This article is from the Easter 2024 edition of Encounter Magazine. Click here to read the entire article. Reverend Bruce McAteer celebrated his 50th anniversary of being a Deacon on 15 December 2023. He shares with us the highlights of his journey, from Newcastle to Sydney and, eventually, the Central Coast. My journey in ordained ministry began when I discerned a call whilst living in Sydney. I was accepted as a candidate for the Diocese of Newcastle in 1971 and commenced at St. John’s College Morpeth in 1972. I was ordained Deacon in December 1973 to serve this role in college. D ..read more

Do you love working with children? Are you willing to do some checks and training? Special Religious Education (SRE) – or School Scripture teaching – could be for you! What is Special Religious Education? Commonly known as scripture, SRE has been in NSW public schools since the government took over from the churches in coordinating education in the late 1880s. Under the Education Act 1990, time must be allowed for scripture in NSW public schools. Initially students had one hour per day of religious education. Now it is a minimum of 30 minutes per week.   SRE teachers follow an authorised ..read more

There are three significant promises in the Easter stories. First, God offered us eternal life. Secondly, God will actively engage us in this life. Thirdly, we can create kind and caring communities. God wishes these promises to give us hope. God has not promised that our lives will be without suffering and sadness. We grapple with depression, despair, and death. Yet, God directs our gaze in a different direction. God invites us to consider how we will navigate our life. We know life will confront us with the upsetting and challenging. But, through it all, we endeavour to be people of hope and ..read more

Do you love working with children? Are you willing to do some checks and training? Special Religious Education (SRE) – or School Scripture teaching – could be for you! What is Special Religious Education? Commonly known as scripture, SRE has been in NSW public schools since the government took over from the churches in coordinating education in the late 1880s. Under the Education Act 1990, time must be allowed for scripture in NSW public schools. Initially students had one hour per day of religious education. Now it is a minimum of 30 minutes per week.   SRE teachers follow an authorised ..read more

We, the Bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia, gathered at Bendigo on Thursday 21st March, 2024, unanimously affirm the following statement. As we enter into Holy Week, we lament the suffering due to the ongoing war in the Holy Land. In the spirit of Jesus Christ who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” we pray for a just and lasting peace, for the release of all hostages, and for urgent aid to be delivered to civilians in Gaza.  In praying for peace in the Holy Land, we particularly pray for strength for our Christian brothers and sisters in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank who, under ..read more

Lakes Grammar – An Anglican School recently welcomed Reverend Anthea Haughain as its new school chaplain. In this Q&A, Reverend Anthea shares some of her experiences and what she hopes to achieve in the role. Q. Where were you based and what did you do before joining Lakes Grammar – An Anglican School? A. Before coming to Lakes Grammar, I did a two-year formation placement in the Parish of Gosford. I really enjoyed getting to know the parishioners and other partner organisations and was heartened and encouraged by their inclusive way of sharing the Gospel. I had previously been employed ..read more

For more than a decade, Australians have shown their support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equity by marking National Close the Gap Day. The annual event is acknowledged on the third Thursday in March, with schools, businesses and community groups organising activities to help make a difference. This year’s National Close the Gap Day takes place on Thursday 21 March. Newcastle Anglican Director of Reconciliation Aunty Di Langham said there needed to be a shift towards long-term planning in order to deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal people. “The Closing the Gap reports a ..read more

Day 1 A big part of the Ecumenical Summit in Rome has been listening to each other. We have been presented with a rich tapestry from across the globe. Following a tour of St Peter’s Basilica, we worshipped together using an Anglican service. I’m hard to spot but I am in the picture! I have appreciated the messages of encouragement from home. Day 2 The day is beginning in Rome. It is a day of many sessions bracketed with prayer reflecting our two traditions. We will discuss Synodality and Justice and Mercy. We hear firsthand about Sudan and the Middle East. Part of each representative’s focus i ..read more

The festive season is well and truly here. Samaritans Christmas Appeal has kicked off to support families who are doing it tough across the region, while our dedicated volunteers are preparing for another successful lunch on Christmas Day. We’ve covered the appeal, and the stories behind some of our volunteers, in a Christmas edition of Encounter. Inside the new-look edition, we’ve also captured an action-packed year at our Anglican Care facilities, shared highlights from a huge 2023 at our four schools, and showcased the latest from some our parishes. You’ll also find a wrap of Christmas serv ..read more

Greetings to the Newcastle Anglican community, I am writing to you all about voluntary assisted dying. In a few weeks, the law in New South Wales will change. NSW citizens will, in certain medical circumstances, be able to bring forward their death. This represents a significant change. For some it is welcome, for others this change is harrowing. The teaching position of most world faiths expresses serious concerns about this practice. The Anglican Church of Australia has expressed its concern and opposition. I know that the NSW Parliament considered these perspectives along with other input ..read more