Provincial Memorial Service from St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney
The Provincial Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II is taking place at 11:00am today (Wednesday 21 September 2022) at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.
The service can be seen here, and the Order of Service can also be downloaded.
Bishop Mark Calder’s Presidential Address to Bathurst Synod 2022
Photo: Bishop of Armidale Rod Chiswell with Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder at last night’s Synod service (16 September 2022).
The Second Session of the 50th Synod of the Diocese of Bathurst is meeting this weekend.
This morning Bishop Mark Calder gave his Presidential Address.
He begins:
If we, the people and churches of this diocese, become clear, passionate, and determined about that most privileged work of SHARING JESUS for LIFE, we will be transformed and revitalised.
That’s a huge claim.
Do I have that much confidence in our strategic plan and its implementation? Am I over-confident in my leadership as bishop? A firm “NO” to both of those.
My confidence is in the power of the gospel – because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.1
My confidence is in the convicting power of the Holy Spirit – who testifies about Jesus2 and will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.3
My confidence is in Jesus – the one mediator between God and humankind, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.4
My confidence is in our great God who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.5
My confidence is in you – the clergy and people of this diocese, who are increasingly clear about our calling as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.6
My confidence is in our churches who share the devotion of the Acts 2 church – to teaching, to one another, to hospitality, and to prayer. So may it be, that we too, enjoy the favour of all the people, and the Lord adds to our number those who are saved.7
When the gospel is clearly lived out and proclaimed; when the Holy Spirit does his convicting work; when people grasp the mediating work of Jesus; when God our Father draws people to himself; when we obey our calling and become devoted to all that the Acts 2 church was devoted to; then, we ourselves – our churches – and our diocese – will be transformed and revitalised. …
1 Romans 1:16, 2 John 15:28, 3 John 16:8, 4 2 Timothy 2:5-6, 5 2 Timothy 2:4, 6 1 Peter 2:9, 7 Acts 2:42-27.
Be encouraged to read it all here (PDF file). The text has many Bible references for your edification.
Please pray for the members of the Synod and individual church members across the Diocese of Bathurst.
Clergy shortage, biblical marriage on Melbourne Synod agenda
“Upholding biblical marriage and parish vacancies will be key issues on the agenda at the 53rd Melbourne Synod in October, according to agenda documents.
Gender balance and the Archbishop Election Act are also listed as priorities for debate, as are Anglican childcare facilities and kindergartens. …”
– Report from The Melbourne Anglican.
Official Cathedral Services to mourn Queen Elizabeth II
St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney has published details of official services to mourn Queen Elizabeth II.
Update: See also
The funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – SydneyAnglicans.net
The post includes some prayers you could use this week. (PDF)
Bathurst thanks Sydney Synod
This video was shown in Sydney synod on Wednesday night 14 September 2022, as part of Bishop Calder’s presentation to thank Sydney for their generous support and humbly ask that it might be renewed.
Much to give thanks for – and much to continue to pray about.
Background:
Sydney helps Bathurst – SydneyAnglicans.net, 15 October 2018.
We see the crowds
“Representatives of Sydney’s Anglican churches sitting in the church’s parliament have endorsed a three-way approach to an urgent need for ministry in new areas of Sydney.
Following a challenge from Archbishop Kanishka Raffel in his Presidential Address to ‘see the crowds’ of people moving to greenfields areas of southwestern and northwestern Sydney, Synod voted to continue contributing two per cent of parish receipts to a land fund for another 10 years. …”
– Read Russell Powell’s report from Synod at SydneyAnglicans.net, and watch the encouraging 3 minute video – ideal for showing in church!
The cracks widen in the Australian Anglican Church
“Archbishop Raffel’s ‘Do you see the crowds’ address at Oran Park was mission driven and gospel focused, particularly asking how to reach the new housing estates where 30 new churches are needed to reach the hundreds of thousands of people who are moving into the Greenfields areas to the west of Sydney.
There was no mention of Brisbane.
It was a stunning contrast to South East Queensland Archbishop’s Phillip Aspinall’s hand grenade presentation, attacking evangelicals and Sydney Anglicans, which has so far led to the resignations of two of his ministers and the splitting of two Brisbane congregations.
The second minister to resign in Brisbane is Peter Judge Mears. …”
– At The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele highlights Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s Synod Presidential Address on Saturday. He also speaks with Peter Judge-Mears who has just announced his resignation from the Diocese of Brisbane.
Related:
Archbishop Aspinall’s 2022 Presidential Address here (PDF file).
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s Presidential Address to the Synod in the Greenfields
Yesterday (Saturday 10 September 2022) the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney met at Oran Park in South West Sydney.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel gave his first Presidential Address – a strong, encouraging and stirring call to obey the Lord Jesus and to love our neighbours.
He said, “Do you see the crowds? Crowds of people who will come to Sydney. People who will move into greenfields areas. Crowds of young people, hungry for love.”
Please do take the time to watch and think and pray and act.
And here is a report from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“In his first Presidential address to Synod, Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has made a stirring and emotional appeal for visionary planning in the greenfields areas of Greater Sydney.
For the first time in more than a century, the Synod address was given away from inner Sydney at Oran Park Anglican College in the town centre of Oran Park in the Southwest. This week, the Synod will consider a proposal to extend the contribution parishes make to funding land purchases in new areas, for a further ten years. …”
Bishop Mark Calder: Thanks for Her Majesty
In this short video, Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder gives thanks for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and her trust in Jesus.
A message from the Archbishop on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has released this sixty second video message to churches on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Bishop of Armidale Rod Chiswell’s message on the death of Queen Elizabeth
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
It is with deep sadness today that I heard the news of the death of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
We join with Anglicans across our diocese and around the world in grieving her passing.
I have been reading a book recently about Queen Elizabeth’s Christian faith, her godly example throughout her long reign has been a strong inspiration to many. Throughout the trials and tribulations of world history during her time as Queen she has been a steady rock, a wise, compassionate and selfless servant of God and the people entrusted to her.
As we join with Christians all around the world in mourning her passing in coming days, we do not grieve without hope, for we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise all those who trust in Jesus from death to present us in His presence (2 Corinthians 4:13-14). Together we give heartfelt thanks to God for Queen Elizabeth’s long reign marked by dignity, grace and unstinting humble service motivated by her enduring Christian faith. God has been kind in giving such a leader to so many for so long.
We pray also for the Royal family as they grieve and prepare to say goodbye to their beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and Queen. May God be their refuge and strength in this, their time of grief.
With love in Christ,
Rod Chiswell.
From the Diocese of Armidale.
Photo: The Queen’s Christmas message 2011.
Queen Elizabeth II — A model of compassion, faith and selflessness
Statement from the Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, on the Death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is a profound sadness, the depth of which is difficult to express.
Anglicans in NSW join with all Australians in mourning her passing. For most people, her reign and her godly example is all we have known.
We have delighted in her visits to this nation and to our churches. She has been for many a tower of strength in times of adversity, and a model of compassion, faith and selflessness in the service of humanity.
But we do not grieve as those without hope (1 Thess 4:13). We give heartfelt thanks to God for her long reign marked by dignity, grace and unstinting humble service motivated by enduring Christian faith.
We offer our condolences and prayers for the Royal Family.
Details of services of commemoration will be made in accordance with requests from Buckingham Palace in due course. Flowers may be left in tribute at the George St door of St Andrew’s Cathedral. A condolence book will be available at the Cathedral.
– Source: SydneyAnglicnas.net.
Also from SydneyAnglicans.net:
We will pause to offer prayers at noon today, Friday 9th September, and there will be a special Service of Choral Evensong at St Andrew’s Cathedral, this evening at 5:15pm which will include prayers for the Royal Family.
Related:
June 5, 2022 – A celebration of uncommon leadership — Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s sermon for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Sydney’s One Special Evangelist John Chapman — The Pastor’s Heart
Prior to the launch of Baden Stace’s book, “Sydney’s One Special Evangelist: John C. Chapman and the Shaping of Anglican Evangelicalism and Australian Religious Life 1968-2001”, Dominic Steele speaks with Baden about Chappo.
“Baden’s new work showcases the impact of John Chapman, but also gives a window into issues facing evangelicals in Sydney in the later part of the twentieth century, controversies about preaching, the place of evangelism in church life, social justice, and what role each of us plays in the evangelistic process.”
Most encouraging and informative. A ‘must watch’ episode.
Related:
Invitation to the book launch on 14 September 2022.
Chappo: “Do you really believe the gospel can convert your friends?”
Profile of Darrell Parker — new Bishop of the North West
“Revd Darrell Parker, the newly elected Bishop of North West Australia, is a man who loves Jesus, rural ministry and hitting the open road.
Darrell and his wife Elizabeth have spent 25 years serving God in northern NSW (in the Armidale Diocese), most recently as Senior Minister at St Paul’s Tamworth.
By the grace of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and sustained by prayer, he delights in bringing God’s word to bear on people inside and outside the church and is clear-eyed about his new role. …
Please join us for Darrell’s consecration at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, on 3 February 2023, and installation at Geraldton Anglican Cathedral on 15 February 6pm.”
— from the Diocese of North West Australia.
An Anglican “lifeboat” for Australia
“We have recently seen the announcement of the activation of a new ‘extra-provincial’ Anglican diocese in Australia.
The ‘Diocese of the Southern Cross’ (‘DSC’) is not a part of the official ‘Anglican Church of Australia’ (‘ACA’). It has been set up to provide an ecclesiastical home for congregations who are Anglican by theology and conviction but find themselves unable to accept the authority of bishops of the ACA who do not accept the teachings of the Bible, especially on the subject of the Biblical views of marriage. …”
– At Law and Religion Australia, Neil Foster gives some legal background to the new Diocese of the Southern Cross.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…