Any new churches formed by people leaving the Anglican Church of Australia to join the new Diocese of the Southern Cross will be welcome to meet in their local Presbyterian Church building.
Reflecting on the help Anglicans extended to the re-birth of the Presbyterians Church in 1977, a letter signed by Peter Barnes the Moderator-General (national leader) of the Presbyterian Church of Australia makes this offer official. “We are most appreciative of the kindness shown to us, especially concerning theological education in NSW in the 1970s, and also the use of Anglican church buildings for worship
and would be more than happy if we could help out in any way by facilitating the use of
our properties and making them available to you and your flock.”
The letter is “endorsed heartily” by previous Moderators-General: Rev. Dr John Wilson, Rev. David
Cook, Rev. David Jones, Rev. Professor Allan Harman, Rev. Bruce Christian, Rev. Robert
Benn, and Rev. Bob Thomas; and Rev. David Burke (Moderator-General Designate).
Bob Thomas has described to The Other Cheek the crucial role of Moore College in training the first generations of post-1977 ministers for the Presbyterians. (The Presbyterian Church continued after the Uniting Church formed in 1977 gathering all Methodists, most Congregationalists and meant Presbyterians.)
Local Presbyterians set a recent precedent in Brisbane inviting the former Sunnybank Uniting Chuch congregation to meet in their building.
(Hat Tip: Simon Camilleri)
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