Anglican Aid opens appeal for Vanuatu
“Anglican Aid has opened an appeal to aid the nation of Vanuatu in the wake of the worst cyclone in memory.
Reports emerging from the Island say Cyclone Pam, which struck on the weekend of the 14th and 15th of March, left unprecedented devestation. Vanuatu’s president Baldwin Lonsdale was in tears as he described the effects of the ‘monster’ storm…”
– Details at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Image: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team.
‘There is no biblical justification, in any circumstance, for domestic violence.’
Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement March 13th, 2015
Domestic violence and churches
(response to SMH and ABC)
“There is no biblical justification, in any circumstance, for domestic violence. The classic Christian understanding of a husband’s loving, sacrificial, servant-like leadership leaves absolutely no room for violence or fear.
We would be very open to participating in a cross-denominational survey of domestic violence issues, benchmarked with society in general. Whether or not such a survey is conducted, we will continue to speak out against domestic violence through education, training and advocacy.
I also encourage our ministers to explore this issue further with their congregations, making them more aware of the problem and the necessity of properly dealing with specific cases where-ever they may be found.
Archbishop Glenn N Davies,
March 13, 2015.”
First published at SydneyAnglicans.net.
‘Submission’ to my husband allows us both to flourish in our marriage
“Recent articles in this newspaper about evangelical churches’ “oppressive” doctrine of male headship reveal a complete failure to understand the Christian psyche…
Some see inconsistency between the Bible’s teaching of “Christian freedom” on the one hand, and female submission on the other.
However, it is precisely the Bible’s teaching on freedom which so transforms a person’s thinking once they become a Christian that they are ready to submit to others.”
– Sarah Colyer writes this helpful opinion-piece in The Sydney Morning Herald.
‘People of the cross’ murdered by IS militants
Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement February 17th, 2015
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, says Australians should be shocked, repulsed and outraged by the slaughter of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians, murdered for their faith in Libya.
The men, originally from Egypt, had travelled to Libya to find work. Amid instability in the region, they were kidnapped by a group linked to IS, led to a beach and beheaded.
“The filming of this evil and barbaric act was another attempt by the so-called Islamic State to strike fear into the hearts of Christians and others throughout the region.” the Archbishop said.
“The victims were singled out as ‘people of the cross’ and died for their allegiance to Jesus as martyrs have done through the centuries.”
“We pray for the Coptic Church to stand firm as it suffers such persecution. To our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Church in Egypt and throughout the Middle East, our hearts and prayers are with you.”
“For those bent on evil and violence, we pray God would turn their hearts to seek
mercy at the feet of Jesus.”
Dr Davies supported calls from the Primate of the Middle East, Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis, for prayer that the international community would respond wisely to the attacks in the region.
The Archbishop also backed calls for diplomatic action by Australia and for special consideration to be given to the inclusion of Coptic Christians from North Africa in any humanitarian intake.
– Source: SydneyAnglicans.net
Archbishop of Sydney’s response to ‘The Forgotten Children’
From the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Statement February 12th, 2015
The Forgotten Children, National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, says the situation of children in detention ‘should concern every Australian’ and he has supported calls for an overhaul of the current system.
Read more from SydneyAnglicans.net
Tonight: ACL Western Sydney Region Information Night
Come and hear Moore College Principal Dr. Mark Thompson speak on the vital role of the Anglican Church League in the life of the Diocese of Sydney.
7:30 – 9:00pm Thursday 26th February at Glenmore Park Anglican Church, 16 William Howell Drive, Glenmore Park.
There’ll be an opportunity to meet ACL Council members, ask questions, receive information and, if interested, sign up for membership of the Anglican Church League. A light supper will also be served.
Please be encouraged to download this PDF invitation. and pass it on to anyone who may be interested.
Interview with John Yates
David Ould has recorded an interview with Dr John Yates, who has been speaking at the CMS NSW Summer School. It’s a 16MB mp3 file.
“John was good enough to sit down with me and talk about ministry, the evangelical church in Sydney, GAFCON, and plenty more.”
Most encouraging.
Moore College Graduation 2015
Moore College’s 2015 Graduation evening is set for Monday 16th March. Details from the College.
Phillip Jensen’s final sermon as Dean
Phillip Jensen preached his last sermon as Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, after eleven years in that position, on Christmas morning.
You can listen here. (Link updated.)
Archbishop Glenn Davies’ Christmas Message 2014
Archbishop Glenn Davies has released his Christmas message for 2014. The Archbishop builds on the ‘Christmas truce’ of 1914.
Take the time to watch it (on Vimeo) or listen, and share it with friends.
You can download the text of the message as a PDF file from SydneyAnglicans.net.
We’ve also formatted the message as an A5 insert you could use in your church newsletter (1.1MB PDF file).
As well, Russell Powell has this story – 2014: ‘We experienced the pain of loss and frailty of life’.
Retiring Dean preaching this weekend
Retiring Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, is preaching his final Sunday Sermons at St. Andrew’s Cathedral tomorrow, Sunday 21st December 2014, at 10:30am and 5:00pm.
Phillip is also preaching at the Cathedral’s Christmas Day Celebration at 10:00am on Thursday.
“Christmas speaks more loudly than ever” — Hope and Prayer service at St. Andrew’s
“A packed service of Hope and Prayer for Sydney has shown the depth of feeling, shock and mourning after the siege in Sydney’s Martin Place in which two people died…”
– Report from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Includes links to news reports, and the audio of Archbishop Glenn Davies’ sermon.
Pray for the Hostages
From Anglican Media Sydney:
The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, has urged all Christians to pray for the safety of the hostages in the Martin Place siege and for police and security forces dealing with the situation.
Dr Davies issued a statement this afternoon, commending the swift action of police.
“It is alarming when terrorism reaches our shores but that alarm reaches a new height when it occurs in the centre of the city in which so many people live and work.”
“I was heartened by the swift response of our police and security officials. We are well served by Commissioner Scipione and his team” Archbishop Davies said “Premier Mike Baird is right when he describes this as a test for this city and for our peaceful, democratic way of life.”
“We must pray urgently for the outcome of the siege. I ask Sydney Anglicans, and all Christians, to pray for the safety of those still held hostage, for the police and security forces working so hard to protect lives, and for the speedy delivery of justice for those who would seek to invade our world with such a doctrine of hate and violence.”
– source.
Hundreds farewell ‘champion of Christian education’
“Hundreds of people have gathered at a funeral service for prominent Sydney layman John Lambert, the architect of a resurgence in building Anglican schools. …
From 1994 to 2009 Mr Lambert was the Director of Schools Development at the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, during which he contributed significantly to the establishment of 12 new Anglican schools within the Diocese of Sydney.”
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Moore College redevelopment under way
Archbishop Glenn Davies has ceremonially started the demolition of 1 King Street, Newtown, as part of Moore College’s redevelopment of their site.
“The new building will provide a new purpose-built facility for the College, including a library and research centre, more teaching areas, research and study spaces and a large auditorium enabling the entire student body to come together in one space.”
– from Moore College. See also SydneyAnglicans.net.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…