Vol 28 No 9 Anglican News November 2011 The Newspaper of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn 3900 copies every month FREE St John’s hosts Royal visit Historic church of love for God and neighbour plays its part in is not a new teaching, but one whose theme is throughout welcoming Queen scripture. to Canberra “The reading from Leviti- cus today spells out something By Jeremy Halcrow of what is involved in loving with AAP one’s neighbour. The person It was one of those rare who loves his or her neighbour weekends when the eyes of an will be fair, no matter who is entire city and indeed a nation on trial; will not favour either were on historic St John the the poor or the rich; will not Baptist in Reid. The church be a gossip; will not hate any- played its part to perfection. one; will not hold grudges or A day after the parish try to take revenge.” hosted thousands of locals at Queues began building out- its annual October 22 fete, side the picturesque sandstone hundreds of well-wishers church shortly after sunrise gathered to greet Queen and cheers and applause broke Elizabeth II. She was there out when Queen Elizabeth to attend the 11.15am choral emerged from her offi cial matins Sunday service along vehicle, wearing a primrose- with an invitation-only con- yellow dress and hat with gregation of 120 packed into white gloves. the intimately-proportioned church building. The readings were those set for the day in the lection- “We like to think ary: Leviticus 19:1-2 & 15-18; this is her parish Matthew 22:34-46. CONVERSATION: Rector of St John’s, Paul Black, accompanies the Queen while Bishop Refl ecting on both passag- church when she Stuart Robinson converses with Prince Philip as they walk from the church after the service. es the Rev’d Paul Black said is in Canberra Last Sunday’s visit to St John’s was the sixth time the Queen has attended a worship service in that in the end, “Christianity is although that may the historic church. (Photo: Emma Body.) about love”. be presumptuous of “We are to love God with us” (Bishop Stuart the queen’s sixth visit to St given to regular worhippers at Queen’s visit was that children everything we’ve got; and our John’s parish. the 11.15am service. from the Children’s Church neighbour as ourselves,” he Robinson) “We like to think this is her “She represents extraordi- were able to welcome the said. “Asked to choose which parish church when she is in nary continuity for the British Queen before the service. is the most important com- Canberra although that may be people and I think all Austral- “During the 9.30 a.m. mandment, Jesus sums up the presumptuous of us,” Bishop ians, whether they are repub- service the children painted a entire Law and the prophets It was the same outfi t she of Canberra and Goulburn licans are not, would have a banner with the words ‘Wel- in two simple statements: love wore to Prince William’s Stuart Robinson told the Can- special affection for her,” Mr come to our Church’ and deco- God and love your neighbour. April wedding to Kate Mid- berra Times. Rudd said after the service. rated the banner with their “The question, ‘which dleton, save the coat, which Foreign minister, Kevin Paul Black said he would hand prints. It was a special commandment in the law is was unnecessary in Canberra’s Rudd and his family attended have liked his entire congrega- joy to see so many children the greatest?’ is one that every unseasonable spring heat. along with 105 regular pa- tion to worship alongside the from our Children’s Church so Christian and faith commu- The queen, 85, is in Aus- rishioners selected to join the royal couple, but numbers were excited,” he said. nity should ask themselves tralia for her 16th and possibly royal couple for the invitation- restricted for security reasons. frequently. The inseparability last visit to Australia. It was only service. Preference was For him the highlight of the (Further report page 2) alsoalso inin thisthis issue:issue: Reconciliation and Anglican 150 Trusting in God’s the call for change dreaming... page 3 intensive care ... page 16 ... page 12 Page 2 Anglican News November 2011 THE ASSISTANT BISHOP’S COLUMN & ANGLICAN 150 THE PRESENT: Pure Religion Bishop Trevor In my last Anglican News our faith involves our words, Living treasure column you may recall I la- our hands and our hearts in the Edwards mented the appalling level of places where we live everyday political debate in this country it is useless before God. In aims to be the which displays a harsh lack of particular, we need to remem- compassion to those who are ber pure and undefi led religion biblical tradition with his call seeking refuge in this country cares for widows and orphans to identify with and reach out to spiritual heart from very oppressive alterna- in their distress (James 1:27). the needy and helpless. Beauti- tives. Practical compassion for the fully ornate and reverent worship I was critical of both politi- needy is not an optional extra if services or casually informal, of the capital cians and the media for reduc- we belong to Christ. exuberant worship services are ing serious issues to simplistic futile without this. It has always The Queen’s visit topped Zoo. Parents can’t believe that solutions. But people who live been the same and every genera- off an extraordinarily busy we offer something for their in glass houses should not tion needs to relearn this lesson. weekend for the parishioners children for free.” Pure religion has always throw stones, so as members Not surprisingly of St John’s, Canberra, with the Paul Black said the huge of the church of God we must had this dimension. It is always annual fete held the day before turnout to the fete and Queen’s when God entered incarnational and never merely on Saturday October 22. visit is a reminder that the “St examine our hearts lest we this world in become hypocrites. propositional. That is why I Coverage of the fete in the John’s historic precinct is one It is easy to be deluded by the person of personally have always been a Canberra Times gushed about of Canberra’s treasures … liv- our participation in the outward Jesus, he showed strong supporter of Anglicare be- the community turnout. ing reminders of our pioneering rituals of our religion but unless compassion, pity cause in our name it ministers to “We put a lot of energy into farming community”. the elderly, the frail, the disabled, our Fair on Saturday and many St John’s was consecrated and mercy for the the abused, the hungry and the thousands came to enjoy our in 1845, some 70 years before vulnerable, weak, homeless in this community. hospitality and the fun of an Canberra was named Austral- Anglican News helpless and needy. I have also been a long term old-fashioned fair,” St John’s ia’s capital. supporter of TEAR Australia rector the Rev Paul Black told “But most of all, St John’s is The newspaper of the which enables churches in the Anglican News. alive today in the 21st century Anglican Diocese of two-thirds world to assist their “Parishes need opportunities with people,” Paul Black com- Canberra and Goulburn In days with no social communities with relevant to ‘put their name out there’ and mented. “It continues to be part security system ‘widows’ and development projects to benefi t a fair is one way to do that and to of the spiritual heart and life of Editor: Lewis Hitchick ‘orphans’ were the most vulner- the physical and spiritual needs showcase the parish to the wider our nation’s capital. Our vision Address: PO Box 23 able people in Jewish society. of people. community. Everyone comments is to be a vibrant Christ-centred Bathurst There were no aged or invalid We are all moulded by our on what we provide for children community that engages and NSW 2795 pensions, no sickness benefi ts, experiences. My mother died at our Fair, especially the free transforms the heart and soul of no family allowance or family in a nursing home at the age of Jumping Castle and a free Patting Canberra.” Phone: (02) 6331 1722 tax benefi ts. If their extended 70. I am always very thankful 0427 373 446 families did not help, they were for the Christians from lo- cal churches who volunteer to Email: on their own. Their affl iction came from their desperate minister to the frail aged. In the anglican.news case of my mother there were @bathurstanglican.org.au need for the necessities of life, namely food, shelter, clothing some ladies in her ward who Advertising: and security. never ever received a visit from enquiries to the editor Furthermore in the Old Tes- anybody else! The local Anglican clergy- Deadlines: tament God describes himself as their defender and helper and man visited every month with Editorial & advertising urges his people to give them his piano accordion to bring 12th of the month prior to hope. We fi nd this instruction in hope and cheer. However I must publication. Deuteronomy 10 - say I learnt this priority as a teenager in our youth fellowship. HISTORIC: The Church Anglican News is printed by He defends the cause of We didn’t just study the bible of St John the Baptist was Capital Fine Print, Fyshwick, the fatherless and the widow, and have fun together, for once a consecrated in 1841.