from the National Council of Churches in Australia
Next week a group of Australian Church leaders will visit the birthplace of Jesus Christ in the lead up to Christmas, as they learn at first hand about the day-to-day realities of Christians living in the Middle East. Recent years have seen a mass exodus of Christians from the region, particularly from the Palestinian territories. Many have come to Australia enriching our multicultural Christian community.
The group will visit Christian leaders, churches and humanitarian projects in Palestine-Israel. It will also have discussions with Jewish and Muslim leaders, and meet with representatives of the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority.
“The visit comes as Christians world-wide prepare to celebrate the nativity of Jesus. The leaders will visit Bethlehem and other historic sites that feature in the life of Jesus, and the Christian message of God’s love for humanity,” said the Revd John Henderson, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA).
Australian Churches to be represented on the visit include: the Anglican Church, the Baptist Union, the Catholic Church, the Churches of Christ, the Religious Society of Friends, and the Uniting Church. Revd Henderson will also take part in the visit, representing the NCCA.
For further information, contact:
Revd John Henderson (02) 9299 2215
