Roscoe Library

23/10/2026

Last weekend ABC Radio National counted down the top 100 Australian books as voted by whoever was interested in having their say. Although I was otherwise engaged during the countdown, I have listened to the entire countdown during this week thanks to the Listen app. One of my delights was to hear ambassadors for The Indigenous Literacy Foundation talk about the work that they do with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia. There was an opportunity to donate to the foundation and a target of $10,000. You can still donate; as I post this the total amount donated is $168,722!!! Well done, Australia!

Help support our programs! Join the ABC Top 100 Books Countdown and raise fund for Indigenous literacy!

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

Welcome Garry; this is such good news! 🎉

Announcement: Program Director of Indigenous Theological Studies.

The Rev’d Canon Dr Garry Deverell has been appointed as the Program Director of Indigenous Theological Studies at St Francis College, University of Divinity, starting in 2027.

Read the full article here: https://stfran.qld.edu.au/latest-news-and-updates/2026/10/9/announcement-program-director-of-indigenous-theological-studies

07/10/2026

Today we celebrated the feast of St Francis at St Francis College. In a recent anglican focus post Archbishop Jeremy Greaves reflected "We live in a time marked by human-induced ecological damage, environmental anxiety and deep uncertainty about the planet’s future. Francis reminds us that creation is not a resource to exploit, but a gift to cherish. Long before environmentalism became a movement, Francis understood that spiritual health and the health of the Earth belong together."
Please read the story behind the St John’s Cathedral banner, which reads “Love our Pacific neighbours: Fossil Fuel Treaty now”.

Australian faith leaders have unfurled banners at places of worship across the country, including at St John’s Anglican Cathedral, advocating for “sinking” Pacific neighbours and a just transition to renewables as the Pacific Pre-COP continues

01/10/2026

Discovered in a corner of the library circulation desk: a full run of “InterMission: an Australian Journal of Mission” produced by ANGLICAN BOARD OF MISSION - AUSTRALIA from 1995-1999

“InterMission: n. neologism. 1. a pause for reflection, esp. in the midst of a busy life or between acts of mission. 2. partnership in mission between equals. 3. mission “between the times”, i.e. focused on the reign of God. 4. the act of sending and receiving. 5. the state of being stimulated to think missiologically. 6. Colloq. a new journal designed for Australian Anglicans”

And how pretty they look!

17/09/2026

This is a recent article from The Living Church exploring an inspirational ministry ...

The Rev. Mike Wallens's service to five congregations in Texas’ borderlands led him to take on another ministry: chaplaincy to border patrol agents.

10/09/2026

Along with so many others, I am deeply saddened to hear of Peter Catt’s retirement at this time. I am grateful for Peter’s vision, wisdom and care in making St John’s Cathedral a place of generous welcome, and for Peter’s reliable presence in standing against injustice in all its forms. In gratitude for the blessing that is Peter, I share the words below from Glynn Cardy, published in “A Book of Blessings”, 2021.

Blessed be God’s verbs

Blessed be God’s verbs
in our minds, in our mouths,
in our hearts, in our actions,
and in our connecting.

May the verbs of God:
to love, include, and care,
be our guide and goal
in this time of fear.

May the verbs of God
grow like well-watered tomatoes,
juicy, sumptuous, satisfying,
ready to be shared.

May we be verbs of God:
noticing those out of sight,
hearing those who are silent,
a shelter for those without.

Blessed be God’s verbs
in our minds, in our mouths,
in our hearts, in our actions,
and in our connecting.

06/09/2026

The following reflection on the life of Wendell Berry, who died last week, is from "The Living Church"

He saw that those "who will not care for their land or their neighbors, who refuse to see the dignity of labor, can remain neither free nor sane."

02/09/2026

27/08/2026

ANZTLA is the Australian and New Zealand Theological Library Association; the Roscoe Library has been an active member since its inception 40 years ago.