Death and the Life Hereafter in focus

“What happens after death? Will I get a spot in heaven? Is hell for real?

We’ve all asked ourselves such ultimate questions and the Annual Moore College Lectures will dare to provide answers.

Held between August 19 and 26, ‘Death and the Life Hereafter’ will be an engaging lecture series which investigates some of the most important aspects of our existence…”

– Dr Paul Williamson is giving this year’s Annual Moore College Lectures.

Keith and Sarah Condie to spearhead new mental health and pastoral care initiative

“Dr Keith Condie, Dean of Students, and his wife, Sarah, have been appointed Directors of the Mental Health and Pastoral Care Institute with Anglican Deaconess Ministries…”

– News from Moore College.

Sydney Synod votes to merge Anglicare and Anglican Retirement Villages

“The Synod of the Diocese of Sydney has voted to merge Anglicare and Anglican Retirement Villages (ARV) to better meet the need for their services in the future.

Anglicare is celebrating its 160th anniversary, having been established as the The Sydney Church Society in 1856 by Bishop Barker. ARV was founded by Archbishop and Mrs Mowll in 1959 and has grown to be a significant force in aged care services.

But Archbishop Glenn Davies told a special synod called to consider a merger that the landscape of aged care in Australia has dramatically changed…”

– Full story from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Here’s a media release from Anglicare: ARV and Anglicare Sydney merge to further expand services in the community.

Moore College Open Events coming up in May

Here’s a good opportunity to learn about Moore College – especially if you are contemplating being better equipped for mission and ministry –

Open Night – Monday 2 May 7:15pm – 9:00pm.

Open Week – Monday 2 May – Friday 6 May.

Sydney appeal opens for Lahore bomb victims

“The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has opened an appeal for the victims of the Easter Sunday attack on Christians in Pakistan…”

– Details of how you can help at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Christopher Ash at the Moore College Graduation 2016

Christopher Ash gave the Occasional Address at the 2016 Moore College Graduation.

Watch the encouraging, but challenging, video at the link.

Earlier related story from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Moore Graduates called to die to self

“This year’s 102 graduates from Moore Theological College have been called upon to “die to self” in their ministries, so that their work will produce more fruit for the gospel.

The address, focussing on John 12:24 and delivered by former Director of the UK Cornhill Training Course the Rev Christopher Ash, directed people to the pattern of Christ…”

– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net. Please be encouraged to pray for those who are now seeking to serve Christ in various spheres of ministry.

Praying for Belgium

“On Good Friday night, a performance of the Messiah at St Andrew’s Cathedral was dedicated to the people of Belgium.

Here is a transcript of the introduction by the Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel…”

– read it at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Archbishop Glenn Davies interviewed on Sydney Radio for Good Friday

Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, was interviewed by Chris Smith on Sydney’s 2GB this morning, Good Friday 2016.

Listen here. 15 minutes.

Messiah ‘dedicated to the people of Belgium’

“Anglican Diocese of Sydney
Media Alert

Good Friday, 2016

A performance of Handel’s Messiah tonight at St Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney is to be dedicated to the people of Belgium…”

– From SydneyAnglicans.net.

Because the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, crucified, risen and reigning, is the only hope for men and women everywhere.

Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Easter Message 2016

Archbishop Glenn Davies has released his 2016 Easter message.

Watch the 90 second video on Vimeo.

And here is a story and summary from SydneyAnglicans.net –

The leader of Australia’s largest Anglican Diocese, the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has spoken of the power of the Christian symbol, the cross, and the threat to religious freedom, in his Easter Message.

“The most universal symbol of all is the cross. Even that is being targeted now in China, where authorities are removing crosses from churches. In fact, religious freedom is under threat around the world.” Dr Davies said in his annual Easter message.

“It is strange that the cross should be feared for its power, because in Jesus’ time a cross meant execution – it meant failure and death. But the great power in the symbol of the cross for us is that is is empty. Yes, Jesus died on the cross but he was raised from the dead.”

Archbishop Davies will preach at the Cathedral on Easter Day (Sunday).

In his Easter Message, Archbishop Davies stressed the resurrection of Jesus which he said “was not merely a resuscitation, because he rose not to die again but to inaugurate a new era beyond this age of death, disease and decay.”

“The resurrection of Jesus means a second chance for all of us, if we will accept it — a chance for new life, eternal life, as our sins are nailed to the cross so that we too shall rise with him.”

Dr Davies also commented on plans for a fixed date for Easter. Dr Davies spoke with the Coptic Pope, Tawadros II, about the issue in Cairo last year. Anglican Primates are close to agreeing on a fixed Sunday for Easter. Dr Davies said “I believe it will be of significant witness to the world if all Christians could unite together with a common date to celebrate this ‘empty’ cross and the inauguration of the new aeon when Jesus rose from the dead and defeated death once and for all.”

Peter Bolt to take on role at Sydney College of Divinity

News from Moore College:

“Dr Peter Bolt, Head of New Testament at Moore College, is to become the Academic Director at the Sydney College of Divinity.

Peter has been teaching at Moore since 1990, during which time he has not only passed on a love of the Gospels to hundreds of students but has written numerous books and articles and brought to birth the College’s own PhD program.

‘We owe an enormous debt to Peter’, said the College’s Principal, Mark Thompson. ‘He is an extraordinary exegete, a first-class scholar and has led our New Testament department with distinction for the last fifteen years. While his departure is a very significant loss for the College and for many of us personally, we trust the Lord is opening up an opportunity for Peter to use his exceptional gifts more widely for the advance of his kingdom.’

Please pray for Peter as he makes this transition and for the College as we look for someone to build on Peter’s legacy.”

– Source. Related: Sydney College of Divinity.