Anglican Aid Update for Churches – May 2021

At last week’s Diocese of Sydney Synod, this short video from Anglican Aid was screened. It introduces their partnership with the people of Madagascar. and would be ideal to show in church or to small groups.

A downloadable version is available via the website where there’s also an update in the situation in India.

Moore College welcomes Kanishka & Cailey Raffel

“Moore College welcomes the election of the new Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel.

Kanishka is married to Cailey and they have two adult daughters, Hannah and Lucy.

He is a graduate of the College having studied here from 1992–1995. While exercising a powerfully effective ministry at St Matthew’s Wanniassa in Canberra (1996–99) and St Matthews’ Shenton Park in Perth (1999–2015), he completed a MA (Theol) from the College as well (2010). Since returning to Sydney as Dean of Sydney in 2016, Kanishka and Cailey have been frequent visitors to the College. …”

– A welcome from Moore College.

Sydney’s new Anglican Archbishop faces an enormous task

“Last week, Sydney’s Anglicans elected Kanishka Raffel to serve as Archbishop of Sydney.

Kanishka is currently serving as dean in Sydney’s St Andrew’s Cathedral. At a service there on May 28, he will be officially installed in the role, making him the spiritual leader of some half a million people who identify as Anglicans in Greater Sydney and Wollongong. …

Only about 60,000 people regularly attend Anglican churches in the Sydney diocese. … There is, however, a deep spiritual hunger in our community – a desire that has intensified during the pandemic.”

– Michael Jensen writes about the challenges facing the new Archbishop and Anglicans in Sydney – in The Sydney Morning Herald.

Image: Kanishka and Cailey Raffel were interviewed about their new roles during the Cathedral service this morning.

An historic moment at Synod — video

Watch this encouraging video of the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney welcoming Kanishka and Cailey Raffel just after Kanishka was elected as the next Archbishop of Sydney.

With thanks to Russell Powell and Anglican Media Sydney.

Getting to know the incoming Archbishop of Sydney

Many will know Kanishka Raffel, who was elected as Archbishop of Sydney at the special session of Sydney Synod this week.

If you don’t know Kanishka, here is some background provided by his nominators:

“Kanishka Raffel is currently the Dean of Sydney, serving at St Andrew’s Cathedral.

He has been married to Cailey for 32 years, and they have two adult daughters.

Born in London of Sri Lankan parents, he arrived in Australia as a 7-year-old. His father died soon after the family arrived in Australia and his mother and siblings moved back to Sri Lanka for a couple of years before returning to Australia when Kanishka was 9.

Raised a Buddhist, a friend gave Kanishka a copy of two Gospels when he was at University. At the age of 21, Kanishka was convicted by the inescapable words of Jesus in John’s Gospel: ‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day’ (John 6:44). This personal experience has not only meant that Kanishka is passionate about spreading the Good News but it also means that he happily rests on the unchanging truth that God brings people to himself through his Son.”

Here a selection of links (some of them thanks to the above website) to help you get to know Kanishka:

The Dean’s Story – interview with Rachael Kohn on ABC Radio National, February 2016. Audio file here.

Interview with Noel Debean on ABC Radio Religion and Ethics, March 2016.

A very surprised Christian – Kanishka’s journey from Buddhism to Christ, in his own word, May 2018.

Do not lose heart – Preaching Matters, St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, February 2015.

Good News from the Other Side — Dean of Sydney’s Easter Day sermon 2020.

Speaking about Love on Good Friday, March 2016.

Unexpected Beauty: The Enduring Comfort of Christian Fellowship, March 2021.

A selection of articles on The Gospel Coalition website

Guest appearance on The Drum, ABC TV, October 2019 – esp. see from 43:39.

‘Leading from the pulpit’, Village Church Annadale, 2018.

A sermon on John 6:49-69 (I am the bread of life) at MBM Rooty Hill, March 2019.

Please uphold in prayer Kanishka and Cailey with the many changes coming for them both, and pray that they will continue to delight in knowing and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

Photo: Courtesy Kanishka’s nominators.

“Like every Christian, I gladly trust in Jesus.” — Kanishka Raffel elected Archbishop of Sydney

“The Dean of Sydney, the Very Reverend Kanishka Raffel, has been elected as Archbishop of Sydney, the first person from a non-European background to hold the position.

He’s the 13th leader of the Anglican Church in Sydney since Bishop Broughton was first appointed in 1836.

‘I’m humbled and somewhat daunted by the responsibility given me by the Synod,’ Archbishop-elect Raffel said. ‘We believe that the Lord works through his people — both in making this decision and in enabling the Archbishop to fulfil his role. Like every Christian, I gladly trust in Jesus.’

Mr Raffel has been the Dean of Sydney for six years, previously leading a large Anglican church in Perth for 16 years. …”

– Read the full report from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net

Image via Anglican Media Sydney.

Election update: One name through

From SydneyAnglicans.net:

“At midday on Thursday May 6, the Diocesan Secretary announced the result of the second vote taken at the Archbishop Election Synod on Wednesday night.

Delegates met at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour and considered Dean Kanishka Raffel and Bishop Michael Stead, the two names left after the first round of voting.

Only one nominee proceeded to the final select list, Dean Kanishka Raffel. (see the announcement of voting here)

The Election Synod will vote tonight on whether to invite the Dean to be the next Archbishop of Sydney.”

– Source.

Also, the snap COVID restrictions in Sydney, beginning at 5:00pm, will mean that Synod members will need to wear masks indoors for the final session where the motion will be put that ‘That (A.B) be invited to be Archbishop of Sydney’ (where A.B. will be Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel).

Two names proceed to Select List in Archbishop’s election Synod

According to this Report to the President of the Synod, after last night’s vote in the special session of the Synod, two names have proceeded to the Select List. They are:

Dean of Sydney Kanishka Raffel and
Bishop of South Sydney Michael Stead.

Please uphold these men in prayer, as well as the Synod in its continued deliberations this evening.

Click the image above for all documents relating to the Synod.

Previously: Continued prayers urged for Nominees for Archbishop of Sydney.

Photo of the well-spaced Synod meeting courtesy SydneyAnglicnas.net.

And so it begins — Archbishop of Sydney Election Synod

“The four nominees for the election of the next Archbishop of Sydney sat quietly in the public gallery as the Election Synod got underway.

The first session, which was the only session open to the public, included a Bible study by the Reverend Simon Manchester and an address by the Synod President, Bishop Peter Lin. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net Russell Powell reports on the start of the Election Synod.

Your prayers for each of the men pictured above, and for the election process, would be greatly valued.

The future is face-to-face

“As a COVID-shortened Synod opened in Sydney and the delegates prepare to elect a new Archbishop, the Administrator, Bishop Peter Hayward has covered plenty of ground in his Presidential Address.

The one day Synod – postponed from October last year – got underway on Monday, May 3, at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour – a venue suitable for the more than 600 delegates to meet with COVID-safe practices.

Bishop Hayward, who is the Administrator until a new Archbishop is inaugurated, gave the traditional Synod report …”

– Read Russell Powell’s report on the one-day Sydney Synod, and please continue in prayer for the Election Synod beginning tomorrow.

Australian Church Record Journal for Autumn 2021

The latest Australian Church Record Journal (for Autumn 2021) has been posted on their website.

This issue focusses on topics relating to the election of the next Archbishop of Sydney.

(Note that the ACL does not have a preferred nominee but encourages continued prayer for the Election Synod and each of the Nominees.)

Common Prayer for Homes — a new resource

Repost: Originally posted 04 April 2020 – a reminder of this locally produced resource:

From the Better Gatherings website (an initiative of the Diocese of Sydney), here is a very helpful addition to use when you can’t meet in church.

“A new liturgical resource has been completed which provides flexible forms of household worship to serve the churches, by complementing the spiritual resources already being offered during this difficult period: Common Prayer for Homes: Resources for Family Worship.

We trust it will be of some assistance to the ministry already taking place in homes, and ultimately we hope that it provides some good benefit to the spiritual lives of Christ’s flock.”

“Common Prayer for Homes” contains:

  1. HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP – 1ST ORDER
    a classic approach to Christian worship, easily modified for any household
  2. HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP – 2ND ORDER
    another classic approach to Christian worship, with various options to suit many households
  3. HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP WITH KIDS
    a simple approach to Christian worship which is suitable and easily adaptable for young children
  4. MORNING PRAYERS FOR EVERY DAY
    an all-in-one guide to morning prayers for each day of the week, for group or individual use
  5. VARIOUS PRAYERS FOR THE HOME
    a short collection of prayers which can be prayed in our homes
  6. COLLECTS
    this traditional name is given to short and beautiful prayers which cover the whole year, and special occasions.

Download “Common Prayer for Homes” from Better Gatherings. – and do share widely.

Here is some encouragement from the back cover:

Read the Holy Scriptures humbly with a meek and lowly heart, to the intent that you may glorify God, and not yourself, with the knowledge of it. And read it not without daily praying to God, that he would direct your reading to good effect.

– Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556)

Therefore, confident in your holy teaching and promises, and all the more since we are gathered here in your presence and in the name of your Son our Lord Jesus; we fondly plead with you, our good God and Father, that in the name of our only Saviour and Mediator, by your infinite mercy, you would freely forgive our transgressions and so draw and lift our thoughts and desires to you, that from our whole heart we may seek you, and that according to your good pleasure and will, which alone is reasonable.

– John Calvin (1509-1564)

The Almighty Lord, which is a most strong tower to all that put their trust in him, to whom all things in heaven, in earth, and under earth, do bow and obey: be now and evermore your defence, and make you know and feel, that there is no other name under heaven given to man, in whom, and through whom, you may receive health and salvation, but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

– from the Book of Common Prayer (1549)

Related:

We ask Mark Earngey about ‘Common Prayer for Homes’

PM and Premier join in prayer for the Royal Family

“It was to have been a normal Sunday at St Andrew’s Cathedral, but then news broke, late on Friday night, of the death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The service was expanded, not as a memorial service, but as an opportunity to pray for the Royal Family and express sympathy, love and respect on the Duke’s passing…”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell reports on this morning’s service at the Cathedral.

Photo: Bianca De Marchi, NCA Newswire via SydneyAnglicans.net

Mourning Prince Philip (updated)

From SydneyAnglicans.net –

The Commonwealth is in mourning after the death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.

“The passing of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh is an immense sadness and our thoughts immediately turn to Her Majesty, the Queen and the Royal Family in their grief,” said Bishop Peter Hayward, the Administrator of Sydney Diocese, in a statement soon after the news was announced.

“A marriage of over 70 years standing and a life of service to the Commonwealth through war and peace, is a testament to Prince Philip’s loving care and strong sense of duty. We are praying for Her Majesty, the Queen and her family, that they may know the comfort of Christ at this difficult time. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Ps 91:1”

An official memorial service is not likely until funeral arrangements have been finalised in London. However, the Governor-General, the Prime Minster and the Premier will be attending St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney tomorrow morning, taking the opportunity to pray for Her Majesty, the Queen, and the Royal family.

Photo: The condolence book and portrait standing in the Cathedral.

The service will be livestreamed from the cathedral and will be led by the Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel and Bishop Hayward will preach.

Update:

The Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, has written these prayers which you may wish to use in church tomorrow. (PDF file via SydneyAnglicans.net)

Continued prayers urged for Nominees for Archbishop of Sydney

The election Synod to elect the next Archbishop of Sydney begins on Tuesday 4th May 2021. Read more

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