Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s 2022 Christmas message
With thanks to Anglican Media Sydney. Download your copy here.
And read this report from SydneyAnglicans.net.
The oldest parish in the Diocese helps the youngest
“Marsden Park is the newest parish in the Diocese of Sydney. So when its senior minister, the Rev Mark Collins, got a series of messages from the oldest parish in Sydney, he wondered what they might mean. …”
– SydneyAnglicans.net has an encouraging story of gospel partnership.
Moore Matters Summer 2022 now online
The latest copy of Moore College’s Moore Matters (Summer 2022) is now available for download (a 35MB PDF file).
The Mothers’ Union & the ministry of lay women
At an event at Moore College last week, Jane Tooher shared something of the history of Mothers’ Union and its gospel service in 84 countries.
Great to learn about this quiet but important ministry which is growing today. Most encouraging,
Yarning the Bible in the bush
“There was no sandstone, either of cathedral or parish church, but ghost gums and a rainbow looking over the twilight ordination service for the Reverend Michael Duckett.
The unique service took place at the Indigenous Ministry centre at Wedderburn in South West Sydney, home of the Macarthur Indigenous Church. …”
– A really encouraging report from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
(See the report for a lovely photo of a heavenly reminder of God’s promises.)
Southern Cross November — December 2022 out now
The November – December 2022 issue of Southern Cross magazine will be arriving in parishes shortly. Be sure to get your copy!
If you can’t wait, you can download a copy (12MB PDF file) or read it online at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s column is on page 19.
Remembering Chappo with affection and thanksgiving
Ten years ago today, on 16 November 2012, John Chapman (‘Chappo’) was called home.
Not many are blessed with the gifts of evangelism and preaching that Chappo had – but all Christians are blessed to have the same saving message to share.
Here are a few reminders of Chappo, and we pray that they will serve to draw our hearts to Jesus:
Phillip Jensen interview with John Chapman – Part 1 and Part 2.
John Chapman: Encouragement for Evangelism – 7 minute cassette tape to encourage Christian students at Sydney University to believe and act on the gospel, prior to the SUEU Mission in June 1977. Right-click the link above to download, or listen below.
Phillip Jensen on Chappo, March 2013. – The Briefing, Matthias Media.
The preaching of John Chapman – Simon Manchester, The Briefing.
John Chapman – a personal reflection from Mark Thompson.
John Charles Chapman (Chappo) – by David Cook.
Chappo’s contribution to the Anglican Diocese of Armidale – Tim Stevens.
Dick Lucas gives thanks for Chappo.
1980 Photo: AFES.
With thanksgiving for Narelle Jarrett
We are saddened to hear Archdeacon Narelle Jarrett has been called home, but we rejoice that she is now with Christ.
In 2002, announcing her appointment as Archdeacon for Women’s Ministry, then Archbishop Dr. Peter Jensen said, “Narelle is extremely well qualified for this important position, having ministered faithfully over many years, in particular as Principal of Mary Andrews College since 1985 …”.
She continued as Principal of MAC until 2007 and was Archdeacon for Women until her retirement in 2012. In this latter role, she worked hard to enhance the opportunities for women’s ministry in Sydney, and invited colleagues Jane Tooher, Sarie King, Lesley Ramsay, Jackie Stoneman and Christine Jensen to work with her.
In more recent years, Narelle has served the church at South Coogee as Honorary Assistant Minister, and has been an Archdeacon Emeritus in the diocese since 2012.
Update:
Narelle’s funeral will be at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Friday 25th November at 11:00am – followed by a light morning tea for those who wish to stay.
Russell Powell has posted this tribute at SydneyAnglicans.net:
“Archdeacon Jarrett radiated godliness and grace,” Archbishop Kanishka Raffel said in his tribute. “With her firm and winsome stand for Biblical truth in all things, she made a significant contribution to the life of our churches and I thank God for her example in life and ministry.”
Her successor as Archdeacon for Women’s Ministry, Archdeacon Kara Hartley also paid tribute, saying “Narelle had a great passion and commitment to advancing the ministries of women in the diocese. A true servant of the gospel, as Principal of Mary Andrews College and Archdeacon for Women’s Ministry she exercised significant leadership in our diocese. I am deeply thankful to God for the impact Narelle had on me and many other women throughout our church.”
Be Inspired by Mr Eternity!
From St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney:
“Written in Chalk – the echo of Arthur Stace!
On the evenings of Friday 11th and Saturday 12th November, on our doorsteps, St Andrew’s Square is hosting outdoor screenings of a fascinating documentary on the inspirational impact of the Eternity Story on Sydney’s history and culture! The documentary starts at around sunset, 7:30pm, and runs for about 70 minutes.
It occurs at the 90th anniversary of Arthur Stace first writing ‘Eternity’ on Sydney’s streets (14 November 1932)!
All welcome for a unique experience. View the trailer here.”
Whatever line the film takes on the legacy of Arthur Stace, you can learn about the man and his story –
Making your life count for eternity.
The Eternity waterfall after 40 years – 12 July 2017.
Arthur Stace in his own words.
The Class of Chappo — A night to mark the 10th anniversary of Chappo’s departure to be with Christ
Tuesday 22 November 2022. 7:30pm
A night to mark the 10th anniversary of Chappo’s departure to be with Christ.
The evening will include:
- Philip Jensen on Evangelism in Tough Times
- Kanishka Raffel on Evangelism and the Local Church
- The launch of The Class of Chappo, edited and contributed to by David Mansfield, along with 27 other contributors.
- The launch of About Love, written and published by David Mansfield on the second half of John’s Gospel and a kind of sequel to About Life which David wrote more than 20 years ago.
- Baden Stace on his recently launched book, Sydney’s One Special Evangelist: John C. Chapman and the Shaping of Anglican Evangelicalism and Australian Religious Life, 1968-2001.
Details and booking from Moore College.
Illustration from a Department of Evangelism videocassette cover, 1986.
Reformation Sunday & Slogans
“Friends in Christ, this Sunday we celebrate Reformation Sunday (including Bach’s cantata 79, written for the occasion, as part of the 10:30am service).
The Reformation began as a series of protests (hence ‘Protestant’) against abuses of the mediaeval Roman Catholic Church, perhaps most notably the sale of indulgences. By the way, in this context, an indulgence is not something to do with giving into luxury, one too many chocolates or wines. Nor is it the collective noun for grandparents, as in an ‘indulgence of grandparents’!
The word had and still has a special meaning for Roman Catholics. That Church taught that God forgives believers the eternal punishment for our sins. But we must also purify ourselves from the ‘temporal punishment’ due to every sin, either in this life, or after death in Purgatory. Purification takes place through prayer, acts of charity, patiently bearing suffering, and so on – or via gaining an indulgence. …”
– At the Cathedral website, Dean of Sydney Sandy Grant explains why Reformation Sunday is worth celebrating.
The Plateau Problem and a deeper issue
“It’s a moment of honesty for Sydney Christians as we face up to an ‘elephant in the room.’ Despite rises in giving, clergy numbers and population the number of Christians in Sydney Anglican Churches is in plateau or decline. …”
Dominic Steele speaks with Dr Raj Gupta. Plenty to think about and to pray about.
– Watch or listen at The Pastor’s Heart.
Reconciliation and the Rugged Cross
“The Sydney leg of a whistlestop tour of Australia by the Archbishop of Canterbury began with a meeting with Indigenous leaders around a campfire in the centre of Glebe. …”
– Russell Powell at SydheyAnglicans.net has this report on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to Sydney this week.
Societas 2022 from Moore College now available
The 2022 edition of Societas, the Moore College students’ magazine, is now available, including in electronic format for download.
It’s a great way to learn about – and to be informed to pray for – the students and faculty of Moore College.
The past, present and future — Southern Cross October-November 2022
From Russell Powell at Anglican Media Sydney:
“Southern Cross should be in your churches by this weekend [or next], seeking to encourage Sydney Anglicans about the past, present, and future.
The past is the great impact of John Chapman, through a new book on his ministry and influence from Dr Baden Stace.
The present includes stories on what happened at Synod and the new Album by Sydney’s own City Alight, with great new music for our churches.
The future is the new ministry areas in the Greenfields (as well as the changing face of Brownfields).”
You can download your PDF copy now at magazine.sydneyanglicans.net.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…