Anglican Church’s first female Aboriginal priest and prolific Arnhem Land artist dies — “Her constant focus was on the work of the gospel”
From ABC News –
“A pioneer within the Anglican church has been remembered by her family as a ‘strong cultural woman’, after she passed away this week in the Northern Territory. …
Reverend Y. Nunggumajbarr was ordained as an Anglican priest in 2009 at a ceremony in her home community of Numbulwar, on the Gulf coast in south-east Arnhem Land. …
In an email sent to members of the Anglican Dioceses, Bishop Greg Anderson said Reverend Y. Nunggumajbarr had ministered services in nearby Angurugu and Numbulwar for more than a decade, prior to her retirement from the ministry in 2023.
‘Her constant focus was on the work of the gospel, and what needed to happen to make it spread,’ Bishop Anderson wrote. …”
– Story here.
The Sydney Family Album 9 — T.C. Hammond
In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.
We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.
Here’s the ninth and last in the series, on T.C. Hammond, Principal of Moore College, 1935 – 1953.
One of the most important of Howard Mowll’s many influential appointments was that of Thomas Chatterton (T. C.) Hammond as Principal of Moore College.
Appointed at a time when the College seemed to be shifting its theological position, Hammond, who already had a worldwide reputation as an evangelical preacher, teacher and apologist, would be, it was hoped, precisely the kind of leader who would strengthen the College and set its course firmly in the mainstream of evangelical Anglican theology. He would meet all of these expectations and surpass them.
Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series are in our Resources section.
Photo: T.C. Hammond standing at the Moore College gate on Carillon Avenue, Newtown. Frame from late 1940s movie film digitised by the Moore College Archives.
The Joy of William Wilberforce
Paul Barnes reminds us of a key man in recent world history, and of some who influenced him –
“In 1786 Edmund Burke, the renowned orator and politician, was sure that the abolition of the slave trade was a fantasy – that it stood no hope of being accomplished. We might find this surprising, and think it would be obvious that something as horrendous as the capturing and selling of people should be abolished. Thus, it is difficult for us to understand just how impossible the abolition of the slave trade looked.
Although he was certainly not the only one against the Slave Trade, William Wilberforce has rightly taken primary place as the man who achieved the impossible. But how did Wilberforce achieve the impossible in a world that looked down on his faith and what he was trying to achieve? …”
– Read the full essay at AP, the national Presbyterian journal.
Image: Painting of Wilberforce by Anton Hickel.
The Sydney Family Album 8 — Howard Mowll
In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.
We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.
Here’s the eighth in the series, on Howard Mowll, Archbishop of Sydney, 1934 – 1958.
It really is rather hard to overplay the contribution of Howard Mowll to the shape and character of the contemporary Anglican Diocese of Sydney.
His election as Archbishop in April 1933 was a critical moment in the diocese’s history, a decision for its evangelical heritage rather than the more eclectic theology others were advocating at the time. His tenure of the office during World War II and the equally critical post-war years set directions, embedded principles and fostered a new generation of leaders who enabled Sydney Anglicanism to remain unambiguously Protestant and evangelical while engaging seriously with the challenges of a new era.
Among so many other things gifts to the diocese, he was the driving force behind the invitation to Billy Graham to come to Sydney in 1959, though Mowll died six months before the Crusade began.
Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section. There is still one more to go!
Photo: Archbishop Howard Mowll, from his biography by Marcus Loane.
‘Dick Lucas’ mind was blown apart’ – with Andrew Atherstone
From The Pastor’s Heart –
“1986. London’s Westminster Central Hall. The then young Australian preacher Phillip Jensen takes the platform at the Evangelical Ministry Assembly, and detonated UK Anglican Evangelicalism
Dick Lucas, the elder statesman of UK Evangelicalism Rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate, said his mind was “blown apart by these bold Australian exhortations.”
Chris Green says a room full of ministers in training were “revolutionised overnight.”
It’s the third in our occasional series of specials on evangelical oral history.
We are with Dr Andrew Atherstone (Wycliffe Hall Oxford) and this time we trace how a Sydney rector’s insistence on Bible teaching and the local congregation, over and above inherited Anglican structure made such an impact on the UK evangelical scene.
Jensen’s 1986 and 1988 addresses didn’t just inspire, but they gave a generation of English ministers permission to think differently about bishops, boundaries and where real spiritual authority lives.”
– Watch it at The Pastor’s Heart. And yes, Phillip Jensen’s talk did create quite a stir! Much to be thankful for.
The Pastor’s Heart page has links to Phillip’s talks at the EMA in 1986 and later.
The Sydney Family Album 7 – Nathaniel Jones
In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.
We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.
Here’s the seventh in the series, on Nathaniel Jones, Principal of Moore College, 1897–1911.
Nathaniel Jones brought to Moore College a passion for serious theological education. He immediately set about raising the academic standard at the College, preparing students for the Oxford and Cambridge Preliminary Examination for Holy Orders.
He was concerned to give his students the theological resources necessary to meet the challenges of liberal theology, which was already being exported to Australia from England and from America.
His students would be able to face these challenges with confidence based on a deep grounding in the Scriptures and a clear evangelical Anglican theology of the type being taught at this time at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford by Jones’ lifelong friend W. H. Griffith Thomas…
Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section. There are still two more to go!
Photo: Nathaniel Jones in 1899, detail from a photo held by Moore College. See the post for the full reference.
Remembering the Foords
At The Expository Preaching Trust, David Cook remembers Elizabeth and Dudley Foord with much thanksgiving –
“The recent passing to heaven of Elizabeth Foord, following the death of her husband Dudley back in 2013, is a reminder to me how age is no barrier to ministry.
January each year marked a two week conference for youth leaders (KYLC) at Katoomba in the 90’s and early 2000’s and the Foords did not miss one in my time there.
They were in their 60’s and 70’s and yet I don’t think we had more effective youth counsellors. …”
Photo of Elizabeth: Anglican Media Sydney.
Photo of Dudley: Ramon Williams, Worldwide Photos.
The Sydney Family Album 6 — Thomas Moore
In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.
We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.
Here’s the sixth in the series, on Thomas Moore.
“When the foundation stone [of St. Luke’s Liverpool] was laid (7th April 1818), Thomas and Rachel were present, as well as Governor Macquarie’s four-year-old son, Lachlan.
Thomas and Rachel had been appointed guardians for young Lachlan, should anything happen to his parents while in the colony.”
Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section.
Elizabeth Foord — A woman of “irrepressible joy” in the Lord
From Judy Adamson at SydneyAnglicans.net –
“Small in stature but mighty in faith, Mrs Elizabeth Foord died on July 25 at the age of 97.
A servant of God wherever he placed her, Mrs Foord was known and loved throughout the Diocese and other nations for her love of the Bible, her willingness to talk to anyone about Jesus, her sharp mind and her teaching – both of women, and of groups in partnership with her husband of 55 years, Bishop Dudley Foord. …”
Related:
With much thanks for Dudley Foord – September 2013.
Anglican Media CEO Russell Powell to step down
News from SydneyAnglicans.net –
“After almost 20 years in the media and communications arm of the Diocese, former broadcaster and journalist Russell Powell will be stepping down as the CEO of Anglican Media Sydney at the end of the year.
He was appointed CEO in 2010 in addition to his position as the media advisor to the Archbishop of Sydney, which began in 2007.
Over his 19 years of involvement, Mr Powell has guided the organisation through times of peace and major challenges such as the global financial crisis and COVID.
During his time as CEO, the work of Anglican Media has included establishing a social media footprint, solidifying the SydneyAnglicans brand, and refashioning Southern Cross.
He also played a role in communications at the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), from the historic first moments in Jerusalem in 2008.…”
– Read the full story – with prayer points – here.
Photo: Russell interviewing Al Stewart in Galilee during the first GAFCON gathering in 2008.
Seeing God at work in Wyong
“We came to Wyong in early 2021, between the first and second COVID lockdowns. The Central Coast was never on our radar—in fact, I used to tell Susannah as we drove home from family gatherings on the Central Coast, ‘I can’t ever imagine living on the Central Coast’… and she said, ‘Neither can I’. Yet here we are! God has shown me time and again that he has a sense of humour. Coming to Wyong has been entirely his doing, and it’s been the best thing ever!
Before COVID, I was part of the ministry team at Bondi-Waverley Anglican Church…”
– The Australian Church Record speaks with Aleks Pinter at Wyong Anglican Church.
The Sydney Family Album 5 — Frederic Barker
In 2011, Mark Thompson, now Principal of Moore College, published a series of posts, entitled “The Sydney Family Album”, for his website, Theological Theology.
We felt they merit wider distribution, so, with Mark’s kind permission, we are re-posting them on the ACL website, at the rate of one a week.
Here’s the fifth in the series, on Bishop Frederic Barker.
“Barker’s long episcopate (until his death in 1882) saw massive change in the colony. Barker was certainly up to the challenge. He was a gifted administrator and was both visionary and practical.”
Other posts in the The Sydney Family Album series (as we add them) are in our Resources section.
Dr Robert Tong thanked for 45 years of service on the Board of Moore College
From Moore Theological College:
“Dr Robert Tong was acknowledged for 45 years of faithful service on the College Board this month.
Robert has served under 6 Archbishops and 4 Principals and has always been motivated by his devotion to Christ and his gospel. We are greatly indebted to this gifted and faithful governor.”
Photo: Robert Tong with three College Principals – Mark Thompson, John Woodhouse and Peter Jensen.
On a related note, The Anglican Church League is also grateful to the Lord for Robert’s long and faithful service as the Chairman of the ACL. He retired from that position at our Annual General Meeting last month. The ACL is immensely grateful for Robert’s wisdom and generosity over many years.
Kara Hartley appointed Faculty Member of Moore College
From Moore Theological College –
“The Moore College Governing Board has accepted the Principal’s nomination of Archdeacon Kara Hartley to join the College Faculty in January 2027 in a part-time capacity.
Kara is a graduate of the College (BD 2007, MA(Theol) 2019), has continued her involvement with it in many ways, and has extensive ministry experience, both lay and ordained, in the Diocese of Sydney. …”
– Read the full story from the College website.
Photo: Kara Hartley with Moore College Principal Mark Thompson.
Jono Squire to be Bishop of Wollongong
From SydneyAnglicans.net –
“A church planter from the greenfield suburbs of south-west Sydney has been appointed as the next Bishop of the Wollongong Region.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has announced the Reverend Jonathan Squire will follow Peter Hayward who has given significant service as Bishop of Wollongong since 2010. As is required, Mr Squire’s appointment was approved by Standing Committee.
Describing the Bishop-designate as a ‘capable and effective minister of the gospel, and a godly and able pastor and teacher’, Archbishop Raffel pointed to his work as rector of the Parish of Camden Valley, a region he has served for 20 years. …”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…