newsletter WEBSITE: www.anglicanstogether.org IAAN 1836-5116 President’s Reflections LEADERSHIP has been in the news a lot lately. We have watched in astonishment the leadership machinations in our federal Labor Party and we have also been intrigued by the changes in Rome: the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict and the election of Francis as the new leader of the Catholic Church. For Anglicans there has also been the appointment of Bishop Justin Welby as the new Archbishop of Canterbury. This was a surprise appointment as Justin Welby was not one of the early front runners: a mature age entrant to the priesthood and he had been Bishop of Durham for only a short time. I have it on good authority that when asked at his first interview, why he wanted to be Archbishop of Canterbury, his response was, “I don’t”. Sounds like a good choice! Leadership is now a pressing issue contentious issues such as the role Diocese would be a happier place if for Sydney Anglicans. Dr. Peter of women in church or we could openly debate and interact Jensen retires in July and Synod interpretation of the Scriptures are with each other without fear of members have already received discussed. Whether it is real or disapproval or rejection. As Paul their papers for the special session imagined it is believed that says in 2 Corinthians, “Now the of synod to elect a new expressing a different view than that Lord is the Spirit and where the Archbishop to commence on taught at Moore College will put spirit of the Lord is, there is Monday, 5th August. Nominations them on the outer and they will be freedom.” for the position close on the 24th overlooked when appointments are Second, I would like to see our June. In this edition of our made. Several years ago I was Diocese become more open to Newsletter, The Reverend Andrew looking for a new Assistant Minister ecumenical activities. Sempell gives us some helpful to work in my parish. I was invited comments about the role of the to attend a meeting for clergy On Good Friday our parish Archbishop and the qualities we looking for new Moore College joined with the local Catholic should look for when making such graduates to work in their parishes. parish, the Uniting Church, the an appointment. Those running the meeting Presbyterian Church and the explained that just because a student Congregational Church in a Thinking about our Diocese and its had attended Moore College didn’t united act of witness that we call leadership has prompted me to guarantee that they would be the Way of the Cross. About 700 consider what I would like to see theologically sound. It was advised people from all these churches happen in our Diocese in future that we should examine any gathered at All Saints’ where we years. So, for what it’s worth here applicant very carefully to ascertain enacted the Last Supper and then we is my wish list: their theological fitness. We were moved outside to the garden for the First, I would like to see our warned that some students were Gethsemane scene. We then Diocese become less fearful. How influenced by the English scholar, processed through the streets of is fear expressed? In my N.T. Wright and this made them Hunters Hill stopping at the bowling experience fear is expressed when suspect. I was stunned by this club and other churches along the clergy or lay people are afraid to revelation. What have we come to way to enact the other stations and say what they think about an if we think reading the works of one listen to the Gospel accounts of issue. Particularly among clergy, of the world’s leading evangelical Jesus’ journey to the cross. The there is a feeling that one should New Testament scholars is event has Council approval, traffic follow the approved line when something to be afraid of? Our flow is handled by the local police and the whole community now be ordained and exercise the BOLTIE, A LIFE knows that the churches work ministry to which God had called P i l g r i m together on Good Friday. them. That situation is not likely to LIVED TO SERVE Edited by Lionel Bolton. {Good Friday Procession reached the change in the near future, no matter Email:[email protected] who becomes our This is the engrossing story of Boltie next Archbishop. (Dorothy May Bolton) born 17.6.1917 However, what died 8. 3.2009). would be helpful She was a Queenslander, and just as monumental as one of those houses on would be an stumps with its simplicity, also warm. acknowledgement It is more than a glimpse of that this is an issue homespun for all those hearts she won, where sincere ‘Bible with damper and the wearing of large believing’ Christians hats. She became a family and fishing have come to a nets for strays in her life of service. We different point of (Franciscans) knew her well and her view and where nomadicy (a word coming into greater respect could coinage), and her reading of the be shown to each country, reclaiming an honesty and aloneness. other. The ‘only we You might enjoy the heroism of this have the truth’ story of knowing darkness and light and attitude is never passing through in search of a Sabbath. helpful. With her resilience she hung onto ants Turning to other nests wherever she found them, with a matters I’m pleased lamplight of faith and bare feet. She was the aunt of Baz Lurhmann; grounds of Villa Maria Catholic Parish). to announce that we have an interesting speaker for our an Anglican missionary; a demon with I know that similar events take place a daemon spirit. It is a story hard to ANNUAL DINNER to be held on in other parts of Sydney but I’m resist and without sentimentalism and the 30th August this year. Canon also aware that some of our through which Australian Anglican David Richardson has been until Anglican churches will not history is rehearsed and has strength. very recently the Archbishop of My copy through the Anglican Franciscan participate in such events because Canterbury’s envoy to the Vatican Brothers, Annerley Brisbane, where she now lies they think joining with Catholics under their feet and kisses the stars. so has held that position during a and other denominations might very significant and turbulent time somehow compromise the Gospel. A TRUE STORY in Vatican history. LYREBIRD In a society where Christianity is Jackie Keir; Illustrated by Peter often under attack the more we can Canon Richardson was formerly Gouldthorpe, published by MuseumVictoria. co-operate with Christian brothers Dean of St Peter’s Cathedral, Literature and spirituality for both and sisters from other traditions the Adelaide S.A and then Dean of St adults and children - a delight. more chance there is that we might Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne. We When we are so agisted to distrust be listened to. look forward to welcoming him to and its nuances, and distanced from our city and listening to his nature and creation, scarcely knowing Giving support to the NSW message. them as our neighbours and the earth is Ecumenical Council and Philip Bradford scorched and we are aghast, I was promoting the work of the delighted to find this book and feel that National Council of Churches in I could be part of my landscape again. The story of ‘Edith’ and ‘James’, Australia through programmes such as the Christmas Bowl ‘the lyrebird’, begins in the setting of appeal would be one way our Blackheathlackheath 2.2. Edith’s life as a grower of flowers in leaders could encourage a more the Victorian Dandenongs. Blackheath aside, The friendship is riven with an ecumenical spirit. Down misted crevices and irrigation of love and the tempo is a Finally, I would like to see a Saddled tops and the ridges, is courtship. ‘James’ comes and goes Diocese where women didn’t have A ride through the filter of from her company and her fretting. His to leave in order to have their A crown of trees to lower tranches song is of their bushland dwelling and calling and vocation affirmed and A pinnacle of delight and the spectre speaks a beauty in his telling and return. accepted. Of our train travelling fast. She replies with words. Leaving a room at the top. I recommend this as a tale of a living In the years I have been ordained I Down a mountainside, relationship, which makes its own a have seen many gifted and A falling leaf. song within the wonder and sometimes theologically trained women move © Noel Jeffs SSF hardness of creation. to other dioceses so that they could Florilegium Bookshop, Glebe; cost - $15.00. % &" #! $John Bunyan This year - 2013 - marks 75 authors ranging from the 16th Sydney Anglicans : A Thin Red years since the ‘Memorialists” century John and Francis Quarles Line”, and the names of the presented their Memorial to the to the contemporary Thomas Memorialists and their parishes. Archbishop of Sydney, Howard Troeger (and including 35 hymns of Mowll. They were seeking a my own best hymns); five The book also speaks of lay- broader spirit and more tolerance Australian songs and anthems; people and clergy, scholars and in the Diocese. five hymns translated by Bishop writers, and major works in various Pilcher from the Icelandic, and Also it is the 75th Anniversary of fields, Biblical, theological, and notes on the authors, subjects and the publication of the Report on scientific, that have led me – with content of the hymns.