Bishop Peter Chiswell 1934–2013
Bishop Peter Chiswell – Bishop of Armidale from 1976 to 1999 – died in Armidale on Friday.
His funeral is to be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral Armidale tomorrow, Thursday 12th December 2013, at 11.00am.
Current Bishop, Rick Lewers, has written this tribute:
“The year I was born, 1958, Peter Chiswell graduated from Moore Theological College in Sydney and was ordained by the Bishop of Armidale, John S. Moyes. Peter’s ministry included appointments in Narrabri, Quirindi, Bingara, and Gunnedah before he was consecrated in Sydney by Archbishop Marcus Loane, then taking his place in Armidale’s St Peter’s Cathedral as Bishop in November, 1976.”
Two (more) reasons to give thanks for Moore College
Two (more) reasons to give thanks for – and to pray for – Moore College:
1. Now is the moment of opportunity for Moore graduates.
2. Moore College distance education goes viral.
Australian Church Record December 2013
The latest issue of The Australian Church Record is now online.
This issue kicks off by interviewing Bishop-elect of North Sydney, Chris Edwards, “The Bishop from Belgium”.
Grafton appointment exposes massive differences in the Anglican Church in Australia
“I wrote last week about the appointment of Rev Dr Sarah Macneil as the new Bishop of Grafton diocese in NSW, Australia. Not only is she due to be Australia’s first female diocesan, but far more troubling she is on the record as holding what many consider to be heterodox views on human sexuality and the atonement. …”
– At his blog, David Ould continues to explore the implications of the election of a new Bishop of the Diocese of Grafton. (Related posts.)
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement November 28, 2013
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
The Steering Committee for the Sydney Diocesan response to the Royal Commission on Child Sexual Abuse says a file review of material relating to child abuse complaints stretching back to the 1930’s is almost complete.
“The Committee has commissioned a thorough review of all complaints, notifications and files which are relevant to the Royal Commission. This has been done carefully and has involved reviewing a significant amount of material” said Steering Committee spokesman Dr Robert Tong.
“Some media reports have misrepresented evidence given to the Royal Commission by equating the number of files with complaints or current investigations. Some outlets reported that there were 600 current investigations of complaints. This is not correct.” he said. Read more
Jesus Brings video promo
Worth taking two minutes 30 seconds to watch.
Click the image to play the video.
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.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…