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Tasmanian Anglican

June 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes from the Bishop's Desk

 

 

Synod

The Diocesan office is now in the process of following up on Synod matters. The Synod was made up of some very high 'highs' - the presentation by St John's Launceston on their support work in settling 16 refugee families, Anglican Youth Camping, Roland Homes, some of the debates, Kelvin's generous response to my Keynote Address, and so I could go on.

We shared some very good 'highs'.

There were also some 'lows' and our parliamentary processes for running Synod do not always help us here. There are matters which could be better managed in conversation, issues that are suited to other forums and concerns which need to be considered by the people of God but not in a debating chamber. On the other hand there are matters over which we will hold strong and different views and this is to be managed both at a personal as well as at a body-wide level. We continue to build on the Synod Working Group (1999) which sought to make Synod more user friendly and less formal.

Increased fellowship, small group sharing and worship added to an increased sense of being God's people at work and this was evident in numerous ways. I thank all who participated in our 2004 Synod.

My Keynote Address and our media releases relating to Synod are available from www.anglicantas.org.au/news/index.html (The Address may be read in the Synod Extra in this edition of Tasmanian Anglican.)

2004/2005 Diocesan Prayer Diary

I would like to extend my appreciation to the Rev. Andrew Lang for producing the new Diocesan Prayer Diary. Andrew has produced it with meticulous care. It is a wonderful mission resource in praying for our world-wide church, local government, State and Australia. Use it in parish prayers on Sundays and weekdays. I would encourage you to contact the Diocesan office to obtain a copy of the Prayer Diary at a cost of $2.

Vicar General

In my concluding address at Synod I announced the retirement of the Rev. Canon Robert Legg from his role as Vicar General of the Diocese. Robert has given exemplary service and I am very grateful for his unflagging enthusiasm for God and God's people and their vocation in the world. We wish him well in his continuing ministry, leading the Parish of Kingston, and I take this opportunity of thanking the Parish for releasing Robert for his 'vicar generalling' over these early years of my ministry in Tasmania. I have appointed Robert a Canon of the Diocese of Tasmania in recognition of his life and ministry for Christ.

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Rev. Canon Chris Jones has accepted my offer to be Vicar General of the Diocese of Tasmania effective immediately. Chris is Chief Executive Officer of Anglicare Tasmania and is currently the Deputy Vicar General. We work together closely on a number of important aspects of our Diocesan life and the engagement of church and society. I am delighted that Chris and the Board of Anglicare have been able to make this further ministry available to the Diocese.

Please pray for us as we adjust to these new leadership roles.