Bathurst Diocese Newsletter for Advent 2025

Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder has published the Bathurst Newsletter for Advent.

Please be encouraged to use it to inform your prayers: for the churches of the diocese, that they may be strengthened and encouraged – and also for the people of this large region of NSW, that many may hear the words of eternal life this Christmas, and find salvation in Christ.

Bishop Calder writes with much encouragement in the newsletter:

“Dear friends,

As we prepare to observe Advent again, I wanted to share a few thoughts. It is a time in our church calendar which has been misunderstood AND come under increasing secular influence. Advent reminds us that Christians are people who wait. We live with the reality that the world is not as it should be BUT we cling to the promise of Jesus’ return when everything will be put right. Advent doesn’t ask us to be cheerful or sentimental. It asks us to watch, to pray, and to recognise our deep need for the One who will come again.

We look around and see conflict, sorrow, failures, and tragedies. Advent puts to us that we can face these things without despair. It invites us to hold them before God, trusting that he has not forgotten his promises. Jesus will come with justice and mercy. He will heal, restore, judge and renew. That is our hope — not a vague wish, but a sure and certain expectation.

And so, Advent urges us not to be anxious or frantic. But steady. Prayerful. Grateful for every anticipation of all that Jesus’ return will mean.

Only at the end of Advent do we turn to Christmas. And when we do, we are reminded that our Advent hope is not hope against hope but is gloriously grounded in the historical reality that Jesus has already come among us as a real human being. The child of Bethlehem is the Lord of glory who will return. His first coming assures us of his second.

May this Advent renew your hope and steady your heart as you wait for him.

Mark.”

– Read it all here. (Looking for a pre-loved car? The newsletter might contain the answer.)

Archbishop-elect looks towards a ‘new season’ in Melbourne

“Melbourne’s Archbishop-elect Ric Thorpe wants Anglicans to engage with but also challenge the collective culture on matters that might be controversial both inside and outside the church, including same-sex marriage, gender identity and divorce.

Speaking ahead of his installation, Bishop Thorpe believed his involvement with the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith process taught him what worked well and what didn’t in dealing with differences of view. …”

– This report from The Melbourne Anglican gives observers outside Melbourne some idea of what to expect from the new Archbishop, to be installed next Sunday, 30 November 2025.

Image: Bishop Ric Thorpe at The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication in the United Kingdom.

Renewal at St Alban’s Leura

The Australian Church Record speaks with James Delanty, Rector of St Alban’s Leura, about how God has brought renewal and joy to this historic Blue Mountains parish—and how a vision centred on being “overflowing with joy in Jesus” is shaping both church life and community outreach.

“When I arrived, the church had been without a rector for 18 months and was struggling through the lockdowns. On my first Sunday, there were 18 people meeting every second week, alternating with Zoom. But over time, through preaching God’s word and making the liturgy accessible, we’ve seen remarkable renewal—both in joy and maturity. …”

– Read it all here.

“For 67 years she served her Lord and his church alongside her husband”

“Mrs Pam Goodhew, the wife of former Archbishop Harry Goodhew, has died of cancer.

Mrs Goodhew, who was 90, passed away on Friday 15th November while in palliative care at Piper House in Dapto. …”

– Russell Powell shares the news at SydneyAnglicans.net.

We join many in thanking the Lord for Pam Goodhew.

Annette Anderson to be Anglican Dean at Nungalinya College, Darwin

“We are delighted to share that Annette Anderson will be taking up the position of Anglican Dean at Nungalinya College from Monday 10 November 2025.

Annette faithfully served as a CMS missionary from 1995 -2006 in both Darwin and Numbulwar and is no stranger to Nungalinya College, having worked there as a valued teacher since 2015. The 11 years she has dedicated to the college has provided Annette with a deep knowledge of the courses, students, and churches they come from.

Annette will serve all the remote Aboriginal Anglican parishes in the Northern Territory, facilitating the next generation of Church Leaders and Lay people to travel to Nungalinya where she will continue to support them during their studies.

Annette is married to Bishop Greg Anderson and has four children.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs Annette Anderson and upholding her in our prayers.”

– From the Diocese of the Northern Territory.

And a good reminder to give thanks for, and to pray for, the ministry of Nungalinya College.

Southern Cross November-December 2025

The latest copy of Southern Cross magazine from the Diocese of Sydney is now available.

If you don’t see a copy in your local church, you can read it online.

State Funeral for John Laws

The State Funeral for John Laws CBE will be held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Wednesday 19th November at 1:30pm.

Good to keep all involved in your prayers.

Livestream at this link.

Antisemitic slurs must be rejected

Here is a media release from the Diocese of Sydney:

Antisemitic slurs must be rejected

The rally staged outside the New South Wales Parliament on Saturday has rightly drawn condemnation from across the community – particularly as it occurred on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 pogrom against Germany’s Jewish community.

The black-uniformed protestors, carrying banners with the slogan ‘Abolish the Jewish Lobby,’ were clearly intent on spreading fear and antisemitism.

Authorities must investigate whether Saturday’s neo-Nazi rally in Sydney breached laws against inciting racial hatred.

Christians are defenders of free speech. We prize the freedom to declare ‘the praises of Him who called (us) out of darkness into his wonderful light’.

This includes defending the freedom of others to disagree with us, and even to mock the truth we proclaim.

But speech that incites hatred is illegal in New South Wales.

Antisemitism has traded in lies, hate and violence for centuries. When it appears in modern day Australia it must be named, resisted and rejected.

Antisemitism—whether from the far left or far right—has no place in Australian society.

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
10 November 2025.

– from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Since God so loved us – Sandy Grant and Rob Elder

“St Andrew’s Cathedral has always played a significant role in Sydney caring for the needs of the surrounding community. During and after World War II (1940-1947), approximately 3.5 million meals were given to active and returning soldiers in temporary Nissen huts erected on Cathedral grounds – the combined efforts of approximately 900 volunteers working for the Church of England National Emergency Fund (CENEF).

Over the last couple of decades, like many other church communities, the Cathedral has offered free English classes to serve the needs of overseas migrants and visitors. Bible reading is included as part of the approach – very appropriately, since the Bible and its message is so influential on our language, laws and culture.

Most recently, we have been especially delighted with the impact of Reverend Rob Elder on our ministry. Rob, a Moore College graduate, was appointed Community Chaplain at the start of 2024, and his position is funded by the Myfanwy Peters Estate for the relief of the needy in CBD of Sydney. …”

– Learn about and pray for this important ministry. Via the Moore College website.

Melbourne Diocese plans 30 new churches, 30 revitalisations by 2030

From The Melbourne Anglican:

“The Melbourne diocese has a vision to plant 30 new churches and revitalise 30 existing ones by 2030 as growth corridors expand without an Anglican presence to serve them.

The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne Church Planting vision and strategy was officially launched at a Melbourne Anglican Foundation fundraising event on Thursday, 23 October. …”

– Hannah Felsbourg reports.

Image: Archbishop-Elect Ric Thorpe at The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication in the United Kingdom. Although this Melbourne plan predates the new Archbishop’s arrival, it aligns closely with what he has been working to do in London.

(Archbishop Thorpe will be installed at St Paul’s Cathedral on Advent Sunday 30 November 2025.)

Adelaide bids fond farewell to Archbishop Geoff Smith

“The Anglican Diocese of Adelaide on Saturday 1 November bid a very fond farewell to the Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith, who has served as Archbishop for more than eight years. …”

— Report and photo from the Adelaide Diocese Guardian.

Doubtless, members of the Diocese of Adelaide would crave your prayers as they move to elect a new Archbishop to lead the diocese.

Photo: Archbishop Geoff Smith greets the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson.

Anglican Aid — In fellowship with GAFCON

From The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid:

“Anglican Aid gives thanks to God for the gospel faithfulness of the leadership of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), following their recent statement regarding the future of the Anglican Communion. This announcement is a declaration that the Anglican Communion would not centre around a person or an office, but rest on a single foundation: the Word of God.

As the overseas aid, development, and ministry support agency of the Sydney Anglican Diocese, Anglican Aid is committed to resourcing churches in the world’s poorest countries with faithful servants trained in the word of God. We are building and resourcing theological colleges and supporting the training of over 2,500 people for various ministries. Anglican Aid longs to see the word of God faithfully proclaimed to the nations. …”

– Read it all here.

Photo: Anglican Aid CEO Tim Swan with Archbishop Ande from the Anglican Church of Congo.

Bathurst Newsletter: All Saints 2025

“All Saints’ – because we are ALL Saints!”

The latest Bathurst Diocesan Newsletter is available on their website.

Religious freedom concerns raised at cult inquiry

“Religious freedom advocates have warned recommendations to criminalise coercive control in cults could target mainstream churches and faith communities.

The Victorian Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee’s inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups is holding public hearings. …

In hearings on 21 October, the Australian Christian Lobby and Freedom for Faith raised fears the inquiry’s outcome would affect how Christians practice and teach their faith. …”

– Hannah Felsbourg writes at The Melbourne Anglican.

Adelaide Synod 2025: walking together into another year

The Diocese of Adelaide held its 2025 Synod last weekend. It was the last for Archbishop Geoff Smith, who concludes his time as Archbishop on 1st November:

“The Adelaide Anglican Synod for 2025 concluded its annual session on Sunday, marked by an emphasis on synodality, youth engagement, and a move toward streamlined ministry governance.

Held once again at Starplex at Trinity College Gawler, due to the very high satisfaction survey last year, the session was, once again, affirming for Synod members to listen carefully, and speak respectfully, acting synodically – flourishing and united in God’s Love.

The weekend began with the Synod Eucharist held on Friday 16 October at St Peter’s Cathedral.  During the beautiful service a new Archdeacon was collated, four new area Deans for the Triennium were commissioned and four members of the laity were awarded Diocesan extraordinary service ‘Archbishop’s Pins’.…”

– Secretary of Synod Joe Thorp reports at The Adelaide Guardian.

See also:

Archbishop Geoff Smith’s final Presidential Address to Synod – PDF.

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