Acknowledgements
I would like to acknowledge the support of the Centre for Public and Contextual Theology at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Charles Sturt University, Canberra, Australia, and its Executive Director, The Right Reverend Professor Stephen Pickard in the preparation of this book. Stephen Pickard and the Centre have enabled the project and for this I am very grateful. I also acknowledge the support of the Australian Research Theology Foundation (Inc.) to the project which has allowed it to progress. My thanks to the Governors for their generous support.
I am greatly indebted to the Rev’d Dr Paul Avis in his role as Editor of the Brill series Anglican/Episcopal Theology and History. His expertise and knowledge about Anglicanism and the publishing process is freely and generously given and provides direction and advice that is essential to any author in the writing and production of a book. I remain greatly in his debt.
I am also very grateful to Professors Bruce Kaye and Stephen Pickard who read the almost-final version of this book and responded with useful comments and suggestions. I thank them for their encouragement and work. Their expert comments have greatly assisted in the writing and editing of this book.
Two dogs have accompanied me on the journey of writing this book, often sitting next me as I worked. It is wonderful to have them come around my desk and encourage me. Thank you, Daisy and Mia, my two golden retrievers, for being with me on the journey. They are both now very knowledgeable on the history, theology and liturgy of the Eucharist in the Anglican Church of Australia!
As always my wife, Jane, is a constant source of love, care and encouragement in the writing process, just as she is in the life we share together. Without her I could do very little. Her commitment to the transforming power of life-long learning and critical reflection is a source of inspiration and strength to me.
Brian Douglas
Canberra, Australia, 2021