Anglican Communion News Service

Sydney Anglicans are busily preparing for the Olympic Games that commence on September 15. A 'cocktail event' hosted by Nick Farr-Jones, captain of Australia's 1991 Rugby World Cup winning team, opens St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, comprehensive Olympic Games ministry program on September 11. Drawcard for the event is Joe De Loach, who won the 200m at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, beating Carl Lewis into second place and denying him his tenth Olympic gold medal. Mr De Loach will deliver a talk on the gospels. Other athletes will also be present. Centre-piece of the three-week festival in the Cathedral will be a performance of Purcell's baroque opera Dido and Aeneas in a staged performance on September 22 and 23.

During the Games, St Andrew's Cathedral and the adjoining Sydney Square will be a focal point for much activity. It is estimated that between 500,000 and 600,000 people will be in the city every day. Darling Harbour, 200 metres from the Cathedral, is the second largest Olympic site, and many people will have to pass through the Cathedral precinct as they disembark from public transport at nearby Town Hall station.

The Revd Daniel Willis, assistant minister at St Andrew's, sees the location of the Cathedral as strategic. "The opportunity to make people aware of the Christian message will be presented in an unprecedented way," said Mr Willis.

Quest Australia is the interdenominational organisation coordinating Christian outreach and service activities during the Games. Their efforts cover the whole range of Olympic activities from co-ordinating 160 church-run sports clinics to providing 1,000 volunteers to the Olympic Games organisers.

Quest is also involved in the activities at the Cathedral, under the co-ordination of Mr Willis. Around the Cathedral there will be:

• Three 'electronic' kiosks from which the Bible Society and Quest will be distributing literature;
• Three stages on which Quest will hold a number of Creative Arts performances;
• A variety of street performers organised by Quest;
• Lunch time, afternoon and evening musical recitals, plus late night jazz as part of the Cathedral's September Concert Series;
• An ecumenical service led by Archbishop Goodhew, on September 17;
• Morning and afternoon talks, with speakers including the Bishop of North Sydney, Paul Barnett, the Bishop of South Sydney, Robert Forsyth, and the Very Revd Boak Jobbins, Dean of the Cathedral.

Another unique venture from Quest is a 'church on the water'. In short this 'church' is a 200-seat boat earmarked for tours from Darling Harbour during the Games. On board entertainment, preachers and guided touring is provided.

A variety of events will also be held in and around St John's Cathedral, Parramatta. Parramatta is the major commercial centre located less than 10 minutes from the Homebush Olympic Games site.A feature of the activities at St John's will be a walk-through 'eternity' display. 'Eternity' is synonymous with Sydney, as shown to an international audience during the New Year millennium celebrations. This is all thanks to Arthur Stace, a well-known local identity. Stace was a homeless man converted through the 'soup kitchen' ministry of the Revd R C Hammond, rector of St Barnabas', Broadway during the Great Depression. After his conversion Stace spent his remaining years copying in chalk the words 'eternity' in perfect copperplate throughout the streets and buildings of Sydney.

St John's Cathedral will also run a night-time coffee shop, historical tours of the Cathedral and a sporting expo with the theme "sport and faith do mix." Visitors will also receive free showbags, Christian literature and information.

Canon David Mulready, who leads the ministry at St John's, said the cathedral is hoping to, "touch some visitors, whether they be athletes, officials, families, hotel residents, or some of the passing multitude, with the love of Jesus."

Item from: Anglican Media Sydney