How We Work

The NCCA gathers together Churches and Christian communities which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures. We commit to deepen our relationship with each other and to work together towards the fulfilment of common witness, proclamation and service, to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

NCCA 11th National Forum 

Messages of Hope in a complex world

At the U-City Function room in Adelaide CBD, approximately 55 people from 12 member churches and 4 state ecumenical bodies gathered for the 2024 Forum. Through prayer, reflection, discussion and discernment, they provided valuable information that will form the basis for the activities and issues of focos for of the NCCA over the coming years.

‘Let us hold on unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.’

HEBREWS 10:23

Friday 21st June

  • Welcome 
  • Opening prayer – NCCA
  • President’s reflection
  • General Secretary’s overview & NCCA Pilgrimage since 1994
  • Welcome Dinner 
  • 30th Anniversary Ecumenical Service – Pilgrim Uniting Church
Table group, prayer and introductions – U-City Function Rooms, Adelaide
Forum 2024 table A friday Forum 2024 table B Friday
Forum 2024 table C FridayForum 2024 table D Friday
30th Anniversary Ecumenical Service, Pilgrim Uniting Church 
 Above: Church Leaders stand for the Declaration of Intent, Pilgrim Uniting Church 

Saturday 22nd June

  • Morning prayer led by Catholic delegates 
  • Bible study, reflection with Guest, Prof Anne Pattel-Gray
  • Keynote Address: Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay, General Secretary, World Council of Churches
  • Reporting session 1:
    • Strategic Roadmap and Safe Church Program – Ms Liz Stone, NCCA General Secretary
    • Finance Overview – Geoff Officer, Treasurer
    • Faith and Unity Commission – Fr Gerard Kelly, Chair
  • Reporting session 2:
    • Indigenous Ecumenical Network – Prof Anne Pattel-Gray
    • ACRT – Rev. Sandy Boyce, Co-Chair
    • Act for Peace – Elijah Buol, CEO
    • ACET – received.
  • 1st Prayer and Reflection session – Anna Phan, Resolve
    • survey results
    • Purpose, Values
    • Table Talk
  • Closing prayer led by Quaker delegates 
Above left: Morning prayer- Bishop HomemingAbove right: Bible study, Prof Anne Pattel-Gray
Above: Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay, General Secretary, World Council of Churches, delivers his Keynote Address 
Ms Liz Stone, NCCA General Secretary, NCCA reportsRev Dr Helen Richmond relates her EAPPI experience
    
Prayer and Reflection session – Anna Phan, Resolve (left) and group work (right)

Sunday 23rd June

  • Morning free to attend local churches or
  • Rev Jerry Pillay, guest preacher, St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, Choral Eucharist
  • Lunch
  • 2nd Dialogue and discernment session – Anna Phan, Resolve
    • NCCA Purpose Pillars 
  • Buffet Dinner
  • Evening Prayers
    • Orthodox Pentecost Vespers – Fr Abanoub and Bishop Bartholomew
 Rev Jerry Pillay, St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral Uncle John Lochowiak, Welcoming us to Kaurna CountryAcknowledging the birthday of Rev Pillay
Rev Pillay joined by (L) Rev Mark Kickett, UAICC, (R) Bishop Mar Stephanos, Mar Thoma Church, and (Back) Mr John Lochowiak, NATSICCSunday delegates gather for a group photo

Monday 24th June

  • Morning prayer led by Salvation Army delegates
  • Bible Study/Reflection – Rev Jerry Pillay
  • Group Work – Anna Phan, Resolve
    • Final Dialogue and discernment session
  • Closing Prayers, NCCA
  • Lunch  
    Anna Phan leads discussions on Key Themes 
   Bishop Mar Stephanos, brings greetings from India and the Mar Thoma Church
 Rev Mark Kickett, UAICC, Acknowledges Country before discernment sessions
(L-R) Rev Dr Jerry Pillay, Rev John Gilmore and Liz Stone.
 
 NCCA President, Rev John Gilmore thanks Rev Dr Pillay for his involvement in the 11th National Forum

Photo credit: All photos are the property of the NCCA. If you would like any in a higher resolution please ask – secretariat@ncca.org.au