southern cross :: april 2008

sydney stories »

Bringing families back together

Anglican churches are demanding more assistance in tackling family breakdown within the church and in the general community. In fact, parish ministers have identified marriage problems in the community as one of the biggest challenges they face. They want help with strengthening marriages, family relations and teen support. Anglicare and some Sydney Anglican parishes are doing what they can to help.

South west grows Indigenous ministry

Sydney Diocese’s Indigenous ministry is continuing to move forward with the recent appointment of Michael Duckett as pastor of Minto Indigenous Church.

Beauty is in the eye of the advertiser

Today’s highly sophisticated and aggressively marketed cosmetics industry is having an impact on women beyond the mirror. Research is increasingly showing that these figures document an effect that is more than skin-deep. And beauty messages are bombarding the Christian world too. Are you wearing your make-up – or is your make-up wearing you?

Five-cent miracles do happen

While many might see them as ‘shrapnel’ weighing down the wallet, Dave and Bev Vincent see the humble five-cent coin as treasure.

Lay leader steps up

Shellharbour City Centre Anglican Church’s school-based plant at Shellharbour Anglican College has been the catalyst for one man to step up to a new level of lay leadership.

Doing dinner with Dr Don

World-renowned theologian Dr Don Carson delivered a challenging talk on the nature of church and state at the Moore Partners annual dinner last night.

Sydney switched-on to green opportunities

This Saturday night at 8:00 pm, some Sydney Anglican churches and organisations will join businesses, organisations and households around Australia and the world to turn off their lights for Earth Hour in a symbolic gesture of concern regarding the issue of climate change. As Sydney Anglicans continue to consider the environment in the light of the Christian faith, it seems adopting environmentally sound practices is becoming more relevant to our strategies for evangelism and godly example.

Cathedrals offer Easter education

Two of Sydney Diocese’s cathedrals are offering Easter conventions this Good Friday afternoon.

MAC recruits new trainer

Mary Andrews College officially welcomed a new women’s ministry expert to their fold at last night’s commissioning service.

Roughing it for Jesus

Australia’s leading ministry apprenticeship program has run its first ever outdoor weekend away for prospective trainees.

Dean’s boycott call: full MP3

The Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, has called on all orthodox Anglican bishops to boycott Lambeth at a special briefing at St Andrew's Cathedral Chapter House on Friday. Dean Jensen said the reputations of any bishops ‘ who go to Lambeth knowing that unrepentant homosexual activity is wrong’ will ‘always be tarnished’. The full text of Dean Jensen’s speech and MP3s of all four briefings are now available online.

Sydney Anglican quits CDP for Nationals

Phil Lamb has quit as the Christian Democrats' state director to take up a top posting with the National Party of Australia's NSW branch.

Man the lifeboats! Plea for Nth American refugees

We are currently witnessing a dramatic ‘rescue operation’ in North America to save those drowning in a ‘disaster’ caused by a pagan heresy. This is the view of David Short, rector of St John’s, Shaughnessy in Vancouver, and world famous theologian Jim Packer, who are both being stripped of their ministry by their bishop. The theology pushed by their diocesan bishop, Michael Ingham, has been categorised as closer to paganism than Christianity. Should Anglicans in Sydney help these theological refugees?

Congregations combine to clean up

Two Penshurst congregations combined to clean up their part of Australia last Sunday.

Congo rapes prompt Sydney action

The violent and touching story of a young Congolese woman is being used to call Sydney Anglicans to advocacy for the troubled nation.

highlight stories »

PROMOTE THE APRIL EDITION OF SOUTHERN CROSS

Southern Cross is a vital source of the news, opinions and views on the latest issues, resources and events affecting the church, both locally and around the world for over 325 parishes, schools and institutions - this month's power-point promotion slide now available...

Hope sold to Hammond

The Sydney Anglican public health network Hope Healthcare has been sold to leading aged care organisation Hammond Care.

Students savour study of scriptures

According to University of Wollongong Christian staff worker Ally Wright, university life is like a “kind of carnival”.

TV’s Sunrise seeks Christian perspective

Archbishop Peter Jensen appeared on Channel Seven's Sunrise on February 15 to issue a plea for organ donation.

Big decisions April 2008

Southern Cross reports between sessions of Standing Committee

God was at work when my friends died

Nicola Robinson travelled to YWAM’s Denver training centre in December to spend a happy Christmas with close friends. Instead, she grieved their loss.

features & opinion »

Strengthening the family

The need for strong family relationships is one thing Wendy Morris has heard loudly and clearly articulated by parishes during her time as Anglicare’s Parish Partnership Co-ordinator.

Look at me! I’m a princess.

Kerrie Newmarch examines why ‘being a princess’ has such appeal within Christian circles.

Ministry vacancies a joke!

Sydney’s wealthier parishes are in distress. Despite record numbers of graduates from Moore College, they can’t get ministers.

Time we got fair dinkum

If today’s ‘fragile’ secular faith shatters, will our churches be able to pick up the pieces?

mission thinking »

Life is chaotic; death is orderly

Life and growth are chaotic. This is nowhere more true than in church life.

Say your Creed with joy

The Apostles’ Creed reminds us of the great truths of the gospel. Saying it should remind us to rejoice in these truths.

watching »

Sex, money and power

It’s not just the portrayal of sex that has the power to reshape our self-image. Fantasy story-lines centering on power and money are just as likely to undermine our characters as alluring images erode the surface.

Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger

Esther Blueburger is not like other girls. And that is part of her problem.