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

Contents

• Editorial

• Liturgy Winter School Concludes Successful Second Year

• St Francis College at Synod 2026

• Accordance Training

• Study Theology—Without the Pressure

• Research by SFC Graduate Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal

• Roscoe Library Matters

• Northern Region Lay Retreat 2026

• Containers for Change – Support AYCF!

• Escape to Tranquility: Pointro Campsite at Boonah

Frank’s News Editorial

Dear Readers,

This synod was a significant one for me as I was installed as a residentiary canon of St John’s Cathedral at the Synod Eucharist.  As I found myself answering the questions posed by Archbishop Jeremy at the beginning of the service, I felt a real sense of renewed call to serve in this Diocese - four years on from when I was commissioned as Principal at Synod Eucharist in 2022. This was further confirmed when listening to the Archbishop’s excellent charge to synod inviting reflection on how to be the church in the midst of complexity. (ACSQ Synod).

The Rev’d Dr Elizabeth Smith was the preacher at the Synod Eucharist. This concluded a very engaging and inspiring month during which she led weekend ministry workshops at Gayndah and Warwick, as well as giving the address for the University of Divinity Graduation on 30 May, presenting the Felix Arnott lecture (Felix Arnott Lecture 2026 | In our own accent: Australian English in worship and mission) and leading the Liturgy Winter School (Liturgical Climate Change: APBA 30 Years On | The Rev’d Dr Elizabeth J Smith AM).  I was greatly encouraged by the participation of about 40 lay and ordained people from across this Diocese with a few from NSW as well and really enjoyed the conversations about using A Prayer Book for Australia well for the various contexts in which we minister.

I encourage anyone leading children’s ministry in parishes to come to the monthly online hour-long Pass It On gatherings (Pass It On — AYCF), and to contact Juliet Briner directly if you have queries about resources for your context.  Highlights of the innerVIVID videos are now available in short TikTok format making it possible to focus on just one response to a spirituality question innervivid (@innervivid66) | TikTok. These are great for sharing – especially with people of a younger generation than many of us.  Jordan Cuskelly (Instagram) coordinates gatherings for Young Adults (18-30) from across the Diocese on Thursday evenings (LINK).  

If you are interested in enrolling or auditing any of our units of university study in semester 2, I strongly recommend looking at the opportunities outlined later in this edition of Frank’s News and contacting our registrar Linda as soon as possible as applications are due 17 July.   

Upcoming events that may be of interest to you:

Thursday, 2 July. Accordance Bible Software Training.

Tuesday, 21 July. Student Orientation Evening - Semester 2 2026.

20 or 21 August: Research Seminar (date to be confirmed). Presenter Professor Johannes Eurich, Diaconia Studies, Heidelberg University, Germany. Professor Johannes Eurich is Professor of Practical Theology and the Study of Christian Social Services at Heidelberg University. His expertise lies at the intersection between theology and social care. He studies how churches and Christian organisations contribute to practical community service, especially in areas like welfare and social policy, poverty and exclusion, disability and inclusion, ageing, and the relationship between faith-based organisations and civil society. His work shows how Christian faith is put into practice through social institutions beyond the congregation.

Wednesday, 23 September. The Rev’d Dr Matthew Anstey will give a public lecture, entitled Translating the Psalms for Liturgical Use: Reflections on language, theology and contemporary life — Saint Francis College during the week he is teaching an intensive unit on Praying the Psalms.

Wednesday, 7 October. St Francis Day Celebration. Eucharist at 12, followed by light lunch.  Guest speaker, the Rev’d Dr Matthew Beckmann OFM.

Matthew Beckmann is a Franciscan friar who teaches in the areas of Systematic Theology and Church History.  His interests lie in the interplay of those two disciplines, how historical events shape theology and how theology, in turn, drives history. He is a medievalist by training but also works with the theological ideas about salvation and redemption, the theology and history of the Franciscan Order and how theological ideas are disseminated and diffused. He has worked for many years in the area of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation and is part of the University of Divinity’s Centre for Religion and Social Policy. 

University of Divinity Graduation Celebrated at St John’s Cathedral

Students, staff and guests from across the University of Divinity gathered at St John’s Cathedral on 30 May for the University’s graduation ceremony, celebrating the achievements of graduates from its various colleges, including St Francis College.

St Francis College students took on a number of roles during the service, with Allana Wales delivering an address to graduating students and Matthew Siggins leading the intercessions. The ceremony also featured Elizabeth Smith as guest speaker. It was a joyful occasion, bringing together graduates, families, friends and members of the University community to mark this important milestone. St Francis College extends its warm congratulations to all graduates and wishes them every blessing in their future ministry, study and service.

Liturgy Winter School Concludes Successful Second Year

The second annual Liturgy Winter School concluded on Friday 26 June, bringing to a close a time of learning, worship and conversation focused on liturgical theology and practice.

Participants travelled from across south-east Queensland, rural Queensland and northern New South Wales to take part in the program, reflecting the growing reach of the Winter School and a shared desire to engage deeply with worship, theology and ministry.

Each participant received a tote bag containing resources for the week, including a workbook developed to support both in-class learning and continued reflection after the event. The resource encouraged attendees to carry the conversations and insights of the Liturgy Winter School back into their local ministry contexts.

One of the guiding themes of this year’s School was the idea of “failing safely” — creating space to experiment, reflect and learn together without fear of getting things wrong. Through presentations, discussions and practical exploration, participants were encouraged to approach liturgy with both creativity and humility, recognising that growth often comes through trying new things and learning from experience.

A highlight of the week was the contribution of Elizabeth Smith, who led many of the sessions. Her expertise, thoughtful leadership and careful preparation helped create a rich and engaging learning experience for those attending.

Reflecting on the conclusion of the program, organisers said they hope attendees leave feeling both encouraged and inspired by their experience.

With another successful Liturgy Winter School completed, attention now turns to the future as the College continues to foster conversations about liturgy, worship and ministry in the wider Church.

St Francis College at Synod 2026

St Francis College had a stall at Synod on Saturday 27 June, providing an opportunity to connect with clergy and lay representatives from across the Diocese. Throughout the day, many visitors stopped by the College stand to learn more about the range of study options available, including award programs, auditing opportunities and short courses.

The College team was encouraged by the strong level of interest shown by Synod members, with enquiries received from prospective students as well as people interested in joining the Roscoe Library. The event provided a valuable opportunity to share the College’s vision for theological education and lifelong learning, while strengthening connections with the wider diocesan community.

Grow Together Network - Baroona Farm

More than 40 members of the community and Baroona Farm's volunteer network gathered on 20 June to celebrate the Winter Solstice around a warm fire in a spirit of fellowship and gratitude.

While this year marked the final Winter Solstice gathering at Baroona Farm, organisers emphasised that the tradition will continue within the wider Grow Together Network. Giving thanks for the changing seasons, they reflected on the gathering with hope for the season now unfolding before them.

 Accordance Training

Wanting to dig deeper into the Scriptures as we discern what the Spirit is saying to the Church today? Keen to revive those biblical language skills from earlier classes? Already have Accordance Bible software but not making much use of it these days? Preparing for the Introduction to Biblical Languages class during second semester? There are lots of really good reasons to join our free online webinar on Thursday, 2 July.

Register here: www.trybooking.com/DKQHP

Study Theology—Without the Pressure

Curious about theology but not looking to commit to assignments or formal study? St Francis College offers a flexible way to learn—by enrolling as an audit student.

As an audit student, you can attend engaging lectures, access course materials, and join in class discussions, all without the stress of assessments or deadlines. It’s an ideal option if you want to deepen your understanding of faith, explore a personal interest, or enjoy structured learning on your own terms.

Whether you’re clergy, a lay leader, or simply someone interested in theology, you’ll benefit from the College’s high-quality teaching and welcoming learning environment. Study in person or online, and participate as much—or as little—as suits your schedule.

No exams. No pressure. Just the opportunity to learn.

Find out more about available units and how to get started as an audit student on the St Francis College website, or by contacting the College directly.

Enrolments close 17 July — don’t miss your chance to join us. Apply now. Auditing options available as well. Call or email for more information.

Research by SFC Graduate Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal

We’re delighted to share that recent SFC graduate Kate Gardiner has published new research:

Gardiner, Kate. "An Asexual Aromantic Reading of Song of Songs 5.2–6: Queering the Tradition". Journal for the Study of the Old Testament OnlineFirst.

https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892251412424.

https://journals.sagepub.com/share/VQI8DSFTFK9M4HNBVQJ7?target=10.1177/03090892251412424

Congratulations to Kate on this significant achievement—we’re proud to see the work of our graduates contributing to contemporary theological conversations.

St Francis College supports students to engage in original research through its postgraduate programs, providing opportunities to work alongside experienced scholars and contribute to ongoing conversations in theology, biblical studies, ministry and related disciplines. Those interested in pursuing higher-degree research are encouraged to contact the College to discuss their research interests.

Anglicans Gather in Belfast for ACC-19

Anglican leaders, clergy and lay representatives from across the world are currently meeting in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the 19th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19), one of the Anglican Communion’s principal consultative bodies. Hosted by the Church of Ireland, the gathering runs from 28 June to 4 July under the theme “Called to One Hope” (Ephesians 4:4).

The Anglican Consultative Council meets every three years and brings together representatives from member churches throughout the Communion to discuss mission, ministry and issues affecting the Church and wider society. This year’s programme includes Bible study, worship, member church updates and conversations on discipleship, safeguarding, peace and reconciliation, migration, and environmental stewardship.

Among those attending is Debra Mullins KC, Chancellor of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland (Diocese of Brisbane), who is representing the Anglican Church of Australia alongside other Australian delegates.

Roscoe Library Matters

The Roscoe Library has a book club, Reading with Spiritual Eyes, based on works of fiction.

 On 8 September 2026, from 5:30pm — 7:00pm, we will gather (in person and online) to discuss the 2025 winner of the Miles Franklin award, Ghost Cities, by Siang Lu. Ghost Cities – inspired by the vacant, uninhabited megacities of China – follows multiple narratives, including one in which a young man named Xiang is fired from his job as a translator at Sydney’s Chinese Consulate after it is discovered he doesn’t speak a word of Chinese and has been relying entirely on Google Translate for his work. How is his relocation to one such ghost city connected to a parallel odyssey in which an ancient Emperor creates a thousand doubles of Himself? Or where a horny mountain gains sentience? Where a chess-playing automaton hides a deadly secret? Or a tale in which every book in the known Empire is destroyed – then re-created, page by page and book by book, all in the name of love and art? All welcome, but please register for catering and set-up purposes.

New books!

Dangerous Songs: The Psalms and a Gloriously Disrupted Life / Richard Bruxvoort Colligan. Taking us on a tour through the Psalms, Dangerous Songs explores three grand dimensions of human life -- thriving, desolation and uncertainty. With an eye toward trauma theory, the psychology of recovery, practices of cultivating delight, and the inherent musicality of the Psalms, longtime Psalms teacher Richard Bruxvoort Colligan offers an integrative approach to the complexity of life and lifelong spiritual formation. People have long turned to the Psalms for comfort and consolation. Now Dangerous Songs also reveals how, if we read them with fresh eyes and a willing heart, these ancient texts will wreck our perfectly okay faith -- and transform it into something deeper.

Bruised Reeds and Mustard Seeds / Jody Stowell. Jody Stowell invites you to explore how, in the race for growth, we may be missing the deep significance and essential role of smaller congregations. As anxiety about survival and financial security spreads throughout the church, local churches and their leaders bear the burden. Yet within these smaller churches lies a richness, resilience and spiritual depth that is often lost in the noise. This is a call to rediscover the profound worth of smaller congregations and recognize their vital place in the future of faith communities.

Nourishing Prayer: A Handbook to Holy Communion / Sam Hole. How can we use Holy Communion, whether in its contemporary or older form, as a devotional resource? Nourishing Prayer offers a step-by-step guide to communion in both its Common Worship and Book of Common Prayer forms, delving into the deeper significance of each moment in the liturgy, showing how they offer tools to aid discipleship, worship and prayer. With clarity and depth, Nourishing Prayer will inspire newcomers and seasoned ministers alike, helping them find spiritual food and insight within the familiar patterns and words of the Holy Communion service.

Wonder: 52 Conversations to Help Kids Fall in Love with Scripture / Meredith Miller. Parents and caregivers who want to raise kids in the faith often feel ill-equipped, especially when it comes to talking about the Bible. How do they tell the stories in ways their kids can understand? What do they do with the questions (so many questions!) their kids will ask? And how do they make it something their kids actually want to do? Wonder addresses these pain points by combining creative Bible storytelling for kids, fun and engaging conversation prompts for families, and key contextual information for adults. Instead of simply presenting Bible stories, as a children's Bible would, this book actually equips grownups to talk about the stories with children. Each story is accompanied by historical, literary, and cultural background to help parents understand the original form, audience, and intention for the story. Meredith frames each story to help grown-ups talk with kids about how the story's original audience would have understood it, so kids can understand the life-giving story the Bible invites us all into.

Francis of Assisi: The Life of a Restless Saint / Volker Leppin; translated from the German by Rhys S. Bezzant. An award-winning historian reconstructs the life of Francis of Assisi, uncovering the man behind the myths. One of the most famous figures in Christian history, Francis of Assisi (1181/82-1226) was revered as a miracle worker during his life and quickly canonized after his death. He has inspired generations of Christians and other spiritual seekers, from medieval ascetics to 1960s hippies and modern environmentalists. The 'poverello' wrote poems praising the sun, moon, and stars, spoke to the birds, and--so the story goes--even tamed a wolf. But what do we know for sure about who he was, and what is simply legend? Drawing on centuries of scholarship, Volker Leppin pieces together fragments of Francis's life story to find a seeker who never reached his destination, a man whose extraordinary charisma drew others in, yet who was uncomfortable in the spotlight. Amazingly, Francis stayed within the fold of the church while offering a new and radical vision of Christianity that proved wildly popular.

Red Ochre Theology / Anne Pattel-Gray. Red Ochre Theology provides insights into the author's Spiritual journey in the development of an Aboriginal theology which involves an ancient spirituality and cultural tradition that enables a lived experience of the Creator Spirit, with people and with creation. This is nourished by a deep longing for justice, wholeness and a resistance that gives priority to the cultural lens of an Aboriginal faith perspective of trauma, survival, and to the principles of restorative justice. This Aboriginal theology sides with the powerless against the powerful and seeks to speak truth to power drawing its inspiration from the prophetic path in the biblical narratives and the Ancestral Narratives.

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!

Northern Region Lay Retreat 2026

The seventh annual silent lay retreat will be held from 6.00pm on Friday 20th November to after lunch on Sunday 22nd November, with the option of single day attendance on Saturday 21st.

Normally the retreat is the last week of November to coincide with Advent 1, but this year it is the week before, coinciding with Christ the King.

Guest speaker is The Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt, Dean of St John’s Cathedral. His theme is “Anticipating the Commonwealth of God: Spiritual practice in a complex world”, which will combine the Christ the King theme with the Advent theme.

Bishop Sarah Plowman will celebrate the Eucharist on Sunday, & our resident priest for the retreat is Rev Steven Schwarzrock from Stafford parish.

The retreat is once again at Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre at Ormiston, a beautiful & peaceful space.

As in previous years the weekend is open to the whole Diocese, & to any others who may be interested.

Further details & booking information please contact Nerida Murray on

Mobile 0411 052 292 or neridamurray@me.com

Also of Interest…

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