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.
Life and Ministry with Peter Jensen
Geoff Robson has conducted a “sweeping conversation with Peter Jensen, former Archbishop of Sydney, about life and ministry – including his favourite book of all-time, how he became a Christian, why he wanted to be a stand-up comedian, why he tries to emulate Billy Graham, and how he has found spiritual refreshment for the last five decades.”
– Take the time to read it here – and please remember to pray for Peter as he continues to serve Christ.
Moore College ends academic year
“Dr Thompson encouraged the graduating students to hold on to Jesus as they go through changes in their lives,
‘When people go climbing, seriously climbing, they often use rope. But those ropes need to be tied to something: something that will not move, something that will still be there when they get to the top… There is only one properly unchanging thing in all the universe. Lash your rope to Christ and know he is the same, yesterday, today and forever.’…”
Read the Principal’s Graduating Students’ Dinner Address.
Starting small: Phillip Jensen on starting The Briefing
Tony Payne asks Phillip Jensen about how The Briefing was started.
Bishop Ken Short obituary in SMH
“Bishop Ken Short had a number of significant roles in his lifetime and made a deep impact in each of them. He served as Dean of Sydney and Bishop of Wollongong and Parramatta, but was probably best known as Chaplain-General of the army and first bishop to the armed forces, which he became in 1979.
Despite his name, Kenneth Herbert Short was a tall man with a big smile, handshake and voice…”
– The Sydney Morning Herald has published this Obituary for Bishop Ken Short, written by Simon Manchester. (Photo: Ramon Williams.)
Simon Gillham to be Head of Mission at Moore College
“The Governing Board of the College has approved the Principal’s nomination of Rev Simon Gillham to join the faculty as Head of Department of Mission from 1 January 2016. Simon is a graduate of the College who is currently serving with CMS as Acting Principal of Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS)…”
– Read the full announcement from Moore College. And SydneyAnglicans.net.
Tears and Hope 2014
The annual ‘Tears And Hope’ service of healing for survivors of abuse is to be held at St John’s Darlinghurst, next Monday, November 3rd at 7:00pm.
Download a 1.3MB PDF flier to share with others, and pray that the service may help to bring comfort and healing.
Mission 2020 — To see Christ honoured as Lord and Saviour
The Synod of Sydney Diocese last week, in committing itself to Mission 2020, adopted these statements –
Our Vision – To see Christ honoured as Lord and Saviour in every community.
Our Mission – We commit ourselves afresh, in prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, to glorify God and love our neighbour by proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ, calling people to repent and living lives worthy of him.
See the full statement of Vision, Mission and Values here (PDF file).
And see also SydneyAnglicans.net: Synod recommits to Mission.
Societas 2014 now available
It’s a highlight of the diocesan calendar — Societas, the Moore College Students’ magazine, has been released for 2014.
You can download the 16.8MB PDF file – or read it online.
Mark Fairfull at Moore writes: “Hard copies can be ordered from the College. There is no longer a charge to purchase the magazine, but the College is inviting people to make a voluntary donation to help cover the publication and postage & handling costs if they wish to do so.”
Grab your copy now, be informed, and be moved to pray for the College.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…