Compelled by Love
CATHEDRAL NEWSLETTER - 24 July 2025
Friends in Christ, along with other local Anglican ministry workers, Cathedral pastoral staff were privileged to attend the South Sydney Ministry Conference at Youthworks Port Hacking site in the Royal National Park overnight earlier this week.
We were encouraged by conversation over meals with colleagues, heard Scripture expounded by Moore College lecturer, Phil Kern, looked at the latest statistics for our region, heard updates from Anglicare and Youthworks, and received some professional development in addressing topics as various as assisting people battling pornography through to psycho-social injury.
One of the most encouraging moments was to hear an evening address from our Archbishop, Kanishka. He spoke especially from 2 Corinthians 5:14-15:
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
He reminded us how wonderful it was to have reconciliation with God through the substitutionary and representative work of Christ on the cross (see also 2 Cor 5:17,21). We know we are loved by God. And so we should live for him who died for us.
Kanishka asked if we really believed that without Christ, people are going to hell. He wondered if sometimes we slip into thinking it's all probably going to be alright for people! Or are we really praying for the lost to be found?
He had a question that struck many of us... What if every believer asked themselves: What can I do to help bring one person to Christ this year?
Could you spend a few minutes thinking and praying about Kanishka's question?
And allow me to commend a special opportunity coming up soon where you might be able to invite guests to the Cathedral...
The First Hymn Project – at St Andrew's Cathedral, free, 5pm Saturday 16 August 2025
The night features the recovery and revival of the first known Christian hymn with its trinitarian theme and ancient music. Home-grown Aussie export, the Reverend Dr John Dickson, Professor of Biblical Studies and Public Christianity at Wheaton College in Illinois, and host of the Undeceptions podcast, will give a short historical introduction to the First Hymn. And we'll enjoy some video 'shorts’ from his documentary on the topic. Archbishop Kanishka will bring a talk on the unchanging glory of ‘mere Christianity’. And the Cathedral choir - with string ensemble - will perform the First Hymn – in Greek and English – along with 2-3 trinitarian hymns and a classic anthem such as the Te Deum.
The evening is designed for your friends or contacts who might feel dissatisfied with secularism and be open to exploring 'old ways', or to reconnect with classic Christianity. Mark the date in your diary, and pray about whom you could invite. The evening wil finish in pklenty of time for you to go out to dinner with friends afterwards.
Warmly in Christ,
Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney