Obedience to God and Love of Neighbour in the Face of a Coronavirus: A Christian’s Mandate

Posted on March 27, 2020 
Filed under COVID19, Resources Comments Off on Obedience to God and Love of Neighbour in the Face of a Coronavirus: A Christian’s Mandate

“Just this week, I spoke with a national reporter for a major newspaper who asked me why people, in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, are almost universally asking some of the most urgent and important questions any human being could ask.

I answered that God made all humanity in his image – and as image bearers, there are certain questions we cannot avoid. …

A crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic tends to jerk humanity into the most fundamental theological questions. …

the Christian worldview actually speaks to the crisis we now face and the issues of shelter in place and quarantine.”

– Albert Mohler finds clear help from the Bible in thinking through how Christians should act in this time.

Dr Richard Condie, Bishop of Tasmania, preaches on Psalm 91

Posted on March 26, 2020 
Filed under Australian dioceses, COVID19, Resources Comments Off on Dr Richard Condie, Bishop of Tasmania, preaches on Psalm 91

Here’s the service of Morning Prayer from St. David’s Cathedral in Hobart, 22nd March 2019.

Bishop Richard Condie spoke on Psalm 91.

Something more important than lighting a candle

Posted on March 26, 2020 
Filed under COVID19, Opinion Comments Off on Something more important than lighting a candle

Writing from Canada, The Anglican Samizdat points out that there are more helpful things to do during the current crisis than to light a candle.

All Saints Cathedral Bathurst Morning Prayer for 29th March

Posted on March 26, 2020 
Filed under Australian dioceses, COVID19, Resources Comments Off on All Saints Cathedral Bathurst Morning Prayer for 29th March

Bishop Mark Calder, and the team at All Saints Cathedral in Bathurst, have produced this recording of Morning Prayer for Sunday 29 March 2020. Mark preaches on John 11. Share widely.

Special message from the Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers

Posted on March 25, 2020 
Filed under Australian dioceses, Encouragement Comments Off on Special message from the Bishop of Armidale Rick Lewers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFPUK4gf-Xw&feature=youtu.be

Bishop Rick Lewers in Armidale has recorded this message about the COVID-19 challenge.

He says it is not a time for Christians to suspend their fellowship, even if they cannot meet in person.

He reminds everyone that the diocesan vision is to introduce people to Jesus, and to help them home to heaven. That saving message can speak into people’s anxiety and insecurity.

Also, Bishop Lewers has begun a series of sermons on The Lord’s Prayer. Pray that they will be widely viewed, and will be a great blessing and encouragement.

See also the Diocese of Armidale website.

Tighter restrictions on home gatherings push fellowship online

Posted on March 25, 2020 
Filed under COVID19, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Tighter restrictions on home gatherings push fellowship online

“A number of new restrictions on gatherings mean that home groups are no longer possible according to government COVID-19 guidelines.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday night, that visits to homes, even with family, ‘should be kept to a minimum and with very small numbers of guests’. …”

– The latest from SydneyAnglicans.net.

(Photo: An almost deserted Sydney shopping mall yesterday.)

Archbishop Glenn Davies speaks about the COVID-19 crisis at The Pastor’s Heart

Posted on March 24, 2020 
Filed under COVID19, Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Archbishop Glenn Davies speaks about the COVID-19 crisis at The Pastor’s Heart

Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies joined Dominic Steele to answer questions on how we can lead our churches through the COVID-19 crisis – at The Pastor’s Heart.

33 minutes, well worth watching.

Culture shock: Why everyone’s feeling it, and how to cope, with Margie and Simon Gillham

Posted on March 24, 2020 
Filed under COVID19, Resources Comments Off on Culture shock: Why everyone’s feeling it, and how to cope, with Margie and Simon Gillham

“Culture shock is what happens when you move from one culture to another, and all your ways of dealing with the world become compromised by the changes you’re going through… That’s complicated and it’s exhausting. And that’s what everyone is going through right now. We have new ways of greeting people, we have new languages, new modes of communication…”

Simon and Margie Gillham are former missionaries with the Church Missionary Society. Simon is now the head of the Department of Mission at Moore College, and Margie is a Mission Development Facilitator for the Church Missionary Society. They have a great deal of experience in helping missionaries adjust to culture shock. They shared with me their thoughts and experiences, with many practical tips for how to adjust to the “new normal” that has been brought about by measures to contain the Covid-19 virus.

– Yet another very helpful resource from Lionel Windsor at Moore College.

Archbishop Glenn Davies’ term extended to March 2021

Posted on March 24, 2020 
Filed under People, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Archbishop Glenn Davies’ term extended to March 2021

“Archbishop Glenn Davies will continue to lead the Sydney Diocese until March next year, after his term was extended in the emergency circumstances of the Coronavirus.

Archbishops must retire at age 70. Dr Davies turns 70 in September and in order to allow a smooth transition had given notice that he would retire two months early, in July. This would have allowed an election Synod in August and the new Archbishop to chair the next Synod in October. The COVID-19 emergency means that the election synod will now not be held as scheduled.

The Standing Committee of the Diocese met on Monday night and voted unanimously to ask Dr Davies to withdraw his resignation to allow him to continue until March 2021.

Several Standing Committee members spoke strongly in favour of the move, saying it would allow stability of leadership through troubled times and help the Episcopal team remain at full strength to care for their regions.

Dr Davies absented himself during the debate and returned to applause as the decision was announced.

‘My wife and I have served Christ together in ministry for many years and are happy to continue to serve wherever we are needed,’ Dr Davies said. ‘I am humbled and grateful for the support of the Standing Committee. More than ever, I am thankful for the many people who uphold us in prayer.’ ”

– With thanks to Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Please continue to pray for Archbishop Davies and the members of his team as they preach Christ, and encourage churches to continue to be faithful in these trying times.

Emotional wellbeing in crazy times, with Paul Grimmond @ Moore College

Posted on March 23, 2020 
Filed under COVID19, Resources Comments Off on Emotional wellbeing in crazy times, with Paul Grimmond @ Moore College

“We’re living in crazy, tumultuous times. Covid-19 is forcing us to make radical changes in our lives, changes which inevitably take an emotional toll on us.

I had a chat to Paul Grimmond, Dean of Students at Moore College, about what he has been doing over the last few weeks here at Moore to help students & staff identify and process our feelings in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the reality of our ever-changing situation. Paul has a great depth of pastoral wisdom; the insights he shares here are valuable for all of us.”

– Another very helpful resource from Lionel Windsor.

My Coronavirus Meltdown Moment

Posted on March 23, 2020 
Filed under COVID19, Resources Comments Off on My Coronavirus Meltdown Moment

“The virus is called a coronavirus because of the crown-like spikes on the surface of the cell. It’s wearing a crown. This virus is a wannabe king. It has the power to make people fear it, to have it rule over their lives.”

– A profound insight from Jocelyn Loane at The Australian Church Record.

How the world worshipped on one of the most unusual Sundays in Church history

Posted on March 23, 2020 
Filed under COVID19 Comments Off on How the world worshipped on one of the most unusual Sundays in Church history

“Would it be an exaggeration to say that Sunday, March 22, 2020 was one of the most unusual Sundays in the history of Christianity? I don’t think it would be, because on this day the majority of Christians across the world were either not permitted to gather to worship or considered it inadvisable to do so. …

I was eager to document this unusual Sunday, so opened up my address book and got in touch with people all across the world to ask if they would record their experience by taking photographs.”

– Tim Challies has a pictorial overview.

Tips on living in lockdown from Christians in Italy

Posted on March 22, 2020 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Tips on living in lockdown from Christians in Italy

Tim Challies writes, “I’ll begin with some general tips I compiled from common themes. The first and biggest is this: Don’t panic and don’t be anxious. The Bible reminds us that God is in control, not the virus! God has a perfect plan even in this dramatic situation. We can rest in his sovereignty.”

– Read it all.

Churches challenged to continue care as they move online

Posted on March 22, 2020 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Churches challenged to continue care as they move online

“The first Sunday of Australian Christianity’s new normal has seen hundreds of Sydney Anglican Parishes go online, reminding members of the love of Jesus amid the pressures of COVID-19. …

‘I thank God for Sydney Anglicans who rose to the occasion today and met the challenges of not meeting in churches as they have done all their lives,’ said Archbishop Glenn Davies. …”

– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.

Photo: Dean of Sydney Kanishka Raffel, during the Cathedral’s livestream.

Women’s health advocate Catherine Hamlin dedicated her life to preventing birth trauma and maintaining dignity and hope

Posted on March 22, 2020 
Filed under People Comments Off on Women’s health advocate Catherine Hamlin dedicated her life to preventing birth trauma and maintaining dignity and hope

“At a time when the world is facing uncertainty and fear, the remarkable compassion of this selfless Australian woman’s life shines a light into the darkness.

Gynaecologist and obstetrician Catherine Hamlin dedicated more than 60 years of her life to the care of vulnerable and marginalised Ethiopian women suffering horrific birthing injuries. …”

– Jennifer King writes at ABC News.

← Previous Page — Next Page →