The Rev Professor James Haire, a leader figure among Christians in Australia, has been named the new President of the National Council of Churches (NCCA).

In a welcome move, and as a result of twelve years of consultations, the Dioceses of Bathurst, Canberra and Goulburn and Riverina have announced plans to develop a closer working relationship. The three bishops Richard Hurford (Bathurst), George Browning (Canberra and Goulburn) and Bruce Clark (Riverina), last month jointly issued a statement that outlined the ‘Tri-Diocesan Covenant' proposals.

Women bishops appear to have come just a little closer for the Anglican Church of Australia when the General Synod Working Party released its report last month. This will be a major topic for debate at the General Synod when it meets in Fremantle in October next year.

Ian Cox, 60, currently Senior Canon at St Michael's Cathedral, Wollongong, will take what some might see as a backward step in his career and return to parish ministry next month. He takes up the post of rector of the small parish of Brighton/Rockdale in the Georges River Region on September 12.

They've been alive in the imaginations of millions of people for years, but Aslan the lion, Mr Tumnus and the White Witch will take a step closer to reality this summer. An all-Australian production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will hit the stage in Sydney this December, introducing a new generation to CS Lewis's classic children's tale.

A major leap was taken by St Stephen's, Kellyville this month with the long-awaited opening of a new church building in one of Sydney's fastest growing suburbs.

For many Christians, the workplace is both the main point of regular contact with the unchurched world, and one of the hardest places in which to share the gospel. But while it hasn't all been easy, a small group of Christians at the Sydney head office of Westpac Bank have organised three successful evangelistic events in just over a year, having a major impact on their workplace.

Last month I began to explain the four Mission policies. The first concerns spiritual renewal, and the evidence that it is being put into practice will be the preaching of the word of God followed by offering prayer and intercession for those who don't know Christ. The second policy involves the multiplication of fellowships, congregations and parish churches.