Moore College Open Day September 24

Posted on September 14, 2011 
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The Moore College 2011 Open Day & Spring Carnival is coming up – on Saturday 24th September from 9.30am to 2.30pm in the Moore College grounds at 15 King Street, Newtown.

BBQ lunch provided at 12:00pm. Information sessions at 10:30am and 1:30pm. Details from the college.

Use of Social Media during meetings

Posted on September 14, 2011 
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“I enjoy social media. I have recently commenced using Twitter (@tasbishopjohn). I have had this blog for some time. I am also on facebook, and I am a major user of the diocesan website.

I guess I am a fairly outgoing, social being and my experiences with social media have been enriching. I intend to continue in conversation through using them.

I believe that the essential principle in the use of social media is that we are to be Christlike…”

– Bishop of Tasmania, John Harrower, has some helpful thoughts on using social media. (And worth keeping in mind at our upcoming Synod!)

ECUSA Bishop Walter Righter dies

Posted on September 13, 2011 
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From the Episcopal News Service:

“Retired Diocese of Iowa Bishop Walter C. Righter, 87, died Sept. 11. …

In the mid-1990s, Righter became a flashpoint for tensions over the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people in the life of the Episcopal Church. The bishops of Dallas, Florida, San Joaquin, Central Florida, Texas, Eau Claire, Fort Worth, Quincy, Rio Grande and West Tennessee filed a presentment against Righter in February 1995 because he had ordained an openly gay man to the diaconate in the Diocese of Newark in September 1990. …

In May 1996, an ecclesiastical court ruled 7-1 that Righter’s action did not violate church law or “core doctrine.” Thus, the charges were dismissed…”

– This 1996 edition of New Directions gives some of the background to the heresy trial. (Photo: ENS.)

Hope for council estates

Posted on September 13, 2011 
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Oak Hill has posted a brief and encouraging video of what drives one of their independent students working in a council estate in South West London. May the Lord raise up more like him.

Reflection on 9/11 Ten Years On

Posted on September 10, 2011 
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“I was there on September 11.

Judy and I were living three short blocks from the twin towers. We had awakened that morning to clear blue skies and the sparkling waters of New York Harbor. But it was not to last.

We felt the shock when the first tower was hit. We heard the scream of the second jet flying low overhead and the sonic boom that followed when the south tower was hit. We experienced the shaking and the midnight darkness when the first tower collapsed. We saw the dust and ash and the paper on the streets and felt the eerie silence later when we were allowed to leave the area. …”

– John Mason writes at SydneyAnglicans.net. He is the Senior Minister of Christ Church New York City, and was previously the Rector of St. Clement’s Mosman.

Related: The Aussie saving lost souls on Wall Street.

Diocese of Auckland Synod debate: love ethic and listening vs biblical authority

Posted on September 10, 2011 
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“The Auckland Diocesan Synod has decided that people in same-sex relationships should not be excluded from ordination. …

Bishop Ross Bay deliberately allowed time and opportunity for a variety of views. These included a plea… that the motion was about justice and a love ethic; those opposing the motion cited biblical authority.”

The full text of the motion is:

“That this Synod

[1] Holds that sexual orientation should not be an impediment to the discernment, ordination, and licensing of gay and lesbian members to any lay and ordained offices of the Church; and further

[2] persons in committed same-sex relationships likewise should not be excluded from being considered for discernment, ordination, and licensing to any lay and ordained offices of the Church.

[3] commits to an intentional process of listening to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, organized by the Archdeacons in consultation with the gay and lesbian community.

[4] commits to an ongoing discussion with the ministry units, asks the Archdeacons to facilitate this, and invites responses to those discussions to be submitted to Diocesan Council by 31st March 2012; and

[5] commits to support the process and work of the Commission to be appointed by General Synod Standing Committee, as resolved at its meeting in July 2011.

– This story from Anglican Taonga. (h/t American Anglican Council. Photo: Dio. Auckland.)

‘Seven Lessons from Down Under’

Posted on September 10, 2011 
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“John Piper recently spent two weeks ministering in Australia. Here are seven lessons I learned along the way traveling with Pastor John — both through conversation with him and observing his example and interaction with the Aussies. …”

– Josh Etter writes at Desiring God.

Largest Anglican Church congregation in Canada leaves historic church home

Posted on September 9, 2011 
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Sunday 18th September will be the last Sunday for St. John’s Vancouver (formerly St. John’s Shaughnessy) at the place where they have been meeting for 100 years.

This would be an especially good time to continue in prayer for the congregation, the ministry team led by David Short, and for their expanded, gracious, proclamation of the Lord Jesus in the city of Vancouver.

They’ve just published this news release:  Read more

Anglican Communion Office seeks Communications Officer in Africa

Posted on September 9, 2011 
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The Anglican Communion Office is advertising for a Communications Officer, to be based in Nairobi, but responsible to Secretary General of the Anglican Communion in London.

Interestingly, the pilot project is funded by a grant from The Episcopal Church’s Trinity Wall Street in New York.

Will somebody stand up?

Posted on September 9, 2011 
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Fr Dave Doveton, Vice Provost at St. Mary’s Cathedral in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth, Anglican Church of Southern Africa, warns of an impending visit to his country –

“There can be no compromise with clear manifestations of heresy. The scripture commands us not to invite false teachers into our home. …”

– Take the time to read his full letter at Anglican Mainstream South Africa.
(Photo: Jim DeLa, ENS.)

Fresh songs for churches

Posted on September 9, 2011 
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September’s edition of Southern Cross highlights the importance of hymns and contemporary music and worship songs in church. With that in mind, it’s well worth checking out ‘At Your Feet’, songs written by Matt Mulready.

Described as Fresh songs that teach and respond to the saving work of Jesus, ‘At your Feet’ has five tracks, each of which are ideal for congregational singing. Three are new songs, and two are hymns with new tunes (make sure you hear ‘There is a Green Hill’).

Matt explains why he writes in this short video.

Hear and buy the album from simplysing.com.au. (Includes sheet music, lyrics and slides. The CD is $9.95, download version $7.95 – and Christmas isn’t far away.)

The Church and the Diocese — video

Posted on September 8, 2011 
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Here is the third of a short series of 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.

Mark Earngey chats with Rick Smith, the Rector of Naremburn Cammeray Anglican Church.

Earlier videos:
Karin Sowada – How to prepare for Synod
Phil Colgan – What is the Standing Committee?

Thanks and prayer requests from North West Australia

Posted on September 6, 2011 
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In the latest issue of Northwest Network, Bishop David Mulready begins to say farewell to the diocese where he and Maureen have served for the last eight years –

“This is in some sense a ‘farewell letter’. As Maureen and I prepare to leave the Diocese next month and move to Gerringong, near Wollongong, I write to thank you all for your encouragement and support over nearly eight years.

We regard our time here as a huge privilege, working with a terrific team of Ministry couples and some very fine Church members in this extraordinary patch of Australia.

We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of many of you who have prayed, given and come as partners in bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people who live in our region and others who holiday here, often for months at a time.

The challenges facing the Anglican Church in the North West are immense. To mention a few:   Read more

Are Sydney Anglicans actually Anglicans?

Posted on September 5, 2011 
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Last week Michael Jensen wrote for the ABC’s Religion and Ethics, responding to suggestions that Sydney Anglicans are something other than ‘Anglican’.

Read it here.

Canberra-Goulburn agrees to structural partnership with Bathurst and Riverina

Posted on September 5, 2011 
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From the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn:

“The Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn has agreed to be part of a structural “partnership” with three Anglican Dioceses – covering the ACT and most of NSW – in response to a plea for financial assistance from the Diocese of Bathurst.

The agreement will be between the Dioceses of Canberra-Goulburn, Bathurst and Riverina. It covers Anglicare, Diocesan schools, administration and finances but it stops short of a full merger. Parishes from Broken Hill to Bourke to Bega will be covered by the arrangement.  Read more

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