The Dean of Sydney is calling Australians to remember their Christian heritage this Australia Day by attending St Andrew's Cathedral's newest convention.
Dean Phillip Jensen will speak at the first annual Australia Day Convention at St Andrew's Cathedral on the Australia Day public holiday on January 28.
Dean Jensen wants Australians to recall the nation's Christian foundations, particularly the presence of clergyman Richard Johnson on the First Fleet in 1788.
"Our nation started with the preaching of the gospel by the first chaplain, who was a Bible-believing Christian teaching the word of God to a prison community," Dean Jensen says.
"From those early days Christianity has been built into the very fabric of our culture. If we are to celebrate a day that is our national day it's really important that we also celebrate the teaching of God's word."
The convention commences at 10am and concludes at 5:30pm and will feature eight Bible talks by Dean Jensen from the book of Mark.
All eight talks are also being filmed and will be aired on the Australian Christian Channel later this year.
Convention organiser and assistant minister at St Andrew's, the Rev Andrew Lim says the addition of the Australia Day Convention this year is part of the Cathedral's strategy to be a centre of Bible teaching in the city.
"We are encouraging Christians to use the public holiday productively and reflect on Australia's Christian foundations," he says.
St Andrew's held its first Easter convention four years ago and this year will also see the launch of a new Queen's Birthday Convention on the Queen's Birthday public holiday on Monday, June 9.
"Phillip will speak on Mark chapters one to eight next Monday then do the remainder of the book on the Queen's Birthday," Mr Lim says.
"Our plan at the Cathedral is to utilise these public holidays in a useful and beneficial way for Christians."
The day will also include music, a full rendition of the Australian national anthem including the Christian verses and video messages from Nathan Tasker and other notable Christians.
Mr Lim says he is extending pre-registrations for the convention until tomorrow and is encouraging people to register online now or phone (02) 9265 1661.
"One of the attractive things about a city convention is that it is a central location, close to transport and parking and we are not asking folks to stay overnight," Mr Lim says.
"It's a good option for those who haven't the time, money or resources for a convention weekend away. Of course people should do both!"
