Forward on our knees

Posted on September 23, 2011 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on Forward on our knees

“From time to time, people ask me (often in a lugubrious, ‘I knew it would never happen’ tone of voice) how I feel, given that so far we have not seen 10 per cent of the population of our region attending Bible-based churches although our Mission is now more than eight years old. They seem to think that I may be terribly despondent.

The answer is that while I have always wanted to see many more people come to know Christ, I have such confidence in the wisdom and power of God not to be at all cast down. Among other things, we do not as yet know how the Lord will answer our prayers. …”

– Archbishop Peter Jensen reminds Sydney Anglicans that there’s only one way forward. (Image: SydneyAnglicans.net. The phrase about advancing ‘on your knees’ is attributed to Hudson Taylor.)

St. John’s Vancouver leaves the building, praying for God’s blessing on New Westminster

Posted on September 22, 2011 
Filed under Anglican Communion Comments Off on St. John’s Vancouver leaves the building, praying for God’s blessing on New Westminster

The latest from from St. John’s Vancouver is a reminder to keep our friends in Vancouver in your prayers –

“countercultural and counterintuitive”

1.) Media Release, and further below, David Short’s message for the Parish Life News for September 18 2011.

VANCOUVER, BC – September 22, 2011 – St. John’s Vancouver Anglican Church, the largest Anglican congregation in Canada, will begin Sunday services at a new location after moving from its historic location on Granville Street and Nanton Avenue. The congregation, through a lengthy legal action, chose to leave their buildings rather than compromise their beliefs.

St. John’s Vancouver, which had been meeting at the Granville Street location for almost 100 years, will begin Sunday services on September 25 at Oakridge Adventist Church, at West 37th Avenue and Baillie Street in Vancouver.  Read more

Introduction-to-Synod videos

Posted on September 22, 2011 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Introduction-to-Synod videos

Here are three brief videos from the ACL aimed at helping understand how local churches relate to the Diocese and the Synod of the Diocese as they serve and worship the Lord Jesus.

1.) Phil Colgan – What is the Standing Committee?
2.) Karin Sowada – How to prepare for Synod.
3.) Rick Smith – The Church and the Diocese.
4.) Archie Poulos – Connecting, Evangelising, Enfolding – Diocesan Mission Priorities.

(Our thanks to Mark Earngey for preparing these.)

Books Christians should read

Posted on September 21, 2011 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Books Christians should read

Michael Horton of The White Horse Inn was asked for the names of five books (other than the Bible) all Christians should read. In 60 seconds, here’s his answer. You likely haven’t read some of these. (h/t Tim Challies.)

Hope for Life: Provincial Mission Convention 2012

Posted on September 20, 2011 
Filed under Australia Comments Off on Hope for Life: Provincial Mission Convention 2012

Archbishop Peter Jensen, Metropolitan of NSW, is calling Anglicans in NSW and the ACT to a mission convention at Canberra Girls Grammar School, January 26 – 29 2012. The Archbishop will give the welcoming address.

Speakers include Canon Phil Potter (Diocese of Liverpool) and the Rev Mike Raiter (most recently Principal of the Melbourne School of Theology). Arthur Copeman (Archdeacon for Ministry Support and Church Planter, Diocese of Newcastle) and Tim Sheuer (Church Army) are among the Workshop leaders.

Early bird registration is until October 30, 2011.

Details from Anglicare Canberra & Goulburn. PDF application form.

 

‘Tasmanian Lower House set to back gay marriage’

Posted on September 20, 2011 
Filed under Australia Comments Off on ‘Tasmanian Lower House set to back gay marriage’

From ABC News:

“Tasmania’s Lower House looks likely to become the first in Australia to vote in support of same-sex marriage. Labor has indicated it will support a motion from its state power-sharing partners the Greens, who have tried and failed to introduce state-based same-sex marriage legislation in the past…”

And a Media Release from the Diocese of Tasmania:

BISHOP HARROWER RESPONDS TO GREENS’ MOTION

The Anglican Bishop of Tasmania, the Right Reverend John Harrower has spoken out in response to the motion tabled by Mr. Nick McKim in the House of Assembly today.

Bishop Harrower said, “I call upon the parliament to not support this motion.

“I have consistently upheld the Church’s affirmation of the definition under the Marriage Act that marriage is the union between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life.  Read more

John Richardson reviews ‘Sydney Anglicans and the Threat to World Anglicanism’

Posted on September 19, 2011 
Filed under Opinion Comments Off on John Richardson reviews ‘Sydney Anglicans and the Threat to World Anglicanism’

John Richardson has posted on his blog an article he wrote for New Directions. It’s another review of Muriel Porter’s book ‘Sydney Anglicans and the Threat to World Anglicanism’.

2011 ACL Pre-Synod meetings

Posted on September 16, 2011 
Filed under Resources Comments Off on 2011 ACL Pre-Synod meetings

The Synod of the Diocese of Sydney is a large gathering and its many procedures and functions can seem bewildering.

As a service to the Synod, the Anglican Church League is pleased to invite Synod members to these pre-Synod meetings to –

•    understand how Synod works
•    discover how to make a contribution
•    and hear about some of the key issues coming up at Synod this year.

Choose one of these locations:

Monday 26th September, 7:30pm
Naremburn Anglican Church (Merrenburn Avenue)

Tuesday 27th September, 7:30pm
St John’s Parramatta (195 Church Street)

Wednesday 28th September, 7:30pm
St Michael’s Wollongong (Church Street)

Join us for an evening which will help us to be more informed and purposeful as we together serve Jesus through the Synod.

‘Anglican Church of Canada worship returns to St. John’s Shaughnessy’

Posted on September 16, 2011 
Filed under News Comments Off on ‘Anglican Church of Canada worship returns to St. John’s Shaughnessy’

“The Venerable John Stephens, Archdeacon of Vancouver has arranged a rota of clergy to conduct Sunday services and musicians to lead the music in worship beginning Sunday, September 25th at 11am with a Celebration of Holy Communion. …”

– from the Diocese of New Westminister website.

Related: Largest Anglican Church congregation in Canada leaves historic church home.

And from the St. John’s Vancouver website:

“We will pray that He will continue to use this space for His glory, and that many may come to know Him in it in the future.”

“On September 18, we will have regular services at 8am, 10am, and 6:30pm.  The 10am service will finish differently. Near the end of the 10am service we will thank God for his grace at giving us our home at St. John’s Shaughnessy for the better part of the last century. We will pray that He will continue to use this space for His glory, and that many may come to know Him in it in the future.  We will then depart the building together and drive to our new location at 5350 Baillie, arriving together.  We will thank God for his grace and provision and sing .  After this, at approximately noon, a light lunch will be served at our new location and there will be an opportunity to explore where ministries will be happening and enjoy our new home.”

Quiz Worx appeal

Posted on September 15, 2011 
Filed under News Comments Off on Quiz Worx appeal

During September, the Quiz Worx team, who do terrific gospel ministry with kids, are seeking to raise funds to support their work.
(Check out their resources.)

Summer School 2012

Posted on September 15, 2011 
Filed under News Comments Off on Summer School 2012

CMS NSW has now opened registration for the 2012 Summer School.

Defence Sunday 2011 — 6th November

Posted on September 15, 2011 
Filed under News Comments Off on Defence Sunday 2011 — 6th November

The Anglican Defence Force Chaplains are encouraging the observance of Defence Sunday on 6th November (the Sunday before Remembrance Day).

There are around 100 Anglican clergy serving in Afghanistan, East Timor, Solomon Islands, Malaysia, Australia and elsewhere.

There are a number of Defence Chaplains in the Sydney area. Archdeacon to the Air Force, Kevin Russell (e-mail Kevin.russell@defence.gov.au) would be delighted to field enquiries about having one of them come to your church – to open the Scriptures and to share about pastoral needs and gospel ministry in the Defence Force.

(The new under-development website is at defenceanglicans.org.au.)

Deciding… Yet Undecided

Posted on September 14, 2011 
Filed under Anglican Communion, Theology Comments Off on Deciding… Yet Undecided

“The strategy behind Williams’ address was not to promote his views on homosexuality directly, but to reflect on the process by which moral decisions in general should be made – not so much to play the game, so to speak, as the more ambitious task of actually trying to define what the playing field should look like.

And this is the enduring significance of his address thirteen years later as he continues to promote ‘indaba’ and ‘listening process’ strategies which focus on the process of decision making…”

– Charles Raven, author of Shadow Gospel, reviews a book on Archbishop Rowan Williams’ theology of moral decision-making – at SPREAD.

Christian Doctors oppose South Australian ‘End of Life’ bill

Posted on September 14, 2011 
Filed under News Comments Off on Christian Doctors oppose South Australian ‘End of Life’ bill

Here’s a press release from the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia, relating to a bill (Herald Sun story) before the South Australian parliament –

“Christian Doctors Oppose Keys ‘End of Life’ Bill

The South Australian branch of the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia (CMDFA)  joins with many individuals and groups throughout South Australia, including the AMA South Australian branch and the Law Society (SA branch) to oppose the proposed amendments that would increase the vulnerability of patients by making it easier for doctors to provide treatment that shortened a person’s life.  Read more

The day the world stood still

Posted on September 14, 2011 
Filed under Sydney Diocese Comments Off on The day the world stood still

On Sunday September 11 2011, Phillip Jensen preached on “The day the world stood still” at the 9/11 memorial service at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.

The audio of Dean Jensen’s sermon may be found here. Worth downloading and passing on.

← Previous Page — Next Page →