It is encouraging to see in many of the churches of the Northern Region the words of the Diocesan Mission displayed prominently in the foyer or on the notice board: ‘To glorify God by proclaiming our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ in prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, so that everyone will hear his call to repent, trust and serve Christ in love, and be established in the fellowship of his disciples while they await his return.'

It is encouraging to see in many of the churches of the Northern Region the words of the Diocesan Mission displayed prominently in the foyer or on the notice board: ‘To glorify God by proclaiming our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ in prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, so that everyone will hear his call to repent, trust and serve Christ in love, and be established in the fellowship of his disciples while they await his return.'

The Northern Region recently appointed its first ever full-time Chinese pastor, Mr Hooi Wan Cheng. Mr Cheng previously lived in Auckland for 16 years where he oversaw a Chinese church that grew from 30 people into two churches with more than 500 people.

David Reay would not say shock jocks battling it out in Sydney's tough world of radio have a new competitor, but he acknowledges that steps are being taken to influence listeners to community radio in the Northern Region.

Scholars are thrilled at the announcement that the Moore Theological College Library has received two significant donations dating from the early centuries of the church.

Last month I attended a very moving and inspiring event in the Chapter House of St Andrew's Cathedral. It was the occasion of the launch of Bishop John Reid's biography of Archbishop Sir Marcus Loane – an interesting book about a great and distinguished churchman and Australian. The NSW Premier, Bob Carr paid Sir Marcus and Bishop Reid the singular compliment of attending and launching the book.

The French government has officially banned high school students from attending or running Bible studies at school.

Key Australian charities have come out in support of recommendations made by the Senate committee that federal, state and territory governments develop a national strategy to tackle poverty and called for a new anti-poverty unit reporting directly to the Prime Minister.