The story of the Anglican Church of Australia could be interpreted as one like Jerusalem in the days of Jeremiah and Ezra. Our best days have become distant memories, our people are living in a far off land, the walls have collapsed and no strength is left.

For Toongabbie couple Brendan and Sally Jones, running after three boys and working all week means it is far easier to stay at home rather than the hour and a half it takes to feed, clothe and bath Jacob, nine, Thomas, six and Oliver, 10 months, and still get to church on time. But the active members of St Luke's, Northmead are spurred on by Paul's encouragement not to give up meeting together with other believers.

Ministry strategies that address below-average levels of church attendance among people in their 30s are likely to enhance achievement of the Diocesan Mission. This finding emerges from new Anglicare research into church attendance patterns across the Sydney Diocese.

Andrew, in his early forties, is the Chief Executive Officer of a high-powered financial group in Sydney' CBD. In contrast to the money-making culture around him, he says the outpouring of his relationship with God means his relationships are more important than a drive for material wealth.

A few years ago, Sharon was married with three daughters and working full-time. But her life changed dramatically when doctors found a cancer growing in her adrenal gland. She tried to fight the disease, but when the cancer returned in her lung, she was told that there was nothing more that could be done but to prepare for death.

If you are intrigued by the question of how we are to understand the texts in the New Testament that speak of women, be they wives or widows, then Dr Bruce Winter's latest book is a mind-opening read.

Since its inception, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) has been the subject of ethical scrutiny and debate. Legislation concerning stem cell use has put discussion of IVF back in the public domain and on the front of newspapers.