Christian Conference of Asia: Lahore – Pastoral/Solidarity Visit October 2 – 7, 2016

“Faithful, courageous, grateful and kind”.

These are the descriptive words which capture my experience of the people we have met. Faithful and courageous, for this is a place where faith is tested by circumstances beyond people’s control. But faithful they remain.

Like the staff in the Bible Society who keep reaching out with the precious Word of God. Their plans are for expansion: New translations, better distribution. Their office is remarkably unprotected in the business district. As is the National Council of Churches in Pakistan (NCCP) Hostel, the Churches and the other offices we visited. Sometimes a sleepy guard at a flimsy gate, if that.

The National Council of Churches writes to the Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration and Border Protection

The President and Board of Directors of the National Council of Churches in Australia published a Media Release asking for cooperation to settle the asylum seekers from Nauru and Manus Islands.

The Media release states "The continuing reports out of both places are a source of deep concern." 

Jenny Johnston passed away at the Mater Hospital, Newcastle on Saturday 24 September after a long battle with cancer. The funeral service for Jenny was celebrated at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Strathfield Thursday, 29th September 2016.

Jenny was an active and passionate ecumenist serving on the NSW Ecumenical Council for thirty years. Jenny had been integral to the frequent visits to Australia of Br Ghislain and members of the Taizé community.

A training day of learning and sharing, facilitated by Mr Budi Thajono, Asia Pacific Coordinator for Franciscans International.

Learn about the United Nations and how to engage with them on human rights.

Date:          Tuesday 8 November

Where:       Mary Mackillop Place 7-11 Mount Street, North Sydney

Welcome to Australia and Settlement Services International (SSI) invites you to be part of the Walk Together 2016. To walk alongside them and the Australian community in demonstration of the spirit of inclusiveness that SSI work tirelessly to achieve.

Date:      Saturday 22 October

Where:  Walk from Belmore Park (Central Station) to Victoria Park (Broadway).

Anti Poverty Week was established in Australia as an expansion of the UN's annual International Anti-Poverty Day on October 17.

In 2016 Anti Poverty Week will be held from the 16th to the 22nd of October.

Calendar of Activities in 2016

Sydney’s Youth Model Interfaith Harmony, Justice & Compassion to the World

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

Martin Luther King Jr

In early September over 300 young people from diverse faith backgrounds met in Sydney for the largest interfaith event for young people in Australia. Youth PoWR (Parliament of the World’s Religions) saw youth vote on and commit to a message of common and critical concern; ‘Towards a More Compassionate & Just Society’.

A public lecture on the Future of Jewish-Catholic relations

Two scholars, Fr Philipp Renczes SJ and Rabbi Fred Morgan, will look at the latest Vatican document - The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.

When:        Sunday 30th October 2016 at 3pm to 4pm,

Where:       Simonds Hall, Catholic Leadership Centre 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne (Cnr Hoddle Street)

Visit of the WCC Gen Sec

Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit , General Secretary of the World Council of Churches will visit Australia this month.

From Tuesday 11 until he flies back to Geneva on Monday 17, the General Secretary will have many opportunities for public engagement in most of our Australian capital cities as his schedule permits.