of a rite for blessing life-long monogamous same-gender relationships for those who wish to offer this rite.

We also are apologising unreservedly to the LGBT community where the church has not acted in a loving way.”

New Zealand: Ma Whea? debate to continue into third day

“General Synod continues wrestling with the questions about same-sex ordination and blessing. But there are signs that the debate is drawing to a conclusion.

A nine-person working party is working on a draft proposal, which will be brought before the whole synod to consider tomorrow, with a vote to follow. …”

– Report on the New Zealand General Synod’s deliberations from Anglican Taonga.

Oz and NZ News 11 May 2014

Anglican News May 2014 Here are a few items from around Australia and New Zealand…

Anglican News, the newspaper of the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn – May 2014, PDF.
Keep Good Friday a holy day and holiday – Bishop Philip Huggins in Melbourne.
The Diocese of Willochra, Bishop John Stead’s Synod address 2014 – PDF.
NZ General Synod – Archbishop’s charge to be given over three days.
Anglican hierarchy urged to approve same sex marriage – TVNZ – and video report.

New National Coordinator for Church Army

Conrad Parsons Here’s a press release from The Church Army:

The Board of Church Army in Australia is pleased to announce that Conrad Parsons has been appointed to the new role of National Coordinator.

Making the announcement, Ian Freestone, Chairman of the Board said, “we are very excited in this new season Church Army is in and believe Conrad is the perfect fit in our task of growing a network of evangelists across Australia.

The mission of Church Army is to honour and encourage evangelists across Australia in their work of making disciples. Church Army has recently undergone an overhaul of its strategic plan and the Board sees the appointment of a national coordinator as a key part of this new chapter.

“The work of the evangelist is an often misunderstood and undervalued gift to the Church and its mission. Our hope in implementing our strategic plan is to see over 300 evangelists networked together in dynamic and empowering relationships. Conrad comes to us with a wealth of experience as an evangelist, Christian leader and effective networker,” said Freestone.

Conrad Parson’s appointment will begin as three days a week beginning on May 1, 2014 whilst continuing to also serve part-time in his role as Pacific Regional Director for Youth for Christ International.

Photo: Church Army.

Archbishop Glenn Davies speaks about Moore Theological College

Moore Theological College recently interviewed Archbishop Glenn Davies about his thoughts on the College.

You could use these videos in home groups or in churches to encourage the study of God’s word and the support of the College.

See the videos here –

1. The Archbishop of Sydney and Moore College (3’33”)

Dr. Davies speaks his about his long-standing connection with the College, his training at Moore, his long association and his new role as the President of the Governing Board.

2. Moore’s Unique Role in the Diocesan Mission (4’52”)

Glenn considers the unique place of Moore in the mission of the Diocese of Sydney.

“…Moore College is essential for continuing the work of teaching the Bible. We can never take the teaching of the Bible for granted.”

3. Moore College: Serving the World (4:03).

The Archbishop talks about the College’s three ministry Centres, about engaging with churches and training people of other denominations for gospel work. Lastly he encourages us to pray continually for the College’s students and faculty.

Background info at the College website.

Northwest Network, May 2014

The latest issue of Northwest Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of North West Australia, is now out. You can download it here as a 1.9MB PDF file.