C. E. B. Cranfield (1915-2015)
“The Reverend Professor Charles E. B. Cranfield, who has died six months short of what would have been his hundredth birthday, was one of the leading British New Testament scholars of the second half of the twentieth century.…”
– Tom Wright has written this tribute to C.E.B. Cranfield, who died last week.
Oak Hill & Acts 29 to partner in church planting training
“Acts 29, the global church planting network, and Oak Hill College have entered into a partnership to establish an academy to train people for ministry and church planting in Europe and the 10/40 window…”
– News from Oak Hill College in London.
‘Submission’ to my husband allows us both to flourish in our marriage
“Recent articles in this newspaper about evangelical churches’ “oppressive” doctrine of male headship reveal a complete failure to understand the Christian psyche…
Some see inconsistency between the Bible’s teaching of “Christian freedom” on the one hand, and female submission on the other.
However, it is precisely the Bible’s teaching on freedom which so transforms a person’s thinking once they become a Christian that they are ready to submit to others.”
– Sarah Colyer writes this helpful opinion-piece in The Sydney Morning Herald.
Newcastle Bishopscourt sale gets green light
“A resolution to sell the Newcastle Anglican Diocesan’s historic Bishopscourt was passed by an overwhelming majority of the Diocesan Council on Thursday…”
– story and photo from The Newcastle Herald.
The Bishop who walks with the cross
“The Right Reverend Stuart Robinson will visit a number of rural centres across south western New South Wales carrying a large wood cross as Anglicans get ready to celebrate Good Friday on 3 April 2015 …
‘I meet too many people who feel overwhelmed by their pain and powerless when confronted by the suffering of the world. The Good News is that the light has overcome the darkness and life can swallow up death because Jesus died and rose again.’
– Story from the Canberra & Goulburn diocese website.
Towns on the itinerary are Holbrook, Tumbarumba, Tumut, Gundagai, Wagga Wagga, Cooma including Berridale and Snowy Mountains, Queanbeyan and Goulburn.
Photo courtesy Alex Rea at The Braidwood Times.
‘People of the cross’ murdered by IS militants
Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement February 17th, 2015
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, says Australians should be shocked, repulsed and outraged by the slaughter of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians, murdered for their faith in Libya.
The men, originally from Egypt, had travelled to Libya to find work. Amid instability in the region, they were kidnapped by a group linked to IS, led to a beach and beheaded.
“The filming of this evil and barbaric act was another attempt by the so-called Islamic State to strike fear into the hearts of Christians and others throughout the region.” the Archbishop said.
“The victims were singled out as ‘people of the cross’ and died for their allegiance to Jesus as martyrs have done through the centuries.”
“We pray for the Coptic Church to stand firm as it suffers such persecution. To our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Church in Egypt and throughout the Middle East, our hearts and prayers are with you.”
“For those bent on evil and violence, we pray God would turn their hearts to seek
mercy at the feet of Jesus.”
Dr Davies supported calls from the Primate of the Middle East, Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis, for prayer that the international community would respond wisely to the attacks in the region.
The Archbishop also backed calls for diplomatic action by Australia and for special consideration to be given to the inclusion of Coptic Christians from North Africa in any humanitarian intake.
– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net
Prayers for Bishop Ian Palmer
From the Diocese of Bathurst:
“The Anglican Bishop of Bathurst, Ian Palmer, is in Orange Base Hospital undergoing tests after experiencing chest pains while at a meeting on Saturday morning.
He has been pain-free since Saturday afternoon and is in good spirits. …
Your continuing prayers for Bishop Ian and Liz will be greatly appreciated.”
And further from their Facebook page (h/t David Ould):
“We would ask for your prayers for our Bishop Ian Palmer. Bishop Ian is recovering in Orange Base Hospital after having a stent inserted following an angiogram on Monday…”
Tribute to Barbara Darling by Archbishop Glenn Davies
Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies has released this Public Statement, paying tribute to Bishop Barbara Darling –
“It was with great sadness that we heard the news of the death of Bishop Barbara Darling on Sunday 15th February, after suffering a stroke some eight days earlier.
Barbara Darling was a pioneer of extraordinary gifts and talents. Originally from Sydney, after some years spent as a teacher in NSW, Barbara moved to Melbourne and pursued theological studies at Ridley College under Dr Leon Morris. Her intellect and gracious disposition combined with both passion and giftedness for teaching were quickly recognised by Dr Morris, as she was offered a teaching contract at Ridley upon her graduation, and later became the first tenured female lecturer at Ridley College.
Barbara was a pioneer for women’s ordination, having been in the first cohort of women to be made deacon in Melbourne in 1986, and six years later among the first to be ordained priest, and then Barbara became the first woman to be consecrated bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne in 2008.
Yet Barbara never displayed a militant advocacy for the ordination of women. Her first joy was to serve her Saviour in whatever capacity he called to her to. A committed Evangelical, Barbara was able to maintain good relationships with those who held different views from her own. Winsome, godly and gracious it was always a joy to meet her and to hear of the work of God in her life and ministry. She will be sorely missed not only by the Diocese of Melbourne but by the national church as well.
‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints’ (Ps 116:15).
Archbishop Glenn Davies.”
Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.
Melbourne’s Bishop Barbara Darling dies
Very sad news in an e-mail from the office of the Archbishop of Melbourne:
“The Right Reverend Barbara Darling has died this morning at 11.20am in hospital after suffering a stroke on Saturday 7 February. Family and friends were with her when she died. …
Her sudden and untimely death has shocked and saddened all who knew her and enjoyed her loving pastoral support, friendship and encouragement, within the diocese of Melbourne, with her fellow Bishops, amongst the staff of the diocese and throughout Australian Anglicans.
We mourn her death and pray for her family and friends as they grieve her loss.”
We also hear that Bishop Darling’s funeral will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne, next Sunday 22 February at 5:00pm.
Related: Melbourne’s first Anglican female bishop dies – The Age.
Archbishop of Sydney’s response to ‘The Forgotten Children’
From the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement February 12th, 2015
The Forgotten Children, National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, says the situation of children in detention ‘should concern every Australian’ and he has supported calls for an overhaul of the current system.
Read more from SydneyAnglicans.net
Tonight: ACL Western Sydney Region Information Night
Come and hear Moore College Principal Dr. Mark Thompson speak on the vital role of the Anglican Church League in the life of the Diocese of Sydney.
7:30 – 9:00pm Thursday 26th February at Glenmore Park Anglican Church, 16 William Howell Drive, Glenmore Park.
There’ll be an opportunity to meet ACL Council members, ask questions, receive information and, if interested, sign up for membership of the Anglican Church League. A light supper will also be served.
Please be encouraged to download this PDF invitation. and pass it on to anyone who may be interested.
New Dean of Armidale announced
“Chris Brennan is to be the next Dean of St Peter’s Cathedral in Armidale.
In every sense of the word Chris’ appointment is a local one having grown up at Enmore and Yarrowyck, being educated in his high school years at The Armidale School (TAS) and only ever having left the north west to study at the University of Southern Queensland, where he obtained a science degree, and later at Moore Theological College in Sydney. …
Chris will be installed as Dean in a special service at St Peter’s Cathedral on 2 March.”
– Read the full announcement from the Diocese of Armidale. (Photo: Glen Innes Anglican.)
Lent 2015 Studies from John Harrower
Bishop of Tasmania John Harrower has written a series of studies for Lent 2015.
Called The God of Life, you can read the details here.
Archbishop of Brisbane ‘blesses statues’
“Three stunning hand-crafted sandstone statues were hoisted into the niches of St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane on Wednesday, January 28, 2015. … The statues cost about $45,000 each … The Most Reverend Dr Phillip Aspinall, Archbishop of Brisbane, blessed the statues before they were raised by crane.”
– from the Diocese of Brisbane.
The Bishop of Bathurst’s journey to Dubbo
“From Sunday February 1 to Saturday February 7, Bishop Ian and Liz Palmer will be making a Pilgrimage Walk from Bathurst to Dubbo.
Bishop Ian has said that the walk will serve several important purposes:
It highlights the decision for the Bishop of Bathurst to move out of Bishopscourt in Bathurst, and to take up residence in the Rectory at Holy Trinity Dubbo. Bishop Ian will also be commissioned as Rector of Dubbo on Saturday evening, February 7;
It symbolises Bishop Ian’s and Liz’ commitment to walk with the people of the diocese on the difficult journey ahead;
It provides an opportunity to walk and talk with people from the parishes along the way;
It gives opportunity to reflect on the changing nature of ministry and mission in the Diocese of Bathurst.
While he is not expecting anyone else to walk the 200-plus kilometres, he will welcome anyone wanting to walk part of the pilgrimage with him…”
– See the itinerary from the Diocese of Bathurst.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…