The coexistence of predestination and freewill is a difficult concept and finds little expression in fiction, yet intriguingly it forms a key part of the drama and the thematic concerns of the sixth JK Rowling novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (HBP).

On the tough, broken streets of the inner city shines a beacon of hope. Stuart P. Robinson talks to the Rev John McIntyre, Rector of St Saviour's Redfern.

After years of operational deficits, Anglicare in Sydney needs parishes to put significant resources into good works partnerships, if the charity is to avoid either financial collapse or becoming just another Government service provider.

As matters stand with the Victorian legislation, introduced to promote religious harmony, we can say without fear of contradiction that the government has managed to set Muslim against Christian, Christian against Muslim, and even Christian against Christian. Is this what the government wants?

Sometimes the reason we might not be heard could be the offence of the gospel. Yet negativity and nit-picking arguments can also cause offence. Poor behaviour of Sydney Anglicans can result in lost votes.

Because we are part of a culture that does everything it can to make ourselves look good. Boastfulness is part of our culture, even amongst Christians. We boast in the size of our churches, the length of our prayers or the depth of our Bible knowledge. Our world despises weakness, and so we hide our weakness as best we can.

RICE, a name that has become synonymous with outreach to Sydneys second generation Chinese, is about to undergo a face-lift as it heads towards its fourth birthday.

St Johns, Ashfield is preparing to light up its suburb for its 165th birthday bash with plans to launch a new era in the life of the parish.