All of the indications are that we are entering an increasingly difficult time to be a Christian, at least if being a Christian is to mean that we are any different from the world. The Commonwealth government has released an exposure draft of its new religious freedom legislation, for comment. The draft itself is rather disappointing, and if enacted would provide very limited scope for Christian organisations such as schools to recruit staff in support of their distinctive ethos, or for Christians to say anything distinctive, particularly about sexuality, outside the four walls of the church.
If you have the time and energy, I would urge you to make a submission about the bill (due this Wednesday) at: https://www.ag.gov.au/Consultations/Pages/religious-freedom-bills.aspx. The websites of Freedom for Faith and the Australian Christian Lobby have a wealth information to help with this. Either way we must pray that God will provide for his mission to go forward.
In brief:
- The Randwick Ordinance passed the diocesan Standing Committee on Monday evening.
- Our regular Working Bee is on this Saturday 8.30-10.30am
- Please plan to come along to Choral Evensong, Sunday 13th October at 4.30 pm, and to Life Explored, starting Sunday 20th October at 4.00 pm.