Praying for the Election Synod — The Dean
Dean of the Cathedral, Phillip Jensen, calls members of the Cathedral congregation, and all reading this, to pray for the election Synod.
“Prayer always brings glory to God, as we express our confidence in his willingness and ability to help us as well as his interest in the details of our life. To think the creator and sovereign ruler of the universe would pay attention to our requests – about the trivialities of our lives – is humbling and exciting. That we can call the Almighty, “Father” is wonderful beyond description.
This week our diocese comes to electing a new Archbishop. Synod will be meeting for a few nights to try to come to agreement about who it should be. It is not the most important decision we ever make, but it is a decision we have to make and it does affect many aspects of church life. In particular it affects us, as the Cathedral church – i.e. the seat of the bishop of the diocese.
So this week is an important time for prayer. We want God to bless our decision, and that overriding our desires, he will appoint the man he thinks best suits his plans for our diocese. So please pray for …”
Election Synod nears
“The Synod to choose the 12th Archbishop of Sydney is about to begin. It will choose between the two nominees for the position – the Bishop of North Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, and the Rector of Naremburn / Cammeray, Canon Rick Smith.”
– Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
See also this media release. (PDF)
Related: Two websites for the Archbishop’s election.
‘Premier wrong to push for same sex marriage’ — NSW Council of Churches
“The NSW Council of Churches today reiterated its call to Premier Barry O’Farrell not to lend support to a push to legalise same sex marriage in New South Wales. …”
– Media release from the NSW Council of Churches.
‘Ugandans honour Australian aid worker Irene Gleeson’
“Up to 10,000 people have attended a memorial service in Uganda to celebrate the life of an Australian woman who cared for a generation of children traumatised by war. …”
– Story and image from ABC TV. More from The Bible Society.
Upholding the Administrator in prayer
After the retirement of Archbishop Peter Jensen, the Administrator of the Diocese of Sydney is the Bishop of South Sydney, Robert Forsyth. Please be encouraged to include him in your prayers in this time, and as he prepares to chair the Election Synod.
(Please also pray for the staff of St. Andrew’s House in this busy period of preparation for the synod.)
‘NSW set to back same-sex marriage’
“NSW could become the first Australian state to legalise same-sex marriage after an inquiry on Friday paved the way for fresh legislation that is supported by MPs across the political spectrum …”
– Report from The Sydney Morning Herald. Photo: NSW Government.
What is an Archbishop?
Phillip Jensen continues his brief series on the coming Archbishop’s election, and asks; “What is an Archbishop?”
“When it comes to electing an Archbishop the natural questions are ‘What does the role involve?’ and therefore ‘What are the characteristics or competencies that we are looking for in a candidate?’ However, the answers to these questions are quite different to most people’s expectations as they are not the most appropriate questions to ask.”
New Moore College website — and Societas 2013 is out now
Moore Theological College has launched its updated website – www.moore.edu.au – check it out.
In addition, the 2013 issue of Societas – the produced by the Moore College student body – is also available. You can get printed copies from student ministers at your church, and you can also read it online.
The Archbishop’s Election: A Political Process
“As people have spoken of my involvement in the election of our next Archbishop I thought it may be helpful for friends, especially those on synod, to understand how I view the election of Sydney’s Archbishop. …”
– Dean of Sydney Phillip Jensen writes the first of several articles designed to help Synod members think through the issues behind the election of a new Archbishop.
Related:
“The ACL confirms its longstanding practice of not promoting a preferred candidate for the Archbishop’s election.” – February 2013.
Prayer suggestions (PDF file).
Archbishop-in-waiting – profile from Southern Cross, July 2013.
Archbishop Peter Jensen interviews on ABC Radio
Archbishop Peter Jensen was interviewed twice on ABC Radio this week –
by Richard Glover – Direct link to 12MB mp3 file – runs for 25 minutes,
and by Andrew West for the ABC’s Religion and Ethics Report – “The Peter Paradox” – direct link to 7.5MB mp3 file – runs for 16 minutes.
New Bishop for The Murray
John Ford, currently Bishop of Plymouth in the Diocese of Exeter, has been elected the new Bishop of The Murray.
Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation to purchase Anglican Schools in Dubbo and Orange
The Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation is buying Anglican Schools in Dubbo and Orange –
“this decision of the Bathurst Diocese and the Board of Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation will bring stability to underpin the future operation of these schools…”
Here’s the media release from the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation –
28 June 2013
Dr Laurie Scandrett, Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, today has announced that the Corporation has exchanged contracts for the purchase of Macquarie Anglican Grammar School at Dubbo and Orange Anglican Grammar School.
“We are very excited to be able to make this announcement today. Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation has exchanged contracts for the purchase of both of these schools. We expect that the purchases will be completed at the end of September. By including the operation of these schools as part of Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, we can guarantee to students, parents, staff and each community that the future of these schools is secure. The schools will be able to continue their great work of Christian education with confidence,” said Dr Scandrett.
The announcement follows a competitive expression of interest process resulting from the decision, earlier this year, of the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst to sell these schools. Read more
‘Don’t retreat’, says Archbishop
“Archbishop Peter Jensen, in one of his final addresses, has urged Christians to engage in public discussion and ‘not to be put off by those who say we should stop trying to impose our values on others’.…”
– Russell Powell reports on last night’s Centre for Christian Living gathering at Broadway.
You can hear the talk (93MB mp3 file) and see the outline at the CCL website.
And the Bible Society has a report.
Conscience Clause deleted by the Reformed Church of America
“The General Synod of the Reformed Church of America (RCA) has removed the “conscience clause” from its the Book of Church Order (BCO), ending the right of its clergy to object to the ordination of women. …”
– Report from Anglican Ink.
Christian Voices in the Public Square
The next Moore College Centre for Christian Living open night is at St. Barnabas’ Broadway on Wednesday 26th June.
Archbishop Peter Jensen is speaking on ‘Christian Voices in the Public Square’.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…