Catholics will accept a common date for Easter in East, West, Pope says

Posted on January 27, 2025 
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“Celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s willingness to accept a proposal for a common date for celebrating Easter in the West and the East.

Noting that in 2025 the date coincides on the West’s Gregorian calendar and the East’s Julian calendar, Pope Francis said that ‘I renew my appeal that this coincidence may serve as an appeal to all Christians to take a decisive step forward toward unity around a common date for Easter.’…”

– Possibly not something which keeps you awake at night, but important for some. Report from Catholic news agency OCV News.

Richard Johnson’s Address to the Inhabitants of New South Wales

Posted on January 26, 2025 
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This Australia Day, give thanks for the Rev. Richard Johnson, Chaplain to the First Fleet and first Chaplain to the Colony of New South Wales.

In 1792, Johnson wrote a tract designed to be distributed widely in the Colony. He gives his reasons for doing so:

“My Beloved,

I do not think it necessary to make an apology for putting this Address into your hands; or to enter into a long detail of the reasons which induced me to write it.

One reason may suffice. I find I cannot express my regard for you, so often, or so fully, as I wish, in any other way.

On our first arrival in this distant part of the world, and for some time afterwards, our numbers were comparatively small; and while they resided nearly upon one spot, I could not only preach to them on the Lord’s day, but also converse with them, and admonish them, more privately.

But since that period, we have gradually increased in number every year (notwithstanding the great mortality we have sometimes known) by the multitudes that have been sent hither after us. The colony already begins to spread, and will probably spread more and more every year, both by new settlements formed in different places under the crown, and by a number of individuals continually becoming settlers. Thus the extent of what I call my parish, and consequently of my parochial duty, is enlarging daily. On the other hand, my health is not so good, nor my constitution so strong, as formerly. And therefore I feel it impracticable, and impossible for me, either to preach, or to converse with you so freely, as my inclination and affection would prompt me to do.

I have therefore thought it might be proper for me, and I hope it may prove useful to you, to write such an address as I now present you with…”

Johnson’s warm pastoral tone, and his urgent call to trust Christ and to turn from sin, are clearly evident in this Address.

Download An Address to The Inhabitants of The Colonies Established in New South Wales and Norfolk Island as a PDF file here.

(Photo: Richard Johnson’s Address – copy held by Moore College.)

How one Indigenous pastor is preparing for Australia Day

Posted on January 25, 2025 
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“As we approach another Australia Day, I pause to reflect on the blessings we enjoy as Australians, the challenges of our shared history, and the call to reconciliation. Above all, we give thanks to Almighty God, the giver of every good gift, for his provision and care for our nation. …”

– The Rev Neville Naden calls us to “turn our hearts to God in gratitude and commit to” thankfulness, reflection, and action. At SydneyAnglicans.net.

Photo: The Rev Neville Naden – with thanks to the Bush Church Aid Society.

Expository Preaching Trust Activities 2025

Posted on January 25, 2025 
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The Expository Preaching Trust has published some details of its planned activities for 2025, including events at Armidale Anglican Cathedral as well as meetings at Sutherland, Abbotsford, Wahroonga, and Drummoyne.

Much encouragement for preachers.

See all the details at their website.

Are the Church of England’s bishops running scared from gay wedding celebrations?

Posted on January 24, 2025 
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“Are the Church of England’s bishops running scared from the problems caused by the prospect of gay wedding celebrations in parish churches across the country?

That would appear to be the political reality behind the House of Bishops’ decision at its meeting on January 20 to delay the introduction of stand-alone services of same-sex blessing. …

What has changed since that gung-ho General Synod vote in February 2023 when 34 bishops voted for the introduction of services of same-sex blessing, called Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF), with only four voting against and two abstaining?”

– At Christian Today, Julian Mann surmises what might be behind the delay in going ahead with same sex weddings in the Church of England.

‘Religious groups split on changes to hate-speech laws’

Posted on January 23, 2025 
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“A proposal to criminalise hate speech in NSW has split religious organisations, with Australia’s peak Jewish body welcoming it as long overdue, but the Anglican and Catholic churches warning it could have unintended consequences of criminalising expressions of doctrine. …

Michael Stead, the Anglican Bishop of South Sydney, said his church was ‘deeply outraged and appalled’ by the spate of attacks against the Jewish community, but cautioned against the ‘unintended consequences‘ of such a law.”

– Report from The Sydney Morning Herald.

Image of Bishop Michael Stead courtesy of The Pastor’s Heart.

Mothers Union Sydney annual seminar 2025

Posted on January 23, 2025 
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Mothers Union Sydney has details of their 2025 Annual Seminar coming up on Friday 28th February.

Speakers and topics:
Shining Like Stars – Anna Brotherson
Living in a Secular Age – Steve McAlpine
Equipping Our Children – Al James and Beth Braga

It’s free, but registration is required. Read about it and register here.

Nominating the next Archbishop of Canterbury

Posted on January 22, 2025 
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“Dear members of the General Synod,

As you will expect, the process for the appointment of the next Archbishop of Canterbury is underway and I wanted to write to share the outline framework of the emerging plans surrounding this. It is a significant responsibility, and all those involved are committed to ensuring this important process is carried out with the utmost integrity and care. …”

– Stephen Knott, The Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments, has written to members of the Church of England’s General Synod to outline the process of nominating the next Archbishop of Canterbury. From the Church of England website.

William Taylor: ‘Give yourself wholly to the work of the Lord’

Posted on January 22, 2025 
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From The Pastor’s Heart:

“What is the work of the Lord? What is in vain if the resurrection is not true? What truly lasts and what does gospel work looks like in our daily lives?

The debate over eschatology and one’s view of the new heavens and new earth.   Will there be a Sydney Harbour Bridge in the new creation?

And in the meantime, what should be our priorities?

William Taylor is the rector of St Helen’s Church in London, where he is engaged in ministry to city workers.

He has written the book ‘Revolutionary Work’ to address these issues.”

– Watch or listen here.

A reminder to pray for those in authority

Posted on January 21, 2025 
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As we think of Australian leaders responding to anti-Semitism, or the new Administration in the USA, it’s good to remember these words from 1 Timothy 2:1-4:

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – ESV.

Related: Dr Albert Mohler shares his take on the events of the Inauguration early today Australian time. (Link corrected.)

Action on anti-semitism

Posted on January 21, 2025 
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“Archbishop Kanishka Raffel and the Bishop of South Sydney, Michael Stead, have held consultations with Jewish and other faith leaders, as well as Government, as anti-semitism reaches a new level.

Firebombing of cars, graffiti hate attacks on homes and synagogues in Sydney’s east, and now the arson attack on a preschool in Maroubra, have created fear in Jewish communities. …”

– Story from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Image: The burnt-out Maroubra childcare centre (photo by Judy Adamson)

“100 Ministry Stories from Moore College” — Chenny Thie

Posted on January 20, 2025 
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“Chenny Thie serves with CMS in Japan, sharing the gospel with university students in Tokyo. Moore College equipped her to confidently handle God’s Word, enabling her to teach students how to read and understand the Bible for themselves and share it with others. She treasures the fellowship and shared learning she experienced at Moore, which continues to shape her ministry today.”

– Moore College’s “100 Ministry Stories” continues with Chenny Thie, serving in Japan.

James Boardman commissioned at Kelso

Posted on January 19, 2025 
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From the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page:

“In the presence of Diocesan and other clergy, along with representatives of BCA partner churches, the Rev’d James Boardman was commissioned as Priest-in-Charge of the parish of Kelso yesterday. Charly and the children were warmly welcomed and took part in the service. We are so thankful for the support of BCA, without which, James could not serve full-time.”

Food for your prayers.

Related: Bush Church Aid.

Bishop of Chelmsford front-runner for Archbishop of Canterbury after Dover rules herself out

Posted on January 19, 2025 
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“Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, the Iranian-born Bishop of Chelmsford, is now emerging as the front-runner to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury after the Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, ruled herself out in a television interview last week. …”

– Julian Mann writes at Anglican Mainstream.

Photo from the Diocese of Chelmsford, where you can also read the Christmas 2024 sermon from Bishop Francis-Dehqani:

“we must be willing to see through the eyes of the child who was born in that stable, whose mother had sung of the proud being scattered, the mighty being cast down and the lowly lifted high, and who grew into the man who eschewed worldly power and success not only by siding with those who are victims of poverty, exploitation and abuse but by first becoming a victim himself through death on the cross, experiencing every kind of injustice and horror. Seeing through his eyes means seeing through the eyes of victims, those who are powerless and marginalised, strangers, outsiders, and yes, those who have experienced abuse at the hands of the church.…”

How to Choose a New Church

Posted on January 19, 2025 
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“The start of the year is often a time when Christians move to new places and so need to find a new church. Is that you? If so, for what it’s worth, here are my tips on how to go about it.

What should you look for in a church? At least three characteristics. …”

– Des Smith, at Trinity Church Lockleys in Adelaide, has some advice you may find helpful. At The Gospel Coalition Australia.

Photo: Christ Church Cathedral, Darwin.

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