Jesus the dying saviour

“Jesus Christ understood the most deadly virus known to humanity is sin. He knew the sin virus was a killer. Like all viruses it takes up residence and eats away its host. For the virus to survive its host must die.

Thankfully in a war against such a virus you won’t find Jesus Christ rushing for the toilet paper. You won’t find Him in a toilet paper brawl in Bass Hill or in a Coles or Woolworths near you. But you will find him nailed to a cross, suffering on your behalf, offering a cure for the sin virus that has been destroying us from our beginnings. It’s the same sin virus that has people fighting over toilet paper instead of considering how we might care for one another in a time of crisis.

The Bible makes clear that the most dangerous place we can get in society is anarchy, where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. This is the heart of sin, to act like you are God when you are not. We will reap the carnage of this and the virus of sin will destroy us all. In that moment COVID19 will be irrelevant as the judgement of God has the final word. …”

– Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers continues his series of thought-provoking articles for the local newspaper, and also published on the diocesan website.

Sydney Anglican public gatherings suspended because of COVID-19

“Archbishop Glenn Davies has issued a public statement on the future of church services because of the spread of COVID-19.

‘In light of the Prime Minister’s announcement this morning, banning enclosed gatherings in excess of 100 people, I have decided that the Anglican Church in Sydney should suspend all public church gatherings until further notice.’ the Archbishop said.

‘We are encouraging all our churches to consider providing their services online or by other communication methods. We shall make every effort to care for our church communities and the wider public, especially those who are isolated and vulnerable. Anglicare Sydney will continue its vital work of showing Christ’s love in ministering to all people, especially older Australians. Anglican Schools will also continue to play a significant role in caring for students and families.’ the official statement said.

‘I call on all Christians to pray for health workers and those seeking to develop a vaccine and to pray that the spread of this disease may slow. God’s love for all people has not diminished, nor his sovereignty over his world. Therefore, I urge all Christians to continue to trust in God’s goodness and mercy in this crisis, and to show Christ’s love to those affected.’”

Via SydneyAnglicans.net.

Pastoral Letter on COVID 19 from the Bishop of Tasmania – 17th March 2020

Dr Richard Condie, Bishop of Tasmania, has written to all churches in his diocese –

“Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The Lord Jesus reigns! God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1) He is our shelter and our fortress. (Psalm 91:1-2)

These are realities that do not change in the midst of a changing and unstable world, even in the face of the global pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID19). None of this has taken God by surprise. He will watch over his people, and his salvation and goodness are sure.

The Anglican Church in Tasmania is committed to being a Church for Tasmania. We believe that the best way for us to be for the State in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic is for us to stop meeting in large groups, including our Sunday Services. The best practice in limiting the spread of disease, and to protect our health system, is to adhere to social distancing. This means limiting the number of people with whom you come into contact.

From today, there will be no Anglican Church gatherings over 10 people, other than funerals and weddings, but even these will be limited to immediate family members only.…”

– Read it all here. (Bold added.)

See also:

“The Anglican Church of Tasmania will “actively avoid” groups of more than 10 people meeting together and has called off church services for the foreseeable future. …”

– Report from The Examiner.

Cathedrals lead historic prayer amid COVID-19 pandemic

“For the first time since the second world war, Anglican Cathedrals in Sydney, Parramatta and Wollongong will lead public prayer for their cities as the effects of the pandemic grow.

Because of the social-distancing measures in force, ministers at each of the Cathedrals will lead prayer, in the open, on the steps of their buildings. …

At St Andrew’s Cathedral in the city, the Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel said prayer was part of the life of the cathedral, but especially so now.

‘We pray regularly for the life and welfare of the City of Sydney at the Cathedral. …

Most of all we want to call people to remember Jesus’ invitation to turn to him, with all our weariness and burdens, to find the rest that only he can provide.’”

– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Related:

Bishops lead prayers on church steps as visitors keep social distance – Sydney Morning Herald.

COVID-19: Thanksgiving Service for Bishop Ivan Lee cancelled

Archbishop Glenn Davies has written to Western Sydney churches with the sad news that the Thanksgiving Service planned for Bishop Ivan Lee on Saturday March 28 has had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus. He also asks all to continue to uphold Virginia and her family in prayer.

Related:

With thanksgiving for Bishop Ivan Lee – ACL President’s tribute.

“We have lost a great champion for the gospel” – SydneyAnglicans.net.

Sydney Diocese COVID-19 Update Tuesday 17 March

“Archbishop Glenn Davies has warned of the seriousness of the situation facing Sydney Diocese in coming months, saying further advice will be forthcoming from the Diocese’s COVID-19 Task Force. …

Bishop Gary Koo, the Bishop of Western Sydney who formerly practised as a doctor, is chairing the COVID-19 Task Force for the diocese.”

– from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Nexus Conference 2020 postponed

Here’s an e-mail from the organisers of the Nexus Conference:

Dear Nexus friends

It will perhaps not come as a surprise to you that we have decided to postpone next Monday’s Nexus Conference (set down for March 23).

Our committee has been talking and praying about the issue over the past week, and keeping a close eye on the developing situation. In view of the government’s latest advice and requirements about non-essential gatherings, we feel that postponing the conference is the best way forward in the circumstances.

We have tentatively rescheduled the 2020 Nexus conference for Monday, September 14 or 21. We are still working to finalise the exact date, timing and venue, and will be back in touch very soon with those details.

For those who have already registered for Nexus20, there are two options available:

We are disappointed of course not to be able to proceed with Nexus next Monday, as I’m sure you are. But we are only engaged in gospel ministry (including running conferences like this) because we believe in the infinite goodness and power of God, and in his unstoppable purposes in Jesus Christ. We know he will work for the good of those who love him in all things, including the current chaotic circumstances.

With warmest regards in Christ

The Nexus Committee

(Tony Payne, Adrian Russell, Sarah Vigar, Dominic Steele, Carl Matthei, Chris Braga)

Men Meeting the Challenge Conference postponed

Richard Bolton, Convenor of the Men Meeting the Challenge Conference, has announced the postponement of this year’s conference –

“As you will be aware the Prime Minister and the Chief Medical Officer have made announcements regarding responses to the COVID19 pandemic. 

In response, the Men Meeting the Challenge conference committee has met this afternoon, and following prayerful consideration, and out of loving Christian concern for our community, we have made the difficult decision to not proceed with the Men Meeting the Challenge Conference as scheduled for 28 March 2020.

We wanted to get this information to you as soon as possible. We will make a further announcement next week about rescheduling and refund requests for pre purchased tickets.”

In the meantime, talks from previous years are available on their website.

Australian Primate’s Election Deadlocked — report

David Ould reports that the electors for the new Australian Primate were unable to reach a consensus.

“The electoral panel adjourned and agreed to meet again before 30 June 2020.”

Coronavirus Update on large gatherings — Archbishop Glenn Davies

Statement from Archbishop Davies regarding the Prime Minister’s announcement on Coronavirus:

“We accept the Commonwealth Government’s health advice that gatherings above 500 people should be restricted from next week.

We are in contact with the NSW Health Department and will pass on their advice to ministers of churches where decisions will be made locally.

We expect smaller gatherings to go ahead with the safeguards already advised, including precautions relating to personal contact, holy communion and food service.

I call on Christians to continue to trust in God’s goodness and mercy, to pray that the global spread of this disease may slow, and to show Christ’s love to those affected.

13 March, 2020.”

– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.

Australian Bishops in ‘Tense’ Meeting as Signs of Division Grow

“The Australian House of Bishops have been gathered over the past few days for their annual meeting. Their time together climaxes with the election of a new Primate tomorrow (where they will be joined by 24 lay and clergy electors).

davidould.net has been in contact with a number of those present and, while we cannot provide any direct quotes, it is now quite clear that there is a real division within the House of Bishops over the question of sexual ethics and, particularly, whether same-sex marriage ought to be blessed in one way or another. …”

– David Ould shares his understanding of what’s happening as the Australian Bishops meet. Good to pray about this.

(Graphic adapted from the Anglican Church of Australia website.)

An invitation to hear about ministry opportunities in Tasmania

“Come and sample some of the tastes of Tasmania and hear about what God is doing in the Diocese of Tasmania.

The Bishop of Tasmania, Richard Condie, will be sharing some of the highlights and challenges of ministry on the Apple Isle, and talking about ministry opportunities for youth and children’s ministry, church planters, assistant ministers and rectors.

If you’re interested in Tassie, or wondering if God might be calling you to ‘come over and help us’, or just want to sample some Tassie produce, then come along and join us.”

– Bishop Condie will be in Melbourne and Sydney in mid-April.

Thanksgiving Service for Bishop Ivan Lee planned for Saturday 28th March

It’s been announced that a Thanksgiving Service for Bishop Ivan Lee will be held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney on Saturday 28th March 2020 at 10:00am, followed by refreshments.

Bishop Lee was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday evening.

(2015 photo courtesy Anglican Media Sydney.)

Coronavirus precautions for churches updated

“Archbishop Glenn Davies has issued new recommendations for the Diocese of Sydney on procedures for ministry in the light of the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The advice updates the initial circular to churches in late January. It covers Holy Communion, Children’s ministry and food service, as well as general advice for personal interactions at church. …”

– The latest from SydneyAnglicans.net.

With thanksgiving for Bishop Ivan Lee. ACL President’s tribute

The Anglican Church League notes with sadness the passing of Bishop Ivan Lee last night and will continue to uphold Virginia and the family in prayer for the consolation that can only come from our great shepherd Jesus in this difficult time.

Ivan was elected an Emeritus Vice President of the ACL due to his longstanding commitment to gospel work and the Evangelical cause within the Diocese of Sydney. His passion for reaching out to the lost, including his willingness to try new means of connecting with those outside the churches, was evident in every conversation with him.

Personally, having served on a number of committees with Ivan, I can testify that he could always be relied on to bring a considered and unique perspective to any issue, a perspective that caused us to reflect upon whether we had understood the challenges correctly and whether there were other more creative options open to us to progress the task at hand.

Ivan’s commitment to ‘be at work in his Master’s field’ during the difficult times of his illness was a great encouragement to those who worked with him, and was a reflection of his passion for the gospel and indeed the network of the Diocese of Sydney as a key and effective means of reaching the lost for Christ.

He will be greatly missed – but he is with our Lord, which is better by far.

Andrew Bruce
President of the Anglican Church League.

(Photo: Bishop Ivan Lee at Sydney Synod, October 2019. Courtesy Anglican Media Sydney.)

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