From the National Council of Churches in Australia
The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) will hold its 6th National Forum from 13-17 July at Alexandra Park Conference Centre, Mari Street, Alexandra Headlands on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
The National Forum is a gathering of around 110 people consisting of national leaders and representatives from 15 member Churches, and observers from several others. It is the highest meeting of the Council at which it sets its objectives for the next 3 years.
The Forum theme, Life Together, is the title of a book by the great theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. More than 60 years after his martyrdom at the hands of the Gestapo in 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer continues his witness in the hearts of Christians around the world. Life Together is practical advice on living together in Christ through the story of a unique fellowship in an underground seminary.
“This Forum is a chance for Churches to grow in understanding each other and working together in our Australian society,” said the Revd John Henderson, NCCA General Secretary. “The message of Christian unity is a simple one, but centuries of historical, geographical, and theological separation have divided us, sometimes in very profound ways. Today God is giving us a chance to change things. We can share God’s message of love, peace, and justice with each other, and the world,” said Mr Henderson.
On Friday evening, 13 July, Forum participants will be welcomed to the land of the Gubbi Gubbi people.
On Sunday morning, 15 July, there will be a public worship service at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest Drive (off Paveways Drive/Wises Road) Buderim, Queensland. It will take place from 11:00 am on Sunday, 15 July. Everyone is welcome to join the Forum participants at this ecumenical service.
On Monday, 16 July, two sessions at the Alexandra Park Conference Centre will also be open to the public. At 3:00 pm Sylvia Haddad, Executive Secretary of the Joint Christian Committee (JCC) in Lebanon, will address the Forum. The JCC is one of the five regional committees of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches.
Following dinner, at 7:30 pm, Monsignor Don Bolen from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, based at the Vatican, will address the Forum. He will share his experience of Catholic involvement in a wide variety of ecumenical dialogues.
