Diocese of Quincy votes to re-align
The annual Synod of the Diocese of Quincy, Illinois tonight voted overwhelmingly to remove The Episcopal Church from the accession clause of the diocesan constitution and to join the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone.
The vote to leave The Episcopal Church was carried by 41 votes to 14 by the clergy and by 54 votes to12 by the laity. The decision to join the Province of the Southern Cone on a temporary basis was approved by 46 votes to 4 by the clergy order and by 55 votes to 8 by the lay members of the Synod.
– from Forward in Faith.
Bob Duncan re-elected Bishop of Pittsburgh
Bishop Robert Duncan is once again the diocesan bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Clergy and lay deputies to a special convention of the diocese on November 7 voted to invite Bishop Duncan back into leadership of the diocese 50 days after the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church voted to remove (“depose”) him…
– Full report from the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Niagara moves ahead on same-sex blessings
After three Anglican churches left its ranks this year over what they saw as a growing departure from biblical doctrine, the Niagara diocese has taken a further step toward conducting ceremonies to bless same-sex couples who have already been civilly married.
The Diocese of Niagara announced yesterday it will discuss its bishop’s proposal to proceed with determining the ceremonial process to be used in the blessing of same-sex marriages. The discussion will be held tomorrow at its synod, or annual general meeting…
– Story from The Hamilton Spectator. (Photo: Diocese of Niagara.)
Free money for new lives
On December 8th 2008, all Australian families who receive Family Tax Benefit A will be given $1000 per child in order to ‘boost the economy’.
Students at Moore College had the idea of challenging Christians to give away half of the ‘free money’ they receive to help care for women who have had an abortion; those who are considering abortion; and also their unborn children. They seek to do this in three specific ways:
- To support and grow Anglicare’s Carramar Early Interventions, a safe-house and support program that cares for young pregnant women in adverse circumstances who want to keep their child.
- To support Women’s Forum Australia, an independent women’s think tank that conducts research, education and public policy development about a range of issues that affect women. WFA brings together women from diverse backgrounds, and works across the usual political and religious divides, to advocate for life affirming, pro-woman alternatives to abortion which would enhance women’s freedom to have their babies.
- To produce a high quality TV style ad campaign showcasing interviews with women who have had abortions and who want to speak out. Distributed via the internet, it will point pregnant women to a website with links to quality pro life counseling services across Australia, and with reliable information on abortion and its alternatives.
It sounds like a great idea. Read all about it at www.freemoneyfornewlives.com.au – and please pass on the link to others.
Come over to help us – at Mingenew
A rural ministry position has become vacant at Mingenew near Geraldton in Western Australia for a self-funded Bible teacher.
Perhaps the Lord is calling you there.
Read the information from Bishop David Mulready in this PDF file.
See a map here. (Graphic: base image from Google maps.)
California voters approve gay marriage ban – but not TEC
After one of the costliest, most rancorous and divisive campaigns in state history, California voters on November 4 narrowly approved Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage. …
In a statement released November 5, Bishop Marc Andrus of the San Francisco-based Diocese of California said: “The recognition of the civil rights of lesbian, gay, transgendered and bisexual people is part of the broad shift in consciousness towards which we are moving. … Perseverance, knowing that God continues to travel with those who are disenfranchised, is a path we know.”…
– report from Episcopal Life Online. (Photo of Bishop Marc Andrus: Diocese of California.)
California: ‘Gay marriage ban leading’
A measure to once again ban gay marriage in California led Tuesday, throwing into doubt the unions of an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months…
Eight years ago, Californians voted 61% to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman. The California Supreme Court overturned that measure…
– Report from The Los Angeles Times.
See also Arizona and Florida ban ‘gay marriage’.
A Prayer for America on Election Day
“May God bless America, not because this nation deserves to be blessed, but because He is a God of grace and mercy. Oh God… save us from ourselves.”
– Al Mohler calls Christians to pray for America as millions go to vote.
Sir Marcus Loane launches preaching guide
Former Archbishop of Sydney, Sir Marcus Loane has expressed his hopes for the flourishing of preaching in Sydney at the launch of an historic book on Saturday.
Preach or Perish, a new book on the theology and practice of preaching, has a weighty Sydney Anglican contributor list, including previous Archbishops of Sydney, Sir Marcus Loane and Dr Donald Robinson, as well as current Archbishop, Dr Peter Jensen…
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo: Ramon Williams.)
Paul Barnett honoured
Press release from the Australian College of Theology –
Australian New Testament Scholar Honoured.
At its October meeting, and on the strong recommendation of the College’s Honorary Degree Committee, the Board of Directors of the Australian College of Theology awarded an honorary Doctor of Theology degree to well-known Sydney historian and New Testament scholar, Paul Barnett. The award is in recognition of Dr Barnett’s contribution to the life and work of the Anglican Church of Australia and particularly his substantial academic and scholarly contributions. Read more
New bishop says Anglicanism ‘in trouble’
Born in 1959 to unmarried musicians from Sydney’s Kings Cross, Stuart Robinson was elected yesterday as the next Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn. …
With a background in management, Dr Robinson trained for the priesthood at Sydney’s Moore Theological College. Much of his subsequent work has involved establishing new churches, including several years in Belgium…
– Report from The Canberra Times. (Photo: St. Paul’s Chatswood.)
Stuart Robinson elected to Canberra and Goulburn
The Reverend Stuart Robinson has been elected as the new Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The Reverend Stuart Robinson is presently National Mission Facilitator for the Anglican Church of Australia and Rector of Chatswood in the diocese of Sydney.
The announcement was made today by the Very Reverend Phillip Saunders, President of the Electoral Synod and Dean of St Saviour’s Cathedral…
– Announcement from the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.
Learn about Stuart’s ministry as National Mission Facilitator. (Photo: St. Paul’s Chatswood.)
Taking a crack at the stained glass ceiling
Church history will be made this weekend if Canberra’s Dr Sarah Macneil is elected the 10th Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn.
… only four remained from an original field of five nominees when the electoral synod began meeting yesterday in Goulburn. … Others nominated are Assistant Bishop and Vicar General of the diocese, Allan Ewing; Assistant Bishop and rector of the parish of St Matthew, Wanniassa, Trevor Edwards; and the rector of the parish of St Paul, Chatswood, Stuart Robinson.
– Report from The Canberra Times. (emphasis added)
FiF UK reacts to recent news from Sydney
“Forward in Faith regrets the recent decision of the Synod of the diocese of Sydney with regard to lay and diaconal presidency at the Eucharist, both of which are clearly contrary to the foundational documents of Anglicanism.
It trusts that the Archbishop of Sydney will use those powers available to him to ensure that such innovations are not set forth, in order that further division is not thereby introduced into the life of the Communion.”
– a Statement from Forward in Faith UK.
However, the motion at Sydney Synod simply re-stated the Synod’s long-held opinion. There was no legislation involved. It seems many are reacting to exaggerated media reports. See Jeremy Halcrow’s report at SydneyAnglicans.net
See also George Conger’s article for The Church of England Newspaper.
Arguing for GAFCON
Wallace Benn and Mark Burkill respond to Iain Murray
The Christian work and fellowship started by GAFCON in Jerusalem in June 2008 has only just begun.
We are well aware that it faces plenty of dangers and obstacles as it seeks to renew the Anglican Communion in the work of the gospel. We know that it has already been misunderstood in various quarters. This may lead some to hesitate about supporting it. That is why we want to respond to the particular misunderstandings and historical errors that are stated in the article by Iain Murray in the September 2008 issue of EN, although both of us have enormously appreciated books he has written over the years…
– Wallace Benn and Mark Burkill in Evangelicals Now – in response to ‘The Church of England in crisis’ by Iain Murray.
(Photo of Bishop Wallace Benn at GAFCON: Peter Frank.) h/t Anglican Mainstream.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…