Sunday 12Th July 2020 Proclaiming the Good News Sixth Sunday After Pentecost of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

ELCOME TO ST PAUL’S. We are glad that you have come to W worship God with us today. If you are a visitor from another parish, or worshipping with us for the first time, please introduce yourself to our parish Our parish’s patron is St Paul priest, Fr James Collins, or to anyone the Apostle who was one of wearing a name badge, over a cup of tea the early Church’s missionary or coffee in the parish hall after the service. leaders. You’ll find the hall behind the church.

A dynamic preacher, he 圣公会圣保罗堂欢迎你前来参加我们的英语传 visited communities located 统圣樂圣餐崇拜。 around the Mediterranean Sea and in Asia Minor Sunday 12th July 2020 proclaiming the good news Sixth Sunday after Pentecost of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 8.00am - Eucharist 9.30am - Sung Eucharist In his first letter to the Church at Corinth, Paul tells how he handed on the Included in this issue … tradition of the Last Supper  Acknowledgement of the Wangal p.3 to them and it is this sacred people of the Eora Nation meal that we share which  RIP Margaret Baseley & Jenny Bounds p.5 makes us one with Jesus and  Sunday Services p.6 with the Church, both living  Thank You p. 9 and departed, today.  Fundraising concert by Consort 8 p.14

 Record 1.4 million people relying p.19-21 on food charity as recession bites And Much More...

1 Things you may Getting inside

First Aid People needing wheelchair access can enter St Paul’s most conveniently by the First aid kits are located on the wall of door at the base of the belltower. the kitchen in the Large Hall behind the church and in the choir vestry. Switch it to silent ! I am who I Name badges Please turn your mobile phone off or on to silent before the service starts. It’ll Name badges help make St Paul’s an save you much embarrassment later on. inclusive community. If you need a new name badge, fill in the form inside the pew sheet, send it to the parish office, and one will be made and left in church Children are for you. welcome at St Paul’s

Toilets Children are welcome in church at any service. There is a selection of children’s books and toys at the back of Toilets are available at the entrance to the church near the font and there are the parish hall, which is located behind also kids’ activity sheets and pencils the church. available at the back of the church where the pew sheets and prayer books ? ? Still got questions? are. Children’s Church runs during Term Ask a member of the clergy or anyone Time. Meet at the back of the church at who’s wearing a name badge. We’re the beginning of the 9.30am Eucharist. here to help. Please feel free to bring your children to the altar rail to receive a blessing, or to In case we receive Communion if they have been need to evacuate admitted to the sacrament.

As you take your place in your pew, Photos please make yourself aware of the route to the nearest emergency exit. Should Please do not take photos there be a fire, leave quickly, turn right, inside the church or during the services and assemble by the roundabout on of worship without permission. Burwood Road. 2 Acknowledgment of Country

Acknowledgement of the We are foreigners and strangers in Wangal people of the Eora your sight, as were all our Nation ancestors; our days on earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. We acknowledge the traditional (1 Chronicles 29:15) custodians of the land upon which we meet. In his wisdom and love, The first inhabitants of this land our heavenly Father gave this were created by God to tend this estate to the Wangal people of the land as stewards of his common Eora Nation. Upon this land they grace. With only general revelation met for generations until the in the created order as their guide, coming of British settlers. As we they were allotted this land ‘that continue to learn to live together on they should seek God, in the hope these ancestral lands, we that they might reach out to him and acknowledge and pay our respects find him’, as the apostle Paul to their elders, past, present, and declared to his first century emerging, and we pray that God Athenian audience, ‘for in him we will unite us all in the knowledge of live and move and have our his Son, in whom all things were being’ (Acts 17:27-28). created, in heaven and on earth, God says through the prophet whether visible or invisible — for Jeremiah that: “For surely I know the all things have been created plans I have for you, says the LORD, through him and for him. plans for your welfare and not for Recognising those who have been harm, to give you a future with custodians of this land is not a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) perfunctory gesture, but an Because of the Resurrection of acknowledgement that many have Jesus Christ our Lord, Christians are gone before us and many will come a people of hope and because we after us—we are but passing are a people of hope we seek to through. As King David stated some work and pray for peace, justice, 3,000 years ago: and love for all, including God’s

3 beautiful creation, and to devote ourselves to seeing God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

We seek to bequeath God’s beautiful creation to future custodians in a far better state than what we inherited so that creation itself and all beings may flourish as God intends. Welcome! We are glad that you have found us! We affirm that through God’s redeeming love for all, we are one in Christ. We respect the inherent and valuable contributions each member makes to the Body of Christ. We celebrate our diversity and recognize the sacred worth and dignity of all persons of any age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnic origin, economic reality, family status, sexual orientation, diverse ability, or social status. We believe that through Christ we are being included and welcomed by God and one another. As we journey towards inclusion, we proclaim this welcome to all God’s people, especially to those who have known the pain of exclusion and discrimination within the church, affirming that no one is excluded or condemned. We invite all persons to journey with us as we discover the call of God on our lives through the ministries of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Burwood. To that end, St. Paul’s Anglican Church commits to the welcome and inclusion of all persons as children of God and declares itself to be a welcoming community of faith.

Bible Readings Year A Bible Readings at today’s Eucharist for next Sunday

Genesis 25.19-34 The First Reading Genesis 28.10-19a Ps 119.105-112 The Psalm Ps 139.1-11,23-24 Romans 8.1-11 The Epistle Romans 8.12-25 Matthew 13.1-9 The Gospel Matthew 13.24-30 (10-17) 18-23 (31-33) 36-43

4 † RIP MARGARET BASELEY & JENNY BOUNDS † Well done, good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

It is my sad duty to advise you that Margaret Baseley and Jenny Bounds died on Saturday 4th of July.

We give thanks to Almighty God for Margaret and Jenny's lives and we pray for all those who mourn their death.

In the midst of our sadness, we have the sure and certain hope that as Je- sus died and rose again so too shall we because of Jesus' triumph over death and, because of this, we know that there is nothing that can sepa- rate us from the love of God, not even death itself.

Rest eternal grant unto Margaret & Jenny O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.

Jenny's funeral was held last Friday at St Paul’s.

Margaret's funeral to be held this Tuesday 14th of July at St Paul’s at 10.30am. .

Go forth upon your journey from this world, O Christian soul; in the name of God the Father who created you. Amen.

In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for you. Amen.

In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengthens you. Amen. In communion with all the blessèd saints; with the angels and archangels and all the heavenly host. Amen.

May your portion this day be in peace and your dwelling in the city of God. Amen.

5 News from around St Paul’s

Sunday Services My Dear Friends,

It was a delight to share our worship of God with you this morning.

I am most grateful to each of you for your part in helping to make our Services so very worshipful and safe.

As of the 1st of July the limit on the number of people allowed to attend places of worship and religious gatherings has been lifted so that the number allowed to attend a religious gathering will only be restricted by the size of the building so long as we observe the one person per four square metre rule (we can fit 130 people in St. Paul’s on this basis, in fact).

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under- rules

Singing is obviously a contested issue. The Choir re-commenced singing in our Services on Sunday the 5th of July. Congregational singing is not permitted for the time being but the words will be included in the Order of Service so that Parishioners can hum the words whilst the Choir sings the hymns.

The same stringent hygiene and safety protocols that we have been observing will need to be observed each and every week.

The following measures will be observed to ensure the safety of all who attend these worship Services:

1. People are quite free to decide not to attend Church or any event as I don’t want anyone to feel that they must do something against their will (or if they feel that they might compromise another person’s health – which is why we have closed down all of our groups).

6 2. All risk management With reference to forthcoming obligations will be scrupulously high holy days we will be attended to, such as observing observing: the need for hand washing and  St. James’ Day on Sunday the sanitizing, physical distancing, 26th of July; etc. The Holy Water Stoup has been emptied.  There will be a Service of Evensong at 5.00 p.m. on 3. The Greeting of Peace will Sunday the 2nd of August to involve bowing reverently to mark the 149th anniversary of those one is seated close to. the laying of the foundation

stone of St. Paul’s (on the 29th 4. Communion will be in two of July, 1871); kinds (the Priest will intinct the wafers).  Mary Mother of Our Lord on Sunday the 16th of August;

5. There will be morning tea in the  The Octave of St. Bartholo- Large Hall after the 9.30 a.m. mew on Sunday the 30th of Service and physical distancing August; and hygiene protocols will be  The Octave of St. Matthew on observed. Sunday the 27th of

September; 6. We will fully comply with all government directives and legal  The Octave of St. Michael and requirements. All Angels on Sunday the 4th of October; The mid-week Eucharist has  St. Luke’s Day on Sunday the resumed on Wednesdays at 10.30 18th of October; a.m.  All Saints’ Day on Sunday the If the situation changes with 1st of November; reference to the government’s  All Souls’ Day on Monday the directives then we will review 2nd of November; matters at that point in time.

7  Christ the King on The flowers in the church today Sunday the 22nd of are given to the glory of God November. and in memory of

We will make plans for Janice Lynette Farrow Advent and Christmas closer who passed away on to the time when we know 25 April 2000. what we are dealing with in Janice is lovingly remembered terms of permitted numbers by her husband Syd and family and space required. and her sister Faye. I hold each of you in my The flowers in the church today are also in prayers every day and I look memory of all those whose year’s mind forward to seeing you again fell during the lockdown period. soon.

With every blessing.

Peace,

James.

Sunday Service Ringing

I have had several people ask me about ringing for the 9.30am Sunday service. You Rest eternal grant unto themr, O Lord, might have noticed that it is and let light perpetual shine upon them! different, you are correct! We are only able to ring 4 bells instead of the usual 6 – 8 bells due to the 4 square metre with distancing rule. Our tower is just under 4 metres square so we are unable to have more than 4 people in the tower. We have been ringing simple things on 4 bells either 2,4,6,8 or 1,3,5,7. This enables the 1.5 metre distancing. Each ringer uses the same bell so there is no cross contamination.

The tenor has been rung for all the services that have been held over the isolation time. I am glad you are enjoying hearing the bells and I know that it has made the community aware of our presence.

Pam Brock - Tower Captain

8 Thank You Thank you for supporting the Trading Table by buying or donating fresh goods for sale. It has been encouraging with the results making over $200 for the last 3 weeks. Please keep checking what we have each week. Tubes of hand sanitizer are still available at $6 a tube or 2 for $10. Thank you David and Pam Thank you to David and Pam Priest for making and fitting a new door for the upper room/choir room. Choir is back! Last Sunday, 8 members of our Choir and music team were back 'in business' at the 9.30 a.m. service, suitably distanced in the choir stalls. Conducted by our new Director of Music , David Russell, and accompanied by our recently appointed Organ Scholar, Bailey Yeates ,we sang 'Missa in honorem Reginae Pacis " (Flor Peeters 1903-1986) 'O Taste and See " (Vaughan Williams 1872-1958 ) and the postlude was 'Toccata in Seven ' (Rutter 1945- ).

Here we are after the service in our beautifully restored choir room , along with Michael Deasey who is now our official organist (as well as being the Senior Assistant Priest. )

9 10 11 12 Please join us for supper after Evensong.

13 14 15 Donations and Bequests

Over the years the parish has benefited from the generosity of parishioners, not only when they have been active members of the parish, but also at the time of their death. Parishioners are invited to remember the parish in their wills by making a bequest as a thank offering to God and to ensure that generations to come will enjoy worship and fellowship in well maintained buildings.

Those wishing to make a bequest are invited to do so using these or a similar form of words: " I bequeath the sum of $...... to the Rector and Wardens of the Anglican parish of St Paul, Burwood, to be used at their absolute discretion for the charitable purposes of the parish." Donations with Tax Deductibility If you would like to make a donation to the Parish for the upkeep and maintenance of the Heritage building it can be done through the National Trust.

Cheques can be made out to:

National Trust of Australia (NSW) St Paul’s Anglican Church Burwood

Or Direct Credit to the above name with bank account details:

Westpac

BSB: 032-044 Account number: 742 926 Branch: 275 George Street Sydney NSW

Please contact Pam for more details or place a donation in an envelope and label with National Trust donation and include your name for your receipt and an address to post it to. Thank you.

16 For General Donations Offertory - please use this account Collection given at St Paul’s details: from 29th June – 5th July 2020 and other donations: Account Name: St Pauls Anglican Church ≈ Offertory: $3,185 ≈ Parish Pantry: $65 BSB: 032 062 ≈ Building Fund: $10 Account #: 250028 TOTAL: $3,260 For Parish Pantry Thank you for responding to God’s AND For Community Choir generous love. Donations

please use this account

details: Account Name: Parish Pantry Account BSB: 032 062 Account #: 812238

Please clearly mark whether it is for the Parish Pantry or the Community Choir. Thank you for your generosity.

Raffle Raffle tickets are available for purchase $2 each or 3 for $5.

Another popular Tiffany lamp is available as the main prize along with many others.

Please support this fundraiser as it will not be drawn until we have raised a reasonable amount.

17 PARISH PANTRY LIST

18  Genesis 25.19-34; Psalm 119.105-112; Romans 8.1-11; Matthew 13.1-9, [10-17], 18-23

Today we read of hungry Esau throwing away his birthright for a mess of potage, a lentil stew, cooked by his brother, Jacob. It was an expensive deal: The son who had the birthright became the family leader on his father’s death and inherited twice as much as any other brother (Deuteronomy 21.15-17). What valuable things have we thrown away for short-term gain in our lives?

 Pray that we can see the true value of the people and relationships we have in each facet of our lives, and that we can give thanks to God for everything that is precious

 Give thanks for the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, the Philippine Independent Church.

Text: Robert McLean © Anglican Board of Mission, 2020

READ LEARN AND INWARDLY DIGEST… Record 1.4 million people relying on food charity as recession bites - By Shane Wright and Jennifer Duke A record 1.4 million desperate Australians are relying on food banks to put dinner on the table amid fears the end of JobKeeper in September will see charities overwhelmed by migrants, students and the unem- ployed.

Those struggling crashed the Australian Taxation Office website trying to access up to $10,000 from their superannuation savings on Wednesday, as the charity sector revealed people who have never needed a handout in their lives are now reliant on food and financial support.

19 While more than 1.7 million people are on JobSeeker and another 3.3 million on the $1500-a-fortnight JobKeeper wage subsidy, charities have noted a surge in the number of people who have missed out on federal assistance.

Foodbank chief executive Brianna Casey on Wednesday told the Senate's coronavirus committee there had been a 78 per cent jump in people needing food relief since the advent of the pandemic.

There were now 1.4 million people getting support, up from 815,000 before the pandemic, with no signs of a slowdown as international students, seniors, single parents and temporary visa holders turn to the charity for help.

Ms Casey said it appeared peak demand, especially in areas still recovering from natural disasters such as this year's bushfires and floods, had not been reached with growing concerns about September when support measures are due to end.

"We are nervous about the proposed timing of the removal of JobKeeper, JobSeeker and the coronavirus supplement," she said.

"We are doing our best to keep up with demand but the sheer number of new recipients is making this difficult.

"If we reach do this point that we all term 'the cliff', where these additional measures come off, I'm deeply concerned about what will happen to demand for food relief and our ability to keep up with that."

JobKeeper and JobSeeker are due to end in late September. The government is considering a Treasury review of the schemes, with the results due to be released with a budget update on July 23. JobKeeper is likely to be modified with a focus on regions hit hard by the coronavirus recession.

The Red Cross revealed that this time last year it was looking after about 620 temporary visa holders. It is now supporting more than 14,000, with many losing their jobs, unable to qualify for financial or medical assistance.

20 St Vincent de Paul chief executive officer Toby O'Connor said his organisation's client base had changed during the recession.

The ATO website was overwhelmed on the day Australians were able to access a second tranche of $10,000 from their superannuation.

The ATO website was overwhelmed on the day Australians were able to access a second tranche of $10,000 from their superannuation.Credit:Gabriele Charotte

"Traditional" clients were either getting assistance under JobSeeker or too afraid to come into stores for help, but there had been a surge in asy- lum seekers, international students and casual workers.

As part of its suite of measures to help people through the recession, the Morrison government has allowed those suffering financial hardship to dip into retirement savings in two lots of $10,000. The second tranche began on Wednesday.

The ATO's online services crashed on Wednesday because of a high volume of traffic to the website.

Superannuation fund sources speculated there could be a rush of applications within the first few days of the financial year for those looking to gain access to their retirement money. APRA said last week that a high volume of applications were expected during the first week of July.

Quote of the Week...

“It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.”

– Mother Teresa (1910-1997) An Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary

21 The Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria officially inaugurated as 41st Province of the Anglican Communion http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2020/06/the-episcopal-anglican- province-of-alexandria-officially-inaugurated-as-41st-province-of-the- anglican-communion.aspx The former Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa has completed its transition into an autonomous Province of the Anglican Communion. The approval for the move was given by the Primates of the Anglican Communion when they met in Jordan in January. The Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council had already given the new Province the go-ahead.

The General Synod of the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East approved the request from the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa to secede from its province. Under its constitution, the diocese fell under the temporary Metropolitical authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who signed a Dead of Relinquishment legally inaugurating the new Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria.

The Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria will serve 10 countries as the official Anglican Communion presence: Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Chad, Mauritania, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. It is named after the north Egyptian city which was home to one of the earliest branches of the Christian Church.

Announcing the development, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, said: “In recent years we have seen enormous growth in what was the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa, particularly – but not only – in the Gambella region of Ethiopia. It was one of the largest and most diverse dioceses in the Anglican Communion and also one of the fastest growing regions.

22 “It is great credit to Archbishop Mouneer and the clergy and people of the diocese that this growth occurred in spite of the great cultural diversity and complex political situations in the region it serves.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said that he was “absolutely delighted” to welcome the inauguration of the new Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria as the 41st Province of the Anglican Communion. “Of course it has been part of the Anglican Communion for very many years, going right back into the past”, he said. “It has been part of the Episcopal Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East but now with growth and development and the planting of churches in the Horn of Africa and elsewhere; with its service to its community regardless of ethnicity or of religion, it has grown to the point where it is now becoming an independent Province.

“Circumstances mean that I have not been able to go and join them as I would have liked to have done; but that makes no difference, for God is with them. In Jesus Christ they are full of life and hope; by the power of the Spirit they are continuing to serve and love amidst challenges that every church faces.

“Although I will not be there physically, I will be there to pray for them Spiritually, alongside them, rejoicing with them. And I ask the whole Anglican Communion to join in thanks, in joy, in celebration and in intercession, for this new 41st Province, for Archbishop Mouneer, for all its clergy and people, for the whole range of this Province of Alexandria – such a historic name in such a historic area. May it draw on the history of the saints and their inspiration; and may it proclaim the Gospel afresh in this generation. Amen!”

The first Episcopal / Anglican Archbishop of Alexandria, Mouneer Anis, said: “All my colleagues and I thank God for His goodness. He fulfilled our dreams. We are also grateful for all the support we receive from Archbishop Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury; Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion; all the Primates of the Anglican Communion, the Anglican Consultative

23 Council (ACC) and our colleagues at the Anglican Communion Office and Lambeth Palace for their hard work.

“We are aware that many brothers and sisters, who served before us, have sown many seeds and now we are harvesting. May the Lord keep us faithful to Him and to the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.

He added: “the early church in Alexandria has shaped the Christian thought of the whole world during the first millennium. It is our prayers that the new Province of Alexandria would do the same during the third millennium.

“As a new member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Province of Alexandria, commit ourselves afresh to our Triune God and His mission. We also pray so that the Lord may use us to bring peace and reconciliation in our region”.

Archbishop Michael Lewis, Primate of the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East and the Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, sent his “heartfelt prayers and good wishes to our brothers and sisters in the existing Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa.”

He added: ““They have for many years been an integral and valued part of our Province. Now we bless them on their way towards being inaugurated as the new Province of Alexandria. As in the past, so in the future, they will live out the unchanging worldwide Anglican calling of faithful worship, loving service, and welcome to all.

“A new phase in the life of Anglican presence and engagement in north- east Africa is beginning. From Algeria through Egypt to Ethiopia and in all neighbouring nations they will by God's grace be a blessing to their communities and peoples.”

Other Anglican leaders also welcomed the new Province. The Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council Primate of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, Archbishop Paul Kwong, described the territory of the new Province as being “lands full of rich, diverse and historic civilisations,

24 ranking among the seven wonders of the world, a storied library and a seat of learning, will have a lot to offer equally and significantly to the Anglican Communion today. I am convinced that the new Province will play a much larger role in Inter-faith dialogue and involve more actively in health care ministry than the former diocese once committed. “I look forward to serving with Archbishop Mouneer in the Communion.”

The new Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria is a member of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA). Its Chair, the Primate of Central Africa and Bishop of Northern Zambia, Archbishop Albert Chama, said: “We as CAPA on the continent of Africa welcome the formation of the Episcopal / Anglican Province of Egypt.

“Egypt has been a very important and strategic diocese for the Church in North and the Horn of Africa. The formation of the new Province . . . certainly will open a new chapter in the life of the Anglican Communion on the continent of Africa, and also this will stimulate the growth of the Anglican Church in North and the Horn of Africa itself.

“The former diocese of Egypt has played a vital role in inter-faith dialogue given the environment in which the Church operates. The new Province will certainly be a big player in fostering peace and reconciliation in the region. Already the former diocese has been helping the refugees from South Sudan and other countries along it borders. . .

“The new Province is very strategic for the growth of Church. The critical role she is expected to play is that of inter-faith dialogue, as a means of encouraging people of different faiths to live together as they have done before, though this chapter will provide them with more influence as they act as one of the Provinces in the Anglican Communion worldwide.”

The General Secretary of CAPA, J W Kofi deGraft-Johnson, added his congratulations, saying: “We are delighted to read of the birthing of the new Province of Alexandria to consolidate the long history of Anglicanism and the work of Anglicans in Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa.

“Alexandria, could not have been a better name considering its place in Church history and as a seat of knowledge both for the Church and ancient civilisation.

“The birthing of the Province of Alexandria therefore provides greater opportunity for the Anglican Communion in Africa for fuller continental expression. This will enhance the role of the former Diocese of Egypt in building on the social transformation and inter-faith ministries within the North Africa region, across the continent and within the wider Anglican Communion in general.

“It is indeed a most welcome news to the Anglican Communion in Africa and a celebration of the contribution of the former Diocese of Egypt to the ongoing work of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA).”

An international service of thanksgiving to celebrate the inauguration of the new Province will be held in Cairo at a later date, once global travel restrictions have been eased. The Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria have been allocated Sunday 2 August in this year’s Anglican Cycle of prayer – a date which had been allocated to the now-postponed Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops. Women majority of deacons ordained last year, new report shows https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/women- majority-deacons-ordained-last-year-new-report-shows Women made up the majority of deacons ordained in the Church of England last year for the first time, according to new statistics published today.

A total of 570 deacons were ordained in 2019, with women making up just over a half, or 51% of the new intake.

Deacons are the first of three orders of ordained ministry. Whilst all clergy continue as deacons throughout, the majority are also ordained

26 The statistics show that women made up around 32% of the 20,000 active clergy last year, with a growing proportion of senior posts such as Bishops, Archdeacons and Cathedral Deans, occupied by women, from 25% in 2018 to 27% last year.

Women were in the majority starting training for ordained ministry for the third year running, with equal numbers of men and women spon- sored to train for ‘incumbent’ posts – such as Rector or Vicar - over the last two years. However currently only 25% of incumbent posts are occupied by women.

The number of stipendiary, or paid clergy, remained stable, at 7,700, between 2018 and 2019, following a period of decline. There were 7,830 Readers or licensed lay ministers compared to just under 10,000 in 2010. Readers and licensed lay ministers are not ordained but can lead worship and preach in churches, among other roles.

The statistics show the number of stipendiary clergy from black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds stood at 3.8%, while 7.8% of people entering training for ordained ministry last year were from a BAME background.

Out of a total of 550 people beginning training for ordained ministry last year, nearly a quarter, or 24%, were under 32 years old and more than two fifths, 44%, were aged under 40.

The Rt Revd Chris Goldsmith, Director of Ministry for the Church of England, said: “In recent years there has been an increasing diversity among our clergy, but we will not be content until those in public ministry truly reflect the whole church and the communities which they serve.”

He added: “The contribution of lay ministers to the mission and ministry of the church is hugely valued both in terms of sustaining the ongoing life of parishes and chaplaincies but also in the innovation and spiritual entrepreneurship increasingly characterising frontline expressions of the church as a Christian presence in every community.”

27 The Bishop of Derby, Libby Lane, who was consecrated as the first female bishop in the Church of England in 2015, said: “Women are now a widely visible presence among clergy in the Church of England – praise God. However there are still other under-represented groups whose vocations to ordination are being missed.

“I pray that the lessons learnt in encouraging women can make a difference for those who are not yet recognised, so Church of England clergy, at every level, better reflect the glorious diversity of our country.”

She added: “Last year marked 25 years since I was ordained priest. For over a quarter of a century women and men together have been selected, trained, ordained and appointed to serve in the Church of England.

“I thank God for the privilege of my ministry, and for the thousands of women and men who have shared this calling in that time.”

Church has 'blindness' to its own racism, says Aboriginal bishop - By Mark Brolly Church must first look at itself before it can speak with integrity on BLM or any social justice issues

Australia's National Aboriginal Bishop says the Church has a blindness to its own racism and if it wanted to speak with integrity about Black Lives Matter, or any social justice matters, it needed to look at itself as well.

Adelaide-based Bishop Chris McLeod, a person of Gurindji descent whose mother Margaret and grandmother Dolly were part of the Stolen Generations, was speaking in a video interview with the Anglican Board of Mission – Australia after issuing a statement about the global Black Lives Matter campaign and its relevance to Australia on 5 June.

“We in the church have a blindness to our own racism in the church," he said in the ABM video. "I want to say that if the church is really going to speak with integrity about ‘Black Lives Matter’, and speak with integrity

28 about any issues around social justice, then we actually have to look at ourselves as well. We actually had to confront our own racism, and who better than me, I guess, to say it?”

Bishop McLeod's statement included an endorsement by Australia's new Anglican Primate, Archbishop Geoff Smith of Adelaide, encouraging the Church and the community to continue to work towards recognition and reconciliation and a just society for all.

In his statement, Bishop McLeod said that the Week of Prayer for Recon- ciliation, held during the National Week for Reconciliation, had not gone quite as planned.

"Not long after it commenced we were all, I am sure, appalled by the death of George Floyd in America," he said. "It seemed to me to be so violent, senseless and unjust. This senseless action has triggered off a series of protests and riots around America, and protests here in Australia. It also reminded us that since the findings of the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report (1991) there has been a further 432 deaths in custody. Just in the last few days we have also witnessed the violent arrest of an Aboriginal teenager in New South Wales. We can see quite clearly that reconciliation means far more than saying the right words and uttering the right prayers for one week of the year. Something is very, very wrong with racial equality in both American and Australia, and needs to be changed."

Bishop McLeod said The Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report made for harrowing reading.

"How I wish that it simply described the past, as bad as that is, and is not in some way a prophecy of the present. I quickly add that not all police officers are violent murderous bullies. There are many fine police officers, just as there are many faithful Christians that make up their number. However, there is something wrong within mainstream Australia and America. Something deeply wrong with our institutions; including those set up for our wellbeing. It is systemic racism.

29 "Most people I know would not accept that they are racist, and many take deep offence if you suggest that they might be. Systemic racism operates at the deepest levels of our society. Systemic racism, or institutional racism, by another name, refers to how ‘white superiority’ functions as the norm. It is the lens by which we see all things. It shapes the political system, police force, the educational system, legal system, employment practices, and, yes, even our church. It shapes both you and me. All our social contexts are dominated by the, often unspoken and unrecognised, premise that being ‘white’, with all its associations, is inherently normative. This is why ‘Black Lives Matter’!

"People of colour are just not seen as being on the same level of those who are not. The basic institutions of our society were established to serve and protect the dominant ‘white’ culture. ‘Black Lives Matter’ because we need to focus our thoughts and actions on those who suffer the most. People will be quick to say ‘but all lives matter’; and, of course they do. However, it is far too easy to gloss over the particular when we focus on the general. This is why we also focus on violence against women, but we all know violence against anyone is wrong; we focus on the protection of the children, but we all know that all people need protection from any form of abuse. Focusing on the particular helps us to address the universal. Jesus said ‘… just as you did it to one of the least these who are members of my family you did it to me’ (Matt 25: 40)."

Bishop McLeod said the 432 First Nations people who had died since the The Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report was released, like George Floyd, had names, families and stories of their past.

"Many were arrested for relatively minor crimes. They were human beings with feelings, thoughts and blood running through their veins. They had possibilities for change. They are not just numbers. They were like you and me. They were God’s children.

The Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report made 339 recommendations of which only a few have been enacted, and, clearly, given the continued deaths in custody, have not addressed the core issues. What should we Christians do? For my part, Jesus provides the model. Jesus showed

30 solidarity with the poor, the outcast, the marginalised, and rejected (Luke 4: 18–21). Surely, in our context, that is the First Nations peoples, and other people of colour. As Christians we should be some of the strongest advocates for justice for First Nations peoples, and work tirelessly and prayerfully to see the end of the senseless deaths in custody. Write to your state and federal parliamentary member and ask them what they are doing about it. I am! We also need to ask the hard questions of ourselves. As a church when it comes to systemic racism we also have some ‘logs to take out of our own eyes’ (Matt 7: 5). We have significant changes to make in our own church. As people of the light we can begin to walk in the light, and drive out the darkness (John 1: 4)."

He concluded his statement with a quote from slain US civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that’."

* Prominent Sydney rector and commentator, the Revd Dr Michael Jensen, said that as one who proudly owned the name "Bible-believing Christian", he didn't think he had ever been more offended by a political leader than by US President Donald Trump's using the Bible "as a stage prop in his pantomime of power" outside St John's Episcopal Church, near the White House, at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests.

In an article in The Sydney Morning Herald on 3 June, Dr Jensen wrote: "The terrible irony is that the President – who, when asked, cannot quote a single verse of scripture – used the Bible further to stoke the situation triggered by the brutal killing of George Floyd, a man who, it transpires, not only read the Bible, but lived by it.

"Well-known evangelical biblical scholar Professor Tremper Longman III is among many Christian leaders who have condemned the President’s use of the Bible, condemning 'the way the White House ordered the clearing of the streets in a violent manner so that the President could walk across the street and, in my opinion, desecrate the Holy Scriptures'.

31 "The Bible is not a book to be weaponised. It’s not a talisman or a lucky charm. It’s a book to be read and to be lived – or not at all."

Dr Jensen, the Rector of St Mark's Anglican Church in Darling Point, wrote that people can’t make themselves the master of the Bible.

"It turns out that it doesn’t contain a checklist of suburban values or a recipe for a self-righteous life. It isn’t a document that prescribes a tough law-and-order social policy. It’s not an endorsement of a particular political party, or of capitalism over socialism or vice versa.

"The Bible is a book, someone said once, that you don’t read – it reads you. As a message of divine mercy, it exposes our need for that mercy. It gives great comfort, but it should never leave you feeling comfortable. No person, and no society, and even no church, could ever stand with smug self-righteousness and claim to be reading the Bible.

"The Bible holds up a mirror to human nature and human society. It tells us (as if we needed telling right now) that all is not well. And one of its chief targets is political and religious hypocrisy. To display religious piety while ignoring the poor and the oppressed is the worst of sins, biblically speaking. Jesus was especially critical of exactly this.

"And so, while we’re deploring the insanity unfolding in the US, we Australians should look to our own house. According to the census, still more than half of us own the name 'Christian'. Many of our political leaders, from the Prime Minister down, claim the Bible as an inspiration. The Bible has shaped our legal and political systems, and informed our aspiration to be a just and compassionate society.

"But are we – am I – any better than the President at reading it?"

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33 your kingdom. Amen. (Ted Loder) Pray throughout Pray for, St Matthew’s, Zababdeh, the week (West Bank, Palestinian Territorries), our Anglican Pray for the Anglican Church – Communion Partner: We for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; remember especially their Parish Archbishop Geoffrey Smith , newly Priest, Fr Saleem Dawani, and his elected Primate of Australia; ministry in the parish. We remember Glenn, Archbishop of Sydney; also Jameel Maher, who acts as the St Michael Stead, our Regional Bishop; Matthew’s partnership link person and for all the bishops, priests, with us. May both our parishes be deacons and Religious of the blessed by the link we are Anglican Communion. establishing.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer Pray for the Church’s mission: we are asked to pray for the Anglican Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out Church of Papua New Guinea, for its your arms of love on the hard wood of Bishop, The Most Revd Allan Migi the cross that everyone might come and for all his clergy and people. within the reach of your saving Pray for Fr James and for embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit Fr Michael as well as for Helen and that we, reaching forth our hands in Antonia. May God bless them love, may bring those who do not and their ministries and may we know you to the knowledge and love support them as they work among us of you; for the honour of your name. in Christ’s name. Amen. (Author unknown) Pray for St Paul’s: God of mercy, Pray for our Children’s Church: strengthen us to help shape a parish The Lord said, ‘Let the little children where diversity is a source of come to me and do not forbid them enrichment, compassion is common, for such is the kingdom of heaven’. life’s poetry realized, suffering Bless, Lord, your children who now lightened through sharing, justice stand before you in prayer. Help attended, joy pervasive, hope lived, them to understand the depth of the hum of the universe heard, and your love. together with you and each other we O Lord, bless our Children's Church build what is beautiful, true, worthy and all its future endeavours, that of your generosity to us, an echo of through it we may glorify you with

34 your Father and the Holy Spirit, now, Alister & Sally Palmer; Mark Palmer; always and forever. Amen. Sophie Palmer; Michelle Phillips; Geoff Riccord; Sarah Sakr; Diane Pray for peace: Lead me from death Smith; Elsa Sorensen; Peter Sorensen; to life, from falsehood to truth; lead Margaret Stephenson; Jean Storey; me from despair to hope, from fear to David Thompson; Geoff Voller; Dora trust; lead me from hate to love, from Whitway; Bob Woods. war to peace. In love and charity please Let peace fill our hearts, our world, remember the recently departed, our universe. especially Margaret Baseley & Jenny Pray for all in need, we pray Bounds; that God may grant them a especially this week for all those who place of refreshment, light and peace. are most vulnerable in our Pray, too, for, (Jim) Frederick Foster; communities. May the Lord God help Norma Melrose; Beverly Frances them to replace their fear with faith, Collins; David John Richardson; Lilly their despair with hope. May your May Clifford; Timothy Herbert tender love and care O’ Lord protect Gardner; Souad Mawad; Dorothy them and surround them always. Noall and for any others whose year’s Pray for : Alf; Joyce Bannister; mind falls around this time. Anne B.; John Burns; Rosemary B. ; Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord, June Cameron; Dallas Cox; Eddy; and let light perpetual shine upon Simeon Felt; Anna Felt; Margaret them! Hayes; Graeme; Enid Kell; Peter Kroger; Jessie Langenegger; Lily; Margaret; Kay McKinnon;

David Morgan; Clive Norton; Services during this week at St Paul’s

Midweek communion is now back held on Wednesdays at 10.30am in the Chapel of our Lord's Passion.

Commemorations noted by the lectionary this week –

 Monday 13th July – Sydney James Kirby, bishop, pioneer of outback ministry and the Bush Church Aid Society (d.1935)

Phone 9747 4327 Post PO Box 530, Burwood, NSW 1805 Website www.stpaulsburwood.org.au Rector Fr James Collins [email protected] Senior Assistant Priest Fr Michael Deasey OAM Honorary Priest Fr Jim Pettigrew Lay Minister Ms Rosemary King Director of Music Mr David Russell Organ Scholar Bailey Yeates Rector’s Warden Dr Jane Carrick – 0418 399 664 People’s Wardens Mrs Elizabeth Griffiths – 8033 3113 Mrs Pam Brock – 9747 3619 Office Secretary Mrs Caroline Badra (9.30am to 2.30pm, Tuesday to Friday) [email protected]

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