Our services this Christmas are: CHRISTMAS EVE 6 pm - Children's Service 11 pm - Midnight Mass CHRISTMAS DAY 7.30 am - Said Eucharist 9.00 am - Sung Eucharist

Two of the major items in the news at present are war, and climate change. In 2012 the Dean authored "Bitter Reflections on Climate Change" which was published in the magazine of the Diocese of Newcastle, Anglican Encounter. At the 2014 Awards of the Australasian Religious Press Association the article won silver for "Best Column or Blog". The citation read: This individual article is one of a series of 10 by different authors. They come under the generic title of Envirotopics.  However even the loaded title of this article does not prepare the reader for its brutal impact. The writer brooks no niceties as he strips away the superficiality of our comfortable and self-serving lifestyles, and unapologetically rips into us. His illustrations are real, powerful and personal. He heaps on us a guilt-trip with no foreseeable remission or righting of the environmental wrongs we are committing. Ouch! This is a noticeably different article from any of the other 51 entries which helps it stand out; but its no-holds-barred style and content is what puts it among the winners. The article can be downloaded here: Climate Change

On the first three Wednesdays of November, from 5.30 to 6.30 pm, we will be holding a study group at the Cathedral on Christianity and Warfare. The group will be led by the Dean, Dr Keith Joseph, who served in the Army for some years and also has an academic interest in military ethics, including an article in 2003 in the Australian Defence Force Journal, on the issue of selective conscientious objection. As we observe the centenary of the First World War, and debate about further intervention in Iraq, it is good for all of us to think more about these issues. Wed 5 November – The history of Christianity and Warfare. We will look at the people of God and warfare in the Old and New Testament; early Christian Pacifism; Christianity and the Empire; Crusades; the wars of the Reformation; the age of Modern Empires and the start of the separation of Church and State; the Great War and the pacifist reaction; the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries. Wed 12 November – Just war theory – when can resort to arms be justified? Implications for Christian ideals on the sanctity of life. Wed 19 November – Problems for Just War theory – problems in the right conduct of war. The problems of choosing between various evils.  

As the humidity starts to creep up, we leave the Dry Season behind. Our service timings now are: Meditation on Saturdays at 4.00 pm Sunday Services continue at 7.30 am and 9.00 pm. At this stage for both September and October there are no special services, though we look forward to a busy time at the end of November and beginning of December with the annual St John Ambulance Service (Sunday 23 November at 9.00 am), the Consecration and Installation of our new Bishop, Dr Greg Anderson (Saturday 29 November at 9.00 am) and the 40th Anniversary of Cyclone Tracy (Wednesday 3 December at 5.45 pm). More details on these services on the Upcoming Events page, with updates to follow.

On Tuesday 2 September we enjoyed a wonderful evening with the Watoto Children's Choir - over 350 people filled the Cathedral as we heard from the children and the young men and women who care for them. Those of us who billeted the children and their carers were very impressed by the genuine love and warmth they shared for each other. Thank you to all who helped, and all those who attended. We wish every blessing to the Choir as they head into the last leg of their Australian tour. For further details, visit www.watoto.com.