Anglican Communion News Service

Sunday 7 January at 10.30am

[Anglican Media Sydney] As Australia celebrates its 100th birthday, St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney will host a special service marking the Centenary of federation.

The Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication will be held on Sunday 7 January, commencing at 10.30am. To mark the occasion, the Service will have a distinctly Australian feel, using prayers and hymns by Australian writers.

Featured in the Order of Worship for the day will be hymns from the Rev Dr Elizabeth J Smith, a Melbourne priest, and William Johnson, WWII Chaplain and organiser of a special post-war outreach in Port Adelaide. Adding to the Service's 'Aussie' emphasis will be a hymn first performed during bicentennial celebrations on January 26, 1988, along with Bible readings traditionally read on Australia Day. The anthem will be based on the text of the first sermon ever preached in Sydney, by Richard Johnson, Chaplain to the First Fleet, on February 3, 1788.

The service will also include a prayer for reconciliation, composed by Aboriginal bishop Arthur Malcolm, as well as a Prayer for the commemoration of Australian Federation, prepared by the General Synod Liturgical Panel. A 'prayer for the wise use of leisure' will reflect Australians' love of sport and the outdoors.

Canon Laurie Bartlett, coordinator of the Federation Service, said the occasion would be an ecumenical service, encouraging people of all denominations to come together to celebrate the Centenary of Federation.

"We are seeking to provide a spiritual angle on Federation, and we are giving thanks to God for the country we have and for our enormous privileges," Canon Bartlett said. "As things around so many parts of the world are torn asunder, we live in a remarkable land of peace and prosperity. In the New Year, we also want to dedicate ourselves afresh to serving God. Christians have an important role to play in society as servants of Christ, and we hope to encourage one another to continue in that role."

Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Rev Boak Jobbins, will deliver the sermon and will also offer a special welcome echoing Chaplain Richard Johnson's sermon and speaking about Australia's indigenous and multicultural traditions.