Bishop Grant Dibden on Defence Sunday

From Defence Anglicans – and a great reminder to pray.

Related:

Running a Remembrance Day service on Thursday?

Here are some resources.

Christmas comes early!

“Density limits have been lowered to 2m2 and singing is back for churches from Sunday November 14, according to an easing of restrictions announced by Premier Dominic Perrottet.

Freedoms for the fully vaccinated in New South Wales that were to be introduced on Dec 1 have been brought forward to Monday, Nov 8. But freedoms for the unvaccinated will now not be introduced until Dec 15. …

Singing will return but masks are still mandatory indoors until December 15. From the intial government information, it appears that those not yet vaccinated, although they can attend church, will not be allowed to sing. See the government timeline here.”

– Read the latest at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Defence Sunday 7 November 2021

This Sunday is Defence Sunday, and Grant Dibden, Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force, has recorded a 3’30” video message.

A copy can be downloaded from the Anglican Media Sydney Vimeo account for use in church services – and do pray for this important ministry.

Southern Cross November 2021

In December, printed copies of Southern Cross, the magazine of Sydney Diocese, will again be available in churches.

The November issue is online-only, and is now available. Download your copy at magazine.sydneyanglicans.net

Be sure to read “Christians speak out against assisted suicide” –

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has urged Christians to speak up against the assisted suicide bill, which he calls “a momentous shift in medical practice and community expectation”

The bill, introduced into the NSW Parliament in October, uses the terminology of “voluntary assisted dying” but the Archbishop says it goes beyond the physician-assisted suicide it would legalise.

“It marks the final abandonment of one of the cornerstones of Western civilisation: the sanctity of life,” the Archbishop says. “Advocates of Voluntary Assisted Dying – a deeply misleading cluster of words – have emphasised not the sanctity of life, but quality of life as subjectively experienced, and the primacy of autonomous choice.”

The Archbishop, senior bishops and Christian medical groups have pointed out several ways the bill would not provide extra choice, as proponents argue, but would have a flow-on effect to all those battling terminal illness. …

– Read it all on page 5.

New Zealand Assisted Dying Bill comes into force on November 7

“In a salutary piece of information recently, I learned that doctors assisting the death of pertinent patients in New Zealand would receive the sum of $1087.20 … to bring about the death of these people. I was shocked…”

– Charles Tyrell, former Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson, writes to The Church Times (copy via Anglican Mainstream).

Strengthening the ministry of Bathurst Cathedral

From the Diocese of Bathurst’s Facebook page (23 October 2021):

“Bishop Calder announced today the impending move of the Rev’d Steven Klouth from Kelso to the Cathedral parish to mainly work with the Rev’d Phil Howes to grow the new contemporary service. Please pray for Steven and Caitlin in this new chapter commencing end of November.”

– Yes, do pray for this strategic work.

Fuel for Prayer from the North West — November 2021

The North West Network for November 2021 is now available from the Diocese of North West Australia.

Bishop Gary Nelson writes,

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” [Acts 16:30f ESV]

As Paul and Silas preach the good news of Jesus Christ in the Greek city of Philippi, lives are changed, and a church is established. As a result, a gospel partnership [fellowship] springs into life. So, Paul writes,

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. [Philippians 1.3-6 ESV]

Now this gospel partnership between the Christians in Philippi and the apostle Paul, continues to grow. And it is a fellowship expressed in prayer, kindness, and financial support [see Phil 4.14-20].

When Paul writes to ‘the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi’ he seeks to encourage them in their gospel partnership. In 1.27 the Philippian Christians are urged to let their,

… manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel…

Friends, our fellowship as a diocese is grounded in the gospel. For the gospel is at the heart of those who come to serve; it’s the motivation for financial and prayer support; and it’s the hope people long for, and find proclaimed clearly, in our churches. That’s why we are so thankful to God for all who stand firm with us, striving side by side, for a gospel shaped ministry across the North West.

Please continue to pray that we will remain steadfastly committed to the gospel, for it is ‘the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes’ [Romans 1.16].

Download your copy here.

(On page 1 we see that St. James’ Kununurra is looking for an assistant minister.)

Get to know Kara Hartley — Archdeacon for Women

“By God’s grace a neighbour invited me to youth group when I was in late high school.

Arriving at that youth group I encountered people I already had connections with from primary school. That kept me there. Over the course of two years, I think God slowly warmed my heart to the gospel. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Simon Manchester shares an encouraging interview with Archdeacon Kara Hartley. (Also in the October 2021 Southern Cross.)

Share the Gospel Month in Kununurra

“Kununurra Minister Daniel Faricy recently led a ‘Share the gospel month’ to give people a launchpad to invite their friends to consider the claims of Christ. …

Daniel said the idea followed a difficult year (2020) for the church after one-third of members left Kununurra due to Covid-19 and energy levels around town and in the church were low.”

– Encouragement from the Diocese of North West Australia and the parish of Kununurra.

Also, please do pray for the people of the North West and the continued search for Cleo Smith from near Carnarvon.

Have we domesticated service?

“A few times every year in our church we have ‘welcome suppers’ for people who are new to our church. During those times we talk about the things that define us and invite people to come on board. On each occasion we open up various passages of Scripture to talk about different aspects of church life and one passage we always look at is Mark 10:42-45 …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Phil Colgan reflects on the radical nature of Christian service.

(Photo taken at the 2018 ACL Synod Dinner.)

Melbourne Retirement ages for clergy could be abolished

“Clergy’s retirement age would be abolished under proposed changes to the legislation that governs their employment by the diocese, a review group has told synod.

Abolishing the Diocesan Stipends Committee and keeping the term of appointment for vicars to 10 years were other key points in the Clergy Legislation Review group’s proposal. …”

– Story from The Melbourne Anglican.

80% opening date for churches brought forward a week in NSW – with Bishop Michael Stead

“Churches will be free to open for vaccinated and unvaccinated people a week earlier than had been expected in New South Wales.

With 80% of NSW adult population fully vaccinated, a new Public Health Order comes into force from Monday 18 October 2021.

We talk with South Sydney Anglican Bishop Michael Stead about the implications of the new PHO, contradictions between it and the COVID safe plan, and what to do about ventilation.”

– Here’s an extra edition, released this afternoon, of The Pastor’s Heart.

The Final Stone – A Response in Defence of Bishop Rod Chiswell

“Last weekend the Australian published a deeply disturbing piece about an Anglican bishop and a revolt against him from one small church in his diocese. …”

– David Robertson at The Wee Flea shares his take on last weekend’s front page story in The Weekend Australian Magazine.

Iron sharpening iron

“One of the real privileges of studying at Moore College is the theological formation that takes place as you live and learn in a community. Studying with other men and women of different ages, from different backgrounds, and with experience in different ministries is invaluable to a robust preparation for ministry. Of course, learning takes place in classroom discussions, the reading of Scripture, and various other theological writings. However, the development and constructive critiquing of lived behaviour and ministry conduct is honed by going through the ebbs and flows of the mundane. …”

– Ben George at Moore College writes about the importance of living in community – and provides some links if you are able to assist the College in that aim.

Also at the College website is the sad news that Dr Will Timmins has resigned due to ill health. (Prayer point.)

Southern Cross October 2021

The latest Southern Cross magazine (October 2021) is now available to download from magazine.sydneyanglicans.net.

This issue includes a profile of Archdeacon for Women Kara Hartley, news on reopening, Bishop Michael Stead on “Why we must oppose assisted suicide”, and much more.

The Archbishop writes on “Safely ministering to all” –

“I was pleased to hear that the week after 80 per cent of the community have received two doses of a COVID vaccine (estimated to be by October 25), there will be no restrictions on who may attend church – while other venues, such as cinemas and gyms, will be open only to double-vaccinated people until December 1.

This reflects two important principles. The first is that church is not entertainment like the cinema or recreation like a gym, but something more essential. Church is more akin to the supermarket or the hospital in offering spiritual ‘food’ and spiritual ‘health’.

The other principle is that church, by nature, is a place from which people should not be turned away. It should be open to all.

Throughout the lockdown, I have publicly encouraged people to follow NSW Health advice about vaccination, and consult their medical advisors with any questions they may have about vaccination. As a Diocese we remain committed to ensuring that those who attend churches are kept safe in accordance with Government public health orders, and we have and will continue to comply with those orders. …”

Read it all on pages 14 and 15.

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