Broadside from Canterbury and York
Posted on February 1, 2014
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON, Opinion Comments Off on Broadside from Canterbury and York
“The English Archbishops of York and Canterbury have fired the equivalent of a broadside into the respective Anglican Provinces of Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, and naturally it has to do with the Western hot button issue of homosexuality. …
When the head, nominal though he be, of the Anglican Communion lectures and cautions any Province, the implications and threat cannot be missed. It is odd that this lecture and caution would be directed toward the orthodox Anglicans of the Communion and not against the heterodox Anglicans both in North America and indeed within the Church of England itself…”
– Bishop David Anderson, President of the American Anglican Council, looks at the extraordinary intervention during the week.
GAFCON Chairman responds to the statement by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York
Posted on February 1, 2014
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on GAFCON Chairman responds to the statement by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York
A response to the statement by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York of 29th January 2014
This week, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York sought to remind the leadership of the Anglican Communion and the Presidents of Nigeria and Uganda of the importance of friendship and care for homosexual people.
Christians should always show particular care for those who are vulnerable, but this cannot be separated from the whole fabric of biblical moral teaching in which the nature of marriage and family occupy a central place.
The Dromantine Communiqué from which the Archbishops quote also affirmed (Clause 17) the 1998 Lambeth Conference Resolution 1.10 which states that ‘homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture’ and that the conference ‘cannot advise the legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions’.
Yet earlier this week, the English College of Bishops accepted the recommendation of the Pilling Report for two years of ‘facilitated conversation’ because at least some of the bishops could not accept the historic teaching of the Church as reaffirmed in the Lambeth resolution.
Indeed, in making the case for such a debate, the Pilling Report observes ‘In the House of Lords debate on same sex marriage, the Archbishop of York commended that the Church needed to think about the anomalies in a situation where it is willing to bless a tree or a sheep, but not a faithful human relationship.’ The anomaly only exists of course if it really is the case that a committed homosexual union can also be Christian.
The good advice of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York would carry much more weight if they were able to affirm that they hold, personally, as well as in virtue of their office, to the collegial mind of the Anglican Communion. At the moment I fear that we cannot be sure.
Regrettably, their intervention has served to encourage those who want to normalize homosexual lifestyles in Africa and has fuelled prejudice against African Anglicans. We are committed to biblical sexual morality and to biblical pastoral care, so we wholeheartedly stand by the assurance given in the 1998 Lambeth Conference resolution that those who experience same sex attraction are ‘loved by God and that all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ.’
May God in his mercy grant that we may hold to the fullness of his truth and the fullness of his grace.
The Most Rev’d Dr Eliud Wabukala
Archbishop, Anglican Church of Kenya
and Chairman, GAFCON Primates Council.
30th January 2014
Re-posted from the GAFCON website.
Ordinands get ready for the big day
Posted on February 1, 2014
Filed under Parishes, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Ordinands get ready for the big day
“A group of 35 men and women will be ordained as deacons on Saturday, taking positions from church planting, indigenous ministry, school chaplaincy to parish work.
Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies has been addressing the group this week at the pre-ordination conference and will ordain them at a service at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Saturday, February 1st, 2014 at 10am.
The number is one more than were ordained at last years service. Sydney Anglican churches are being asked to remember the ordinands in prayer.”
– See the full list at SydneyAnglicans.net and take the time to pray for these brothers and sisters.
Seeger: The Seeker?
Posted on January 31, 2014
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“Like most young people, I spent my teenage and young adult days restlessly tasting the different music that popular culture was serving me. By my mid-teens I was sick of the mindless lyrics of 1950s rock ‘n’ roll. I explored the jazz scene, even hearing the great Satchmo at the old Stadium at Rushcutters Bay. I found the classics and pounded my poor families’ ears with the constant re-playing of Ravel’s Bolero – as if it was not sufficiently repetitive itself!
And then I discovered folk music; a place where the lyrics of protest and morality could find voice. It was not just the polished commercial performers like Peter, Paul and Mary (whom I also saw at the Stadium) but behind them the deeper thinking of Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger.”
– Phillip Jensen, Dean of Sydney, writes his weekly column for the Cathedral congregation.
Teen charged over assault of Anglican minister
Posted on January 31, 2014
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Teen charged over assault of Anglican minister
“Police from North Shore Local Area Command have charged a teenager after an assault that left an Anglican Minister with a suspected broken jaw.…”
– Media release from NSW Police. (Photo: Canon Rick Smith who was injured.)
Praying for ‘Jesus Brings’
Posted on January 31, 2014
Filed under Resources, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Praying for ‘Jesus Brings’
This weekend, Anglican churches across Sydney and the Illawarra will be uniting in prayer to the Lord of the Harvest as we commit into his hands the “Jesus Brings” mission.
Archbishop Glenn Davies has recorded a brief message of encouragement to be shown this Sunday.
100 Beaches Challenge
Posted on January 30, 2014
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Here’s something different from The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid…
“In February 2014, David Mansfield, of Anglican Aid, and a team of young and old surfers will surf the 100 beaches of the Sydney Diocese in 10 days.
Our aim is to raise 1 million dollars to help break the waves of poverty that engulf communities in our own city and throughout the world.
Please join us at any beach on the hour to pray for God’s work throughout the world. Follow it up with a swim or surf. Come to one of our evening meetings near the beaches where we have visited throughout the day.”
There is urgency about the gospel
Posted on January 30, 2014
Filed under Anglican Communion, GAFCON Comments Off on There is urgency about the gospel
“There is urgency about the gospel and it must be proclaimed in word and deed, in season and out of season and it is the same gospel, whether in strife torn nations such as South Sudan or in the affluent but morally disorientated nations of the developed world.
We cannot therefore allow our time and energy to be sapped by debating that which God has already clearly revealed in the Scriptures…”
– Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCON Primates’ Council, has released a pastoral letter to members of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans.
Youthworks 2014 vision
Posted on January 30, 2014
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Youthworks 2014 vision
Anglican Youthworks CEO Zac Veron asks for your prayers for Youthworks and has released this video update.
England’s College of Bishops respond to The Pilling Report
Posted on January 29, 2014
Filed under Anglican Communion, Church of England Comments Off on England’s College of Bishops respond to The Pilling Report
“The College of Bishops met on 27th January, 2014 to begin a process of reflection on the issues raised by the Pilling Report…
We are united in welcoming and affirming the presence and ministry within the Church of gay and lesbian people, both lay and ordained. We are united in acknowledging the need for the Church to repent for the homophobic attitudes it has sometimes failed to rebuke and affirming the need to stand firmly against homophobia wherever and whenever it is to be found. …”
And from Anglican Mainstream’s Andrew Symes –
“This re-states an important recommendation of the Pilling Report. Its major weakness is that “affirming the ministry of gay people” is not explained or qualified. It suggests that the church does not distinguish between welcoming someone’s presence within the church, endorsement of their lifestyle, an assumption of Christian fellowship, and affirming their ministry. “
The Pilling Report can be found here (PDF).
Amazing Grace’s lasting impact — the John Newton story
Posted on January 29, 2014
Filed under History, Resources Comments Off on Amazing Grace’s lasting impact — the John Newton story
Marylynn Rouse from The John Newton Project was interviewed about the impact of the hymn “Amazing Grace”. Along the way, she spoke about the background to the hymn, and about John Newton’s conversion.
Most encouraging – see it on Vimeo.
Abp Akinola turns 70, prays for his abductors
Posted on January 28, 2014
Filed under Anglican Communion Comments Off on Abp Akinola turns 70, prays for his abductors
“The retired Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Peter Akinola, has called on members of a criminal gang that attacked him recently to turn a new leaf. He appealed to the criminals to register with his foundation to learn skills that they could use for legal businesses.
Mr. Akinola was robbed of his vehicle and briefly kidnapped on Christmas Eve of 2013…”
– Story from The Premium Times, Nigeria.
Latimer Fellowship website updated
Posted on January 28, 2014
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The Latimer Fellowship of New Zealand have updated their website.
Australia Day Honours 2014
Posted on January 26, 2014
Filed under Australia, Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Australia Day Honours 2014
In the 2014 Australia Day Honours List, Deaconess Margaret Rodgers has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Margaret has served in a number of important positions in Sydney Diocese and also in the General Synod Office. Most notably, she was Principal of Deaconess House 1975-85, CEO of the Anglican Media Council 1994-2003 and the Archbishop of Sydney’s Media Officer 2004-2007.
The award is for “significant service to the Anglican Church of Australia through governance and representational roles, and to ecumenical affairs”.
Others to receive Australia Day honours include:
Dr Timothy Hawkes (Medal of the Order of Australia, OAM) – Headmaster of The Kings School, “for service to education, and to professional organisations” (pictured),
Mr Peter Achterstraat (AM), member of Warrawee Anglican Church, “For significant service to public administration through financial management and governance roles, and to the community” and Mr Allan Ezzy (AM), member of St. John’s Parramatta, for “significant service to local government in New South Wales, and to the community through law enforcement, church and service organisations”.
Our congratulations and best wishes go to all. SydneyAnglicans.net has more.
(Photos: Mary Andrews College and Ramon Williams, respectively.)
‘Work of ARCIC irrelevant to most Christians, says Lord Carey’
Posted on January 25, 2014
Filed under Church of England, Opinion Comments Off on ‘Work of ARCIC irrelevant to most Christians, says Lord Carey’
“Catholics and Anglicans involved in formal ecumenical dialogue might as well be ‘talking on the moon’ because no one is listening to them, a former Anglican leader has said.
Lord Carey of Clifton said the work of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) was ‘irrelevant’ to most Christians…”
– from The Catholic Herald (UK).
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…