What’s involved in being Archbishop of Sydney?
In the August and September 2015 issues of Southern Cross, Archbishop Glenn Davies writes about some of what is involved in being Archbishop of Sydney.
Both parts are now up on the SydneyAnglicans.net website and you can read them here – Part 1 (Leading in Truth), and Part 2 (Great Mission).
Prayers urged for Bishop Ivan Lee
“The Bishop of Western Sydney, Ivan Lee, has been diagnosed with a pancreatic tumour.
He had been experiencing some lethargy and symptoms of jaundice. Scans revealed his bile duct was blocked by a tumour on the pancreas…”
– The Anglican Church League urges all members to pray for Bishop Ivan Lee (a Vice-President of the League) and his wife Virginia.
SydneyAnglicans.net has details to inform your prayers.
Abortion-by-phone is ‘commerce, not care’
“The Anglican Bishop of North Sydney, Chris Edwards, says the proposal that Australian women would be able to access abortions by phone and mail smacks of a program driven by commercial concerns rather than by genuine care for people…”
– see SydneyAnglicans.net for more.
‘Anglican Church concerned gay marriage would force Christian wedding suppliers to cater for same-sex couples’
“Conservative elements within Australia’s Anglican Church want new laws giving devout Christians the right to discriminate against same-sex couples, as the Federal Government pushes ahead with plans to hold a national plebiscite on the issue of gay marriage. …
The synod of the Anglican Church’s Sydney diocese will next month consider a report from a senior bishop which argues that wedding service providers should have the “religious freedom” to refuse to cater for gay couples.”
– Report on ABC Radio’s The World Today.
‘Reserve Bank governor Sir Harold Knight offered distinguished service in war and peace’
“Sir Harold Murray Knight KBE, DSC was an Australian economist, best known as the third governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, serving from 1975 to 1982. …
Though his career in central banking featured prominently in his life and demanded much of his time, “it was not what motivated him or gave his life meaning,” his son, Dr Andrew Knight, said. His strong, personal Christian faith drove his core values and led him to devote decades of leadership to the Scripture Union, the Crusader Union, the Bible Society and the Anglican Church.”
– The Sydney Morning Herald has published this obituary of Sir Harold Knight.
(Image: Portrait of Sir Harold Knight by Bill Leak from the RBA Collection via SydneyAnglicans.net.)
Archbishop Davies calls for ‘warm and generous welcome’
The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that Australia will permanently resettle 12,000 refugees from Syria on top of the current humanitarian intake.
Dr Davies has also called upon Sydney Anglicans to make a generous and practical response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
“I am calling upon parishes all across our diocese, not only to pray for these victims of persecution, but to step up and be prepared to do whatever is within their power to provide a warm and generous welcome, coupled with practical assistance, to ensure that those who come to find safety in Australia are afforded the best possible chance to make a new start and benefit as fully as possible from the peace, freedom and opportunity that Australia offers,” Dr Davies said.
“Under the leadership of Anglicare Sydney, I have also asked our diocesan organisations – our schools, our retirement villages, our youth programs and our colleges to come together to assist in any way they can with goods in kind, funds, ESL classes, educational support, personal support and even accommodation.”
“We also look forward to working as effectively as possible in a coordinated manner alongside other non-government organisations and government agencies.” …
The Archbishop and Anglicare have also launched ‘The Archbishop’s Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal’, to provide particular emergency relief and support to Syrian refugees. For more information, or to donate, please visit the Anglicare website or call 13 22 26.
– Read the full story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Syrian crisis ‘too great to be ignored’ — Archbishop Davies
“Sydney’s Anglican Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies has called on the Federal Government to develop a comprehensive response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
‘One of the most significant characteristics of a civilised society is the way it treats those who are the most vulnerable…”
– Read the full story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Michael Stead to be next Bishop of South Sydney
“The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has announced he has chosen the Rev Michael Stead to be the next Bishop of South Sydney.
He will replace Bishop Robert Forsyth, who retires in December after 15 years in the position…
The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Sydney confirmed the appointment tonight (Monday 24th August).”
– News from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Phil Wheeler to head Evangelism and New Churches
“The board of Evangelism and New Churches (ENC) has announced that the Rev. Philip Wheeler will be its new Director, to continue its work of evangelism and church planting.
Mr Wheeler replaces the Rev Bruce Hall who has directed the organisation for the past four years.
ENC grew from the well-established Department of Evangelism, run by the late evangelist John Chapman over four decades in the 20th century…”
– News from SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo from Anglican Deaconess Ministries.)
Two new faculty appointments at Moore
“At its meeting on 18 August, the Governing Board of the College has approved the Principal’s nomination of two new members of the Moore College faculty.”
They are Dr Chase Kuhn and Dr Chris Thomson. Details here.
Archbishop of Sydney backs plebiscite plan
Here’s a media release from the Diocese of Sydney, Friday 14th August 2015:
Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement August 14th, 2015The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has congratulated the Prime Minister and the Coalition for backing a plebiscite on same-sex marriage.
“I believe that marriage is a foundational concept to our society and indeed to human civilisation as a whole, in accordance with God’s own plan for all people, and it is intrinsic to the continuation of the human race as the bedrock of the family from which succeeding generations are born.”
“Despite the relentless campaign by some sections of the community, it is only now that other views are starting to be heard in the media, not only from the churches. The discussion must include the implications for children and the family unit, not just sloganeering.”
“Mr Abbott has been consistent and forthright on this issue, and it is clear he recognises the national importance of a debate about the definition of marriage as well as the strength of feeling on both sides. Yet the debate has been unhelpfully politicised, which is why it should be decided by the people directly. If the majority of Australians desire a change to the time-honoured understanding of marriage, then so be it. The Prime Minister is graciously offering this option so that we, the people, may have our say on the future of marriage in Australia.”
– Source, SydneyAnglicans.net.
Related: Church and religious leaders send letter on Same-Sex Marriage to Prime Minister Abbott.
Annual Moore College Lectures 2015
Professor Kevin J. Vanhoozer is delivering this year’s Annual Moore College Lectures, starting 7th August. Free and open to the public. Details here.
If you can’t get there in person, the first lecture will be streamed live.
Moore College Sunday 2015
Many churches are focussing on Moore College for their prayers on Sunday August 2nd.
“The MCS theme this year is about partnering with Moore in prayer as we equip students to tell the world the one story worth knowing by heart – the story of Jesus.” – Read all about it.
Mission Awareness Week at Moore College
“Mission Awareness Week 2015 was held last week (20-24 July). MAW is an important event in the Moore College calendar. It is held annually in July and provides the opportunity to see what God is doing in the world, and to be challenged as to how we are going to be involved in God’s mission work…”
Societas 2015 launched
Just in time for Moore College Sunday (being observed in many churches this weekend), the 2015 edition of the Moore College students’ magazine, Societas, has been released.
It’s available online – to view or download using ISSUU – or to download as an 11.2MB PDF file from the college website.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…