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LETTERS: May 2008 ... Readers react to a newspaper's closure
By Readers of Market-Place
May 6, 2008
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Market-Place readers are invited to respond to articles and raise new issues of concern through the ‘Letters’ page. Write to market@ix.net.au

New web-site, new approach?

Dear Sir,

I am glad to see this new web-site development.

By the time I got Market-Place via my parish, it was always old news.

I hope the new Market-Place gives more emphasis to the non-ordained Anglicans: the laity, social issues/social justice Anglicans are involved in through ministries like Anglicare, social issues/social justice we are ignoring.

Churchmanship is not going to go away but that it may appear to be the most important issue for many Anglicans, especially the ordained and consecrated, may seem to reflect a dead heart and blinkered mind to many Anglicans and be seen as a measure of our irrelevance to the world at large.

It is an obscenity to be more concerned over the issues that emanate from churchmanship, or to seem to be, than that many young people will have to trade their sexual favours for a roof over their head each night and many more will sleep rough.

Noel Loos,

Pimlico, QLD

 

Stunned at closure

Dear Mr Reeder,

I am sure that I will be in a long line of paying subscriber readers who are stunned to learn of the closure of Market -Place.

The fair and fearless reporting by Market-Place on the current issues which prevail within the Anglican Church, both nationally and internationally, has been a very important source of information for members of the Anglican Communion in Australia.

I trust that the new website will achieve the predictions referred to in the April edition wherein it is hoped to ultimately widen the range of matters reported and also to take the stories to a broader audience. Unfortunately older people without their own PC are lose a good friend and there are those of us who enjoy a good read in bed in preference to scrolling down the pages on a computer screen.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for indeed things do not stay the same for ever, let us all offer our thanks for the publication which was given birth in October 1996 and now has been laid to rest at the age of eleven in April 2008.

Yours Sincerely,

John. A. Rawes

Hawthorn, SA

 

Looking forward

Dear Sir,

I'm disappointed to see the old print copy go but looking forward to the new on-line venture.

You'll have to appoint 2 women assistant editors to keep up with the rest of the Church!

Regards

Ian Walker

Holland Park, QLD

 

Web less penetrative

Dear Editor,

Just to tell you what a loss the paper Market-Place is, such a great contribution and thank you for all that you have done through it.

Compared to other papers around Australia, there is no comparison.

I know that you will be doing e-Market Place, but it is not the same and the circulation will be different, less penetrative when it comes to being handed around. (Womens mags are like that too, someone buys one but that same copy will circulate through dozens of hands if not hundreds).

Whatever, all of you associated with this production should be the proud of such excellence. Paper-wise, It will be a bit like having food without garlic and herbs now, pretty bland. But keep it going please.

(PS I am a Catholic married to an Anglican Priest who subscribes - as does my husband's congregation. We are both in mourning for the paper!)

Kerry Lannoy

Bucketty NSW

 

Exciting plans

Dear Sir,

I was excited to read of the plans for an electronic journal which will "deliver the provocative and engaging style of journalism that readers have come to appreciate".

Here's one reader, a non Anglican, (I always saw myself wandering about the Marketplace knowing that Australian Anglicans had too much on their minds to worry about other shoppers) who has always appreciated your editorship.

I will look forward to seeing what your group has on the menu.

Thoughts and prayers for you all in the challenges ahead. Have no doubt that the stimulation, imagination and dreaming will leave you all ten years younger.

Alan Matheson

Hawthorn, VIC

 

Fresh air

Dear Allan,

Sorry to hear Market-Place is to close.

It has been a breath of fresh air among church newspapers.

We look forward to using the website.

Regards and Thanks

Nigel and Georgina Hall

Hexham, UK

 

A stimulating read

Dear Editor,

I too am sad to see the demise of the printed Market Place.

Where else could you find such a no holds barred 'tell us what you really think' letters column that was such a stimulation to read over a quiet drink on arriving home?

Now I have to read it all on my computer at work.  Far less pleasant and less mellow.

Robert Forsyth

Bishop of South Sydney

 

Think big, but don't exclude

Dear Editor,

It is good to see Wayne Brighton taking on the big ideas and his point about strengthening civil society is timely and well-made, particularly under the more hopeful atmosphere of the new federal government. 

This can make for productive discussion at local church level.  However I  think it is unfair to caricature some of the older ways in which Christians have mobilised and to dismiss their potential for effecting change because they may not use SMS and weblogs.

My current experience would show that there is still much various forms of protest, social action, and even bishops and committees can achieve. 

Thinking big will include not excluding others who aren't quite as hip, "emerging", or as technologically turned-on as others.

Let's all be part of it, whatever gifts we can bring to the process, and leaving behind the 'big sticks' we too often wave at each other as to who is what, and what is right.

Fay Magee

Phillip Island, VIC

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: 

Market-Place readers are invited to respond to articles and raise new issues of concern through the ‘Letters' page. Write to: 

 market@ix.net.au