Welcome to "Frank's News"  - a community newsletter for our St Francis College friends and supporters.

Contents

• Book Launch with Adam – Thursday, 5 February

• Autism Workshop & Dinner – Friday, 13 February

• What’s happening in Semester 1, 2026 Teaser

• Roscoe Library Matters

• Vale (What I remember about Richard Tutin)

• Containers for Change

• Contact

Frank’s News Editorial

Welcome to the first edition of Frank’s News for 2026

It is that time of year when schools resume after the summer break and it is time to finalise enrolments for semester one by 13 February 2026.  Please see Upcoming units — Saint Francis College for descriptions of upcoming units and contact our registrar, Linda Burridge (LBurridge@ministryeducation.org.au) for more information about enrolment. This year opportunities include applying for the Graduate Diploma of Spiritual Direction course accredited by the University of Divinity (Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction — Saint Francis College). Setting up for a new semester is also a busy time in the Roscoe Library. In February we welcome the Rev’d Rosemary Gardiner as Library Assistant on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

During this month we come to the end of the season of Epiphany.  With worrying world events and conversations about who we are as a nation (especially in marking 26 January as Australia Day) I have really noticed the reference to Christ as a “light to the nations” in the epiphany season liturgy and this has helped me focus my prayers.

The invitation to confession begins with:

Christ the Son of God has been revealed as a light to the nations. Let us bring our darkness to his light, confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

The seasonal preface in the Eucharistic Prayer includes:
We give you thanks and praise for your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who by the power of your Spirit was born of Mary and lived as one of us. You anointed him as Messiah, the light of the nations, and revealed him as the hope of all who thirst for righteousness and peace.

The post-communion prayer is:

God of the nations, we thank you for nourishing us with this holy sacrament. Guide us by your presence, that we may bring your light to those who dwell in darkness, and establish your justice in the earth.

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on 18 February and many of us like to take the opportunity to be more intentional in our prayer and study.  This may make us more open to awareness of God’s presence and guidance in how to participate in bringing light, peace, and justice into the dark places of our world.  

Archbishop Jeremy has recommended the Lenten Companion to reading the first section of Michael Wood’s book Practicing Peace: Theology, Contemplation and Action (Published by Wipf and Stock, 2022). Written by Janet Hubner, this provides daily Bible readings and prayer suggestions to accompany reading through a chapter of Practicing Peace each week.  References - Resources (Open Space) and Study Guide.

I would like to recommend ABM’s HOLIDAY for group Lenten Study groups. In this, Steve and Vanessa Daughtry, author and illustrator, have imagined gospel stories from the adult ministry of Jesus, starting with his baptism by John and finishing at the Resurrection in a contemporary, Australian landscape. Concentrating on the people whose lives Jesus touched, the stories invite us to imagine ourselves in the scene. This new resource is available here: HOLIDAY - ABM Anglican Board of Mission.  We will have a Tuesday lunchtime group at St Francis College during Lent as we read the stories in HOLIDAY; please advise if you would like to bring your lunch and join the conversation.

There are a variety of events coming up that I would like to bring to your attention:

• Saturday 31 January. Grow Together Microfest. Hosted by Baroona Farm this event will include workshops, a keynote by Jeff Chu (author of Good Soil), and the official launch of the Grow Together Network by Archbishop Jeremy. For more information and tickets see https://stfran.qld.edu.au/upcoming-events/2026/1/31/grow-together-microfest-from-garden-beds-to-places-of-belonging.

• Thursday, 5 February at 2 pm. Book Launch of Adam Couchman’s book, Liturgia Dei: Worshiping the Worshiping God.Speakers: Professor Ben Myers (Alphacrucis University College) and Dr Janice McRandal (Australian Catholic University / University of Divinity). Please register attendance (either in person or on zoom) if planning to come here: ANZATS Seminar – Launch of Adam Couchman’s book, Liturgia Dei: Worshiping the Worshiping God — Saint Francis College

• Friday, 6 February. Communities of Meaning: Enriching Life in Retirement Seminar is being held in Melbourne with online participation available Registrations are now open for ‘Communities of Meaning: Enriching Life in Retirement’ - VOX.  Dr Fleur Creed, honorary researcher with St Francis College, is involved in this project and will be giving one of the presentations on this research day. 

• Friday, 6 February 5:30 pm to Saturday, 7 February 5:00 pm.  Trinity College, Queensland is offering No Easy Answers: Exploring Life’s Big Questions in the Bible’s Wisdom Literature with Dr Rachel Krohn and Dr Sally Douglas. For more information and registration details see: No Easy Answers: Exploring Life’s Big Questions in the Bible’s Wisdom Literature - Trinity College Queensland.

• Wednesday, 11 February to Friday, 13 February. The Wesley Centre’s (Melbourne) inaugural Theology and Culture Conference on Gendered Violence is fully booked and they have now made online tickets available for some sessions Tickets for Gendered Violence Conference 2026: ONLINE sessions

• Friday, 13 February at 9:30 am. Worship through the Lens of Autism. An Interactive Workshop offered by Dr Léon van Ommen, Co-Director of the Centre for Autism and Theology, University of Aberdeen.  (https://stfran.qld.edu.au/upcoming-events/2026/2/13/worship-through-the-lens-of-autism)

• Friday, 13 February at 6 pm at St Mark’s, The Gap. Autistic Spirituality: Authentically against the Grain Public Lecture with meal. (Autistic Spirituality — Saint Francis College). 

  Sunday, 22 February at 2:30 pm Commencement Service. All welcome. Please register here: Commencement Service 2026 — Saint Francis College

In your ongoing planning for the year, you may like to consider:

• Booking the Pointro Campsite: Pointro Campsite — Saint Francis College

• Booking a weekday tour and morning tea at St Francis College for a parish or school group: see Explore St Francis College.

• Inviting Jonathan or Fiona from the lay education team to lead a 360 workshop - About the 360 Project — FormEdFaith

• Inviting Jordan Cuskelly, our Anglican Young Adult Ministry (AYAM) facilitator to visit your parish on a Sunday and if there is a young adults’ group in the parish to come to that gathering. His email is jordan.cuskelly@anglicanchurchsq.org.au.

• Inviting Juliet Briner, our Anglican Youth, Children and Family Ministry (AYCF) Parish Support person to come and visit your deanery or a children’s ministry program in your parish. Her contact is Juliet.Briner@anglicanchurchsq.org.au. 

• Inviting a guest preacher from the College. Associate Professor Peter Kline, Dr Adam Couchman, Jonathan Sargeant and Fiona Hammond all have lay preaching licences.   I am also open to invitations to come and preach on a Sunday, and to preside in parishes where that might be helpful.

Book Launch with Adam – Thursday, 5 February

Join us on Thursday, 5 February as we celebrate the launch of Adam’s new book, a work that invites us to see worship in a fresh and thoughtful way.

Adam challenges some of our familiar assumptions about worship and opens up a richer, more life-giving vision. He explores the idea that Jesus is not only the one we worship, but also a worshipper himself—a perspective that reshapes how we think about what worship is and how we share in it.

Instead of viewing worship as something we do for God, Adam encourages us to see it as something God is already doing, and something we are drawn into. Worship becomes less about performance and more about participation in the life and love that God continually pours out.

Two scholars will also respond to Adam’s book, helping open space for conversation, reflection, and questions from those attending. At the launch, Adam will talk about the key ideas behind the book, what led him to write it, and further discussion.

Everyone is welcome to come along, listen, reflect, and be part of this engaging discussion. Registration Links - ANZATS Seminar – Launch of Adam Couchman’s book, Liturgia Dei: Worshiping the Worshiping God — Saint Francis College

Autism Workshop & Dinner – Friday, 13 February

Join us on Friday, 13 February for a meaningful day of learning, conversation, and community connection as we host our Autism Workshop in the morning at St Francis College, followed by a community dinner in the evening at St Mark’s, The Gap.

This event is best experienced in person, where participants can engage fully with the hands-on activities, discussions, and supportive atmosphere. Those attending onsite will also receive a mini sensory bag, designed to provide comfort and assist sensory regulation throughout the day.

We are delighted to welcome Leon, who will be travelling from Aberdeen to share his insights, reflections, and latest research on autism. His contribution will offer a thoughtful and informed perspective that enriches the conversation for everyone attending.

At the heart of this event is our commitment to radical welcome: everyone is accepted in our church exactly as they are. Whether you’re part of the autistic community, a family member, a curious learner, or someone seeking a more inclusive understanding, you are encouraged and warmly invited to join.

We look forward to being together for this special day—learning, listening, and celebrating the diverse ways we are all wonderfully made.

Registration links here - Worship through the Lens of Autism — Saint Francis College

What’s happening in Semester 1, 2026 Teaser

Get ready for a rich and thoughtful start to the academic year. Our Semester 1 2026 subjects offer a balanced entry into theological study, bringing together ecological theology, biblical interpretation, and early Christian writings. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming:

Ecotheology Returns in 2026

We’re pleased to announce that Ecotheology, last offered in 2023, will be returning this year. This unit invites students to explore one of the most urgent questions of our time: what does it mean to be a creature?

The course encourages students to think ecologically, examining not only the beauty and complexity of the world we inhabit, but also the ways Christian theology has sometimes contributed to the problems we now face. With the ecological crisis recognised as one of the most pressing social and existential issues today, this unit offers space to wrestle honestly with the challenges before us. A key focus will be exploring how Christian faith can help us name these issues clearly and engage meaningfully in addressing them with integrity, humility, and hope.

Read More about Other Subjects on Offer

Roscoe Library Matters

Welcome to Rosemary Gardiner

We are delighted to welcome The Rev’d Rosemary Gardiner to the staff of the Roscoe Library. Rosemary completed her Bachelor of Theology through Charles Sturt University whilst a student at St Francis College and living here on campus. Since her graduation, Rosemary has maintained an active Roscoe Library membership. Rosemary will continue in her role as Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Holy Trinity at Woolloongabba. She joins our team as a library assistant and is also undertaking librarianship studies.

Reading with Spiritual Eyes: Let’s Talk Books!

Please mark your calendars for Sunday 8 February 2026, 2pm – 4pm for Let’s Talk Books. All are welcome to gather in Lecture Room 1 to share book recommendations, or just to listen to what others are recommending. Although Reading with Spiritual Eyes is a book club where we chat about works of fiction, at Let’s Talk Books you can chat about whichever books you have read recently that you’d recommend, and why that is the case. If you’ve not read any books recently, but would like to hear what others are reading, please come along … we’d love your company! If you click on the Reading with Spiritual Eyes tile on the homepage of our catalogue, it will take you to the registration link. Please do register as we will be catering and wish to ensure that there is sufficient, but not excess. This will be an in-person only event.

New books!

Words that Listen: A Literary Companion to the Lectionary

The great themes of faith are also the great themes of art. As we seek God in experiences of hope, faith, tragedy, guilt, fear and love, so the poets, writers, musicians, filmmakers and artists explore the same mysteries, and their wisdom and understanding can deepen our own. Words That Listen brings these two worlds together.

Words That Listen offers four extracts, with commentary, from a breathtaking array of writers and sources that engage with the Gospel reading for each Sunday and principal holy day of the three lectionary years. Included are: writers from the classical Christian tradition, from Origen to Rowan Williams; many literary greats, including Dante, Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Emily Bronte, T. S. Elliot, Virginia Woolf and Oscar Wilde; recent and contemporary poets: U. A. Fanthorpe, Seamus Heaney, Mary Oliver, Wendall Berry and Malcolm Guite; modern novelists and writers: P D James, Annie Dillard, Maya Angelou, Stephen King and Marilynne Robinson; filmmakers and scriptwriters: Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg; songwriters and musicians: Leonard Cohen, U2, Led Zeppelin and Lady Gaga.

Words That Listen also includes paintings from leading artists that illuminate biblical events and encounters. Together, words and images offer a rich and stimulating resource for study, preaching and reflection on the scripture texts.

Discovering Christianity: A Guide for the Curious  /  Rowan Williams (2025)

Internationally acclaimed theologian Rowan Williams invites you to explore with him the vital questions that go right to the heart of Christianity: How does Jesus reveal God? Who or what is the Holy Spirit? Why do Christians treasure the Bible? What's the point of theology?

Rowan Williams' guide to the essentials of the faith will get you thinking about God in fresh and exciting ways. It will help you to grasp the way in which the best Christian theology is arrived at through the creative interplay of scripture, tradition and reason. And it will help you develop a broader and deeper appreciation of the positive difference Christianity continues to make in the world today. Brief, engaging and profoundly simple, this book takes you to the heart of what Christianity is all about, offering food for thought for a lifetime.

This book, just 96 pages, includes questions for group discussion or personal reflection. Perhaps your parish may be interested in having a small group study this together? The Roscoe Library holds 9 print copies and 1 ebook to help make this possible!

These are all the books that are new to our library during January.

Would you like to borrow? Register here.

Vale Richard Tutin (4 Jun 1953 - 1 Jan 2026)

We note with sadness the passing of the Rev’d Canon Richard Tutin. Richard had a long and valued association with St Francis College, including a period when he was a Sessional Lecturer and Tutor. Richard had a passion for receptive ecumenism and he helped shape the Roscoe Library’s collection in this area.

What I remember about Richard Tutin

by Rev’d Ceri Wynne

I first met Richard during my early years of ordination. His tall commanding presence meant I (physically) always looked up at him when we talked. But Richard never ‘talked down’ to me – he was always incredibly kind and always very supportive of my ministry and calling. He was also a fount of knowledge of the Diocese. I clearly remember the time when Richard and Jen came to a service in my first parish at East Brisbane. Richard shared that one of the delights of his current ministry position meant he and Jen could take time to visit quite a few parishes and place a generous contribution in the plate! A lovely man, and I know very much missed!

Rev’d Ceri Wynne taught alongside Richard.

Containers for Change – Support AYCF!

When you drop off your eligible cans, bottles, and other recyclables through Containers for Change, you can choose to have the proceeds donated to the Anglican Youth Children and Families (AYCF) ministry. It’s a simple way to support meaningful work while caring for the environment. Just use AYCF’s scheme ID (C11657749) when you return your containers!

Escape to Tranquility:

Pointro Campsite at Boonah

Just 90 minutes from Brisbane, Pointro Campsite offers a back to basics camping experience on the banks of Maroon Dam in Queensland. Enjoy spacious sites, firepits, hot showers, and clean toilets — great for fishing, hiking, water sports and much more.

Ideal for families, friends, and group retreats. Our bunkhouse sleeps up to 36 and is great for youth camps.

Book now on Hipcamp or email pointro@anglicanchurchsq.org.au for bunkhouse bookings.