Sydney prayers for Japan

“Churches across Sydney have been praying for Japan in the aftermath of the quake and tsunami, but none more fervently than the North shore Japanese congregation.

The Cammeray congregation, led by returned missionaries Grahame and Cathy Smith, spent the weekend praying after the quake occured on Friday, just hours before its houseparty in the Blue Mountains …”

– Russell Powell has this update at SydneyAnglicans.net.

The Sound of Silence

Many Christians have downplayed the reality of hell in recent years. With Rob Bell about to publish what is likely to be a controversial book, this is a time for clear thinking and faithful speaking.

Liam Goligher reflects at Reformation21.
Related: Albert Mohler on Doing Away with Hell? (Part One).
and Mark Thompson on A hell of a ruckus.

Continue to pray for Christchurch

Please continue to pray for the people of Christchurch, recovering from last month’s earthquake.

Anglican Aid has an appeal, and the website of St. John’s Latimer Square has information on how people can pray and help in other ways. (The St. John’s building is not usable.)

Church and Parachurch: Friends or Foes?

‘Church and Parachurch: Friends or Foes?’ – that’s the title of the latest eJournal from 9Marks. Grab your free copy.

St John’s Latimer Square: Growing the Kingdom

There’ll be no Sunday services today at St. John’s Latimer Square in Christchurch, due to the devastating earthquake. The St. John’s building was badly damaged in last September’s earthquake, and was further damaged last week.

Last June, the Diocese of Christchurch website ran this story on what makes St. John’s tick. This would be a good time to pray for the members of St. John’s, that they may continue to bring light and hope to their city.

(The photos shows the current senior minister, Dave Morgan, and his predecessor Wally Behan, who is currently in Sydney. Photo: Dave Wethey / Anglican Life)

Archbishop Peter Jensen at the service for Christchurch

Christchurch Prayer Service
Thursday 24th February, 2011, St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney
Remarks by Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen

The Bible says, ‘God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.’ God’s word also says that we should pray for all people, for all are in the image of the one God who made us all and cares for us all.

As we are meeting here, tremendous efforts are going on in Christchurch to find the lost, to heal the injured, to bring order out of chaos. We long to help; all our compassion is engaged because of our common humanity, but especially because these are our beloved New Zealanders. Read more

Prayers for Christchurch at St Andrew’s Cathedral today

St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney is holding a special gathering to pray for the city of Christchurch.

Thursday, 24 February 2011, 1:00pm — 4:00pm.

Also, Anglican Aid has launched an appeal.

(Note for readers: the badly damaged building of St John’s Latimer Square is just across the street from the CTV building, where much of the rescue effort has been focussed.)

Moore Books sale

Moore Books in Sydney is having a stock reduction sale until the end of March (2011).

Message of support for Christchurch from NZ Anglican Church

“The Archbishops and Standing Committee of the General Synod/te Hinota Whanui of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa and Polynesia were meeting in Rotorua when we had news of the latest Christchurch earthquake. … We, along with so many other people in this country, immediately turned to prayer for all those who are so seriously affected. We have also contacted our wider Anglican Communion around the world and asked them to pray with us.

We reach out in this prayer to the people of the city of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region, asking the God of all the earth to give everyone the strength and endurance that they need to survive and to recover.”

– from Scoop NZ. (Photo: Scoop NZ)

Bruce Winter to retire as QTC Principal

“After five years spearheading a dramatic reversal in fortunes of the Queensland Theological College (QTC), Rev Dr Bruce Winter will step down as principal, while continuing to have an active role in educating theological students as Director of the Institute for Early Christianity at Emmanuel College and in the honoured position of Research Professor at QTC…”

– press release (PDF) from the Queensland Theological College.

‘Homosexual marriage and the registration of civil partnerships in churches’ in the UK

Media release, via Reform, 16 February 2011 –

“Joint Statement by Affinity, The Christian Institute, Christian Concern, Reform and the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches

There has been speculation in the press about the Government’s proposals for civil partnerships to be registered in places of worship. There has also been speculation, and indeed confusion, over the separate issue of scrapping the definition of marriage in order to allow two people of the same sex to hold a marriage certificate.

Government proposals to allow civil partnerships in churches implement changes made in the 2010 Equality Act. However, there has been no announcement from the Government that it has any plans to introduce full same-sex marriage…”

– Read the full statement on the Reform website.

Moravians in ‘full communion’ with TEC

“With an evening Eucharist Feb. 10 that blended elements of the liturgical and musical practices of both traditions, representatives of the Episcopal Church and the two provinces of the Moravian Church in North America formally inaugurated a full-communion relationship between the denominations. …

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and Moravian Provincial Elders Conference presidents, the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth D. Miller (Northern Province) and the Rev. David Guthrie (Southern Province) officiated at the service…”

– from The Episcopal News Service. (Photo: Mary Frances Schjonberg.)