The opening night of the 2025 Diocese of Brisbane Synod struck a hopeful tone, carried by the infectious warmth of guest preacher Dr Beth-Sarah Wright. With gentle humour and a good dose of joyful conviction, she even drew a little audience participation into her sermon, which riffed on our baptismal vows and reminded clergy, lay representatives, and observers that transformation begins not with strategy—but with daily affirmation of our shared calling.
Dr Wright, an educator, author, and Acting Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing in Atlanta, Georgia, is currently in Australia as Professor in Residence with the Anglican Schools Commission in Southern Queensland. She brought greetings from the Diocese of Atlanta—where her husband has served as bishop for 14 years—and from her work in racial healing and educational leadership.
Drawing from the language of baptism, Dr Wright focused on the first question asked of the newly baptized: Do you turn to Christ?—naming it not as a one-time decision but a daily posture. Faithfulness, she suggested, is not abstract but lived through real choices, courageous leadership, and genuine community. In a time of institutional uncertainty and social fracture, she encouraged Synod to become a “community of dignity”—shaped not by fear or nostalgia, but by the radical vision of the Gospel that sees others, especially the marginalized, through Christ’s eyes.
“When you look at a caterpillar, do you see the butterfly?” she asked. “Or when you see a butterfly, do you remember the transformation that made it so beautiful? I am so glad that God knows us intimately—all our blemishes, all our joys, all our missteps—and yet chooses to see our dignity.”
The sermon closed with a moving reflection on Charlotte Elliott, the hymnwriter of Just As I Am, whose search for a sense of vocation after chronic illness left her permanently disabled brought her to the conclusion that we are called not when we’re ready or polished, but just as we are.
“Jesus is not waiting for our perfection,” Dr Wright said. “Jesus is waiting for our yes. So friends, say yes again—to God, to the baptismal promises, to dignity, to courageous community. Say yes to the hard work of being Church. Say yes to the Gospel.”
After the Eucharist, the Cathedral Chapter Report was presented by the Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt, Dean of Brisbane. Picking up the theme of hope, Dr Catt reflected on its embodiment in cathedral life as compassionate, present and tangible ministry. He shared the story of a young man who, while sleeping rough in the cathedral precinct, encountered support that helped him overcome obstacles. He is now housed and employed.
One of the first motions of Synod was presented by Dr Stephen Harrison on behalf of Anglicare Southern Queensland, proposing the exploration of home-sharing models as a creative response to the escalating housing crisis.
Anglicare’s latest Rental Affordability Snapshot revealed the depth of the crisis—particularly for older people, care leavers, and students. In partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast, Anglicare is researching home-sharing initiatives that could match homeowners with spare rooms to those in need of affordable accommodation.
Dr Harrison invited Synod members to participate in an anonymous survey to better understand public attitudes toward co-housing in southeast Queensland. The findings will inform the development of a pilot program on the Sunshine Coast.
Take the survey survey here.
Synod resumes Saturday morning with the President’s address .