Welby hopes women bishops won’t prevent ‘full communion’ with Catholic Church
Posted on July 28, 2014
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“In a letter sent to Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said he hopes the vote to allow the ordination of women bishops would not prove a stumbling block to future ’full communion’ between the Anglican and Catholic churches…”
– Report from The Catholic Herald.
(Photo: ACNS.)
New ARV Director of Mission
Posted on July 28, 2014
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“The Rev Andrew Nixon has been appointed the new Director of Mission for Anglican Retirement Villages (ARV). He replaces Chris Edwards who is now Bishop of North Sydney.
Mr Nixon is best known as the Executive Director of the Diocese’s “Connect 09” campaign. He has since been the Director of Youthworks’ Year 13 programme and more recently Principal of Youthworks College…”
– More from SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo: Youthworks.)
Oak Hill Commentary — Summer 2014
Posted on July 27, 2014
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The Summer 2014 edition Oak Hill’s Commentary magazine is now out (just in time to enjoy during the British heatwave).
‘All you need to know about christening’ — without mentioning…
Posted on July 25, 2014
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“The Church of England has created a new website which promises to tell you ‘all you need to know about choosing, planning and going to a Church of England christening’. How far does it succeed in this endeavour?
Let’s start with a positive. The fact that the church is seeking to provide clear and accessible resources for those considering having their child baptised is much to be welcomed. …
Unfortunately, problems start to crop up when we begin to read what the website actually says…”
– Mark Smith at Church Society looks at the new Church of England “christening” website – or you might want to check it yourself first. (And compare 1 Corinthians 2:2.)
‘Isis militants blow up Jonah’s tomb’
Posted on July 25, 2014
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“Islamic State (Isis) militants have blown up a revered Muslim shrine traditionally said to be the burial place of the prophet Jonah in Mosul, residents of the city said.”
– report from The Guardian. (h/t SydneyAnglicans.net)
Related: Bishop Mouneer: World not doing enough for Iraqis.
New KCC app
Posted on July 25, 2014
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Katoomba Christian Convention has released an app for iOS, Android and Windows phones – to stream audio of talks, to keep up to date with coming events, and to ‘participate in our conventions’.
Available via this link.
Archbishop Phillip Aspinall’s Brisbane Synod address
Posted on July 25, 2014
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The Presidential Address given at last week’s Brisbane Synod by Dr Phillip Aspinall is now online – PDF format.
‘Retiring Dean [of Perth] leaves his mark’
Posted on July 25, 2014
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“For almost a quarter of a century, John Shepherd has worked in one of Perth’s most recognisable and loved buildings. As Anglican Dean of Perth, he has filled St George’s Cathedral with song and music.
“What a cathedral does is give people permission to imagine God … to imagine the dimensions of the divine,” he said. …
He ruffled the feathers of conservative members of the Church by inviting a Buddhist abbot and a Muslim cleric to preach.”
– from The West Australian. (Photo: St. George’s Cathedral Perth.)
Irenaeus on Polycarp, a disciple of John
Posted on July 24, 2014
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“Here is a delightful page from the early church that you will surely enjoy.
First, the quick background. Irenaeus (c. 130-200) was a disciple of Polycarp (died c. 155), who, in turn, was a disciple of the apostle John…”
– from Books at a Glance.
MH17: Prayers at Parliament House
Posted on July 24, 2014
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“Prayers were said in Parliament House, Canberra, surrounding the signing of the Book of Condolence for the victims of the MH17 aircraft disaster on Wednesday 23 July 2014…”
– from Defence Anglicans.
Credo Magazine — George Whitefield at 300
Posted on July 23, 2014
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“In a day when ears itch and truth is shown the back door, what could be more needed than men who actually preach the Word? George Whitefield (1714-1770) was one of those men.”
– The latest Credo magazine looks at George Whitefield, three hundred years after his birth.
Once were Anglicans
Posted on July 22, 2014
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“‘If anyone else thinks they have reason for confidence in their Anglican heritage, I have more.
Baptised an Anglican at three months, confirmed at 11 years, my parents are Anglicans, both sets of grandparents were Anglicans, my father is an Anglican priest, I attended Anglican schools. An Anglican of Anglicans, I studied theology for five years, have served as a curate and vicar for the past twenty, have sat on two General Synods. As to zeal… no one has ever questioned that.’…
Last Friday my licence from the Bishop to serve as vicar of the West Hamilton Parish was withdrawn. It was withdrawn because I had withdrawn my submission to the authority of General Synod. …
In deciding to withdraw my submission to the authority of General Synod I have asserted that the Bible is the Church’s supreme authority.”
– The Rev. Michael Hewat, until now the Vicar of West Hamilton Anglican Church – explains his departure from the Anglican Church – in the Waikato Times.
Related: Update following meeting with Bishop Helen-Ann, 11 July 2014 (PDF at West Hamilton Parish).
“In view of the overwhelming majority supporting Vestry’s and my refusal to submit to the authority of General Synod, Kimberley and I will offer ourselves as pastors to all who wish to remain with us – either here or on another site.”
(and other documents here.)
Please pray for Michael and the congregation in this uncertain time – and give thanks for their obedience to the revealed word of God.
Update, 25 July 2014: “Church defectors forming new flock in funeral home.”
“Former manager of the Diocese of Waikato Russell Armitage said Michael and Kimberley Hewat’s decision was ‘almost incomprehensible’ and took them down a ‘no-exit route into the religious wilderness’. [Oh yes – just like Hebrews 13:13 – ed.]
(Photo: Affirm.)
Melbourne ‘Multifaith Service for Flight MH17 victims’
Posted on July 22, 2014
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“A Multifaith Service at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne on Thursday 24 July at 10am will mark the tragic loss last week of 298 lives aboard Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17. The Primate of Australia, the Most Revd Dr Philip Freier, and the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Dr Denis Napthine…”
– More here.
Flourishing after the consecration of women bishops?
Posted on July 22, 2014
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“Many of us in the Church of England today see the consecration of women as bishops to be a departure from God’s revealed plan for the flourishing of his church. As Christians, our basic confession is ‘Jesus is Lord’, and so we believe he must decide how the church is governed…”
– Church Society’s Director Lee Gatiss addresses the new situation in the Church of England.
NEXUS Conference 2014 talks
Posted on July 22, 2014
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The talks from the 2014 NEXUS Conference are being posted on their website – see them here. Most encouraging.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…