Moore College, open for business: Joys and challenges during COVID-19, with Principal Mark Thompson
“Principal of Moore College, Mark Thompson, talks about how the College is faring in this season of Covid-19 restrictions.
Mark shares some encouraging stories of Christian love and mission amongst students and staff, describes how we have adapted our face-to-face learning to a temporary ‘online’ mode, and asks us to pray for Moore in the coming months as we seek to train even more gospel workers for the harvest.”
– The latest from Lionel Windsor at Forget the Channel. Encouraging.
Southern Cross — April 2020 — now online
Southern Cross, the monthly magazine of the Diocese of Sydney, is available online in a digital version – while congregations are unable to meet.
From Archbishop Glenn Davies’s column:
“The sad reality is that the potential for infection could now be anywhere in Australia. The growth in community-to-community infection is of greatest concern as the origin of the virus is unknown, unlike those infected by contact with people coming from overseas. Therefore, more precautions are needed to combat COVID-19. More restrictions on our daily lives will become necessary if the viral spread is not contained.
What else can be done? Well, you might expect me to say that the missing piece is prayer – and it is. …”
– Read the whole column on pages 21 and 22.
Download Southern Cross from this link. (Depending on your device, the PDF file may end up in your Downloads folder.)
We’re all building the plane while flying it!
“Hundreds of Sydney Anglican congregations have held church services via livestream or videoconference for the second week in a row, on a special day of prayer for the effects of the coronavirus. …”
– Russell Powell has a taste of what’s happening in Anglican churches around Sydney.
St. Andrew’s Cathedral Service 29 March 2020
Here’s this morning’s service from St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.
Archbishop Glenn Davies’ video for the special Day of Prayer on Sunday March 29
Archbishop Glenn Davies speaks about praying through the Coronavirus pandemic and a special day of prayer on Sunday March 29th.
Download to play during your ‘virtual church’.
“Prayer is our best weapon against the forces of darkness, and this virus, as part of the fallen world, is exactly that. God’s in control, but this virus is doing a deadly work around the world.”
The Archbishop encourages us all to devote ourselves to prayer (Colossians 4:2) – and to be specific in our prayers. A very helpful video.
Tighter restrictions on home gatherings push fellowship online
“A number of new restrictions on gatherings mean that home groups are no longer possible according to government COVID-19 guidelines.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday night, that visits to homes, even with family, ‘should be kept to a minimum and with very small numbers of guests’. …”
– The latest from SydneyAnglicans.net.
(Photo: An almost deserted Sydney shopping mall yesterday.)
Archbishop Glenn Davies speaks about the COVID-19 crisis at The Pastor’s Heart
Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies joined Dominic Steele to answer questions on how we can lead our churches through the COVID-19 crisis – at The Pastor’s Heart.
33 minutes, well worth watching.
Archbishop Glenn Davies’ term extended to March 2021
“Archbishop Glenn Davies will continue to lead the Sydney Diocese until March next year, after his term was extended in the emergency circumstances of the Coronavirus.
Archbishops must retire at age 70. Dr Davies turns 70 in September and in order to allow a smooth transition had given notice that he would retire two months early, in July. This would have allowed an election Synod in August and the new Archbishop to chair the next Synod in October. The COVID-19 emergency means that the election synod will now not be held as scheduled.
The Standing Committee of the Diocese met on Monday night and voted unanimously to ask Dr Davies to withdraw his resignation to allow him to continue until March 2021.
Several Standing Committee members spoke strongly in favour of the move, saying it would allow stability of leadership through troubled times and help the Episcopal team remain at full strength to care for their regions.
Dr Davies absented himself during the debate and returned to applause as the decision was announced.
‘My wife and I have served Christ together in ministry for many years and are happy to continue to serve wherever we are needed,’ Dr Davies said. ‘I am humbled and grateful for the support of the Standing Committee. More than ever, I am thankful for the many people who uphold us in prayer.’ ”
– With thanks to Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Please continue to pray for Archbishop Davies and the members of his team as they preach Christ, and encourage churches to continue to be faithful in these trying times.
Churches challenged to continue care as they move online
“The first Sunday of Australian Christianity’s new normal has seen hundreds of Sydney Anglican Parishes go online, reminding members of the love of Jesus amid the pressures of COVID-19. …
‘I thank God for Sydney Anglicans who rose to the occasion today and met the challenges of not meeting in churches as they have done all their lives,’ said Archbishop Glenn Davies. …”
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Photo: Dean of Sydney Kanishka Raffel, during the Cathedral’s livestream.
Dr. Charlotte Hespe — What you must know about COVID-19
See this video, one from the Archbishop, and additional helpful information at the Sydney Diocese webpage on COVID-19.
Sydney Diocese launches COVID-19 webpage
The Diocese of Sydney has just launched a dedicated web-page for resources about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Initially, there’s this encouraging message from Archbishop Glenn Davies, and a very informative video from Dr. Charlotte Hespe.
There are Frequently Asked Questions and links to helpful resources.
Bookmark it and see what’s there.
Sydney Anglican public gatherings suspended because of COVID-19
“Archbishop Glenn Davies has issued a public statement on the future of church services because of the spread of COVID-19.
‘In light of the Prime Minister’s announcement this morning, banning enclosed gatherings in excess of 100 people, I have decided that the Anglican Church in Sydney should suspend all public church gatherings until further notice.’ the Archbishop said.
‘We are encouraging all our churches to consider providing their services online or by other communication methods. We shall make every effort to care for our church communities and the wider public, especially those who are isolated and vulnerable. Anglicare Sydney will continue its vital work of showing Christ’s love in ministering to all people, especially older Australians. Anglican Schools will also continue to play a significant role in caring for students and families.’ the official statement said.
‘I call on all Christians to pray for health workers and those seeking to develop a vaccine and to pray that the spread of this disease may slow. God’s love for all people has not diminished, nor his sovereignty over his world. Therefore, I urge all Christians to continue to trust in God’s goodness and mercy in this crisis, and to show Christ’s love to those affected.’”
Cathedrals lead historic prayer amid COVID-19 pandemic
“For the first time since the second world war, Anglican Cathedrals in Sydney, Parramatta and Wollongong will lead public prayer for their cities as the effects of the pandemic grow.
Because of the social-distancing measures in force, ministers at each of the Cathedrals will lead prayer, in the open, on the steps of their buildings. …
At St Andrew’s Cathedral in the city, the Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel said prayer was part of the life of the cathedral, but especially so now.
‘We pray regularly for the life and welfare of the City of Sydney at the Cathedral. …
Most of all we want to call people to remember Jesus’ invitation to turn to him, with all our weariness and burdens, to find the rest that only he can provide.’”
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Related:
Bishops lead prayers on church steps as visitors keep social distance – Sydney Morning Herald.
COVID-19: Thanksgiving Service for Bishop Ivan Lee cancelled
Archbishop Glenn Davies has written to Western Sydney churches with the sad news that the Thanksgiving Service planned for Bishop Ivan Lee on Saturday March 28 has had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus. He also asks all to continue to uphold Virginia and her family in prayer.
Related:
With thanksgiving for Bishop Ivan Lee – ACL President’s tribute.
“We have lost a great champion for the gospel” – SydneyAnglicans.net.
Sydney Diocese COVID-19 Update Tuesday 17 March
“Archbishop Glenn Davies has warned of the seriousness of the situation facing Sydney Diocese in coming months, saying further advice will be forthcoming from the Diocese’s COVID-19 Task Force. …
Bishop Gary Koo, the Bishop of Western Sydney who formerly practised as a doctor, is chairing the COVID-19 Task Force for the diocese.”
– from SydneyAnglicans.net.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…