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

Contents

• Editorial

• St Francis College Open Day - 23 May

• A Short Reflection on Seekers Afternoon

• Spiritual Direction Information Evening

• innerVIVID: Exploring Spirituality in a Digital Age

• Supporting Those Who Serve: AYCF Online Community

• Roscoe Library Matters

• Containers for Change – Support AYCF!

• Escape to Tranquility: Pointro Campsite at Boonah

Frank’s News Editorial

Dear readers,

We are delighted to welcome the Rev’d Dr Elizabeth Smith to St Francis College for a month’s residency in the Anglican Church Southern Queensland. This will lead into the Liturgy Winter School, 24-26 June, at which Elizabeth Smith will be a keynote speaker. (For more information and registration details see: Liturgy Winter School — Saint Francis College).  There are three specialist morning workshops prior to that for school liturgists on 12 June (Smart Planning for Little Liturgies and Big Occasions in Schools — Saint Francis College), preaching on 16 June Preaching Master Class — Saint Francis College and hymn-writing on 20 June (Hymn Writing Workshop — Saint Francis College). There will also be two free public lectures for which registration for online attendance is possible. The Felix Arnott Lecture entitled “In our own accent: Australian English in worship and mission” on 9 June Felix Arnott Lecture 2026 — Saint Francis College.  On 24 June Elizabeth Smith will speak on the topic Liturgical Climate Change: APBA 30 Years On and you can register for this event here: https://www.trybooking.com/DMQKT.

During her time in the Diocese, Elizabeth Smith will also present to the recently ordained clergy, speak at the Graduation on 30 May, lead weekend workshops in the parishes of Gayndah and Warwick, and preach at the Synod Eucharist.

As we move into the Pentecost Season and celebrate the gifts and work of the Holy Spirit, it is timely that all the Inner Vivid videos to encourage people to explore their spiritual selves are now available on the dedicated website (innerVIVID | Discover Your Spiritual Self). Highlights are being released on TikTok for a different demographic.  Jordan Cuskelly, coordinator of Young Adult Ministry, organises a couple of events each month and I encourage you to invite the young adults in your ministry contexts to check youngadults.acsq (AYAM QLD) on Instagram for more details. (Plans for June include Prison Island Team Building Challenges on 6 June, and a Spiritual Night – Puzzle the Priests on 11 June, and Games Night on 25 June. Check with Jordan for any changes.)  

Juliet Briner, who supports parishes with Anglican Youth, Children and Families Ministries (AYCF) in the Diocese, is launching a new initiative; Pass It On: Prayer ~ Community ~ Ministry, an AYCF Online Community for People Engaged in Ministry to Youth and Children, including both those who are paid for this role and those who volunteer on Sunday mornings and at other times of the week. The name Pass it On is inspired by

Psalm 145:2: One generation commends your work to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 

See Conferences — AYCF for more information on this initiative.

As we come to the end of semester one lectures, I invite you to look at study opportunities in semester two.  The new Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Direction has a mid-year intake, and there is an online information evening about this and the one-year Art of Contemplative Listening on 3 June. Please register here: Spiritual Direction Information Evening — Saint Francis College.  

If you would like to brush up biblical language skills, there is a free Accordance Software Training — Saint Francis College on 2 July. It is also possible to audit semester two units, such as Reading the Bible 2: Introduction to Biblical Languages. See here for a full listing of Upcoming units — Saint Francis College.

At the recent Open Day, we had an amazing display of some of the treasures in the Centre for Coins, Culture and Religious History Collection (Centre for Coins, Culture and Religious History Foundation – preserving the past to shape our future). The cccrh.org website includes an online catalogue and a booking form to borrow sets of a variety of themed materials, especially for use in schools. Once a booking is made it is possible to arrange to collect the exhibition pack from St Francis College.

St Francis College Open Day - 23 May

Our recent Open Day on 23 May was a warm and engaging occasion, with people attending both in person and online. The day offered a rich snapshot of life and learning at St Francis College.

A highlight was the inclusion of the Centre for Coins, Culture & Religious History, which presented a small exhibition showcasing items related to the history of the Bible in English. This added a valuable dimension to the day, offering visitors insight into part of the College’s research life.

The morning featured three engaging teaser lectures: Greg Jenks introduced the collection and spoke on the formation of the English Bible; Matthew Beckmann explored the Germanic invasions and the fall of Rome; and Peter Kline reflected on the Two Commandments. These mini-lectures demonstrated the lecturers’ passion for their respective fields, as well as the approachable nature of study at the College.

The final session was a student experience Q&A, where students at various stages of their studies shared honest reflections on their time at St Francis. One participant noted how striking it was to encounter a learning environment where lecturers are personally invested in students’ success—something they found markedly different from larger university settings.

Watch the video on YouTube: Real Students, Real Questions

Feedback from attendees was positive. One guest reflected that the College “seems like a very different place of learning,” highlighting its emphasis on discovery, the integration of learning with personal and community life, and the sense of invitation to “come and see.” The student panel, in particular, was described as inspiring, demonstrating the College’s support for the whole person as learner.

Academic Dean Adam Couchman and Registrar Linda Burridge concluded the day by providing information on available courses and enrolment pathways. The Open Day was recognised as a collaborative success, reflecting the care, generosity, and shared commitment that shape the life of the College.

Interested in learning more?
Explore your study options or get in touch with us at St Francis College—we’d love to invite you to come and see.

A Short Reflection on Seekers Afternoon

by Michael Stalley

Following the St Francis College Open Day held last Saturday, a group of around 10 people gathered for a Seekers Afternoon to explore vocation and ministry within the Anglican Church Southern Queensland.

Present during the afternoon were Jeremy Greaves, the Archbishop of Brisbane, and Michael Stalley, Director of Clergy Development, Training and Wellbeing. Together with the group, they explored an understanding of vocation as it relates to our calling as Christians, with particular reference to the distinctive calls to ordained ministry as deacon and priest.

Seekers were given opportunities for their own reflection, as well as the chance to hear something of the vocation stories of Jeremy Greaves and Michael Stalley. The afternoon offered a welcoming space for conversation, discernment, and deeper consideration of God’s call in the life of the Church.

Editor’s note: If you find yourself asking where God might be calling you, contact the Clergy Development, Training and Wellbeing group via email: cdtw@anglicanchurchsq.org.au

Spiritual Direction Information Evening

“Come, Listen” – Discover the Ministry of Spiritual Direction

“Listening to the heartbeat of God” sits at the heart of the Spiritual Direction Formation Program at St Francis College—designed to cultivate deep, contemplative attention to God’s presence in everyday life.

On 3 June at 6:00pm, you are invited to an online information evening to explore this transformative ministry and the Spiritual Direction courses offered by the College.

Spiritual direction is not about giving advice, but about accompanying others with attentiveness, openness, and prayer. It is a ministry grounded in trust, shaped by reflection, and sustained by a willingness to dwell with mystery.

At this information session, you will discover:

• The nature and purpose of spiritual direction

• How contemplative listening forms both the listener and the one listened to

• Who might be called to undertake this formation

• The structure and pathways of the program

This evening is for those who sense a call to deeper listening—whether in ministry, professional practice, or their own spiritual journey.

To register: https://www.trybooking.com/DLORG

innerVIVID: Exploring Spirituality in a Digital Age

innerVIVID is a creative digital faith formation project developed by FormEdFaith, designed to help individuals explore some of life’s most fundamental questions about meaning, identity, and spirituality. At its core, the project invites participants to reflect on a simple yet profound question: “Am I a spiritual person, and what does that mean?”

It was recently launched on TikTok, and the online community is loving it.

TikTok is a natural step for this FormEdFaith project that aims to bring questions of spirituality into the marketplace well beyond church walls. (See the original innerVIVID project here: General 1 — innerVIVID.)

TikTok is for everyone —it is a fun and easy way to discover new hobbies, learn useful tips, enjoy music, and stay connected with the world around you. People of all ages are using it to connect with ideas about spirituality and faith.

You don’t need to be an expert with technology to enjoy it. You can simply watch videos, follow topics you like, and explore at your own pace.

If you’re ready to see some of your favourite people talk about things that matter to you, look out for innervivid66 on TikTok. We invite you to ‘like’ and subscribe to innervivid66 and make comments to say ‘hi’. We’re so excited to see how many people are watching already.

Explore innerVIVID for yourself:
Visit the full platform at https://innervivid.au or follow along on TikTok for short, engaging content at https://www.tiktok.com/@innervivid66.

Supporting Those Who Serve: AYCF Online Community

Those involved in children’s and youth ministry know both the joy and the challenge of helping shape faith in the next generation. To support and sustain this vital work, the Anglican Youth and Children’s Formation (AYCF) team is offering an online community space for those engaged in ministry with young people.

Meeting monthly online, this community is designed to foster connection, encouragement, and shared learning across a wide range of ministry contexts. Participants are invited into a supportive environment where they can connect with others, share experiences, and reflect together on the opportunities and challenges of ministry.

At the heart of this initiative is a simple but important conviction: that those who minister with children and young people should not do so alone. There is no expectation to be an expert—just an invitation to journey together, be supported, and continue to pass on the Gospel of Jesus.

The AYCF Online Community meets once a month, and the first meeting is on 23 June (12–1pm). For more information or to express interest, contact Juliet or visit: Conferences — AYCF

Roscoe Library Matters

Reading with Spiritual Eyes

On 16 June 2026, from 5:30pm — 7:00pm, we are gathering (in person and online) to discuss The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans. All welcome, but please register for catering and set-up purposes.

New books!

Mosaic of Grace: A Collection of Short Works / edited by Anne Hamilton, Ruth Bonetti & Rosemary New

Grace is described in the Bible with the Greek adjective 'poikilos,' meaning many-coloured. Twenty-nine Australian authors each chip in their tints and shades for this new selection of stories, essays and poems. This is a local book and you’ll recognize some of the contributors!

Blessed are the Anxious: Faith in Seasons of Anxiety / Claire Williams

Blessed are the Anxious offers a deeply personal exploration of chronic anxiety within the framework of Christian spirituality. Claire Williams draws on her own experience to navigate the complexities of the anxious life, and provide insights into the potential for hope found in the regular rhythms of Christian faith and practice. Avoiding offering simplistic and easy answers, the book confronts the reality of chronic anxiety and demonstrates the ways in which, throughout the year, the Christian story offers solidarity and hope for those suffering from it. In these pages, readers will discover tangible reminders of the divine presence amidst distress, offering comfort and reassurance in times of turmoil. Blessed are the Anxious will offer hope for those seeking spiritual guidance in the midst of anxiety, and a vital resource for those who care for them.

Evangelical and Inclusive: A Future and a Hope / edited by David Runcorn

Published in association with the Inclusive Evangelicals network, a growing network of evangelicals who work for the full inclusion of LGBT+ people and their relationships in the life of the church, this insightful and timely book presents a fresh perspective on evangelical life, faith, and understanding within the Church of England.

Reflecting on the work of the network, Evangelical and Inclusive sets today's debates within the broader story of evangelical history and identity. It explores fresh approaches to the understanding and interpreting of the scriptures, offers pastoral, doctrinal and theological reflections, and includes moving personal and community stories of faith journeying towards inclusion.

Insightful and timely, the book offers a forward-looking exploration of the identity and core convictions of this diverse, creative and dynamic tradition. It is an essential read for those seeking fresh perspectives on evangelical life, faith, and understanding within the challenges of today's church.

Named, Shamed and Blamed: Theology, Mental Health and the Wounds of Stigma / Hannah Waite

What happens when faith communities become places of stigma rather than sanctuary?

Named, Shamed and Blamed explores this urgent question by introducing the concept of 'spiritual stigma' and its profound impact. It reveals how religious language, practices and communities can intensify shame and exclusion for those facing mental health challenges - particularly individuals with bipolar disorder. Drawing on lived experience, the book combines empirical insight with theological reflection to show how stigma creates significant forms of poverty, oppression and injustice. It critiques harmful narratives around sin, suffering and healing, and offers reimagined responses rooted in liberation theology, compassion and justice. Written for theologians, faith leaders, mental health professionals, and all those concerned with belonging, it urges the Church to confront stigma as a theological issue and to cultivate communities that embrace those on the margins as central to the body of Christ, offering a vision of hope and transformation.

These are some of the resources that have been added over the past few weeks, but this link will take you to all the items that have been added to the Roscoe Library during 2026. Please remember that if you’re a parishioner, a member of the clergy, or you work in an Anglican school or agency, you’re invited to become a member at no cost. Do join … you’ll be so glad that you did!

National Reconciliation Week Resources

“National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.” (Reconciliation Australia)

Roscoe Library has added several new resources over the last few months that focus on general Australian and specifically Indigenous perspectives. Topics range from history, memoir, politics, theology, spirituality, poetry, art, and biblical studies. We also have a range of children’s books. The resources pictured here are just a small sample. Please do visit and explore the collection.

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.