Articles and Opinions
Built together – Bishop Carol Writes
We have a neighbour who is a builder. During this time of COVID-19 restrictions, he has had some time on his hands, so he has started work on a retaining wall bordering our two properties. I have noticed with interest the hours he has put into the placement of a...
Crossing the Aisle
On 3 March 2020 the clergy from across the Diocese gathered for their Annual One Day Clergy Conference. Peter Carolane from Melbourne, who has had a long involvement in youth ministry and church planting, gave two presentations on ‘Crossing the Aisle’. To ‘cross the...
Presence anywhere and everywhere
“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” These words of the risen Jesus,spoken to his disciples right at the end of Matthew’s gospel, have particular power in our current circumstances. Presence matters. It matters to us when we are no longer able...
Responding to Change – Bishop Carol Writes
As I sit in my new office, looking out over the city of Canberra instead of the sparkling waters of the Wagonga Inlet, I have been reflecting on the impact of change in our lives. In the aftermath of the dreadful fires this summer season, change has affected us in...
Bishop Mark’s Christmas Message
At Christmas God shows a fractured world what it takes to be a generous host and a gracious guest. The recent Australia Talks survey found that almost half of Australians experience loneliness at some time. Contrary to popular expectation, some of the loneliest...
Body Matters
Bodies matter to us, and to God. In 1 Corinthians 12 the Apostle Paul describes the church as the body of Christ. One aspect of that image is the inter-dependence of the members of the body as we each exercise the diverse gifts of God’s Spirit, including the call to...
Bishop Trevor Reflects
At our recent Synod I was asked to reflect briefly on how we have grown together as a Diocese in the time I have been privileged to be in senior clerical leadership in this Diocese. The question forced me to reflect on my initial impressions when I came to the Diocese...
Hearing What Matters to God
There is a big difference between talking about someone, talking at someone and talking with someone. The first excludes them altogether, the second treats them as an object while only the third welcomes them as a conversation partner.In our contemporary society it...
Seeing What Matters to God
Everybody needs good neighbours – don’t they?Monica and I have recently been through the process of deciding where to live in Canberra. We discovered all sorts of resources designed to help us make that choice. Go online and you can find the socio-economic score of a...
Opening of the 46th Parliament
This morning Bishop Mark preached at the ecumenical service to mark the opening of the 46th Parliament.You can read the sermon text here.