southern cross :: march 2008

sydney stories »

Watching the Christ Files

The new documentary The Christ Files, based on John Dickson’s book of the same name will premiere on the Seven Network at midday on Good Friday.

Ready, Seti, go!

Second-generation Tongan Seti Latu has been sent out as a missionary in his own parish as he works among the second-generation Pacific Islander community of the Cooks River area.

Chesalon reveals new logo and direction

Anglicare’s aged care division has unveiled a new name and logo, along with an expansion into new categories of care as it responds to the needs of Australia’s rapidly ageing population.

Cooperation: the secret of the burger kings

McDonald’s executive turned Anglican minister, Ted Brush says that as Sydney Anglicans plan for Connect 09 they have much to learn from the cooperative business models that underpin the major fast-food brands. He says McDonalds' and Sydney Diocese share a very similar 'franchisee' organisational structure. Read more…

Our ‘worthwhile’ ministry risk

Pyrmont Anglican Church, known as Peninsula Community Church to its parish, held its final service after an exciting five years of experimental ministry.

Wagga O-Week saga continues

O-Week has come and gone for Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga campus but there is still debate over whether the absence of the campus’s Christian group was fair.

Is cable TV killing Christ?

A frightening mix of crime, greed and the profit motive are driving the public deceptions about Christ that fill even the most reputable cable TV networks. What are the facts? And what can we do about it? Everything you need to know plus some exclusive online resources are one click away...

Abbotsleigh acquires Alexander

Years of experience have convinced this new chaplain he is working with a strategic age.

Holy Spirit draws crowd

Organisers suspect the topic is the reason behind the record turnout for Archbishop Peter Jensen’s lecture series this year on the Holy Spirit.

Sydney backs bishops on Lambeth

The Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney has given its full support to Archbishop Peter Jensen's decision not to attend the Lambeth Conference. Earlier, Archbishop Jensen read a statement explaining the reasons behind the decision.

Canada vote encouraging, bishop

Retired Sydney bishop Ken Short says the strength of the vote to break with the Anglican Church in Canada by the Vancouver congregation led by his son, the Rev David Short (pictured), will encourage other congregations considering a similar move.

Angels sighted on Broadway

A Sydney producer says angels are behind the success of a Broadway-bound musical that has received stunning support both here and overseas.

No-Go-Week for Christian O-Week

An on-campus Christian group has been banned from making direct contact with students during O-week in an unprecedented move by the student representative council.

Reconciliation and redemption

As Australians recognise National Sorry Day on February 13, it has been 20 years since the leader of the Australian Anglican Church formally apologised to Australia’s indigenous people at St Andrew’s Cathedral for the wrongs of the past. Two decades later Sydney Diocese is celebrating the ordination of its first indigenous Moore College graduate. Jonathan Lilley’s (pictured) new role in leading the indigenous ministry at Nowra is just one example of how reconciliation is helping spread the gospel. Jonathan Lilley will also be online on Tuesday from 9am to 10am to discuss indigenous ministry.

Kell backs Rudd’s 2020 vision

Anglicare Sydney CEO, Peter Kell says Kevin Rudd’s announcement of a 2020 Summit is a step towards solving the nation’s long-term problems.

See Sydney’s new Reverends!

Spot your friends and loved ones in our exclusive album from the weekend's ordination.

highlight stories »

Big decisions March 2008

Southern Cross reports on the main decisions of the Diocesan Standing Committee in February.

Key parishes flee liberal bishops

Retired Sydney bishop Ken Short said the strength of last month’s vote to break with the Anglican Church in Canada by the high-profile Vancouver congregation led by his son, the Rev David Short, is encouraging other congregations to consider a similar move.

Vacant parishes March 2008

List of Parishes & Provisional Parishes, vacant or becoming vacant as at Friday, 15 February 2008

The big change: New age no match for Jesus

Merryanne Sumner was trapped in the grasp of occult spirituality before finding a home in Christian community.

GAFCON confirmed

After consultation with church leaders in Jerusalem and around the world, the Global Anglican Futures Conference (GAFCON) will now take place from June 22 through June 29.

PROMOTE THE MARCH 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...

Lone voice drowns in hysteria

Sharia storm swamps Archbishop of Canterbury: news analysis by Jeremy Halcrow.

features & opinion »

Why own goals do not matter

Everyone is a player in the Anglican Church Special Olympics.

mission thinking »

Being online is not enough

God looks upon the heart. Unfortunately we humans are far more shallow. For us, we start with appearances.

There’s power in our ‘product’

As we pray and plan to connect with our communities in 2009, we can expect the word of God to speak powerfully to those with whom we share our lives.

watching »

The Mist

If you’re a fundamentalist Christian wacko pipe down! Why? Because if the giant spider in the mist doesn’t get you, a down to earth, common sense supermarket clerk with a gun will.

Underbelly

If Underbelly is capable of breaking free from the legal quagmire that continues to dog its production, then it promises to be one of the most significant home-grown television releases of the year.

reading »

The Spiderwick Chronicles - the books

You always know when you’re on to a good book when you decide you have time to read one chapter then look up some time later to discover you’ve read four.