The thoughts and prayers from the ecumenical community of Newcastle, the Central Coast, Port Stephens and the Hunter have come flooding in over the past month in light of the recent Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse hearings.
Not only has the Bishop and the diocesan office staff been overwhelmed with support from our Anglican parish communities through their generous support of morning teas, lunches and gifts; 45 ministers of our region have expressed their support to Bishop Greg Thompson, Anglican Clergy and Congregation members.
“Bishop Greg we commend you for your courage in leading the Anglican Church and the Body of Christ in this region. We pray your leadership will help to bring healing towards those that have been grossly mistreated in the past and restore those that have been ostracised. The humility, integrity and strength of your leadership you are modelling is courageous and we encourage you to continue to “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”. (Joshua 1:9)
“To the Anglican Clergy and our co-labourers in The Lord our thoughts and prayers are with you. We encourage you to move together in humility, unity and transparency in your pursuit to bring light, hope and healing “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 1:6)
“To the congregations across the Anglican Diocese our fellow brothers and sisters in The Lord our thoughts and prayers are with you. We pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you through Bishop Greg and The Lord will continue to be with you in every way. “…Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for the who promised is faithful… spur one another on towards love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:25)
“At this time, we want to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you as they are with victims of abuse. We wholeheartedly stand with you in this painful journey to bring light into the dark places that have existed.”
“At this time, we want to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you as they are with victims of abuse. We wholeheartedly stand with you in this painful journey to bring light into the dark places that have existed. We know you all are righting wrongs and paving a way for a God honouring future that will bring healing to our entire community.”
The letter was signed from Risk Prosser on behalf of the Ministers of our region listed below.
Reverend Kevin Amos – Seventh Day Adventist Church
Pastor Dave Balestri – Hope UC Charmhaven
Reverend David Barber – Port Stephens Church of Christ
Reverend Garth Belford – Hope City Church Muswellbrook
Reverend Matthew Brown – Swansea Baptist Church
Pr. Vadim Butov – Avondale Memorial SDA Church, Cooranbong
Pastor Tim Cooper – Lifehouse Christian Church
Reverend Arthur Copeman – AneW Church
Reverend John & Yvonne Crawford – Thrive Church
Pastor Ryan Croxford – C3 Newcastle City
Reverend Andrew Dodd – Hamilton Baptist Church
Reverend Wayne Forward – Nelson Bay Baptist Church
Reverend Chris Gentle – Cardiff Heights Baptist Church
Reverend Ron Gibbins – Islington Baptist Church
Pastor Colin Grigg – New Hope Church
Pastor Graham Irwin – Life Church Swansea
Pastor Sue Irwin – The Grainery Church
Pastor Matthew Jones – Live Free Church Adamstown
Reverend Fergus King – Church of The Good Shepherd
Pastor Michael Lott – Real Life Church, Maitland
Pastor Marty McCrindle – Generation City Church, Hamilton
Reverend Warren & Janette Moore – Cardiff Heights Baptist Church
Pastor Matt Nichols – Life Church Newcastle
Captain Pam ODea – Northlakes Salvation Army
Captain Lynley Oliver – Newcastle Worship and Community Centre Salvation Army
Pastor Damien Parks – Thornton Church of Christ
Reverend Kesh Rico Govan – All Saints Anglican Church Nelson Bay
Reverend Phil Skinner – Wallsend Baptist Church
Reverend Neil Smith – Hamilton Uniting Church
Director David Stephenson – Youth with a Mission
Mrs Maria Thomas – Kingdomworks Board
Pastor Steve Troyer – New Vine Lakes Baptist Church
Reverend Julie Turnbull – Christ the King Anglican Church Toronto
Reverend Kevin Warner – Kingdomworks
Reverend John Watson – Southern Cross Vineyard Church
Major Gavin Watts – Salvation Army Head Office
Pastor Elle Webb – C3 Spectrum Church
Pastor Paul West – The Grainery Christian Network
Reverend Garry White – Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church Hamilton
Pastor Ben Whitehead – Mayfield Baptist Church
Reverend Paul Whiting – New Vine Baptist Church
Pastor Wayne Williamson – Gateway Church
Chairman Philip Wrightson – Broadmeadow Uniting
Pastor David Yeomans – Hunter Christian Life Centre
Pastor Ryan Zweygartt – The Grainery Christian Network
