Vol 28 No 8 Anglican News October 2011 The Newspaper of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn 3900 copies every month FREE Tri-Dio Covenant extension Canberra-Goulburn In his Presidential address to the synod, Bishop Stuart Robin- Synod agrees to son, encouraged the meeting to “partnership” support the plan on the basis of with Bathurst and Christian hospitality. Riverina “Taking the next step to deepen the Tri-Diocesan relationship is a question of The Anglican Diocese of hospitality. Our friends are Canberra and Goulburn has asking for assistance in the agreed to be part of a stronger continued exercise of mission; structural “partnership” with the their needs are fi nancial and Dioceses of Bathurst and Riv- structural – and they are erina - covering the ACT and immediate,” he said. most of NSW - in response to a “We are being asked to request for fi nancial assistance assist our sisters and brothers from the Diocese of Bathurst. (most particularly in the diocese The agreement will cover of Bathurst) in the advance of Anglicare, Diocesan schools, the Gospel. And God’s word is administration and fi nances but compelling at this point ... We it stops short of a full merger. have the expertise and we can, Parishes and congregations I believe, make the resources from Broken Hill to Brewarrina available.” to Bega will be covered by the Equity sharing arrangement. In an unusual move, the Meeting in Goulburn on Bishop of Bathurst, Richard the weekend of September 2-4, Hurford, addressed the Canber- the Diocesan Synod strongly ra-Goulburn Synod on Saturday MEDIA INTEREST: The proposed extension of the Tri-Diocesan Covenant attracted the attention endorsed the motion to “extend morning to ask for help. The the co-operation ... between the Diocese of Bathurst is facing of the regional media during the synod meeting in Goulburn, with an ABC news team reporting on Dioceses of Bathurst, Canberra signifi cant fi nancial challenges the discussions. and Goulburn and Riverina by and needs a cash injection to re- ... rationalising administration, duce debt. The proposal before as the Diocese, do not imple- we face.” and Goulburn, to reduce debt. corporate services, and property Synod tackled this issue through ment a realistic recovery plan The letter explained that the The creation of this ‘cash injec- management ... whilst preserv- an equity sharing partnership. this year we will signifi cantly proposal would “create the op- tion’ is well within our means.” ing the sovereign integrity of In a pastoral letter to his par- undermine our ability to be part portunity for a reduction of the The proposal will be pre- each Diocese”. ishes distributed on the week- of God’s mission. However debt burden being carried by the sented to the synod of Bathurst The development has been end of the Canberra-Goulburn together and with the support schools”. Diocese this weekend (Septem- described as an extension of the Synod, the Bishop of Bathurst, of the Diocese of Canberra and “The Bathurst Diocese has a ber 24-25). Tri-Diocesan Covenant signed Richard Hurford, said they had Goulburn we can face the future profi tability issue, however I do If Bathurst synod agrees to by the Bishops of the three “explored a number of options with genuine hope.” not believe we have a solvency the plan, the details of the assis- dioceses in 2003, which has which have not borne fruit”. “The Synod of the Diocese problem as the Diocese has a tance package will be fi nalised already led to close cooperation “I profoundly regret that this of Canberra and Goulburn has signifi cant level of assets in before the end of the year. in several areas including Pro- matter has not been addressed decided to support the decision excess of its liabilities. Some fessional Standards, mission, to work in partnership with the of the marketable assets of the adequately in the past few years Turn to pages 6-7 for environmental matters, selec- and we must now face some Diocese of Bathurst. We now Diocese will be used to create tion of ordination candidates very tough decisions. This mat- have what we believe to be a a cash injection, in cooperation more news from the and the work of Anglicare. ter requires urgent action. If we, workable solution to the issue with the Diocese of Canberra Diocesan Synod. alsoalso inin thisthis issue:issue: RIPE team mission Welcome back to Stephen Pickard returns to Solomon church ... page 3 to parish ministry ... page 5 Islands ... page 16 Page 2 Anglican News October 2011 THE BISHOP’S COLUMN Covenant - a call Retirement planning: to step out in faith Making the most of the Beloved in Christ, Greetings! Bishop rest of your life … About eight years ago the Diocese of Bathurst, Riverina Stuart Workshop aims to Executive Offi cer, Anglicare tions Advisor, COTA (ACT)) Canberra-Goulburn) and Canberra formally agreed help with transition Preparing well for mov- Robinson Preparing well for ageing’s ing into community living: to stand alongside each other to ageing and fi nancial challenges (Mr John looking at some of the local in the ‘Tri-Diocesan Cove- retirement Carberry, Proprietor, Retirein- options including Anglicare nant’. A Covenant in Scrip- vest Woden) facilities and others (Ms ture, as you will be aware, is a central image for the bond of A workshop to be held in Preparing well for ageing’s Gayle Sweaney, Aged Care trust and mutual responsibility between God and Israel, and for Christ Church, Hawker, on medical and health challenges Business Manager, Canberra God’s saving grace in Christ which calls the Church into being. Saturday October 8 will explore (Dr Michael Davis, Clinical Regional Offi ce, Anglicare In our Tri-Diocesan Covenant we said, “Like the great cov- issues associated with ageing and Associate Professor and Di- Canberra/Goulburn). enants of old, this covenant is a call to step out in faith together retirement, and help people plan rector of Geriatric Medicine, Patrick Cole, parish priest at for these signifi cant life changes. into a future which is created by God, defi ned in Christ and ACT Health) Hawker, said registration will The program, running from Making the most of the rest empowered by the Spirit.” be essential, and the closing 9:00am to 4:30pm, will feature of your life (Rev’d John date is Saturday October 1. To this end, our most recent Synod was presented with a expert advice and information Chapman, Donald Robinson request from the diocese of Bathurst to assist in a range of fi nan- on what to expect in ageing, Village, Kirrawee NSW) cial and administrative matters. The fi nal resolution passed by offering practical ways to make Preparing well for the legal our Synod was: the most of the rest of your life, challenges of ageing (Ms or a loved one’s life. Rebecca Tetlow, Associate Anglican News That this Synod, acknowledging our need for the Holy Spirit’s Topics and speakers on the (Estate Planning), Bradley Al- renewal in mission by prayer and mutual encouragement around day will include: len Lawyers, Canberra) The newspaper of the the word of God, gives thanks to God for the Tri-Diocesan Cov- Preparing well for evolving Preparing well for living & Anglican Diocese of enant between the Dioceses of Bathurst, Canberra and Goulburn government policies on ageing ageing in your own home (Ms Canberra and Goulburn and Riverina and together agrees to extend our partnership in (Mr Peter Sandeman, Chief Helen Taylor, Housing Op- mission, by: Editor: Lewis Hitchick 1. continuing to explore the opportunities for prayer together and Address: PO Box 23 supportive strategies to enhance the mission of each ministry Bathurst unit for the renewal of the church in each diocese; NSW 2795 2. rationalising the: Phone: (02) 6331 1722 a. administration, 0427 373 446 b. corporate services, and c. property management; Email: 3. further integration of Anglicare; anglican.news 4. integration of the three Anglican Development Funds, @bathurstanglican.org.au 5. integration of the Diocesan Schools under a single Schools Advertising: Commission; enquiries to the editor 6. providing support for each member Diocese under appropriate Deadlines: prudential and commercial arrangements; Editorial & advertising whilst preserving the sovereign integrity of each Diocese.” 12th of the month prior to publication. The resolution was based on the detailed proposal as set out in the draft Agreement and draft Ordinances. Our Synod Anglican News is printed by endorsed that package and I am ready to assist the Diocese of Capital Fine Print, Fyshwick, ACT. Post Print Publication Bathurst should these measures be embraced by their Synod (on No. 299436/00093 Saturday September 24; you may be reading this post that date). Your prayers in this important matter – for clarity, wisdom Diocesan Offi ces and grace - are very much appreciated. Thank you, dear friends. Central Operations: I will be preaching at the Bathurst Synod Eucharist and pre- senting a short address prior to Bishop Richard’s Presidential Diocesan Registry address. Level 9 221 London Circuit For Jesus, POLICY: Peter Sandeman, Chief Executive of Anglicare Canberra City, ACT 2612 Canberra & Goulburn, will speak about the effects of government policies. Postal Address: GPO Box 1981 Canberra ACT 2601 Phone: (02) 6232 3600 Fax: (02) 6232 3650 Clergy moves and appointments Anglican News is a member of the Australian Religious The Reverend Peter Blundell has been elected Area Dean of the Deanery of Wagga Wagga South West. Press Association. The Reverend Fay Fraser has completed her ministry at St John’s Wagga Wagga and will serve with an Authority to Offi ciate within the Community of the Redeemer, Ashmont until December 2011. The Reverend Dr Peter Grundy has been granted an Authority to Offi ciate.