‘A minister, a gay couple and a new SBS documentary’
Posted on August 14, 2014
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“When Eternity received a miniature wedding cake in the mail from SBS, our initial reaction was, huh?
But it all quickly became clear. The cake gimmick [is to encourage] us to tune in to the new SBS documentary series Living With The Enemy.
Anglican minister and blogger David Ould from Macquarie Fields in Sydney’s southwest is featured in the first episode, all about same sex marriage. Ould, a conservative, was pitted against atheist gay couple, Gregory Storer and Michael Barnett, both activists for same sex marriage.”
– Story from Eternity Newspaper. Photo and more from David Ould.
Archbishops seek asylum for refugees from northern Iraq
Posted on August 14, 2014
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“Archbishop Philip Freier, has urged the Federal Government to accept as refugees some of the Christians facing unimaginable suffering in northern Iraq.
Dr Freier, who was inaugurated as Primate of Australia at a service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday evening (August 13), praised the government for its “rapid response in providing aid to the displaced thousands in Iraq”.
He told a press conference that he had written to the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Abbott, and Immigration Minister, Mr Scott Morrison, asked them to emulate France in offering asylum to those facing forced conversion or death.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who gave the sermon at the inauguration service, told the conference that what was happening right now in northern Iraq at the hands of the ISIS jihadi fighters was “off the scale of human horror”.…”
– Story (and photo by Kit Haselden) from the Diocese of Melbourne.
50 Shades of Black & White
Posted on August 14, 2014
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In the latest Mortification of Spin podcast from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Carl Trueman, Todd Pruitt and Aimee Byrd discuss the ‘Fifty Shades’ best selling book and coming movie – and how Christians should respond.
Christian spirituality, British values, and contemporary teachers
Posted on August 13, 2014
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In his latest essay, Andrew Symes, Executive Secretary of Anglican Mainstream, reflects on the place of God’s written word in the Christian’s life – with reference to a recent story in the (UK) Telegraph about former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, “How Buddhism helps me pray”.
Online comments cause SU Tasmania Chaplain to be sacked
Posted on August 13, 2014
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“It wasn’t his Facebook post that caused Scripture Union (SU) Tasmania chaplain Troy Williams to be sacked. It was his follow up comment on a conservative Christian site. …”
– Story from John Sandeman at Eternity Newspaper.
Annual Moore College Lectures 2014
Posted on August 12, 2014
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The Annual Moore College Lectures begin this week, on Thursday 14th August.
This year’s Lecturer is Dr Mike Horton from Westminster Seminary California.
His topic: Lord & Life-Giver: The Holy Spirit Changes Everything.
Details here – as well as news that the lectures will be streamed live for those who can’t attend in person.
A Prayer for the afflicted saints of Iraq
Posted on August 12, 2014
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Rick Phillips, Senior Minister at Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina, has written a prayer you could use or adapt. And you will be helped by checking the Bible references he gives too. At Reformation21.
‘The West must face the evil that has revealed itself in the Iraq genocide’
Posted on August 12, 2014
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“A beautiful mosaic of ancient religions, cultures and languages in the Middle East is being systematically destroyed. Until now, the world has watched mutely. …
So will the world just stand by and watch this unprecedented onslaught on freedom or will we do something beyond airdropping food and medicines and protecting our own personnel who may be caught up in the conflict?…” – Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali writes in The Telegraph.
Happy birthday to the Province of Western Australia
Posted on August 11, 2014
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“On this day in 1914, the Province of Western Australia came into being when the relevant papers were signed by Archbishop John Wright, the Primate of the, then, Church of England in Australia…”
– A little bit of history, via the Diocese of Perth – but a good reminder to pray for the clear preaching of Christ in WA – in the Dioceses of Perth, Bunbury, and the North West. (Image from ACA.)
Biblical Theology — Guardian & Guide of the Church
Posted on August 11, 2014
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The latest 9Marks Journal is out and is available for free download in a variety of formats.
Moore College Prayer Support Dinner — 9th October
Posted on August 11, 2014
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“The Moore College Prayer Support Group would like to invite you to a prayer support dinner held on Thursday, 9 October, 7pm at the College Dining Hall. …
This dinner is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow prayer supporters, to encourage others to join us in prayer and to hear of the College’s current needs. There is also an optional College tour led by a member of the faculty…”
– Moore College needs your prayer support. Details of the Prayer Support Dinner here.
Lamentation Sunday Apology from Canberra & Goulburn
Posted on August 10, 2014
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Bishop Stuart Robinson has released this apology for any hurt by clergy or church workers in the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
Murder of Iraqi Christians — second appeal for prayer from Archbishop Glenn Davies
Posted on August 9, 2014
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Here is a second appeal for prayer from Archbishop of Sydney Dr Glenn Davies:
“The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, says fervent prayer and urgent action is needed as the persecution of Iraqi Christians escalates towards genocide.”
“Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Release, August 9, 2014
The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, says fervent prayer and urgent action is needed as the persecution of Iraqi Christians escalates towards genocide.
ISIS militants, who have already forced many Iraqis from their homes in Christian towns and villages, are now reported to be systematically executing Christians, including children, some by decapitation.
“The reports coming from reliable Anglican sources in Iraq are horrifying” Dr Davies said.
In the last 24 hours, Canon Andrew White, the Anglican Vicar of St George’s, Baghdad reported that the five-year-old son of a founding member of the parish was attacked and cut in half by the insurgents in the Christian town of Qaraqosh.
“Not content with dispossessing Christians of their homes, unspeakable acts are now being carried out on those who refuse to recant their faith” Dr Davies said.
“Australia should be in the forefront of offering help, asylum and immediately agitating for protection of this ancient Christian community which is so desperately vulnerable.”
“Our brothers and sisters in Iraq urgently need our prayers and I hope all Australian Christians would join us in asking God to guide them to safety and restrain those who will do them harm.”
This is the second appeal issued by the Archbishop of Sydney on the turmoil in Iraq.
A week ago, after the attack on the Northern town of Mosul (near the ruins of the biblical town of Nineveh), Dr Davies said “In the same area where God sent the prophet Jonah to turn back the people of Nineveh from their evil ways, we pray for a turning back of the evil which has come upon the Christians of Mosul.”
France has already offered asylum to Iraqi Christians forced to flee Mosul and other towns.”
– Source, SydneyAnglicans.net.
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has launched an emergency relief appeal to help those fleeing their homes.
See also: Killings escalate in Iraq. – SydneyAnglicans.net
(Photo: UNHCR/ACNUR Américas via SydneyAnglicans.net.)
How you can help N. Iraq right now
Posted on August 9, 2014
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From Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn:
Dear Friends and colleagues,
Having read my letter to the Prime Minister of Australia, a great many people are asking how they might take action.
1. Do please pray for an end to the violence – resources for prayer and giving are here. This is a good link if you are living in the northern hemisphere.
2. The Bible Society has launched an appeal. You can give here.
3. Through your own email contacts and social media outlets ensure local leaders and politicians and are apprised of what is in fact taking place. This link really should go viral.
4. The most recent statement of the Archbishop of Canterbury is also worth circulating widely.
5. For those who wanted an electronic link to my letter (to on-send to local leaders and politicians) it is here.
6. Finally – a note from Archbishop Mouneer – expressing his thankfulness for our interest and prayer. You are at liberty to circulate widely.
My dear Bishop Stuart,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
I cannot tell you how much your prayers and encouragement means to me and to the Christians in the Middle East especially at this very difficult time.
Please continue to pray for us, as we will be praying that God will strengthen you.
May the Lord bless you!
+Mouneer
The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis
Bishop of the Episcopal / Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
President Bishop of the Episcopal / Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East
Diocesan & Provincial Offices. 5 Michel Lutfallah Street, Zamalek, Cairo 11211
Website: http://www.dioceseofegypt.org
Abp of Canterbury statement on N Iraq
Posted on August 9, 2014
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“The horrific events in Iraq rightly call our attention and sorrow yet again. Christians and other religious minorities are being killed and face terrible suffering.
“What we are seeing in Iraq violates brutally people’s right to freedom of religion and belief, as set out under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is extremely important that aid efforts are supported and that those who have been displaced are able to find safety. I believe that, like France, the United Kingdom’s doors should be open to refugees, as they have been throughout history.
“The international community must document human rights abuses being committed in northern Iraq so that future prosecutions can take place. It is important and necessary for the international community to challenge the culture of impunity which has allowed these atrocities to take place.
“With the world’s attention on the plight of those in Iraq, we must not forget that this is part of an evil pattern around the world where Christians and other minorities are being killed and persecuted for their faith. Only this week I received an email from a friend in Northern Nigeria about an appalling attack on a village, where Christians were killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Such horrific stories have become depressingly familiar in countries around the world, including Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
“We must continue to cry to God for peace and justice and security throughout the world. Those suffering such appalling treatment in Iraq are especially in my prayers at this time.”
– Re-posted from The Archbishop of Canterbury’s website.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…