Bishop John

do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God

Micah Challenge is a global challenge of Christians speaking out against poverty and injustice. Join with churches, groups, Christian aid agencies and individuals to encourage our leaders to halve global poverty by 2015. God wants us to act in response to injustice

So far, 111 023 Australians have signed the Micah Call. In June 2010 at the Micah Challenge National Gathering in Canberra, a giant scroll representing these signatures will be presented to the Prime Minister and Opposition leader (their attendance has not been confirmed yet) as a show of commitment to halve poverty and fight injustice. The theme of the Gathering is Voice for Justice 2010, and comes at a very poignant time being election year. I am a member of Micah Challenge’s Panel of Reference and I fully support The Micah Call:

The Micah Call:

This is a moment in history of unique potential, when the stated intentions of world leaders echo something of the mind of the Biblical prophets and the teachings of Jesus concerning the poor, and when we have the means to dramatically reduce poverty.

We commit ourselves, as followers of Jesus, to work together for the holistic transformation of our communities, to pursue justice, be passionate about kindness and to walk humbly with God.

We call on international and national decision-makers of both rich and poor nations, to fulfil their public promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and so halve absolute global poverty by 2015.

We call on Christians everywhere to be agents of hope for and with the poor, and to work with others to hold our national and global leaders accountable in securing a more just and merciful world.

 How can you become involved?

• Sign the Micah Call
• Register for the National Gathering in Canberra (19-22 June)
• Write to your local electorate member
• Pray that the politicians will hear and will take action
• Pray for change

This morning at the Town Hall reception prior to the ANZAC Parade march past I was informed by the senior military officer of a tragic fatal military helicopter accident in New Zealand. We included this loss in our prayers at the Hobart Remembrance Service. It was a sad reminder of the fragility of life and of Defence Force Personnel who lay their lives on the line for our well-being.

I appreciated the words of NZ Army chief Major General Rhys Jones at the Wellington ANZAC Day commemoration, to which the crashed helicopter was heading,  

Anzac Day is a time to remember and reflect on the sorrow, loss and sacrifice that is the obligation of nationhood, the cost of liberty and the price of freedom.

The Governor of Tasmania spoke of our need to be thankful for those who sacrificed that we might have the life we live and to be makers of peace.

The rain held off, just, and it was a befitting remembrance of and honouring of those who fought and died, as well as those who survived and carried suffering into the years of peace.

My own thought is that on ANZAC Day we remember the past not to glorify war but to honour those who fought for our freedom, giving thanks to God for them and their families.

In remembering, we learn and live in the light of that learning. We also are challenged by the sacrifices made and are challenged ourselves to consider the sacrifices that we make for the well-being of all. Can I put aside my own dreams and comforts for the greater good of society?

Anglican ministers lead ANZAC Day services of remembrance throughout Tasmania. Here we see Revd Cyril Dann taking the Dawn Service in Hobart at the Hobart War memorial (Cenotaph).

A moving reflection on the significance of the Dawn Service from a digger who could not make it this year, Thanks for remembering them. An article on his service and time on the Burma railway, Arch’s memory of a cruel war.

Christians recall the One who sacrificed His glory and status that we might live; forgiven and reconciled: in love with God and neighbour. May Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of love continue to inspire and encourage us. In the words of the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Philippi 2:4-11,

  This morning (Friday 23 April 2010) I headed down to Pine Lane, Huonville to turn the ‘first sod’ at the Pine Lane Development, a wonderful initiative of the Franklin/Esperance Parish. It was fun turning the ‘first sod’ amidst trucks and construction activity (see photos below). 

It was the first time I had worn a hard hat since my engineering days and building a new church facility in Melbourne (GWAC). Lots of excitement and smiles all around 🙂  Congratulations to the Parish of Franklin / Esperance.

Deborah Vaughan, of Font Public Relations, issued the following media release on behalf of the Diocese and Parish today,  

Sod-turn marks official commencement of works at Huonville accommodation complex 

Work officially commenced today on the new accommodation complex at Huonville for older members of the Huon Valley community, when head of the Anglican Church in Tasmania, Bishop John Harrower, turned the first sod.  

The development of 28 residential accommodation units in Pine Lane attracted considerable community interest in recent months . . .

Bishop John said members of the Franklin/Esperance Parish, who are responsible for both the construction and future management of the complex, have been pleased to engage directly with the community in a fully transparent manner regarding the development. “The Franklin/Esperance Parish undertook to provide regular updates to the community regarding progress of the development, and I am extremely pleased to officially turn the first sod today, and formally declare the project underway,” Bishop Harrower said. 

The $5.8 million Pine Lane development is being funded under Stage 2 of the Australian Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan. 

Read the full media release here.

 The following are my speaking notes, prior to the turning of the sod.

Welcome to everyone and thank you for attending. I am very pleased to be invited to officially turn the first sod at the Pine Lane development. 

A lot of people have worked very hard to get us to this point. There are far too many people to thank individually, but I would especially like to acknowledge the contribution from Lee Tyers and Russell Morton, together with Noel Bowditch, the Parish Council and the Building Committee. I also wish to acknowledge the assistance and support from the Housing Innovations Unit within the Tasmanian Government, especially from Bernadette Jago, Peter White and Tony Jacques. To the many others who have worked tirelessly, thank you. 

The Parish participated in a very competitive and rigorous process to secure funding of almost $6 million from the Australian Government to build these 28 units; in fact there were 226 other projects who also bid for funds. With funding secured, we are now determined to make this a very admirable development. Each unit will be built to 6-star energy ratings; and as well as 28 units, the development will include landscaped pathways, recreational spaces with a rotunda, and a community centre. 

The building team is committed to achieving the highest possible benchmark for every component of the development. Through a competitive tender process, we are proud to say local builders and contractors have been appointed to build these units, which has represented a great opportunity for our local community. The building of these 28 units and a Community Centre will not only be a great asset for the Anglican Church, but more importantly will be a great asset for the Huon Valley. 

We feel this project is a great opportunity for the Church to directly connect with the broader community and help those who need a little help. 

Once again, I am proud to be here today to turn officially the so called ‘first sod’ on the Pine Lane development, so without further ado … 

 Watch this space for future developments!

Finally we have the Commonwealth Government’s response to the Brennan Committee’s Consultation Report on a Charter of Rights for Australia. The Govt decision is good news: the answer is ‘No’.

THE federal government has bowed to a revolt inside the Labor Party and rejected the push for a national charter of rights that would have handed new powers to the judiciary.

Instead, the government will reveal today an extensive plan to protect human rights without changing the balance of power between parliament and the judiciary.

But it has agreed to the Brennan committee’s call to subject the legislative process to a new level of parliamentary scrutiny to identify bills that pose a threat to human rights.

It will also establish a national education campaign on human rights.

Full report A-G Pulls Plug on Charter of Rights.

See my comment upon the release of the Brennan Committee’s Human Rights Consultation Report – Australia.

This is what I miss – the passion!

“The World Cup is a very important cultural event, a party and has a great educational interest,” said Alberto Sileoni, the country’s minister of education.

“Watching a match at school takes up two hours of class time. But if students stay at home that’s six hours at least.”

The justification for watching World Cup soccer: 

school and college students in Argentina could be allowed to watch World Cup matches live while in the classroom in a measure aimed at cutting out truancy.

Surely, every student’s kind of Education Minister? – See Today’s lesson in Argentina? Watching the World Cup.

Understanding our cultural context is a key to engaging our culture with the Good News of God’s love in Jesus Christ. This makes for effective mission. See What is Contextualisation?