28 new Deacons ordained in Sydney
“There were too many smiles to count as the ordinands of 2019 filed into a packed St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney to be made deacons by the Archbishop of Sydney. …”
– Russell Powell has the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Ordinands 2019
Over at SydneyAnglicans.net, there’s a list of those to be ordained at deacons tomorrow, Saturday 16th February, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.
It’d be good to pray for them and their families!
Anglican Aid Prayer Diary 2019
Sydney parishes will have received copies of The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid Prayer Diary for 2019.
If you find it more convenient to download as a PDF file to your device, for use on the go, you can get a copy here – or read it online.
If you use the free PrayerMate app, you can subscribe to the Anglican Aid feed.
“New $7.3 million Glebe residence planned for Archbishop Glenn Davies”
“For more than a century Sydney’s Anglican archbishops resided in the 1841-built sandstone mansion Bishopscourt, but the church’s official Sydney residence may take on a far more contemporary look in the future, according to DA plans before Sydney City Council. …”
– Story from Domain (however, at Sydney Synod, it was explained that Archbishop Davies is expected to have retired by the time the planned residence is built).
Anglicans honoured on Australia Day 2019
Christian businessman and philanthropist Tim Sims and Anglicare Board member Ian Steward are among those on the Australia Day Honours List for 2019.
Looking for a Saviour — Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Christmas message 2018
Here is Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Christmas message for 2018.
Short, to the point, and ideal to show in church or embed on your church website.
See also the story and text from SydneyAnglicans.net.
“The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has paid tribute to lifesavers and bushfire fighters while marking celebrations for the birth of Jesus, the saviour.
Archbishop Davies annual Christmas message was released as preparations were being made for Christmas services to be attended by thousands of people across Sydney, the Illawarra and beyond.…”
Update on Bishop Lee — 20 December 2018
“The Bishop of Western Sydney, Bishop Ivan Lee has now been diagnosed with cancer in his liver.
Bishop Lee wrote an update on his health, thanking people for prayer support. …”
– SydneyAnglicans.net has published the latest update from Bishop Ivan Lee, Bishop of Western Sydney, and also a Vice-President of the Anglican Church League. Please do continue to uphold in prayer Ivan and Virginia and their family.
Archbishop Glenn Davies’ response to the release of the Ruddock Report
Anglican Diocese of Sydney Media Statement
13 December 2018
We are grateful the Ruddock report has finally been released and view it as the start of an urgent process to frame appropriate legislation for religious freedom. This should be a bipartisan issue since it involves the harmony of our entire community, not just the more than 60 percent of Australians who identify with religious faith.
Dr Glenn Davies
Archbishop of Sydney.
Source: SydneyAnglicans.net.
Failure for Newcastle Diocese challenge of Sydney Affiliated Churches Ordinance
“The Appellate Tribunal of the Anglican Church of Australia has today issued an opinion on a series of questions put to it by the Diocese of Newcastle about the Diocese of Sydney‘s Affiliated Churches Ordinance.
The Ordinance allows for non-Anglican churches to affiliate with the Diocese of Sydney and so obtain a number of administrative and other benefits while not being recognised as Anglican. …”
– David Ould has the details and links.
150 Years of Cathedral ministry
“November 30 marks 150 years since Sydney’s Cathedral was consecrated by Bishop Barker.
St Andrew’s Day in 1868 was an occasion of celebration and dedication – not just because a building had been constructed, but that a centre for gospel ministry could prosper in the heart of the city.
The prayer was that God would call people to himself as Christ was proclaimed by those ministering at the Cathedral. …”
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net, and a good reminder to give thanks and to pray the current ministry of the leadership and congregation of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.
162nd Academic Year Concludes at Moore
“Today was ‘Final Friday’ at Moore. Held to mark the end of the academic year, there was a community chapel followed by lunch for all, where many families from the College were present along with all faculty, staff and students.
The end of year sermon was given by our Principal, Dr Mark Thompson, on 2 Timothy 4. …”
Sydney Anglican Schools – Media Statement
Anglican Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement
The Archbishop of Sydney has apologised to anyone distressed by a letter to Federal MPs about religious freedom, saying the issue has led to hurt and pain.
Here is the statement from Archbishop Davies:
The letter was addressed to Federal MPs and the intent was to promote religious freedom for Anglican schools but I realise that it had the unfortunate consequence of affecting many gay students and teachers in our schools, for which I am deeply sorry.
I have been told by the Heads of our schools of the distress the letter has caused. There were fears that gay students were going to be expelled or gay teachers sacked. This really saddens me. Our schools do not expel students or dismiss staff on the basis of their sexuality, nor have they ever wanted this right. All people are created in God’s image and valued in his sight, and in the sight of our schools. Our schools are open to everyone, without discrimination, for parents who desire an education for their children in the Anglican tradition.
The Heads, councils and staff of our schools are committed to the welfare of students and have been tireless in addressing the concerns expressed by their school communities. I commend them for the statements they have made and their caring responses.
This past week has demonstrated it is untenable that religious freedoms be expressed as exemptions in discrimination acts. Some exemptions, such as those relating to sexuality, we do not use and have no wish to preserve. But the mere fact these remain on the statute books has alarmed people. Therefore, I have approached the government and the opposition for an immediate bipartisan approach which would remove these exemptions and create legislation which provides a positive protection for freedom of religion.
Dr Glenn N Davies, Archbishop of Sydney, 8 November 2018.
Source: SydneyAnglicans.net
Real freedoms will end the broken chain of exemptions
“Bad legislation is made in a rush. But when it comes to religious freedom we already have bad legislation and there seems to be no urgency to fix it properly – just a rush to create more. …
Let’s be very clear, before you read any further. Anglican schools in Sydney do not expel students for being gay and do not sack teachers for being gay. It is an absurd proposition and it strikes at the very heart of our faith, that all people are created in God’s image and valued in his sight and in our schools.”
– SydneyAnglicans.net has published the full text of Archbishop Glenn Davies’ open letter in The Australian of 6th November 2018.
Do take the time to read it – and share it widely.
Schools’ letter misinterpreted as homophobic, Anglican Archbishop says
“The Archbishop of Sydney says Anglican schools did not ask for and do not want exemptions from the Sex Discrimination Act but are seeking ‘a positive right to religious freedom’.
Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies said that a letter to federal MPs asking for exemptions for religious schools under the Sex Discrimination Act to be maintained until alternative forms of legal protection are brought in has been misinterpreted as being homophobic. …”
– Story from The Sydney Morning Herald.
See also:
Real freedoms will end chaos – Archbishop Davies opinion piece in The Australian. (Subscription)
“Bad legislation is made in a rush. But when it comes to religious freedom we already have bad legislation and there seems to be no urgency to fix it properly — just a rush to create more. …”
Faith school freedoms ‘broken’ – The Australian. (Subscription)
“The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney has warned that existing legal protections for faith-based schools are ‘broken’ and urged the government to fundamentally reframe them in its response to the Ruddock review into religious freedoms. …”
And the Letter from the Heads of Schools. (PDF file)
Fellowship with New Zealand Appeal
From The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid:
“In May this year the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia decided to allow diocesan bishops to authorise the blessing of same-sex marriages and civil unions.
Following the decision of the General Synod a number of clergy and their congregations decided to leave the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, while still wishing to remain Anglicans. They felt that they could no longer stay in a Church, which had abandoned the teaching of Jesus and compromised the fundamental principles of their faith.
At the end of September, there were nine clergy and four congregations, representing approximately 1000 members who have or are planning to disaffiliate from the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, in addition to a parish in West Hamilton, which has already disaffiliated in anticipation of these developments. In taking this step, church leaders have forgone their income and possibly church property.
The Archbishop is encouraging Sydney Anglicans [watch video of his Presidential Address, 15 October 2018] to support these faithful brothers and sisters who wish to remain part of the Anglican family as they seek to establish an extra-provincial diocese. Gafcon Australia, with the support of Synod, has launched an appeal through Anglican Aid to assist them as they set up this new structure. Funds will be disbursed through the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand.”
– Read the details, and donate, at Anglican Aid. (Links added above.)
For some background to what’s been happening in New Zealand: Related posts.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…