Election Synod nears
“The Synod to choose the 12th Archbishop of Sydney is about to begin. It will choose between the two nominees for the position – the Bishop of North Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, and the Rector of Naremburn / Cammeray, Canon Rick Smith.”
– Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
See also this media release. (PDF)
Related: Two websites for the Archbishop’s election.
‘Premier wrong to push for same sex marriage’ — NSW Council of Churches
“The NSW Council of Churches today reiterated its call to Premier Barry O’Farrell not to lend support to a push to legalise same sex marriage in New South Wales. …”
– Media release from the NSW Council of Churches.
‘Ugandans honour Australian aid worker Irene Gleeson’
“Up to 10,000 people have attended a memorial service in Uganda to celebrate the life of an Australian woman who cared for a generation of children traumatised by war. …”
– Story and image from ABC TV. More from The Bible Society.
‘NSW set to back same-sex marriage’
“NSW could become the first Australian state to legalise same-sex marriage after an inquiry on Friday paved the way for fresh legislation that is supported by MPs across the political spectrum …”
– Report from The Sydney Morning Herald. Photo: NSW Government.
New Bishop for The Murray
John Ford, currently Bishop of Plymouth in the Diocese of Exeter, has been elected the new Bishop of The Murray.
Conscience Clause deleted by the Reformed Church of America
“The General Synod of the Reformed Church of America (RCA) has removed the “conscience clause” from its the Book of Church Order (BCO), ending the right of its clergy to object to the ordination of women. …”
– Report from Anglican Ink.
Bible Society gives away ‘original script’ at Jesus Christ Superstar opening
Members of the Bible Society gave away free copies of ‘the original script’ of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Sydney opening last week.
Latest Church Record (May 2013) online
The latest issue of The Australian Church Record is out – and includes discussion of the coming Archbishop’s Election Synod. From the ACR website.
Pierced for our transgressions
“The Bible speaks with a clear and united witness. Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. The Servant was pierced for our transgressions. He died, as Caiaphas prophesied, in the place of the people. He was set forth as a propitiation for our sins. He became a curse for us, bearing our sins in his body on the tree, drinking the cup of God’s wrath, giving his life as a ransom for many.”
— Steve Jeffery, Michael Ovey and Andrew Sach in Pierced for Our Transgressions. Thanks to Of First Importance for the quote.
Related:
Five Books to Read Before Easter. (2008)
Interview: The Authors of Pierced for Our Transgressions. (2007)
Memorial service for Chappo at St Helen’s March 1st
If you are within striking distance of St. Helen’s Bishopsgate…
“There’s a UK based memorial service for John Chapman (Chappo) coming up soon. It’s St Helen’s Bishopsgate on Friday 1 March at 3pm and is a good opportunity for those who have been grateful to God for this man of God to acknowledge that together.”
– so writes Adrian Reynolds at the Proclamation Trust.
Canberra-Goulburn Diocese 150th pilgrimage
“With the Diocese’s 150th birthday pilgrimage set to start in Eden this weekend, Bishop Stuart Robinson will officially receive the 2 metre cross he will carry at 1pm this afternoon (February 14). … it is a compelling invitation to share Jesus’ message of life, salvation and hope with others. ‘My aim is to highlight the ministry of Christ crucified, risen, ruling and returning,’ he said.”
– Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, would be very glad of your prayers as he speaks evangelically at every opportunity during the pilgrimage. Story here.
Melbourne Thanksgiving service for Stuart Barton Babbage
“About 12 months ago, soon after my appointment as Principal of Ridley Melbourne was announced, I received an invitation to have a cup of tea with Stuart Barton Babbage in his home in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Meeting Babbage was a memorable experience…”
– Dr Brian Rosner gave the address at last week’s Memorial Service in Melbourne for Dr Stuart Barton Babbage. (Photo: Ridley College.)
Court moves to protect Diocese of South Carolina
“No individual, organization, association or entity, whether incorporated or not, may use, assume, or adopt in any way, directly or indirectly, the registered names and the seal or mark of The Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of South Carolina as are set out below or any names or seal that may be perceived to be those names and seal or mark.”
– A S Haley, ‘the Anglican Curmudgeon’ quotes the Temporary Restraining Order issued to protect the Diocese of South Carolina.
He explains:
“The order goes into effect immediately, so it will essentially force the remnant group meeting this Saturday to adopt a different name for the entity it will form, and by which it will be known. The governing documents which are scheduled for approval (a Constitution and Canons based on the former diocesan version before changes were approved in 2011 and 2012) will need to be changed to remove all references to “the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of South Carolina” and “the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina.” The order will remain in effect until February 1, when a hearing will be held…”
‘Egyptian court sentences Christian family to 15 years for converting from Islam’
“The 15-year prison sentence given to a woman and her seven children by an Egyptian court for converting to Christianity is a sign of things to come, according to alarmed human rights advocates …”
– Report from Fox News. (h/t SydneyAnglicans.net)
Bushfire Appeals
The Bishop of Tasmania, John Harrower, has launched the Tasmanian Anglican Bushfire Appeal.
And the Bush Church Aid Society has also launched an appeal. Details from their website.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…