Tasmanian Anglicans to sell more than 120 properties for redress scheme

“Tasmania’s Anglican Church will sell more than 120 of its properties to contribute to the national redress scheme for survivors of child sex abuse, prompting Tasmanian survivors to hail the plan as ’groundbreaking’.

The proposed figure equates to nearly half of all the Diocese’s property in the state. …”

– Story from The Examiner.

See also: Anglican Church in Tasmania sacrifices to fund Redress – Diocese of Tasmania.

Armidale Diocese: Plans to grow Northern Inland services for people in need

“From 1 July 2018 the operations of Anglicare Northern Inland (ANI) in the Armidale Diocese will amalgamate with those of Anglicare in the Sydney Diocese. …”

– News from the Diocese of Armidale.

Also at the Anglicare website.

Statement on Israel Folau — Archbishop Glenn Davies — 9 April 2018

Here is a Media Statement from Archbishop Glenn Davies –

“The way Israel Folau is treated will be a test of Australian Rugby’s ‘inclusion’ policy.

Israel Folau should be free to hold and express traditional, Biblical views on marriage and sexuality without being penalized – just as other players have spoken out with their differing views.

Rugby Australia has said ‘rugby is a game for all, regardless of sexuality, race, religion or gender’ and it would be hypocritical for administrators to censure a player for expressing views which spring from his own faith and conscience.

Dr Glenn Davies
Archbishop of Sydney
9 April 2018.”

– Background, from MailOnline:

”Israel Folau defiant ahead of D-day meeting with Rugby bosses”

“Wallabies star Israel Folau has received the support of some of Australia’s top religious figures for his outspoken views on homosexuality.

Folau, a devout Christian, has been under fire for social media comments saying gay people would go to ‘hell unless they repent of their sins and turn to God’.

The comments have left Rugby Australia in a tough situation as major sponsors prepare to walk away if he continues to post in such a matter.

But the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, told The Australian it was a matter of free speech, and Folau should be allowed to have an individual view…”

New Dean of Grafton: the Cross “is not about my sins or your sins”

“The freshly-installed Dean of Grafton Cathedral, Gregory Jenks, has published his Good Friday sermon where he teaches ‘[The Crucifixion of Jesus] is not about my sins or your sins.’

The full text of the sermon is available on Jenks’ website.”

– Spotted by David Ould. And you can watch the video of Dean Jenks’ remarks.

In thinking about this, these resources are well worth reading:

Pierced for Our Transgressions: Rediscovering the Glory of Penal Substitution – A magisterial book by Steve Jeffrey, Mike Ovey and Andrew Sach.

What is the gospel? – article by Mark D Thompson.

When to make a stand (PDF file) – article by Mark D Thompson.

And from The Book of Common Prayer, 1662, “The Order for the Administration of The Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion”  –

“Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death, until his coming again …” Emphasis added.

(Photo: gregoryjenks.com.)

St Mark’s Picton restoration almost complete

“The historic St Mark’s Anglican Church, in Picton, will open its doors to the public for an open day on Thursday, April 12.

Almost two years on from the floods which caused extensive damage to the church building and cemetery, repairs have restored the church to its former glory. …”

– Daily Telegraph story. (Photo: St. Mark’s Picton.)

God’s Strategy for Evangelism

“Whether it’s war, sport or business, everyone needs a good strategy. Strategy is the ‘how’ question. You might have a vision – what you want to see happen. You might have a mission – what you are going to do. But do you have the strategy – how are you going to do it?

What is our strategy for evangelism? As Christians, we have our vision: the nations before the throne praising the Son (Rev 7:9-10). And we have our mission: to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19). But what is our strategy? How are we going to do this?”

– Encouragement from Tom Habib at The Australian Church Record.

Canberra & Goulburn Episcopal Election Nominations Committee

“Workshops across the Diocese are being organised to help prepare a Diocesan Profile. Synod members, as part of this process, are encouraged to reflect on the qualities and experience needed for a new Diocesan Bishop. The profile will help members to decide between likely nominees, and it will ensure that suitable information on the Diocese is provided to them. …”

– Chair of the Canberra & Goulburn Episcopal Election Nominations Committee, Archdeacon David Ruthven, shares what the committee is doing – and encourages prayer for God’s guidance.

There’s more about the election process and the regional consultation workshops here (PDF file):

“At the one-day Synod held on 3/3/18 the Episcopal Election Nominations Committee (EENC) was elected. This committee will do a lot of the preparation work for the electoral Synod but it will be the Synod itself who will vote on who should be the new Bishop.”

FCANZ response to Motion 29 Working Group Final Report

“This is the formal response to the Motion 29 Working Group Final Report and Recommendations. The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand (FCANZ) is thankful for the opportunities the Working Group has provided the Province to offer feedback, and to some extent shape the final recommendations included within the report. …

The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans has engaged fully and in good faith throughout the Motion 29 Working Group process. But, we repeat, if General Synod adopts recommendations allowing authorized services which contradict our existing doctrine and practice, many Anglicans will have been abandoned by their denomination and will have no alternative but to seek other ways of remaining authentically Anglican. …”

– The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand has released their response (PDF file) to Motion 29 Working Group Final Report.

Cricket scandal a lesson in forgiveness — Archbishop Glenn Davies

On Easter Sunday morning at the Cathedral, Archbishop Glenn Davies spoke of forgiveness in the context of the Cricket scandal.

Nine News had this report. Reuters had another.

Food, perhaps, for conversation at work today?

Stuart Robinson farewelled from Canberra & Goulburn

“It was a time of reminiscence for Bishop Stuart Robinson and his wife Jane at their final Easter service in St Saviour’s Cathedral on Saturday morning. …”

– Story from The Goulburn Post.

(Stuart will be inducted as Rector of St Michael’s, Vaucluse and Rose Bay, on May 5th.)

Katoomba Christian Convention planning major redevelopment

“In one of the largest developments ever seen in the Mountains, Katoomba Christian Convention has plans for a $64 million rebuild on its premises at Cliff Drive.

Plans for the major redevelopment are now on public display with council.

They call for the demolition of several existing buildings and building of a new auditorium for public worship, a 500-seat dining hall, six eco-lodges and three eco-chalets to accommodate 390 people, a new reception building, bookshop and cafe. …

The DA is on public exhibition until April 11. It will then go to the Sydney Western City Planning Panel, rather than council, because of the size of the development.”

– See the full story from The Blue Mountains Gazette.

Related: Development application – Blue Mountains City Council.

Image: The Blue Mountains Gazette. Link via SydneyAnglicans.net.

Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies’ Easter message 2018

“The leader of Australia’s largest Anglican Diocese, the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has urged Christians to be talk about their faith, especially at Easter. …”

A most encouraging message. Read about it here – and you could download it from Vimeo to use in church.

Moore College Graduation 2018 — Occasional Address

Dr Peter Jensen gave the Occasional Address at last week’s Moore College 2018 Graduation.

He particularly spoke to the parents of the graduates, to explain why their children had been “studying God”.

“You will be changed by the study of God. … We are getting to know God. We are relating to him, on his own terms. … And this is not something to be undertaken lightly.”

Watch it here on Vimeo.

See also the Graduand interviews – with Talar and Mike.

Most encouraging, and good to share.

Update on Tathra bushfire disaster from Bp Stuart Robinson – updated

As he prepares to conclude his time as Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, Stuart Robinson has posted the latest on the Tathra bushfire disaster –

“Archdeacon Carol believes around 100 homes are now being listed as having being destroyed. This means many hundreds of people are homeless. …”

Update:

The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has opened an emergency appeal to respond to the fires in the Southern New South Wales beach town of Tathra. – Details.

Every member at Nexus

“It’s described as ‘the most significant conference for Sydney Anglican clergy’ and it’s happening again this month.

The Nexus Conference began in 2009 and has grown over the years, with over 350 people expected to attend and more live streaming around the country…”

– SydneyAnglicans.net on Nexus, coming up next Monday at Annandale.

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