Melburnians called to say ‘sorry’ to the earth
Melburnians are being called to say “sorry” for damage to the environment in a series of public services timed to coincide with World Environment Day on June 5.
… Themed “stations” will be set up around the Cathedral, and services will feature readings, conversation, song, and the opportunity to light a candle or place a pebble in water as an expression of connection with the earth. …
– from a media release from Anglican Media Melbourne.
(Archbishop Philip Freier lights candles in St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne. Photo courtesy Diocese of Melbourne.)
Both bishops of San Joaquin off to Lambeth
Bishops Jerry Lamb and John-David Schofield both report having accepted their invitations to next month’s Lambeth Conference.
Bishop Lamb, who was nominated provisional Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, said he received his invitation on May 27. … But Bishop John-David Schofield of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin also will be attending the conference. He has received his Lambeth study materials and has begun familiarizing himself with them …
– Full report from The Living Church.
New Westminster synod wrap up
The New Westminster Synod was held in Vancouver on May 30 and 31. Here are some excerpts from the synod edition of the diocesan newspaper, ‘Topic’ –
Members of Synod split over whether the diocese should oppose the legalizing [of] brothels. In the end the majority (128 votes) agreed … that the Diocesan Council should explore uniting with other churches and faiths to tell the Vancouver City Council and Provincial Government “institutionalization of violence towards women and children through legalization of prostitution and the establishment of brothels” was wrong.
In a report to about 300 synod members… the bishop [Michael Ingham] insisted that the decision of four congregations to join the South American Anglican Church of the Southern Cone, was not simply “divorce” but “schism…the setting up of an unlawful authority” to challenge the rightful authority, which is Diocesan Synod.
Also, the synod adopted Bishop Ingham’s ten priorities for the diocese for the next decade.
Read the special synod edition of Topic (1.1MB PDF file) on the New Westminster website.
Vagante bishop invited to Lambeth
In what can only be viewed as a major slap in the face at orthodox Episcopalians and Anglicans the Archbishop of Canterbury has invited the fly-in bishop of San Joaquin, Jerry A. Lamb, to the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury in July. …
– Story from VirtueOnline. (Photo: Episcopal Life Online.)
Latest Australian Church Record online
The publishers of The Australian Church Record have placed their June 2008 edition online. This is issue 1894.
This ACR touches on Lambeth and GAFCON, among other topics.
It’s available now from the Church Record website.
Bishop of Yukon to stay on after synod fails to elect successor
The Most Rev Terrence O. Buckle, Archbishop of Yukon, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC & Yukon, announced this morning that he has decided to remain in office after none of the four candidates in yesterday’s diocesan synod received the required majority of votes to succeed him.
Thirty-five delegates at Yukon Diocese’s special episcopal synod deliberated, prayed, and voted all day and into the evening at Christ Church Cathedral, Whitehorse. In the end, however, the synod adjourned without selecting a coadjutor bishop to serve alongside and then replace Archbishop Terry Buckle, who had announced his intention to retire at the end of this year. …
– Report from Anglican Essentials Canada. (Bishop Buckle is one of the few Canadian bishops supportive of biblically faithful Anglicans.)
Authority in the Church – Resource paper
We posted a link to this very helpful paper back in February. In the run-up to Lambeth (next month) and GAFCON (this month) it’s well worth reading –
“At this present moment of crisis, there is hardly a more important issue for us to address than that of authority in the church. It is certainly true that God’s people need to keep returning to the question of authority. The legacy of the rebellion in the Garden of Eden ensures that even those who have tasted God’s extraordinary generosity and mercy too readily assert their own opinions and preferences as the measure of all things. …”
– An important resource paper written by Dr Mark Thompson, Academic Dean of Moore Theological College and President of the Anglican Church League.
It was presented to the GAFCON Theology Resource Group and can be read in full on the GAFCON website.
TEC gay weddings next month?
Episcopal Churches in California will begin offering gay weddings next month. On May 22, one of Los Angeles’ largest Episcopal parishes – All Saints Church, Pasadena, announced that in light of the California Supreme Court’s decision to strike down laws barring gay marriage, it “will treat all couples presenting themselves for the rite of marriage equally.”…
– Report from George Conger in Religious Intelligence.
(Photo: Diocese of LA Bishop’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Ministries.)
Colorado Bishop seeks to remove previously transferred priests
The Rt. Rev. Robert O’Neill, Bishop of Colorado, is seeking to remove from the ministry more than a dozen priests that his predecessor lawfully transferred to another Anglican province after they joined the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) more than seven years ago.
The initial list included at least one priest, the Rev. Robert John Bryan, who claims not to have received any communication on the matter. He expressed surprise at the news of his inhibition when contacted by The Living Church, and said he had not received any communication from anyone in the Diocese of Colorado since receiving a copy of his letter of transfer nearly eight years ago. …
– Story from The Living Church. Note that it is Bishop O’Neill whom the TEC Presiding Bishop hopes to be her uninvited “eyes and ears” at GAFCON. (Photo: Episcopal Church.)
Christians have duty to witness
Britain’s destiny depends on Christianity, the Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, said this week, in an article published the day after he responded to questions on a General Synod motion that has called for Christians to evangelise British Muslims.
The private member’s motion, by Paul Eddy, who is training for the priesthood, called on the Church to proclaim Christianity as the only route to ultimate salvation. Mr Eddy said he had been under pressure to withdraw his motion. …
– Report from the Church Times.
See also this piece in The Telegraph. (Photo: Church Times.)
First woman bishop in Victoria to be consecrated tomorrow
From Anglican Media Melbourne –
“The service for the consecration of the first woman bishop in Victoria, Canon Barbara Darling, will be held in St Paul’s Cathedral, corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, on Saturday 31 May, commencing at 11am.
Read more
Judge orders congregation to leave their church building
This press release has just been issued by the Anglican Network in Canada –
29 May 2008
A B.C. Supreme Court judge, Madam Justice Allan, has ordered the congregation of St. Mary of the Incarnation in Metchosin (St. Mary’s), to hand over their church building to the diocese of B.C. in the Anglican Church of Canada, pending the resolution of a trial over who is entitled to ownership of the building. Read more
Archbishop to do the Lambeth Walk
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today announced plans to mount an unprecedented mass walk of bishops and other faith leaders through central London during the forthcoming Lambeth Conference to demonstrate the Anglican Communion’s determination to help end extreme poverty across the globe.
The Archbishop will be joined by approximately 600 other archbishops and bishops, and their spouses, alongside other UK faith leaders for the high-profile symbol of commitment to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – eight promises made by world leaders to halve world poverty by 2015. Taking place on Thursday 24th July, the event will culminate in a rally in the grounds of Lambeth Palace, the London home and office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. …
– from a press release from the Anglican Communion Office.
(Photo credit: Jim Rosenthal, Anglican World.)
The Betrayal of Judas
Here’s an interesting article on the behind-the-scenes moves to publish ‘The Gospel of Judas’ –
“The announcement was timed so that the documentary, a book containing the translation and critical essays, an accompanying Web site, and an exhibit at National Geographic’s headquarters would all be unveiled more or less simultaneously. By keeping the translation under wraps, National Geographic had cornered the market on Judas, and now it intended to take full advantage of its position. …”
Read the article at the (US) Chronicle of Higher Education – and Al Mohler has some further thoughts in The Gospel of Judas – The Betrayal of Truth. (Image: National Geographic Society.)
Up, Down and Out in Canada: J I Packer
My wife and I moved from England to Canada in 1979. Principal James Houston has recruited me to teach theology at Regent College, which, though over age, I still do. God’s call was clear, and our only uncertainty was where we might find a spiritual home. New Westminster Diocese, of which Vancouver is the see city, was decidedly liberal, and its few evangelical clergy seemed to be keeping their heads down lest they be noticed.
But in 1978 my oldest friend among Canadian clergy, Harry Robinson, became rector of St. John’s Shaughnessy, only a mile and a half from where God, by a happy providence, gave us a place to live, so that problem was solved. Called as I am to be a pastor, I had found fulfillment before in an honorary parish appointment alongside teaching duties, and I became Harry’s honorary assistant the moment we arrived. …
– Dr Jim Packer tells his story – at VirtueOnline. (Photo: Ed Hird.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…