March 2009 Anglican News Vol 26Page 1 No 2 Anglican News March 2009 The Newspaper of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn 3700 copies every month FREE Warm welcome for our new bishop by Lewis Hitchick A congregation estimated at between 1400 and 1500 gathered at Goulburn’s St Saviour’s Ca- thedral on Saturday January 31 to celebrate the consecration of Bishop Stuart Robinson as the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. It was the first consecration held in the cathedral in 117 years, and the first time a bishop has been consecrated and installed in St Saviours in the one service. The Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan of NSW, Peter Jensen, conducted the consecra- tion in a three-hour service dur- ing which the temperature rose steadily, passing 38 degrees by the time the congregation emerged from the building. A marquee on the cathedral lawns provided shade but little reprieve from the heat for an overflow of several hundred un- able to fit into the church. As well as representatives from the length and breadth of Canberra-Goulburn diocese, the congregation included hundreds of the new bishop’s friends and associates from Sydney and many other dioceses in the Aus- tralian church. Beginning with a colourful procession of banners represent- ALL HANDS: To the singing of the ancient hymn, Come Holy Spirit, our souls inspire, the bishops of the church gather to lay ing the diverse parishes and min- hands on bishop-elect Stuart Robinson who kneels before the Metropolitan, Archbishop Peter Jensen, and alongside istry units of the diocese, the presenting bishops Glenn Davies and Andrew Curnow (obscured). service featured a broad range of music. Synergy Youth coordina- Representatives came from Les Davey (Ainslie) were the or- tary College Band and the ANU met by the Dean and members tor Judy Kocho-Douglas teamed Manuka, Ainslie, Reid, ganists, with Andrew Stuckings School of Music added a festive of the cathedral chapter. with three other young musicians Gungahlin, Wagga Wagga, from Ainslie as choirmaster. touch to the worship. After the procession entered (Mark, Leigh and Catherine) to Bungendore, the Cathedral, and They led the congregation in During communion, a choir the cathedral, the bishop-elect and provide a 20-minute presentation Crookwell. Several others from singing the hymns and the Fes- of trebles from St Andrew’s Ca- the congregation were welcomed before the service began, and also further afield came especially for tive Mass by Philip Matthias, thedral, Sydney, sang some short by Tom Slockee, priest at the to sing In Christ Alone during the the occasion - from as far north originally composed for the con- carols. Boomerang Meeting Place in communion later in the service. as Townsville Cathedral, as far secration of Bishop Graeme Ru- Representatives of the parish Mogo, on behalf of the traditional Combined choir south as Christ Church South therford at Newcastle Cathedral of Chatswood and the National owners of the land. Choristers from 10 different Yarra (Melbourne), and Christ in 2001. church formally brought the parishes collaborated to form a Church St Laurence (Sydney). Trumpet, trombone and tim- bishop-elect to the main entrance diocesan choir for the service. David Johnson (Crookwell) and pani players from the Royal Mili- of the cathedral, where he was (continued on page3) alsoalso inin thisthis issue:issue: Church responds to Consecration in Camp Pelican Victorian fires ... page 3 pictures ... page 8 highlights... page 12 Page 2 Anglican News March 2009 THE BISHOP’S COLUMN Thank you for a warm, enthusiastic welcome! My beloved in Christ, and call. that families in that State are services and vigils. In addition, I count it both a joy and privi- Many of you will know that only just beginning to process. I want to commend you for Bishop lege to address you in this my Bishop Allan has stepped down your generous financial re- first formal contribution to An- from his role as Vicar-General sponse by way of special of- Stuart glican News. and is working in a reduced ca- ferings and individual dona- Robinson Thank you all so much for pacity as he undertakes Doc- Please keep on tions. your prayer support, well- toral studies in 2009. We are in the process of or- wishes, emails and letters. Your In the light of this decision, I praying for the ganising teams of (C & G) welcome has been warm and have appointed Bishop Trevor as hundreds (most clergy to relieve those in minis- tral locations across the diocese enthusiastic. The (outstanding) our new Vicar General and likely thousands) of try in fire affected areas. Other to spend time with our pastors Consecration service at the Ca- Archdeacon Sarah and Dean people who have practical measures will be put and leaders. thedral was not only a formal Phillip as commissaries. had their world in place once we are clearer on My hope is to hear their sto- start to my Episcopate; it was I have also invited Mr turned up-side the extent of the damage and the ries, listen to their dreams and also a brilliant introduction to my Wayne Brighton – former re- presenting needs. That said, do pray for the outworking of God’s new Diocesan family. search director for General down. please keep on praying for the purposes in our lives. I do want to take this oppor- Synod (and one-time parish- Pray also for those hundreds (most likely thousands) So the first two weeks ‘in tunity to thank the Dean, the ioner, St George’s Pearce) to who are seeking to of people who have had their the chair’ have been rich and Registry team and those who as- work with me (part-time) on re- bring the hope and world turned up-side down. full. I am getting used to life sisted in creating so brilliant an search and special projects. light of Christ into Pray also for those who are without my sons and life with occasion. Wayne is also undertaking Doc- this tragic situation. seeking to bring the hope and Jane, Nicola and Samson the I would also like to publicly toral studies through St Mark’s/ light of Christ into this tragic situ- deerhound. In the course of the acknowledge the fine job my CSU. ation. year I’ll get to meet many of you colleagues Bishops Allan and In recent weeks we have Thanks to the scheduling though do feel free to contact Trevor and Archdeacon Sarah been appalled by the news of Thank you for your immedi- skills of my colleague Bev, I am Bev Forbes if you need time have done in leading our Dio- and scenes from fire-ravaged ate response to my call to prayer. in the process of meeting the with me. cese during the interregnum. Victoria. I am also pleased to report that clergy of the Diocese (before Christ’s richest blessings, They have been faithful, diligent As a Diocese we can deeply many churches in our diocese Easter). With Jane (wherever and committed to our mission empathise with the heart-ache have conducted special prayer possible), I am travelling to cen- +Stuart Making an impact in 2009 Bishop Imagine you are a small child God. a city set on a hill or an uncov- Trevor Anglican again. This friendship will be marked ered lamp in a small room we are Walking home from school by such things as a humble and to shine where God has put us in Edwards News you discover some freshly laid contrite spirit, a genuine sorrow our families, our communities, concrete. There is no one about for sin and evil in all its forms, a our places of work, study or lei- The newspaper of the and you feel an overwhelmingly meekness which recognises the sure. Anglican Diocese of irresistible urge to duck under the worth of others and a deep pas- If we are following Christ we that others see Christ and praise Canberra and Goulburn barricades to make some inscrip- sion to conform every area of our will be the first to show compas- God. tion for posterity. lives to God’s standards. It is this sion to those in need and we will We can make a real impact for Editor: Lewis Hitchick I daresay in this situation sort of relationship with God be marked by impeccable integ- Christ by simply being observ- Address: PO Box 23 many of us have succumbed to which makes us salty in our in- rity. We will be known as peace- ably and obviously God’s people. Bathurst temptation! This is a small par- most being and automatically in- makers and will refuse to retali- As salty Christians we have a pre- NSW 2795 able of life. From our earliest fluences our environment for ate when ridiculed for our loy- servative effect in our society. As Phone: (02) 6331 1722 years we dream of doing some- good. alty to Christ. It will be then that lighted Christians we have an at- thing significant and leaving a we have opportunities to testify tractive effect in our community. 0427 373 446 lasting impact on the world. that it is only by the grace of God Let us make it our aim in 2009 to Email: Being a follower of Christ ful- we are what we are and that in- be both to the glory of God. anglican.news fils that longing for as disciples deed our light is actually only re- @bathurstanglican.org.au we are meant to be the salt of the We can make a real flected light.