Australia loses Indigenous Christian pioneer
“Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has paid tribute to Australia’s first Indigenous Bishop, Arthur Malcolm, who has passed away at the age of 87. …
His influence and ministry led to the public apology from the Anglican Church to Aboriginal people in 1988.
At St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, Australian Anglican Bishops led by the Primate, Sir John Grindrod, delivered an apology to Bishop Malcolm, saying
“My brother in Christ: … May I express on behalf of all non-Aboriginal people of our church profound sorrow for the suffering that your people have had to endure, with its violence and hurt. We humbly ask God’s forgiveness; and we seek your forgiveness as a leader of your people, for the actions of the past and those causing hurt at the present time. We have longed to share with your people the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We confess our endeavour has often fallen short of his love.”
In turn, Bishop Malcolm said
“My brother in Christ: For a long time we have been hurting… but it is through the message of Jesus Christ that we have learned to forgive. We have received this forgiveness, and now in turn we must also forgive.”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell has this story about Bishop Arthur Malcolm.
Top photo: Archbishop of Brisbane Sir John Grindrod and Bishop Arthur Malcolm at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, February 1988.
Below: The Australian Bishops gathered at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney in February 1988.
Both photos by, and with thanks to, Ramon Williams, Worldwide Photos.
Vale Bishop Arthur Malcolm
News via The Anglican Board of Mission’s Facebook page –
“ABM is sad to report the passing of Bishop Arthur Malcolm. Bishop Arthur was Australia’s first Aboriginal Bishop and an outstanding leader and pastor in the Australian church. Bishop Arthur retired from his episcopal role in 2001 but has continued to inspire and encourage from his home in Yarrabah, North Queensland. ABM expresses our sincere condolences to Aunty Coleen and the entire family.
Bishop Malcolm was born at Yarrabah (Queensland) and began training as a Church Army Officer in Stockton (New South Wales) where he completed a Certificate course in Evangelism in 1959. During his time as a Captain in the Church Army he served at Lake Tyers (Victoria) and Brewarrina (New South Wales). People from Victoria and New South Wales express great affection for their beloved “Captain”.
He returned to Yarrabah in 1974 as Chaplain and was ordained by the Bishop of North Queensland in 1978. As well as ministering to his people at Yarrabah he had responsibility for Anglican people at Palm Island. He was made a Canon of St James’ Cathedral, Townsville in 1984 and consecrated Bishop with special responsibility to Aboriginal people in 1985.
During this time he developed an outstanding leadership amongst Aboriginal people and encouraged them in their education, community life and in the many struggles which Indigenous people in Australia encounter.
He has also been engaged in leadership and pastoral support in the non-Indigenous community and is well respected and admired for his sensitive and reconciling counsel. …”
Photo: Archbishop of Brisbane Sir John Grindrod and Bishop Arthur Malcolm at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney, February 1988. – Photo by, and with thanks to, Ramon Williams, Worldwide Photos.
Praying for the North West and the election of a new Bishop
In the latest edition of North West Network (PDF file), Paul Spackman, Administrator of the Diocese of North West Australia, asks for your prayers for the election of their new bishop.
The election synod is planned for August 26-28 2022.
Scott Morrison urges Perth churchgoers to put their trust in the Lord
“Former prime minister Scott Morrison has told churchgoers they should put their trust in God — not governments — during a speech focusing on anxiety in Perth.
Mr Morrison was a guest speaker at a birthday event for Pentecostal church the Victory Life Centre, founded by tennis champion Margaret Court, on Sunday. …”
– Story from ABC News.
New Dean of Geraldton
“Cathedral members are rejoicing at the news that the Revd Lachlan Edwards has been appointed the new Dean of Geraldton.
Lachlan and his wife Bec have spent the past decade ministering in Sydney at Christ Church Lavender Bay and Fig Tree Anglican Church.
They are thankful to be returning to the place where they served after graduating from Trinity Theological College in Perth. …”
– News from the Diocese of North West Australia.
More encouragement from Bathurst Diocese
The Diocese of Bathurst – via its Facebook page – shares encouraging news and food for prayer –
Tim Smith, pictured with Jess and Annie Amelia, at left, and Jonny Lush, pictured with Liz, have been approved for ordination as deacons. The ordination service is planned for December.
“We are currently discerning where they may best serve the Lord in 2023, when 16/28 parishes without clergy will become 14/28!!”
At right: The Rev’d Ben Mackay will be ordained priest in the church of God on Saturday 16th July at 2pm, at St George’s Parkes.
The Good Fight of Faith
In the July–August 2022 issue of Southern Cross magazine Simon Manchester has an insightful interview with David and Bronwyn Short in Vancouver.
They share something of the battles for the truth of God’s Word, and the cost of doing so.
Do take the time to read it all (pages 24-26), and continue to uphold in prayer the Shorts, St. John’s Vancouver, and all of the Anglican Network in Canada.
Simon mentions the recent book The Anglican Church in Canada. Read more about it here.
Long-time readers will be well aware of events in Canada the last twenty years. David’s 2004 article “Are we stronger than He?” is a good place to start.
See also:
St. John’s Vancouver leaves the building, praying for God’s blessing on New Westminster, September 2011.
Posts relating to Vancouver, and Canada.
In the interview David Short says, “Jim Packer wrote a wonderful essay called ‘Why I Walked’ that is well worth reading.”. It certainly is, and is available here as a PDF file on the GAFCON website.
Photo: Bronwyn and David Short via SydneyAnglicans.net.
Archbishop Ben Kwashi’s visit to Sydney cancelled
From Anglican Aid Sydney, 20 June 2022 –
“It is with great excitement that we will be welcoming Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria, Ben Kwashi to Sydney in August, 2022. Archbishop Kwashi has agreed to present at an event for Anglican Aid supporters and ministry leaders on Saturday 13 August 2022.”
Update:
Anglican Aid has reported that Archbishop Kwashi’s visit has been cancelled due to his need for a medical procedure in late July.
Please continue to uphold in prayer Archbishop Kwashi and his family.
And do continue to support Anglican Aid.
Earlier:
Frontline church leader battles cancer – SydneyAnglicans.net, October 2020.
With thanksgiving for Brian Richardson
We are very sorry to hear the news that Archdeacon Brian Richardson has died in Sydney.
Brian was Archdeacon of North Sydney 1982-1993. Previously he served as Rector of Turramurra 1977-1984, Manly 1966-1977 and Carlingford 1960-1966.
Our readers will want to uphold Brian’s family in their prayers at this time. We are thankful that Brian is now with Christ, and that is “better by far”. (Philippians 1:23.)
His funeral will be held at St James’ Turramurra tomorrow, Thursday 23rd June 2022 at 11:00am. (Video link here.)
Honoured for fostering love
“North Shore couple Carolyn and David Stedman, who have fostered 74 children, are among several Sydney Anglicans honoured in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours…”
– SydneyAnglicans.net has the story.
Image: Seven’s Sunrise via Anglican Media Sydney.
A celebration of uncommon leadership — Archbishop Kanishka Raffel’s sermon for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
“Princess Elizabeth was 25 years old and on tour in Kenya on her way to Australia, when she learnt the tragic news of the early death of her father, King George VI.
King George had acceded to the throne only after the unprecedented abdication of his brother King Edward VIII.
It had shaken the nation, and its impact on her father, the royal family and the kingdom is undoubtedly part of the background to Her Majesty’s unswerving devotion to her role.
Her uncle’s reign was the shortest of any British monarch. Her Majesty’s eclipsed that of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, more than six years ago. …”
— Archbishop Kanishka Raffel preached at a special service at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney today on the Occasion of the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Photo:
Queen Elizabeth shakes hands with Bishop Jack Dain outside St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, on 13 March 1977. Archbishop Sir Marcus Loane is at the Queen’s side, and Bishop John Reid is at centre. At right, Dean of the Cathedral, Lance Shilton, stands with Prince Philip. Photo courtesy Ramon Williams.
Moore College gives thanks for the life of Dr. B. Ward Powers
“Moore College gives thanks for the life of Dr. B. Ward Powers who died on 7th May 2022.
Dr. Powers graduated from Moore College in 1959 and joined the Moore College staff as the Secretary for External Studies in 1964. …”
– This tribute from Moore College.
Bishop Mark Calder speaks at Moore College on The Good Shepherd, John 10:1-18
Last week Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder preached at Moore College and also shared encouraging updates from across the diocese.
Why would you move to Victoria in the middle of a pandemic?
“Why would you move to Victoria in the middle of a pandemic?
Such was the incredulity of our friends basking in the tropical delights of the Northern Territory when we announced we were pulling up stumps and heading south. Indeed, many of our new friends here have asked the same question.
To say it was an interesting start to our new ministry at Christ Church Echuca would be an understatement. …”
– On page 9 of the March 2022 issue of The Spirit monthly from the Diocese of Bendigo, Phil & Leeanne Zamagias share why they moved from Darwin to Echuca.
Astronaut Charles Duke walked on the Moon 50 years ago — He shares his story
“Astronaut Charles Duke played a crucial role in the very first the moon landing and also … 50 years ago, walked on the moon himself.”
– Eric Metaxas (author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Martin Luther) last week interviewed Astronaut Charlie Duke, on the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s landing on the Moon on Apollo 16.
Charlie shares that walking with Jesus is better than walking on the Moon.
(Photo: Charlie Duke at Plum Crater, Saturday 22 April 1972.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…