Judging the Macquaries — with Peter Adam
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“In reconciliation week we turn our attention to Colonial Australia and a new book out from John Harris, ‘Judging the Macquaries’ – with Peter Adam.
The Black Lives Matter movement is bringing the characters of powerful people in colonial times into sharp focus, particularly their attitudes and actions towards slavery and indigenous peoples.
Lachlan and Elizabeth Macquarie are among those being scrutinised and reassessed.
John Harris paints a more spiritually positive picture of Governor Lachlan Macquarie than had previously been understood. His wife Elizabeth Macquarie was a clear evangelical. Lachlan Macquarie’s Christian faith causes him to stand out in significant policy areas from the dominant views of the time: in his attitudes, behaviour and policies relating to both convicts and indigenous persons.”
No higher title than ‘child of God’
“There was a knock at the cathedral door just moments after the afternoon rehearsal for the consecration and inauguration of Kanishka Raffel.
The door was opened by the Archbishop-elect himself. ‘Would you like a cup of coffee?’ he said to person at the door, one of the many people in difficulties who take shelter around the Cathedral.
‘Do you take sugar?’ the about-to-be Archbishop said as he went off to make the coffee himself.
It seemed fitting that only four hours later, before the Governor-General, politicians and leaders of other religious denominations, he was giving a sermon urging humility before the cross of Jesus. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell has this story on last night’s service of Consecration and Inauguration.
You can watch the entire service here – or click this link to go straight to the Bible reading by Mrs Cailey Raffel and then Archbishop Raffel’s sermon.
Photos by Russell Powell (click for full images):
Dean of Sydney Kanishka Raffel, about to enter the Cathedral for the Service of Consecration and Inauguration. By Russell Powell
Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel. By Russell Powell.
Watch the Consecration and Inauguration of Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
The Consecration and Inauguration of Kanishka Raffel as Archbishop of Sydney was streamed live from St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney from 7:00pm AEST on Friday 28th May.
A most encouraging and Christ-honouring occasion.
The Order of Service may be downloaded at this link.
The heart of Sydney’s new Archbishop Kanishka Raffel
Most encouraging and worth sharing widely.
And please do continue to uphold Kanishka and Cailey in prayer ahead of the Inauguration on Friday at 7:00pmAEST.
George Whitefield College gives thanks for Dr. John Newby
George Whitefield College in Capetown gives thanks to the Lord for former Vice Principal The Rev. Dr. John Newby, who was called home earlier this month.
Photo: John Newby and then Principal Broughton Knox.
See also this tribute from REACH South Africa.
Kanishka Raffel with Richard Glover on ABC Radio Sydney
Updated with a direct link to the interview.
Richard Glover on ABC Radio Sydney interviewed newly elected Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel on Monday 10th May 2021.
The interview can be heard at this link.
Image from the Cathedral video stream, 09 May 2021.
Hear the back story of Sydney’s new Archbishop
“In the days after Kanishka Raffel’s election as Sydney’s new Archbishop, his face has been on the major TV news, he has been questioned by the Sydney Morning Herald and now an in-depth interview with ABC Radio.
While Channel Nine News drew comparisons with the first leader of Anglicans in Sydney, Bishop Broughton, the main news on Channel Seven featured the Dean of Sydney speaking about his election last Thursday. …”
– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell gives a roundup of media coverage of the Archbishop’s election, including a transcript of Kanishka’s interview with Richard Glover on ABC Radio Sydney yesterday.
Image: Wesley Mission.
Moore College welcomes Kanishka & Cailey Raffel
“Moore College welcomes the election of the new Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel.
Kanishka is married to Cailey and they have two adult daughters, Hannah and Lucy.
He is a graduate of the College having studied here from 1992–1995. While exercising a powerfully effective ministry at St Matthew’s Wanniassa in Canberra (1996–99) and St Matthews’ Shenton Park in Perth (1999–2015), he completed a MA (Theol) from the College as well (2010). Since returning to Sydney as Dean of Sydney in 2016, Kanishka and Cailey have been frequent visitors to the College. …”
– A welcome from Moore College.
An historic moment at Synod — video
Watch this encouraging video of the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney welcoming Kanishka and Cailey Raffel just after Kanishka was elected as the next Archbishop of Sydney.
With thanks to Russell Powell and Anglican Media Sydney.
Getting to know the incoming Archbishop of Sydney
Many will know Kanishka Raffel, who was elected as Archbishop of Sydney at the special session of Sydney Synod this week.
If you don’t know Kanishka, here is some background provided by his nominators:
“Kanishka Raffel is currently the Dean of Sydney, serving at St Andrew’s Cathedral.
He has been married to Cailey for 32 years, and they have two adult daughters.
Born in London of Sri Lankan parents, he arrived in Australia as a 7-year-old. His father died soon after the family arrived in Australia and his mother and siblings moved back to Sri Lanka for a couple of years before returning to Australia when Kanishka was 9.
Raised a Buddhist, a friend gave Kanishka a copy of two Gospels when he was at University. At the age of 21, Kanishka was convicted by the inescapable words of Jesus in John’s Gospel: ‘No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day’ (John 6:44). This personal experience has not only meant that Kanishka is passionate about spreading the Good News but it also means that he happily rests on the unchanging truth that God brings people to himself through his Son.”
Here a selection of links (some of them thanks to the above website) to help you get to know Kanishka:
The Dean’s Story – interview with Rachael Kohn on ABC Radio National, February 2016. Audio file here.
Interview with Noel Debean on ABC Radio Religion and Ethics, March 2016.
A very surprised Christian – Kanishka’s journey from Buddhism to Christ, in his own word, May 2018.
Do not lose heart – Preaching Matters, St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, February 2015.
Good News from the Other Side — Dean of Sydney’s Easter Day sermon 2020.
Speaking about Love on Good Friday, March 2016.
Unexpected Beauty: The Enduring Comfort of Christian Fellowship, March 2021.
A selection of articles on The Gospel Coalition website
Guest appearance on The Drum, ABC TV, October 2019 – esp. see from 43:39.
‘Leading from the pulpit’, Village Church Annadale, 2018.
A sermon on John 6:49-69 (I am the bread of life) at MBM Rooty Hill, March 2019.
Please uphold in prayer Kanishka and Cailey with the many changes coming for them both, and pray that they will continue to delight in knowing and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
Photo: Courtesy Kanishka’s nominators.
“Like every Christian, I gladly trust in Jesus.” — Kanishka Raffel elected Archbishop of Sydney
“The Dean of Sydney, the Very Reverend Kanishka Raffel, has been elected as Archbishop of Sydney, the first person from a non-European background to hold the position.
He’s the 13th leader of the Anglican Church in Sydney since Bishop Broughton was first appointed in 1836.
‘I’m humbled and somewhat daunted by the responsibility given me by the Synod,’ Archbishop-elect Raffel said. ‘We believe that the Lord works through his people — both in making this decision and in enabling the Archbishop to fulfil his role. Like every Christian, I gladly trust in Jesus.’
Mr Raffel has been the Dean of Sydney for six years, previously leading a large Anglican church in Perth for 16 years. …”
– Read the full report from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net
Image via Anglican Media Sydney.
What Can we Learn Today from the Preaching of John Stott?
“John Stott visited Australia in January 1965, and this visit, one of many, had a profound effect on Australian preaching.
Stott gave Bible studies on 2 Corinthians at the Anglican Church Missionary Society Summer Schools in several states in Australia. Much Australian preaching at that time was on ‘a text’, that is, on an individual verse from the Bible, often without much regard to its context.
In his Bible studies John Stott was demonstrating the obvious value of preaching from passages of Scripture, and from consecutive passages of Scripture. His example had a profound impact on Australian preaching, initially transforming preaching in Anglican churches, but soon also in other churches as well. …
Under God, he was part of a revival of systematic expository preaching in the UK in the 20th Century, which was achieved through Willie Still in Aberdeen, and Martin Lloyd-Jones, John Stott and Dick Lucas in London, and has spread around the world.”
– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Peter Adam’s article is an encouragement for preachers and their hearers.
Image: An interview with Peter Adam at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate.
Giving thanks for John Stott on the Centenary of his birth
John Stott was born in London one hundred years ago today, on 27 April 1921.
In the above video Chris Wright speaks of the centenary and the John Stott website has links to various resources.
Related:
Sydney Church History – David Cook.
ACL tribute to John Stott – Dr Mark Thompson, July 2011.
John Stott – a tribute – Bishop Paul Barnett, August 2011.
Fred Nile to retire from NSW Parliament — names Lyle Shelton as successor
From a Christian Democratic Party Media Release, April 11, 2021:
“Christian Democratic Party Founder, the Reverend Honourable Fred Nile MLC today announced that after 40 years in the NSW Parliament, he will retire this November from the Legislative Council.
Rev Nile has recommended to the CDP’s State Board, and it has unanimously agreed, that Lyle Shelton, former Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby, will be his successor subject to the agreement of the CDP’s State Council.…”
– Full media release (PDF file).
Mourning Prince Philip (updated)
From SydneyAnglicans.net –
The Commonwealth is in mourning after the death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.
“The passing of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh is an immense sadness and our thoughts immediately turn to Her Majesty, the Queen and the Royal Family in their grief,” said Bishop Peter Hayward, the Administrator of Sydney Diocese, in a statement soon after the news was announced.
“A marriage of over 70 years standing and a life of service to the Commonwealth through war and peace, is a testament to Prince Philip’s loving care and strong sense of duty. We are praying for Her Majesty, the Queen and her family, that they may know the comfort of Christ at this difficult time. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Ps 91:1”
An official memorial service is not likely until funeral arrangements have been finalised in London. However, the Governor-General, the Prime Minster and the Premier will be attending St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney tomorrow morning, taking the opportunity to pray for Her Majesty, the Queen, and the Royal family.
Photo: The condolence book and portrait standing in the Cathedral.
The service will be livestreamed from the cathedral and will be led by the Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel and Bishop Hayward will preach.
Update:
The Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, has written these prayers which you may wish to use in church tomorrow. (PDF file via SydneyAnglicans.net)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…