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.

Mark Earngey to join Faculty of Moore College

News from Moore College:

“We are delighted to announce that the Moore College Governing Board has accepted the Principal’s nomination of the Rev Mark Earngey to join the College faculty from 1 September this year. …”

– Read here at the MTC website.

Modern Slavery — Angela Michael video

Angela Michael from the Miracle School ministries in Pakistan visited Sydney and met Christian Democrat MP Paul Green who introduced the Modern Slavery Bill into the NSW Parliament.

Angela works with families trapped by debt servitude into working at brick kilns in Pakistan.

The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid helps support educating the children and freeing the families from debt.

Watch on Vimeo – from Anglican Media Sydney.

Moore College Graduation 2018

“Around 600 people gathered, as 105 graduates received their awards. Through interviews and videos, and the announcement of ministry destinations for each graduate, the depth and breadth of the work of the College was made clear to all. This year graduates left us to serve the gospel of Christ in England, New Zealand, Taiwan and New Caledonia, as well as rural Australia and across the city of Sydney.