Mark Calder announced as Bishop of Bathurst
Posted on September 1, 2019
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An announcement from Archdeacon Brett Watterson, Administrator of the Diocese of Bathurst:
“We look forward to the Rev’d Mark Norman Calder’s consecration as a Bishop in the church of God, 7pm Thursday 21 November in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney and installation, 11am Saturday 23 November at All Saints Cathedral, Bathurst.
Mark was born in Broken Hill, when his parents were running the BCA hostel. Moving to Sydney and settling in Eastwood, he attended Eastwood Primary school and Epping Boys High. After 6 years working in the television industry, he studied at Moore College from 1984-87. Following nearly four years working as an assistant minister – first at Lalor Park and then at North Sydney – he was appointed rector of St Andrew’s Roseville in September 1991. During this time, he served on the council of the northern region of the diocese, the Anglican Media Council, the council of Shore school and on the standing committee of the diocese.
He became rector of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast in the diocese of Brisbane in November 2009. Wanting to learn from other traditions within the Anglican church, he immersed himself in the life of the diocese, serving at various times as area dean, diocesan nominator, General Synod rep and member of the council of St Andrew’s Anglican College Peregian Springs. Concurrent with his appointment at Noosa, he served for four years as priest-in-charge of the neighbouring parish of Cooroora.
Mark and Susan celebrated 30 years of marriage in July this year. They have three children: Philip – married to Sidney – lives in Townsville; Emily – married to Anthony – lives in Ipswich; and Michael lives in Toowoomba. Mark and Susan love being grandparents to Emily and Anthony’s children, Mackenzie (3) and Charlie (1).
Mark enjoys his family, God’s glory in creation, many aspects of today’s technology and long drives!
Mark communicated his desire for the diocese of Bathurst in this way:
My prayer is that under my leadership, the Diocese will grow communities of faith, full of people who have confidence in their forgiveness through the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and joyful assurance of spending eternity with God by his grace. I trust that in every city, town and village, the Anglican church is known and loved, present in the community and valued for its contribution. I pray that as a result, more and more people will become disciples and grow strong and clear in their relationship with the Lord Jesus, to the glory of God.”
See also:
A new role for our minister – Anglican Church of Noosa.
Sydney helps Bathurst – SydneyAnglicans.net, 15 October 2018.
‘Ground-breaking’ winner at NSW Premier’s History Awards
Posted on September 1, 2019
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“A book exploring The Bible’s complex influence on Australia’s political and pop culture landscape, from colonisation to the Bra Boys, is among the major winners of this year’s NSW Premier’s History Awards. …”
– Story from The Sydney Morning Herald.
See also:
2019 Winner Judges’ Comments –
“Meredith Lake’s The Bible in Australia is a book of remarkable originality. Formidably researched yet carrying its scholarship with an enviable lightness of touch, this is a ground-breaking cultural and social history.”
Wangaratta Synod prepares to push Anglican Church of Australia to the Brink
Posted on August 31, 2019
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“As I write the synod of the Diocese of Wangaratta is in the final day of its current session.
Bishop Parkes has been very clear that he intends to support and endorse a motion before the synod to allow for blessings of those individuals who have entered into a same-sex marriage in Australia. …
Bishop Parkes’ Presidential Address provides a clear insight into his thinking on this topic.…
It seems certain that the synod will pass the motion and the crisis will be upon us. As we’ve reported previously, we should expect to see conservative bishops take out disciplinary measures against Parkes. The matter will also be referred to the Appellate Tribunal.”
– David Ould writes on the Synod of the Diocese of Wangaratta, which concludes today.
Photo: Bishop David Parkes, who speaks (in his Presidential address) of the influence on his thinking of John Macquarrie and Friedrich Schleiermacher, among others.
“The Diocese of Wangaratta has passed their motion calling for the blessing of individuals who have taken part in a same-sex wedding. The voting, reported by prominent supporter of the motion Ven. John Davis (Archdeacon Emeritus of the Diocese), was that 67 for, 18 against and one abstention.”
“In the coming weeks, Bishop Parkes will bless two priests from Wangaratta, John Davis and Rob Whalley, who have been in a relationship for more than 20 years.” – ABC News, 1st September 2019.
What happened in Boga needs further analysis and appropriate action
Posted on August 31, 2019
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“What happened in Boga needs further investigation, like getting a cure to a patient who requires serious diagnosis, laboratory tests and examination.
You have heard about what happened in Boga the morning of last Friday when the Islamist ADF rebel group invaded Boga. That invasion caused a lot of pain, suffering, fear and trauma. What is the source of all this? Many people are having no answers to the question.”
– Bishop William Mugenyi Bahemuka gives some important background to the attack on Boga a week ago. At the GAFCON website.
Protest against the abortion-to-birth bill — Saturday 7th September
Posted on August 30, 2019
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The Australian Christian Lobby is encouraging a massive protest against the “abortion-to-birth bill” outside Liberal Party State Council meeting next week.
They write, “This is the first time the party has come together since the election. The Premier and numerous MPs will be in attendance. We need your support to show the tsunami of opposition against the radical abortion-to-birth bill!”
8.00am Saturday 7th September
Outside the Main Foyer
International Convention Centre,
14 Darling Drive, Sydney NSW 2000.
You could consider letting church members know about this on Sunday.
Draft Religious Discrimination Bill — Diocese of Sydney Public Statement
Posted on August 30, 2019
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Here’s a Pubic Statement from the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney, 30th August 2019:
Draft Religious Discrimination Bill released
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s draft Religious Discrimination Bill but cautions more work is needed on the detail of the Bill.
“We welcome the Attorney-General’s clear statement that greater protections are needed for people of faith, or of none, concerning freedom of speech, conscience and belief. Other attributes such as sex and race are protected, it is only logical that faith be among those.”
Although there has been a media concentration on the case of Israel Folau, Dr Davies said the issues are much wider.
“We want MPs of all parties to understand the framework of faith by which religious organisations operate in all areas of society from care ministries to health and education.”
“We are disappointed that there doesn’t yet seem to be a comprehensive approach which includes both the draft legislation just released and the work of the ALRC examining the patchwork of existing legislation. There needs to be deep consultation on both areas as soon as possible.”
Dr Davies said the Anglican Diocese of Sydney was committed to engaging in the consultation process which Mr Porter has set in place.
“I hope the Federal Opposition will support, in the spirit of bipartisanship, an outcome which strengthens social cohesion and freedom of speech, conscience and belief in Australia.”
– From the Diocese of Sydney.
New Commonwealth Religious Freedom Laws
Posted on August 30, 2019
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“The Commonwealth Attorney-General has released Exposure Drafts of a package of Federal Bills designed to improve religious freedom protections under Australian law, along with associated explanatory information. The legislation responds to the recommendations of the Ruddock Panel into Religious Freedom, released late in 2018. Public comment has been invited by 2 October, 2019.
The main item is the Religious Discrimination Bill 2019 (“RDB”), which broadly replicates the existing pattern of anti-discrimination laws enacted by the Commonwealth, but picking up for the first time at the Federal level the “protected characteristics” of “religious belief or activity”. Two ancillary Bills propose consequential amendments to other legislation, add some specific matters to be taken into account in objects clauses for other discrimination laws, and slightly amend or clarify the laws on charities and marriage.
The RDB is a lengthy document (68 clauses over 52 pages), with some complexities that will need to be unpacked. But I would like to offer a brief overview and an initial response, which will be followed up later by more detailed comments about particular issues. I can say, however, that it looks like being a worthwhile and helpful change which in general will further the cause of religious freedom (for both believers and non-believers) in Australia.…”
– Neil Foster, Associate Professor in Law, offers an initial opinion at Law and Religion Australia.
‘Belief…’
Posted on August 30, 2019
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“When the subject of religion comes up we often hear comments like: ‘Religion is for the weak-minded’, or ‘it is poisonous’. We also hear, ‘All religions are the same’. And if the conversation continues, we might get told, ‘Religious people are so self-righteous!’ There are also those who tell us, ‘Everyone’s right in their own kind of way.’ ‘In any case, when I die, if there is a God, I’m sure he’ll accept me: I’ve led a good life’.
So, in this indifferent and sometimes hostile world, how do people come to faith in Christ? In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul provides some helpful clues. Let me identify them briefly. …”
– At The Anglican Connection, John Mason continues a series of short reflections on sharing the gospel. Others here.
Archaeologists in Peru unearth 227 bodies in biggest-ever discovery of child sacrifice
Posted on August 29, 2019
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“Archaeologists in Peru say the 227 bodies they have unearthed from a site used by the pre-Columbian Chimu culture is the biggest-ever discovery of sacrificed children. …”
– Story from ABC News.
Costi Hinn shares his story of God, Greed and the Prosperity Gospel
Posted on August 29, 2019
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“Collin Hansen interviews Benny Hinn’s nephew Costi about growing up believing the prosperity gospel and how he came to see it as incompatible with the Bible.
For Costi Hinn, the prosperity gospel is family business. He worked for his dad and also his famous uncle Benny…”
– A fascinating interview at The Gospel Coalition.
The seduction of worldly wisdom
Posted on August 29, 2019
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“When it comes to living our lives as Christians, we need a wisdom that’s much bigger than what the world has on offer. Our society is happy and content with worldly wisdom, because worldly wisdom seems to work – at least for a while. …”
– Ainsley Poulos writes at The Australian Church Record.
Words with purpose (Ephesians 4:29–30)
Posted on August 29, 2019
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“Words are fundamental to our lives. We use words to share, to create, to love, to define ourselves, and to build societies and worlds. We live through words. That’s why one of the most powerful things you can do for someone is to help them give a voice to their own words. …”
– Encouragement to think before we speak. Lionel Windsor writes at Forget the Channel.
Toronto church celebrates
Posted on August 28, 2019
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“Christ Church, Deer Park’s Church on Tap community celebrates Pride month on June 14 with a Eucharist, followed by a drag show in the parish hall.”
– From page 9 of The Anglican, September 2019 (PDF file may download to your device), published by the Diocese of Toronto in the Anglican Church of Canada.
Link via Anglican Samizdat.
Albert Mohler’s The Briefing, August 28, 2019
Posted on August 28, 2019
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In today’s issue of his daily podcast The Briefing, Albert Mohler turns to the question of abortion.
He draws out horrifying implications of “the deadly logic of the abortion movement”. The first three parts of the programme are very relevant to New South Wales.
Cathedral Conversation – NSW Abortion Legislation
Posted on August 28, 2019
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St John’s Anglican Cathedral Parramatta is hosting a Cathedral Conversation on “Choices: The conversation about abortion we need to have”.
On Monday, 2nd September 2019 from 7:30pm. Read more
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…