CATHEDRAL NEWSLETTER - 8 May 2025

Brothers and sisters in Christ, our ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥'s AGM is coming up in two Sundays' time, on 18th May from 1:30pm, with Archbishop Kanishka chairing the meeting.

Currently there are all sorts of post-mortems after the federal election... Why were people so surprised by such a strong result? Where did the parties that lost ground go wrong? What priorities should the new government have? Who should lead the ministries or become the new opposition leader?

People are often wise after the event. And it's easy to get caught in our own echo chambers and only hear what we want to hear. 

No one has 20-20 foresight... except God Almighty!

Voting is compulsory at our parliamentary elections. But voting is voluntary for a church's AGM. 

But humanly speaking, the decisions are made by those who turn up.

Coming to the AGM means you hear what's happened in the year past – hint: by God's grace some really positive things have occurred – and you also get a taste what's being planned for the year ahead. 

Questions of accountability about our finances can be asked. And you can vote on who gets elected to governing roles in our ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥'s Council.

But perhaps the best thing is being connected to others from across all the ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥'s congregations, praying and working at keeping the bonds of peace in the unity of the Spirit, as with one heart and mind we seek to contend for the gospel of Jesus Christ, here in the heart of the global city of Sydney. 

Here are some practical details:

Where and when? The AGM is Sunday May 18, from 1:30pm in the Bishop Barker Hall (Upper Chapter House).

What Happens? All are welcome to come. A report are presented from the Dean (i.e. Minister in Charge) and other ministry reports are tabled. The audited annual financial statements for the prior year and budget for this year are tabled and explained. You can request a copy of the finances in advance by email, or pick up a paper copy on request to a staff member at church this Sunday, one week in advance. 

We also elect people to various offices for the coming years. This year that includes one ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ Chapter representative (and in other years, Synod Representatives for our denominational Anglican 'parliament'. 

There is also an opportunity for members to ask questions about ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ affairs and to make recommendations to the Chapter.

Who is Eligible to Participate? If you are over 18, have been baptised, consider yourself to be a member of the Anglican Church of Australia, and have usually during at least 3 months within the past 12 months attended services of public worship at St Andrew’s ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ (on Sundays or midweek), then you are eligible to vote (unless you claim to be a member of another Anglican Church or have voted at another Anglican church's AGM within the last three months).

Who is to be elected? This year, we elect one Lay Canons to be a member of the 'Chapter', i.e. governing body of the ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ (which has both local and diocesan representatives) for the next three years. The Chapter has a role overseeing ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ finances and property and advising the Dean, who reports to the Chapter, on ministry. The Chapter generally meets 4:30-6:30pm on the first Tuesday of most months. 

Those making nominations should be in attendance at the AGM. It is not a requirement that those being nominated be present (though this is encouraged). Nomination forms are available in the ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ this Sunday. 

Those nominated for election or appointment to the Chapter must be at least 18 years of age and communicant members of the Anglican Church of Australia. A ‘communicant member’ is someone who has been baptised and attends church abd takes part in the Lord’s Supper regularly. They must not be bankrupt or mentally incapacitated and they must not have been convicted of a disqualifying offence listed in Schedule 2 of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012. 

Those nominated to the Chapter as canons must also be able willing to sign the ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥â€™s Statement of Personal Faith, which reads as follows: 

1.    I believe and hold to the truth of the Christian faith as set forth in the Nicene Creed, as well as the Apostle’s Creed, below 

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, 
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, 
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
crucified, dead and buried. 
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead. 
He ascended into heaven, 
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; 
from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead. 
I believe in the Holy Spirit; 
the holy universal church; 
the communion of saints; 
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body; 
and the life everlasting. 

2.    In particular, I believe

a)    that God’s word written, the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct;
b)    that there is only one way to be reconciled to God, which is through his Son, who died for our sins and was raised for our justification;
c)    that we are justified before God by faith only;
d)    that this faith produces obedience in accordance with God’s word, including sexual faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman, and abstinence in all other circumstances. 

Romans 12:5 says that "In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." I hope many of you will see your way clear to playing your part in ensuring good governance for our ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ church family.  

Warmly in Christ,

Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney