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

Contents

Frank’s News Editorial

Dear Readers,

It is lovely to see the signs of spring around us and there are many resources available to mark the Season of Creation (Season of Creation - The Anglican Communion Office).  This year the theme is Living Water. It is timely to focus our prayer and attention on water at a time when parts of western Queensland have been declared in drought, coastal birds and sea lion populations are being impacted by bird flu, and we are becoming aware of the thirsty needs of data centres and wildfires in the northern hemisphere.  The season begins with the Feast of Creation in Christ, newly added to the Lectionary for September 6 this year.  The Lectionary invites us to remember John Coleridge Patteson, first bishop of Melanesia, on 20 September. This Sunday might be a timely opportunity to share the video of the ABM Pilgrimage to the Solomon Islands 2026 and to encourage support of the ABM Archbishop's Appeal 2026, supporting projects in the Anglican Church of Melanesia.  

In early September Bishop Denise will retire from her role coordinating the formation for ordained ministry programs.  It has been a delight to have her wisdom and warmth, experience and expertise at St Francis College and we wish her and Mark well in this next chapter of their lives. 

I encourage you to sign up for the Pass It On monthly online gatherings if you are involved in children's ministry and to advise any young adults (18-30) you connect with about the Young Adults Retreat in November - Young Adults Retreat — Saint Francis College.

Please register for the two upcoming public lectures: Translating the Psalms for Liturgical Use: Reflections on language, theology and contemporary life — Saint Francis College) and the David Binns Memorial (David Binns Memorial Lecture 2026 — Saint Francis College). I would personally like to invite everyone, especially alumni, to the celebration of St Francis Day on 7 October.  Bishop Godfrey Fryar will be the celebrant and the preacher is our church history lecturer, the  Rev'd Dr Matthew Beckmann, OFM - St Francis Day Celebration — Saint Francis College.

Lastly, Saturday, 10 October is the Student Experience Day - Student Experience Day - 10 October 2026 — Saint Francis College. If you have ever been thinking about studying theology, this is an excellent opportunity to experience college life, meet staff and students, and explore what study at St Francis College might look like for you.

Grace and peace,

Ruth

Ministry Journey: Our Life Has its Seasons

by Bishop Denise Ferguson

One of my favourite contemporary hymns, written by New Zealand hymn writer Shirley Murray, is taken from Ecclesiastes 3: Our Life Has Its Seasons. It speaks of the various seasons of life, the challenges and joys, and God’s faithfulness throughout the journey.

“There’s never a time to stop believing. There’s never a time for hope to die. There’s never a time to stop loving. These three things go on.”

My ministry has encompassed many different seasons, most totally unexpected, all blessed and challenging. Throughout these seasons, God has been faithful, even when my faith has wavered. As I step into this next season, and a ministry that will look much more like retirement, I am grateful and I am blessed.

Where did it begin? The season that most people beyond immediate family and friends are familiar with is my ministry journey. It began on a very cold Sunday morning in 1988 in an Army camp in the middle of the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. Following the Sunday service, the Army Chaplain took me aside and said, ‘God has told me he wants you up the front.’ I must confess my immediate response was not particularly kind, faithful, or generous. However, as we know, God has a sense of humour, and when God calls, ultimately, we can’t avoid it any longer.

When the announcement was made in 2019 that I was to be Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Adelaide, that Army Chaplain, now long retired, was one of the first to contact me. Of course, his opening words were, ‘I told you so!’

Thirty-eight years later, I look back at my ministry journey and am still amazed, humbled, grateful, and at times overwhelmed by God’s grace on that journey.

From lay ministry in an Army camp, when I was often called in to fill the Chaplain’s shoes while he was on military exercise, through to today, I have served in ways I could never have anticipated. I have served in two provinces of the Anglican Communion; five dioceses; two parishes as Lay Reader; four parishes as Curate, Rector, or Vicar; as Canon of three Cathedrals; as Archdeacon in two dioceses; as Diocesan Manager and Registrar; as Assistant Bishop; and, for the past twenty years, alongside these ministries, I have been involved in ministry discernment, formation, and training for ordained ministry.

The shape of ordained ministry has changed significantly over these past few decades. Therefore, the shape of training and formation has needed to change to meet this complex environment. Parish ministry, diverse chaplaincies, stipendiary, honorary, part-time, and bi-vocational priests, and distinctive deacons are all valid and necessary expressions of ordained ministry. The challenge is this: how do we equip God’s people for faithful, missional leadership in this fast-changing environment?

The establishment of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland Clergy Development, Training and Wellbeing Team has been a significant step in bringing cohesion across ministry training and the lifelong process of formation, from discernment to retirement. While there is still much to address, the changes of the past two years have been significant.

It has been a privilege to have been part of this transformation and transition, and to have had the opportunity to walk alongside those in training for ordained ministry throughout my time in these many different roles.

However, our life has its seasons, and it is time for me to step into my next season. We have a God of surprises, so I am in no doubt that there is still more God has planned. Thanks be to God.

Academic Dean Featured in Australian Journal of Liturgy

St Francis College Academic Dean, Dr Adam Couchman, is featured in the latest edition of the Australian Journal of Liturgy (Vol. 20, No. 1, 2026).

Dr Couchman's article, A Round Church in a Square Hole: Indigenous Theologies and the Challenge of Decolonising Liturgical Space, explores the relationship between Indigenous theologies, worship, and the spaces in which Christian liturgy is celebrated. The article contributes to ongoing conversations about decolonisation, contextual theology, and the ways churches can engage more deeply with Indigenous perspectives and experiences.

Adding to this recognition, the same issue includes a review of Dr Couchman's recent book, Liturgica Dei: Worshiping the Worshiping God, highlighting its contribution to contemporary liturgical scholarship.

Members of the College community and interested readers are encouraged to explore both the article and the book review. Copies of the Australian Journal of Liturgy are available through the Roscoe Library.

For more information, please visit the Roscoe Library or speak with library staff.

What Theological Study at St Francis College Could Mean for You

St Francis College will hold its Student Experience Day on Saturday 10 October, providing an opportunity for anyone interested in theology, ministry, faith formation, or personal enrichment to explore what study might look like for them.

One of the distinctive features of St Francis College is our relational approach to learning. With small class sizes, students are known by name and encouraged to participate in thoughtful discussion. Our lecturers are committed to helping students succeed and remain accessible and supportive throughout their studies. Online students are fully included in classroom life and are engaged as active members of the learning community alongside those studying on campus.

If you know someone who may be interested, invite them to join us on 10 October and discover what St Francis College has to offer.

Thinking Theologically About Social Institutions

by Peter Kline

On Friday, 21 August, St Francis College hosted a research seminar featuring Professor Johannes Eurich from Heidelberg University. Professor Eurich's speciality is the study of how social service organizations can understand themselves theologically as an extension of the gospel. Three other academics presented alongside Professor Eurich: Craig Fernauex from Alphacrucis, Stephen Harrison from Anglicare, and Jess Grant from the University of Divinity.

Each of the presentations provided insight into the challenges of understanding the work of social service organizations from a theological perspective. The highlight of the event was the panel discussion after the presentations in which the four academics responded to and expanded upon each other's insights.

Roscoe Library Matters

The Roscoe Library has been an active member of ANZTLA (Australian and New Zealand Theological Library Association) since its inception. On 26 August people gathered, in person and online, to celebrate ANZTLA’s 40th Birthday! It was fabulous to hear from those who have been with ANZTLA from the beginning, as well as from others across Australia and New Zealand. So many wonderful stories of the importance that ANZTLA has played in our lives. The attached photos are from the Queensland Chapter’s gathering.

New books!

Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning with and Reimagining Faith by Rachel Held Evans. This book offers a collection of her most impactful essays-in print for the first time. For a generation finding their footing in life after evangelicalism, Rachel Held Evans was one of the most trusted and beloved voices of our time. Stubborn in her hope, courageous in her questions, and devoted to inclusivity, her online writing was a sanctuary to the millions who read her words daily. Her death to a sudden illness in 2019 invoked a global outpouring of stories of her legacy and influence.

Collaborative Sermons: A Guide to Authentic, Interactive Worship through Living Stories by Peter Levenstrong. Based on the real-world success of St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco's creative interactive church community, this unique formation program reimagines the traditional sermon as an intergenerational, participatory experience. Adhering to the Revised Common Lectionary, it transforms the Liturgy of the Word into a communal exploration of scripture, which uses tactile storytelling materials, open-ended wondering questions and facilitator-guided conversations to invite participants of all ages to co-create the sermon.

Constructing Faith in the Antipodes: Modern Church Architecture in Queensland 1945-1977 by Lisa Marie Daunt. Over 1,650 churches were built in Queensland, Australia, between 1945 and 1977. They constitute some of the most notable modern architecture in the state and reveal tensions surrounding modernism’s role in cultural expression and regional identity. Richly illustrated, Constructing Faith in the Antipodes combines both a chronological and a thematic approach to narrate modern church architectural history and offers a fascinating glimpse into a distinct collection of modern church buildings.

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!

The Reading with Spiritual Eyes book club will no longer be meeting on 8 September 2026; our next chat will be on 17 November from 5:30pm — 7:00pm, in person and online.

An Update from FormEdFaith

by Fiona Hammond

Hi again from the FormEdFaith team. Last week we had the pleasure of joining clergy from the north and south regions for the annual Clergy Conference at Noosa RACV resort. Sure, we made time for sharing wine and pizza, but we also had the opportunity to update everyone on what's happening in the life of faith formation.

The Wednesday afternoon's workshop sessions gave us a chance to discuss the concept of curation, creation and commission as they relate to material for faith formation. Over the last decade, we've filmed hours of thought provoking conversations on hundreds of faith related questions. We introduced the 'menu' of all these questions with ideas about how to thoughtfully curate faith formation moments that speak to your specific audience, context and aims. You can find all these questions on the St Francis College website here: Online courses — Saint Francis College

Thursday saw the end of the conference, with a wrap up session designed to help participants distil their conference experience into an 'elevator pitch'. It’s always great to spend time reflecting on your learning, with the aim of communicating it to others who want to understand exactly what you did for a week on the Sunshine Coast!

Movie Review

Recently, Jonathan Sargeant went to see The Odyssey and has shared his reflections on the film in anglican focus.

Jonathan Sargeant writes:

“The Odyssey is a canny parable for our time — a cautionary tale that entertains as much as alerts, with multiple layers that reward the audience with each moment, a dream-led extraordinary spectacle with crucial substance”.

Read more

Expressions of Interest - Godly Play workshop early Dec

Rev’d Kathrin Konig is seeking expressions of interest for a Godly Play workshop this coming Dec 7 to 9 at the Sunshine Coast.

If you are wondering about Godly play and how it might work in your context take a read of this article - Intergenerational Formation and Children’s Spirituality in Dialogue with Jerome W. Berryman | Published in Journal of Childhood and Religion

‘Pass It On’ online community for equipping and encouragement people engaged in ministry to children and youth - recordings

If you would like to watch/listen to the recordings of the first three Pass it On sessions follow the link below and scroll down the page - Pass It On — AYCF

Upcoming Events

Please note the following upcoming events:

• Wednesday, 23 September 2026, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Translating the Psalms for Liturgical Use

• Friday, 25 September 2026, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm St Francis College Writing Day | September 2026

• Wednesday, 7 October 2026, 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm St Francis Day Celebration

• Saturday, 10 October 2026, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Student Experience Day

• Saturday, 24 October 2026, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Preaching Workshop with Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

• Friday, 6 November 2026, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm St Francis College Writing Day | November 2026

• Monday, 9 November 2026, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm David Binns Memorial Lecture 2026

• Sunday, 15 November 2026, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm

  2026 End of Year Valedictory and Thanksgiving Service

• 27 to 29 November 2026 Young Adults Retreat

For further information and registration details, please visit the Upcoming Events page.

Spring is in the Air: Time to enjoy those warmer days and cool nights under the stars

For those seeking a peaceful retreat in nature, Pointro Campsite is quickly earning a reputation as a welcoming destination with stunning scenery and excellent facilities. Visitors have praised both the natural beauty of the site and the hospitality of its hosts. One recent guest shared:

“This campsite was absolutely perfect! The host gave us such a warm welcome and was incredibly kind throughout our stay. Whenever I sent a message, they responded almost immediately, which I really appreciated. The drive to the campsite was beautiful, the views were absolutely breathtaking, and the bathroom was spotless and very well maintained. I will definitely be coming back. Thank you so much to the wonderful host for making our stay so memorable!”

Another commented:

We had such a lovely experience camping at Pointro! Everything went so smoothly and with quick informative responses from the host which made the experience so effortless. The secret spot was an awesome spot, we felt so truly lucky to have found this wonderful campsite!

With its picturesque setting, clean amenities and warm hospitality, Pointro Campsite is proving to be a popular choice for campers looking to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the Australian landscape.

Young Adults Retreat

Young adults from across the Diocese will gather at Mount Alford Lodge from 27 to 29 November for the AYAM Young Adults Retreat, a weekend designed to foster community, reflection and spiritual growth. The retreat will provide opportunities for participants to connect with one another in an informal setting while engaging in a program focused on exploring faith and its place in everyday life. Organisers hope the weekend will encourage new friendships and support young adults in their spiritual journeys. For Jordan, the retreat provides a much-needed opportunity for spiritual renewal amid the busyness of modern life.

"I completely understand that young adult lives are some of the busiest. That's why this retreat is more important than ever. This is more than just a getaway; it's a chance to build on the practice of stepping out of time and being with God, wherever our busy lives take us."

Accommodation and meals will be provided throughout the retreat, which concludes with a Eucharist on Sunday morning. Carpooling arrangements will also be available to assist participants travelling to the event.

Places are limited, so secure your spot today: https://stfran.qld.edu.au/ayam/retreat-booking

The retreat forms part of AYAM's ongoing ministry with young adults, creating spaces for connection, conversation and faith formation within the life of the Church.

Northern Region Lay Retreat 2026

The seventh annual silent lay retreat will be from 20 to 22 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, and our resident priest for the retreat is The Rev’d Steven Schwarzrock from Stafford parish.

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

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

Further details & booking information please contact Nerida Murray on

Mobile 0411 052 292 or neridamurray@me.com