Synod News II
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 23 Oct 2011 in From Steve's Study ::
Synod drew to a close this past Tuesday night. Here are some of the highlights from this week:
- Monday night was a real highlight as we heard in the annual “Mission Hour” about God’s work around the world. In particular, we were greatly encouraged to hear of the work in DR Congo (many of you will remember a couple of years ago when we were visited by Bishop Masamango). It was particularly heartening to hear how the Bible School that was started only 6 years ago had grown and was now producing Christian leaders for Kindu as well as other nearby Diocese in the Congo. We were also greatly challenged by the visit of Bishop ??? of the Diocese of West Malaysia. He used the illustration of a Mango Tree to sumarise his goals in ministry, ie the fruit of the Mango Tree is not just a single Mango, nor even a single Mango Tree, but a whole orchard of Mangoes!
- I was particularly moved by the presentation by Kirribilli Parish, which talked about the great growth in their church over the last five years or so. I thought their idea of an “I Love Kirribilli” outreach week is something that would translate well to our parish.
- The following motion on Marriage was passed: “In light of recent continued debate, this Synod again urges the Federal Parliament to retain the current definition of marriage at law, namely as ‘the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life’, in the Marriage Act. This definition not only reflects biblical teaching, but widespread and longstanding practice which has servced the good of huan societies independent of religious affiliation. And Synod encourages minister, Synod representatives, and other church members to write to their parliamentary representatives affirming the current legislative definition for marriage.”
- We were also taken through a new resource book called “Common Prayer”, which has been written to give some further guidance for those leading services in our church. There are some beautiful prayers in this resource and our service leaders will be looking through it to see what we can learn to make our services even better.
There were, of course, a number of other issues discussed over the two weeks, but these, for me, were the highlights. Feel free to come and talk to Bruce Goldingay, Bruce York or myself if you have any questions.
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