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The World
Frustration is being expressed as countries all wait for more information on the Omicron COVID variant as it spreads, particularly in African countries, and travel restrictions are being imposed. In Honduras, Xiomara Castro, the first woman president elected in Haiti, waits to find whether she has a majority to enable a re-write of the constitution; we pray for wisdom in the Congress to bring stability and security to that troubled country. Tension between Russia and the Ukraine is escalating, after Ukraine’s president accused Russia of planning a coup to overthrow the government, so we pray that diplomacy may prevail over militarism. We pray for peace and a resolution of the violence in DR Congo, with Ugandan forces involved in attempts to quell violence. A court in Myanmar has postponed the verdict on Aung San Suu Kyi, the elected leader imprisoned by the military since March. Widespread and systematic attacks on civilians have been described by UN investigators as crimes against humanity, and so we pray for relief from a desperate situation. The violence between forces from the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front and the Ethiopian government continues, with the government claiming some progress, but the situation continues to be fragile. December 1 was World AIDS Day 2021, and we give thanks that 40 years on from its discovery, deaths from AIDS have significantly declined, but noting that last year some 680,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses and so we mourn their deaths and continue to be aware of the AIDS pandemic.
The Anglican Communion
The Anglican Church of Burundi; As we pray for South African countries now suffering from the Omicron variant of COVID, we ask that aid agencies working in those areas will find ways to continue their projects despite new restrictions. The recent Anglican Primates’ meeting has called on the World Health Assembly to address the need for equality in COVID vaccine distribution and education to address vaccine hesitancy.
The Australian Anglican Church
Theological Colleges, Church Schools & Church Kindergartens; Concerns are raised by various community groups with regard to the Religious Discrimination Bill, some claiming it goes too far, others not far enough, and so we pray for wisdom to understand its implications.
The Diocese of Melbourne
Church of the Ascension Springvale (Inpa Eliezer)
Our Cathedral
We continue to be so very thankful that we can be together again to worship, for Bible study and meetings.
Those in Sickness or Need
Joan Woodhouse, John Zhong, Patsy King, Maureen Wilson, Sara, Ibrahim, Ishaq and Ishmael, Emilio, Chris, Robyn & David Forbes, Judy Clift, Andrew, Janet Marsden, John, Henri-Felix Vinson, Sum Vita, Martin, Rebecca, Eric Young, Madonna Doherty, Laurie Mahoney, Monique, Maureen Wilson, Michael and Gabriel, Joyce Chew, Vivienne Ma.
Year’s Minds
5 Dame Elisabeth Murdoch (Benefactor) 2012
7 Robert George Kent (Lay Canon) 1914
8 Amy Brandon Young (Congregation) 1983
9 Sir Donald Anderson (Director General of Civil Aviation) 1975
10 Nicholas Garlick (Congregation, Benefactor) 2009
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