Bishop Mark Calder’s Christmas message 2019
Bishop of the Diocese of Bathurst, Mark Calder, has released his Christmas message for 2019 –
“Christmas – that time when God turned up on earth as one of us.
That is what Christmas is about and it’s worth celebrating!
It’s the sure sign that God cares enough about us to turn up, loves so much that he would come and live among us in humility; that he died and rose again so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life if we put him back in control of our lives.
So despite living in a drought ravaged land, a land deeply impacted this year by bushfires, we have in Jesus a sure sign that God loves us, cares for us, is with us, is alongside of us, wants to know us, wants to be in relationship with us and promises us a glorious future.
Friends, have a happy Christmas!”
You can also watch Bishop Calder’s Christmas sermon, on Luke 2:1-4.
It’s all a good reminder to pray for the people of the Diocese of Bathurst, which covers the region bordered by Oberon, Cowra and West Wyalong in the south; Cobar and Bourke in the west; across the north-west to Coonamble and Coonabarabran; and Coolah, Mudgee and Rylstone in the east.
Gary Koo consecrated as Bishop of Western Sydney
“A warm smile and a ready handshake was everywhere as the new Bishop of Western Sydney was consecrated at St John’s Cathedral in Parramatta on Friday night, 20th December.
The Reverend Gary Siew Leong Koo was one of their own and many western Sydney clergy and congregation members came out to see him consecrated at the regional Cathedral. …”
– Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net has the story and some photos.
Bishop of Bathurst’s Christmas Sermon 2019
Newly installed Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, is sharing his sermons from Bathurst Cathedral by video as an encouragement to people across his far-flung diocese.
Here’s his Christmas sermon, on Luke 2:1-4.
Jesus is God with us
Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies has released his Christmas Message for 2019 – in both text and video formats.
It would be ideal to play at services on Christmas Day – and to feature it on your church website.
North West Network – Nov 2019
The latest North West Network is full of encouraging stories and fuel for prayer.
Download it as a 3.1MB PDF file.
Diocese of Sydney Response to Second Exposure Draft of the Religious Discrimination Bill
Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement
The Release of the Second Exposure Draft of the Religious Discrimination Bill
We appreciate the thorough way in which the government has approached this issue and takes seriously the deeply-held views of people of faith.
In particular, I am encouraged by a number of changes in the second exposure draft. The respect given to faith charities is an important model for the future harmony of Australian society.
Personal faith and the activities of religious communities touch so many areas of our lives. As the Prime Minister has pointed out, we have laws preventing discrimination on race, sex, age or disabilities and faith should likewise be protected.
We look forward to providing further feedback on the updated Bill.
Glenn N Davies,
Archbishop of Sydney
10 December 2019.
Source: SydneyAnglicans.net
We shall see His face – Advent sermon from Bathurst
The new Bishop of Bathurst, Mark Calder, is publishing the audio of his weekly sermons on the diocesan website.
His topic for Advent Sunday was “We Shall See His Face”. Audio here.
2019 Christmas message from the Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn
Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, Mark Short, has released his Christmas message.
The massive impact Moore College is having worldwide
“Moore College’s Preliminary Theological Certificate is used to train people for ministry across the world, and the Diocese’s new Bishop for International Relations, Malcolm Richards, gave Synod members a snapshot of some of the impact it is having across the globe. …”
– Here’s cause for great thanksgiving – and prayer – from SydneyAnglicans.net.
New Anglican Diocese of Bathurst Bishop Mark Calder’s hope for region
“Just over eight months after Ian Palmer’s retirement, the Right Reverend Mark Calder was recently appointed as the new bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst and he has a big hope for the region.
Rev Calder was installed as bishop on Saturday, November 23, at the All Saints Cathedral… And just a week into his new rule, he’s made his number one goal as new bishop clear for all. …”
– Story from The Western Advocate.
Photo: Mark and Susan Calder with Archbishop Glenn Davies at the Installation service at Bathurst Cathedral, 23 November 2019. From The Diocese of Bathurst.
When the smoke clears
“A journey to Port Macquarie for a funeral, a trip to Mt Tamborine to speak at a convention and a return to Armidale, these trips have more than filled my lungs with smoke. …”
– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers writes to his local community about the fires and the drought.
Archbishop Philip Freier to conclude as Primate on 31 March 2020
“The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop Philip Freier of Melbourne, has announced that he will not seek reelection as Primate. He will stand down on 31 March 2020 in order to allow sufficient time for an election and for his successor to prepare for the pivotal General Synod in June.”
– David Ould has the news.
Sermon at the installation of Mark Calder as Bishop of Bathurst
Bishop Mark Calder was installed at Bathurst Cathedral today.
Hear the sermon he preached, from Luke 18:9-14. This is a pre-recorded version. Watch and share.
Evangelical Anglicans on the Fault Line in New Zealand
“I have been privileged to visit New Zealand twice this year. On my first visit in May I had time to explore a little of this beautiful land from alpine mountains to the lush forests bordering restless volcanic lakes, but I am still haunted by the sight of the ruined Christchurch Cathedral, its west end still open to the elements after the spire collapsed in the 2011 earthquake.
My second visit in mid-October was for the consecration of the Revd Jay Behan as the first bishop of the new Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa, New Zealand …”
– GAFCON’s Charles Raven reflects on what’s happening in New Zealand.
Attending to the National Soul: Book launch Thursday 12 December
Here’s an invitation to all ACL members and others interested in Australian history:
Attending to the National Soul – Evangelical Christians in Australian History 1914 – 2014 by Stuart Piggin and Robert D. Linder follows the highly awarded book The Fountain of Public Prosperity – Evangelical Christians in Australian History 1740–1914, which was published in 2018.
Both volumes are the result of thirty years’ research and writing. Read more
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…