Contents
In this edition of Frank's News:
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At the beginning of March, I attended a gathering of Anglican Seminary Deans from the Asia Pacific region (ASDN) at St John’s College in Auckland. With colleagues from the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, PNG, Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia and input from representatives of the Anglican Communion our focus was “Indigenising Theological Education”. One of the highlights was joining the students and staff of St John’s in chapel for worship, where most of the singing and many of the prayers were in Māori. At the Ash Wednesday Eucharist the chaplain spoke about Lent being a time of waiting. Very conscious of how at home there was active waiting and preparing for Tropical Cyclone Alfred to cross the coast, I made arrangements to change flights and beat the cyclone home. Back in time to rush out and buy supplies and make other preparations on Thursday morning I, along with about 4 million of us, then waited and waited and waited. I was reminded of waiting to go into labour, a similar sense of wanting to be prepared for all eventualities and although feeling anxious about the pain and potential dangers also really wanting the process to start so that it would finish. At St Francis College we were relatively unscathed as we did not lose power or experience any significant flooding. Aware that significant numbers of students and staff were impacted by damage caused by strong wind and flooding, and that there were many power outages, we decided to suspend classes for a week.
It has been a busy time since then, with the resumption of lectures, the AYCF Quiz Night, the Baroona Farm Equinox Working Bee, and the launch of innerVIVID (innerVIVID – have a look at the videos) and the ASKaround cards (purchase from here and see how they can be used: ASKaround cards - conversations to remember — FormEdFaith – cards). In addition, the Brisbane West deanery under the inspiration and organisation of the Rev’d Sue Grimmett hosted a sold-out high tea in Old Bishopsbourne to raise money for the Anglicare Youth Homelessness Project.
This month we will host a morning tea opportunity on April 10 to watch together the livestream of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde deliver the inaugural Robert N. Bellah Lecture in Berkeley. The title is Following Our North Star in Tumultuous Times. (To register your attendance - Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: “Following Our North Star in Tumultuous Times” (Inaugural Robert N. Bellah Lecture) — Saint Francis College)
At 4 pm on 30 May, the second Brisbane University of Divinity Graduation will take place at St John’s Cathedral. At this ceremony, the Reverend Canon Dr Greg Jenks will be occasional speaker and receive the prestigious honorary Doctor of Divinity. This is a public event and all are welcome to come and support the graduates and the work of St Francis College. This will be followed by our Open Day and Seeker's Day 2025 — Saint Francis College; please consider who might be interested and invite them.
In June we will offer the inaugural ministry winter school during the week before synod and this year it will focus on liturgy. The program is still being developed so please visit Liturgy Winter School Survey and contribute to what you would like to see included in such a conference.
As we move towards the most holy of weeks, may you experience the hope of the journey and then the joy of Easter.
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In photo with the Right Rev'd Anthony Poggo General Secretary of the Anglican Communion and Rev'd Odette from MingHua, Hong Kong Anglican Church.
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Watch Bishop Budde's Inspiring Lecture with Us
Date/Time: 10 April 2025 starting a 10:00 AM
The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, will deliver the inaugural Robert N. Bellah Lecture on Religion and Public Life, hosted by the Graduate Theological Union. The lecture will take place on April 9 at the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. The title of Budde’s address is: Following Our North Star in Tumultuous Times.
We will be watching the talk on the big screen in Old Bishopsbourne and having morning tea at the same time. This event offers a wonderful opportunity to gather as a community, enjoy some refreshments, and engage with thought-provoking ideas. Join us for an inspiring lecture and a delightful morning tea!
Cost/Registration
To register to attend this event - https://www.trybooking.com/DANEA and the cost of each ticket is $10 to cover the costs of morning tea.
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innerVIVID Launch
The question? How can we help people outside the church to discover their own spirituality?
The answer: innerVIVID, the new program from FormEdFaith at St Francis College, launched recently (25 March 2025) in a star-studded night of excitement and thrills.
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Rolling out throughout 2025, the forty episodes of innerVIVID use a special structure of Life’s Big Question-type themes, like ‘Beginnings’, ‘Purpose’, ‘More than just us?’ and more to enable average people in the streets to recognise spiritual moments they’re already having as experiences that reveal their own spirituality. It’s an exciting concept! The videos are joined by a physical component, too: the ASKaround conversation cards. These decks of 80 cards enable people to play with questions that point to spiritual identity. Common to the videos and the cards? No jargon, no assumptions, no churchiness that might run the risk of putting some people off.
The launch event featured Archbishop Jeremy in a revealing moment, his enthusiasm for the project to the fore as he talked about the passion people have for connection and awe, prime revealers of spiritual appetite in the public space.
You can watch the available episodes or order decks of cards now at www.innervivid.au
Be part of the innerVIVID spiritual revolution!
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innerVIVID: you won't believe what Archbishop Jeremy says at the Launch
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Peter Kline's Insights at LACK
Earlier in March, Peter Kline travelled to Columbus, OH in order to present a paper at the LACK conference, which is an organization of scholars devoted to psychoanalytic theory and philosophy. Peter presented a paper that is part of a longer essay titled, The Fire of Enigma: Religious Subjectivity and Sexual Unconscious. That longer essay is currently under review with the journal Theology & Sexuality and is one of his outputs from the Templeton Grant Peter has received through the University of Birmingham. Peter thoroughly enjoyed the conference and made new connections that will help his research going forward.
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Exciting Opportunity: Participate in the 2025 Psalms Trial!
We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity to participate in the 2025 Psalms Trial. Matthew Anstey, who taught a well-received class on the Psalms with us in 2024, is preparing translations for the 10 psalms used in this trial.
Information about the 2025 Trial: As is typically the case with new liturgical resources, trials are run to gather feedback about the proposed work. The Psalms Advisory Committee is overseeing this process, and the first trial will run in 2025 for 7 weeks starting on Trinity Sunday.
Churches, schools, and ministry centres across Australia are invited to participate in the trial by using the Anstey Psalter psalms in place of their usual psalm, in accordance with the licence agreement. Congregations are encouraged to use the psalms in the way they normally do – reading out loud, reading antiphonally, reading with a sung response, chanting, and so forth. If they have a choir, they are welcome to trial the original musical compositions composed for the Anstey Psalter.
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of this significant liturgical development.
For more information see 2025 Trial
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Good Friday Tenebrae Service
Date/Time: Good Friday April, 4:30pm-7:30pm
St Francis College is hosting the Good Friday Tenebrae Service in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. This event is open to all parishes, faith traditions and backgrounds. We would love to see you there!
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Exploring Vocation
There is an online information session to be held at 7pm on 8 April. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about vocation. Registrations are required, so please email vocations@anglicanchurchsq.org.au to secure your spot.
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New Books!
We have lots of new books to explore this month, partly due to Cyclone Alfred ‘freeing up’ some time to order! One that will be of particular interest to those with children in their lives, is What is the Bible? Inspired by the work and ideas of the late Rachel Held Evans and completed by her good friend Matthew Paul Turner, this beautiful picture book explains that “the Bible is a big library of amazing stories about God, the world, and Jesus. When you read those stories, you will understand the world differently--and you can make the world different too”.
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Stocktake
We are celebrating a significant milestone as the first ever stocktake of the Roscoe Library Main collection was completed! This stocktake has been carried out by library staff and volunteers, beginning in September 2021, and involved handling close to 26 500 books! It’s been a revealing exercise and we can confidently say that the collection is now in much better shape. Our image shows Suzie and Bronwyn pointing to the last books to be scanned.
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Reading with Spiritual Eyes Book Chat
The Reading with Spiritual Eyes book club is open to all. On 17 June we are gathering to discuss Percival Everett’s James: A Novel. “James is an enthralling and ferociously funny novel that leaves an indelible mark, forcing us to see Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in a wholly new and transformative light”. The Roscoe Library holds two copies of James and it is also available in various formats at public libraries. Register here for the book chat.
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Godly Play
Godly Play has two exciting events coming up:
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Taster Event (5 April): This event offers participants a glimpse into Godly Play with one or two stories and an introduction to the underlying principles and basics.
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Core Training Event (7-9 July): Participants will immerse themselves in an intense three-day course designed to deepen their understanding and practice of Godly Play. Led by two accredited trainers, this training covers the three genres of stories, the roles of storyteller and doorperson, the Godly Play space, materials, and much more.
For more information on either of the above events, contact Rev'd Kathrin Koning at kathrinkoning62@gmail.com or 0423 698 925.
To register - https://godlyplay.com.au/training/queensland/
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Host Your Next Event at Old Bishopsbourne
Looking for a unique and elegant venue for your corporate meetings or private functions? Old Bishopsbourne offers a historic and charming setting that is perfect for any occasion.
Why Choose Old Bishopsbourne?
- Historic charm: Immerse your guests in the rich history, beautiful architecture and peaceful surroundings of Old Bishopsbourne.
- Versatile spaces: Whether it's a corporate meeting, a private party, or a special celebration, our spaces can be tailored to meet your needs.
- Modern amenities: Enjoy the perfect blend of historic ambience and modern facilities.
- Professional support: Our dedicated team is here to ensure your event runs smoothly from start to finish.
Book Your Event Today!
Contact us at (07) 3514 7400 or email enquiries@ministryeducation.org.au for more information and to schedule a tour of our facilities.
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Escape to Tranquility: Pointro Campsite at Boonah
You can now conveniently book your stay through Hipcamp - Hipcamp. Book Now!
Escape to the serene beauty of Pointro, a no-frills campsite nestled on the picturesque banks of Maroon Dam in Queensland. Perfect for those seeking a genuine, back-to-nature experience, Pointro offers spacious sites with breathtaking views, cosy firepits, and amenities including toilets and hot showers.
Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the great outdoors, where you can enjoy a variety of activities such as fishing, water sports, and hiking. Whether you're planning a family getaway, a weekend with friends, or a group retreat, Pointro provides the ideal setting for unforgettable memories.
Our bunkhouse, accommodating up to 36 people, is perfect for youth camps and group gatherings. For bunkhouse bookings, please email pointro@anglicanchurchsq.org.au.
Discover the charm of Pointro Campsite – your ultimate destination for a peaceful and authentic camping experience.
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Contact
Please use the email addresses below to contact SFC Staff:
Ruth Mathieson - Executive Director/Principal
✉️ ruth.mathieson@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Rod Mengel - Property & Finance Manager
✉️ rod.mengel@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Linda Burridge - Registrar
✉️ registrar@ministryeducation.org.au
Adam Couchman - Academic Dean
✉️ adam.couchman@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Peter Kline - Research Co-ordinator
✉️ pkline@ministryeducation.org.au
Eve James - Library Manager
✉️ ejames@ministryeducation.org.au
Jonathan Sargeant - FormEdFaith
✉️ jonathans@ministryeducation.org.au
Dale Keenan - Spiritual Direction
✉️ dkeenan@ministryeducation.org.au
Elissa Cotroneo - AYCF (Anglican Youth, Children and Families)
✉️ elissa.cotroneo@anglicanchurchsq.org.au
Tim Coates - Administration/Reception
✉️ enquiries@ministryeducation.org.au
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