AustralianAnglican

At the end of December this account will be taking a break. After 12 years I think you’ve learned everything that can be conveniently taught about Australian Anglican history in this format! I’m hoping to be back around Easter 2026 with something a bit different.

#Sydney really jumping tonight! Spectacular departure of a cruise boat ‘turning on a dime’ to leave the harbour

Today is the 470th anniversary of the martyrdom of Thomas Cranmer (21 March 1556). Archbishop Kanishka Raffel takes a break from the CMS Conference in Darwin, to remind us of the significance of Cranmer’s work and legacy:

@Australian_Navy @MHS_NSW

Vessels from around the world have been making their way into Sydney Harbour this morning ahead of the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review. From 1400 today, HMAS Leeuwin will conduct the official review. 📸 LS Susan Mossop #ExKakaduFleetReview26 #AusNavy125

I was always angry, and I had a huge hole in my heart. Nothing made me happy. Then I got married to a God-fearing woman, and at home she would read the Bible every morning. After a while she said, "do you want me to read aloud to you?" So I sat down, and she started reading the Bible aloud to me, every morning. Eventually I said, "Well, let me read it," and so I started to read it aloud to her. And then it was like the Lord said to me "Chuck, it's time to come home. It's been long enough." And now my heart is filled up again.' ☩ Chuck Norris 1940-2026

Hard to believe it, but it’s a year today since PBS NSW ‘re-launched’ with our special commemorative event, “The Gospel in Cranmer’s Liturgy” at St Philip’s Church Hill. “For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting: and his truth endureth from generation to generation.”

we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear

Starting very soon! (Pro tip: if you register but don’t get an email with the link check your spam)

@philipnation What “percentage of Americans” would love to have the time, space, and income to develop a personal library of 1000+ books? What “percentage of Americans” regularly lend books to friends?

Fascinating insights into book ownership among Americans - 0 books: 9% - 1–10 books: 20% - 11–25 books: 14% - 26–50 books: 13% - 51–100 books: 12% - 101–200 books: 10% - 201–500 books: 7% - 501–1,000 books: 4% - Over 1,000 books: 3% More at yougov.com/en-us/articles…

The Governor hosted a Morning Tea at Government House for the National Anglican Bishops Conference, being held in Brisbane from March 13 to 17.

"Our Prayer Book is not an end in itself. It is an instrument by which the Word of God may be set forth fully and systematically in the congregation, and by which we may be mutually encouraged to lift up our hearts to the Lord in response."

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” A beautiful Lent 3 homily at Morning Prayer today, St Philip’s Church, 3 York Street in the Sydney CBD. The door is open … Wednesdays at 7:30am for BCP Morning Prayer.

"You are sent to New Holland, not to sow salad seeds, but to plant acorns; and your labour will not be lost, though the first appearances may be very small, and the progress very slow. You are, I trust, planting for the next century." - John Newton to Richard Johnson

To mark the 170th anniversary of Moore Theological College, we’re sharing two special episodes of Moore in the Word drawn from the 2025 Donald Robinson Library lectures on “The Clapham Sect and their influence on Sydney.” In the first episode, Mark Thompson introduces us to Richard Johnson, the first chaplain to the fledgling colony in New South Wales. Through personal letters and historical records, Mark traces Johnson’s courage amid hardship and his lasting contribution to the spiritual foundations of Christian witness in early Australia. In the companion episode, Michael Gladwin explores the life and influence of John Newton—former slave trader turned pastor, author of Amazing Grace, and key architect and encourager of the first Anglican mission in Australia. Through Newton’s correspondence and networks, we see how his theological depth, pastoral wisdom and missionary vision helped shape the emergence of evangelical Anglicanism in the Southern Hemisphere. Together, these lectures trace the personal convictions, partnerships and gospel ambition that linked the Clapham network in England to the beginnings of Anglican ministry in Australia. As we give thanks for 170 years of God’s faithfulness to Moore, these episodes remind us that today’s ministry stands on foundations laid through prayer, perseverance and a deep confidence in God’s word. Listen to both episodes and explore how the gospel took root in this land—and how its legacy continues to shape ministry into all the world. moore.edu.au/resources/rich… moore.edu.au/resources/the-…

Unusual fact for the day: former Archbishop of Sydney, Hugh Gough (1905-1997) considered the Monster of the Loch Ness "very likely" to be true! (from the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Saturday 4 November 1933).

@liturgicalben @liambeadle Similar down here. Many parishes offer an early morning 'traditional' service, but what that means in practice varies widely. In Sydney it's rarely 1662, more likely the 1978 AAPB. I know a parish whose early morning traditional service is Form 1 from 2012 Common Prayer.

@liambeadle I suppose ‘Traditional’ is less misleading (albeit for folk like us, it’s then whether it’s Order 1 or 2)

Well, I wasn’t expecting that on my timeline.

@danitreweek @KSPrior I was very struck by the phrase “scrutinizing pity”. Instantly recognisable by those who have experienced it.

This is beautiful. And wonderful. And humbling . And profound. And very, very needed. Thank you @KSPrior “And it is grace, not nature, that has made my life fruitful”

BCP: “I venture to number myself amongst those who have found in it a source of spiritual strength and consolation … For me, its measured language, its calm restraint, its comprehensive appeals, its reverent approach to God, make an ever-deepening impression as time passes.”

@Rainmaker1973 @AntipodeEmpire Is that Jack Lang, getting a photo op?

102 years ago Today, Aidan de Brune completed his walk around Australia's perimeter, becoming the first person in recorded history to walk around the perimeter of Australia, unaccompanied and unassisted. He left Sydney on September 20, 1921 and walked dor two and a half years, arriving back in Sydney on 4 March 1924 after a total of 16,190 kilometers (10,060 miles). After his walk around Australia, Aidan de Brune settled in Sydney and began writing serialised mystery stories for newspapers.

The abomination of desolation…