Published by the Uniting Church Assembly

God of Many Names
L God of a thousand names,
You come to us in many forms - manna to the hungry
R water to the parched
L embrace to the grieving
R rainbow to the despairing
L champion of the oppressed
R defender of the exploited
L friend to the lonely
R rescuer to the lost
L rest for the weary
R shock to the comfortable
L peace to the restless
R gift to the joyful
L mystery to the knowing
R revelation to the seeking
L manna, water, embrace, rainbow, champion, defender, friend, rescuer,
rest, shock, peace, gift, mystery, revelation...
In silence, let us reflect on what God's name is for
us at this moment...

(Silent reflection)

Let us give thanks to God.

ALL. God of many names. and still the one, true God,
You reveal Your name to us in our need,
yet remain beyond our control or understanding.
You are God. and we are Your people.
In trust and love. we commit ourselves to exploring and discovering
who You are and whose we are.

John and Norma Brown

Racism

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream. Amos. 5: 24

"As the Indigenous people of this land, we fight for our rights such as: to be heard; to have access to our Sacred sites; to maintain and participate in our cultural ceremonies and to have our spirituality recognised; and for the survival of the many generations which are to follow. We the Aboriginals of Australia lift up our voices and cry: 'We have survived.'"
Racism thrives on dominance and control. It demeans the oppressor and destroys the oppressed. It goes against the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It renders the oppressor and the oppressed into a state of spiritual disability. Lilla Watson, an Australian Aborigine writes:

"If you have come to help me you are wasting your time.
But
If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine
then let us work together."

Working together commits us into taking risks for each other;
recognising the dignity of every human being;
accepting the interconnectedness of justice and righteousness for all peoples.
Prayer
God of Justice, give us ears to hear with You the cries of
Your children held captive by race and colour;
God of Justice, give us eyes to see with You beyond race
and colour to dignity and identity;
God of Love, give us hearts to love with You beyond the
structures and systems we have created to keep Your
children in bondage;
God of Love, give us courage to seek reconciliation and to
be mediators for peace and freedom for all. Amen

Ranjani Rabera

"When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." (John 20: 19)

In the Moving

Prayer
It is a fearful thing to move, O gracious God.
The ones who wait for us may not be kind.
We may never know what to say and what we do may be misunderstood.
Our faith may fail and justice may keep traveling into the distance before we reach it.
Be present in our moving, O God of the human and the small ones,
flow through our life in freedom, fill our hearts with Your courage
and breathe into our souls Your wisdom and love. Amen

Dorothy McRae McMahon

Mysterious, stranger God
Never confined by culture, colour, class or creed,
Meeting us anew in the mystery of the stranger,
Becoming in Jesus both refugee and migrant.
Thank you for newcomers,
Settling bravely in Australia's remoteness,
Forsaking familiar, families and friends,
For stranger's insecurity in a strange land.
Stranger God of the stranger,
Ever welcoming excluded outsiders
Celebrating life's richness in difference and diversity,
May your Spirit still stir this cultural mix, Australia,
That we may continue to embrace the gift of new migrants,
Including their skills, valuing their difference.
And in them, meeting You.

Frontier Services

"How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity.
It is like precious oil poured on the head...
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
Even life for evermore."
(Psalm 133, NIV)

Prayer
My dear Lord,
We are amazed by the way of Your creation.
You created us all different but in Your own image,
And You said, "It is good!" with full satisfaction.
When we were rebellious against Your throne,
You scattered us in different languages.
Now we can see that You are gathering us back.
People are moving into safe places to live,
forming multicultural communities together.
Lord, we look up to You, searching for Your work.
What does this change mean, Lord?
What is Your will to fulfil through this huge change in our time?
Show us Your ways, O Lord.
Guide us in Your truth.
Teach us how to live all together in harmony and in unity.
We are all different,
But together, we want to please You and glorify You,
as Your precious and holy people.
Amen.

Seongja Yoo-Crowe

 

Introduction
Our hands are an important part of who we are. We use the symbol hands to focus the work we do: our pain, our passion and our promise. With its focus on hands, this prayer service focuses on our hands introduces an image of God that may not be familiar to young people.

Set-Up
Materials
A copy of the closing prayer for all the participants (provided)

Worship space
This prayer could be done indoors or outdoors. Be sure that the room is well lighted so people can see their hands.

Ministers Needed
• Leader
• Reader

Order of Service
Call to Worship
LEADER: Our hands are an important part of who we are. We use the symbol hands to focus the work we do: our pain, our passion and our promise.

Let us reflect for a moment on these questions as we begin our prayer. Who have my hands touched today? For what have my hands reached out? With what have they been filled?

Reading
The New Woman
Kurinji Nathan of Sri Lanka

The hands which gently tend the leaves(1)
Will now help to banish gloom;
They'll work hard to put down evil,
And to raise up for all, new life.

The hands which gently tend the leaves
Will help nourish all that is good;
They'll work hard to weed out poverty,
And bring new culture and art.

The hands which gently tend the leave
Will show new ways for humankind;
They'll work hard to build those structures
In which truth and right will be found.

(1) Refers to the tea leaves on the bushes in the tea plantations of Sri Lanka, which are tended and plucked by Tamil women workers.

A Hand Blessing
LEADER: Look at your hands. Notice their power and gentleness. Let us bless these hands together. I invite you to repeat each phrase after me.

Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One.
Blessed be these hands that have touched life....
Blessed be these hands that have been creative....
Blessed be these hands that have felt pain and tiredness....
Blessed be these hands that have embraced others....
Blessed be these hands that have closed in anger....
Blessed be these hands that have planted new seeds....
Blessed be these hands that have cleaned, washed, mopped, scrubbed....
Blessed be these hands that have thrown a football....
Blessed be these hands that have written homework assignments....
Blessed be these hands that have carried books home from school....
Blessed be these hands that have reached out....
Blessed be these hands that hold the promise of the future....
Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One....

Closing Prayer
Distribute copies of the Closing Prayer, "BakerWoman God" on the next page. Invite all to join in prayer. Another prayer may be used if it is more suitable.

BakerWoman God

Bakerwoman God, I am your living Bread.
Strong, brown, Bakerwoman God.
I am your low, soft, and being-shaped loaf.
I am your rising bread, well-kneaded by some divine and knotty pair of knuckles,
by your warm earth-hands.
I am bread well-kneaded.

Put me in fire, Bakerwoman God,
put me in your own bright fire.

I am warm, warm as you from fire.
I am white and gold, soft and hard, brown and round.
I am so warm from fire.

Break me, Bakerwoman God!
I am broken under your caring Word.
Bakerwoman God remake me.

 

Copyright - Center for Ministry Development, PO Box 699, Naugatuck CT 06770, USA, 203-723-1622;
www.cmdnet.org
Used with permission, all rights reserved

 

Set-Up

Materials
• A central table decorated with cloth, candle, and the Scriptures. The candle is unlit until the blessing prayer. If possible, the cloth should be from a country from Africa, Asia, or the Americas. Also on the table, place the following:
• A bowl of earth and some seeds
• A pitcher of water
• A loaf of bread (or a roll, depending on the size of the group)

Ministers needed
• Leader
• Two or more readers (the additional readers can be used for the blessing and litany, if desired.)

Order of Service
Opening Song
If desired, an opening song may be sung or played. The song should reflect the theme of justice, peace, and/or blessing. One song that would greatly contribute to the theme of the prayer is "Against the Grain" by Donna Peña found on her own album, Against the Grain or on Marty Haugen's Tales of Wonder (both from G.I.A.)

Opening Prayer
LEADER: God of peace and justice,
we thank you for calling us together to participate
in your work of liberation and re-creation.
Support us, inspire us, and strengthen us
to continue to prepare for the coming of your Reign.
We make our prayer through Christ the Lord.

Reading
Five centuries of the Gospel's presence on [the American] continent have still not produced a fair distribution of the goods of the earth. And this is all the more painful when we think of the poorest of the poor: the indigenous groups, and together with them many campesinos, offended in their dignity by being excluded from the exercise of even their most fundamental rights, which also are a part of the goods destined for all. The situation of these brothers and sisters of ours cries out for justice from the Lord (Pope John Paul II, Lent 1992)

Scripture Reading
Isaiah 65:17-25 and/or Matthew 5:13-16

Prayer of Blessing
All may stand in a circle or semi-circle around the prayer table.
The first reader lights the candle and prays:
READER: Blessed are you, God, Flame of hope: may we be fuel and kindling for your fire.
ALL: Blessed be God forever.
The second reader lifts up the bowl of earth, then lowers it and plants several seeds in the dirt. He/She then prays:
READER: Blessed are you, God, Seed of justice: may we be fertile ground for your harvest.
ALL: Blessed be God forever.
The third reader lifts up the pitcher of water and then pours water onto the bowl of earth planted with the seeds. He/She then prays:
READER: Blessed are you, God, Water in the wilderness: may we be streams in your river of peace.
ALL: Blessed be God forever.
The fourth reader lifts up the loaf of bread and prays:
READER: Blessed are you, God, Bread of life: may we nourish our sisters and brothers.
ALL: Blessed be God forever.
The bread may then be passed so all may take a piece and eat.
Litany of Blessing and Intercession
There may be one or several leaders/readers for the intercessions. Inform the participants of the response, "Bless Us, God of Justice" before beginning.
READER: Bless us, O Holy One of Blessing, that we may bless you in our lives of justice and peace.
ALL: Bless us, God of justice.
READER: Bless all who mourn for their sisters and brothers who die from starvation or through war or injustice.
ALL: Bless us, God of justice.
READER: Bless all who experience your mercy through the work and witness of women and men who unloose the bonds of oppression.
ALL: Bless us, God of justice.
READER: Bless all who hunger and thirst for righteousness in solidarity with those who put their lives on the line for justice in their homelands.
ALL: Bless us, God of justice.
READER: Bless all who seek your face in the laughter of children, the wisdom of elders, the mystery of creation, and in the solace of prayer.
ALL: Bless us, God of justice.
READER: Bless all who work as your peacemakers to resolve conflicts, in our homes, communities and world.
ALL: Bless us, God of justice.
Concluding Prayer
LEADER: God of all peoples,
bless us in our work as members and supporters of development and peace.
Bless us through the challenges, struggles and joys we experience.
Bless us when we falter and when we grow weary.
Bless us with your peace.
We make this prayer through Christ the Lord.

Exchange of Peace
Invite all to exchange a sign of peace. An added option: As they greet another person, ask the participants to share with that person where or with whom they would like to share peace: a group of people, a country divided by war, places where violence or poverty is extreme, etc.

Closing Song
A good closing song that would greatly contribute to the theme of the prayer and balance the suggestion in the opening song is "Walk in the Reign" by Rory Cooney found on his album, Safety Harbor (from G.I.A.).

 

Copyright - Center for Ministry Development, PO Box 699, Naugatuck CT 06770, USA, 203-723-1622;
www.cmdnet.org
Used with permission, all rights reserved

 

A Prayer for the Lost and Broken (Scripture-Song Worship Experience)

Introduction
This prayer is a basic celebration of the Word, ideal for a short opening or closing prayer. It can be expanded by adding optional songs, additional readings, etc. The proclamation of a "Scripture-Song" reading is accomplished by mixing verses of the reading with portions of the song in a dialogue fashion. When practiced beforehand (especially if the proclaimer wishes to memorize the Scripture passage) and proclaimed clearly, in dialogue with the song, the experience can be a creative, inspiring, and involving encounter with the Scriptures in our own time.

In the "Scripture-Song" which follows, portions of the reading will be proclaimed during an instrumental bridge or other portion of the song. It will be necessary to pause the song once, using the tape-or CD player's "pause" button. No alterations to a recording of the song are necessary. Simply practice the reading/timing beforehand for an effective proclamation.

Set-Up
Materials
• A copy of the song "Runaway Train" from the Soul Asylum album, Grave Dancers Union.
• If desired, a table set up with the Scriptures, a candle, and plants.
Ministers Needed
• The prayer can be led by a single presider or by a presider and a reader who proclaims the scripture-song.

Order of Service
Opening Prayer
LEADER: God of healing, God of forgiveness,
Many of Your people are lost or hurting.
And sometimes, we, too find ourselves on that train
of despair or pain.
We gather at this time to pray for those who most need Your love.
Remind us once again of the healing, reconciling mission of Your Son.
Let us accept the comfort He brings when we are the broken ones,
And let us accept the challenge to be healers and guiding lights for those who walk the tracks of hopelessness or hurt.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Gospel Reading (with interacting song)
Matthew 9:9-13 with "Runaway Train"

To proclaim the gospel with the song, have the tape cued to the beginning of the song. (It's a good idea to start with both the "Pause" and the "Play" buttons depressed).

Begin the reading (with the tape still on "Pause"), proclaiming verses 9-10. At the beginning of verse 10, lift the "Pause" button, allowing the music to come up while you finish the verse:

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. (Start song) While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.

Allow the song to play through:

Verse One -- "Call you up in the middle of the night..."
Refrain -- "Runaway Train, never going back..."
Verse Two -- "Can you help me remember how to smile..."
Refrain -- "Runaway Train, never going back..."

At the end of the second refrain, there is an instrumental bridge. Over the instrumental bridge, read verses 11-13 of the gospel:

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
(If timed correctly) the reading will end just as the instrumental bridge ends and Verse Three begins ("Bought a ticket for a runaway train..."). Let the song play out.

After the final refrain, you may want to repeat verse 13 of the gospel for additional emphasis:

Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Reflection
It may be appropriate to share a brief reflection on the gospel, the song, and the theme of "those who are lost and broken." Include the following thoughts in your own words:
(Ask rhetorically) How many of us know people who are on "runaway trains?" How many of us are on one themselves? The simple reminder of the gospel (whether we are the ones ministering to someone feeling lost and broken or we are the lost and broken in need of ministry) is that our God is a God who cares about people on runaway trains. In fact, in the person of Jesus, God makes a point to search out the sick and hurting. Jesus was known for the company he kept and often he was the "blowtorch burning" for "fireflies without lights." And if that scandalized the prim, the proper, or the self-righteous, he would remind them that to such belonged his mission ("those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do"). So, if we know people who've bought tickets on those trains, let us remember the special place they have with Jesus. And if we are the ones on that train, there is only one conductor qualified to lead us off, one physician who can heal our every ill.

Option: Prayers/Response
If desired, other prayers, responses, or symbolic acts can be added to the prayer to create a more lengthy service. One short, but concrete way to respond in prayer to this gospel is to invite the participants to call to mind the names of people they know who are on "runaway trains." These names can be recalled in the silence of memory or simply spoken aloud (first names only). Invite the entire group to lift their hearts in a special prayer for those individuals and all the unnamed riders of the runaway trains of our world.

Concluding Prayer
The leader may conclude the prayer in these or similar words:

LEADER: Loving God,
We come to You -- not with sacrifice, but in praise of mercy.
We ask for your mercy and healing on all those who are lost and broken, riding the rails of a runaway train of despair or sin.
Send forth the Spirit of Your Son to be the healer and light to their pain and darkness.
And send us forth, as merciful disciples of Your Son, to continue His mission.
Don't let us settle for "saving the saved," but remind us to cross the tracks, as Jesus did, to bring light and peace to those who most need it.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Copyright - Center for Ministry Development, PO Box 699, Naugatuck CT 06770, USA, 203-723-1622;
www.cmdnet.org
Used with permission, all rights reserved

 

LEADER: I was hungry and you gave me food…
ALL: Let us act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.
LEADER: I was thirsty and you gave me drink…
ALL: Let us act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.
LEADER: I was a stranger and you welcomed me…
ALL: Let us act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.
LEADER: I was naked and you clothed me…
ALL: Let us act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.
LEADER: I was ill and you comforted me…
ALL: Let us act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.
ALL: God, true light and source of all light, may we recognise you in…
LEADER: oppressed people,
ALL: poor people,
LEADER: homeless people,
ALL: hungry people,
ALL: May we be open to your Spirit that we may be a means of healing, strength and peace for all your people. We ask this through Jesus, your son and our brother! Amen.

Nameless God of all people,
We pray for peace.
We acknowledge our anger, and yours.
We pray that our common humanity and love might prevail in the face of the horror of the extended conflict in the Middle East.
In our helplessness and our fear, God, guide our actions towards a peaceful and just resolution.
Amen.

A property known as 'Glenburnie', Wooroloo, in Western Australia, was transferred to the Australian Council of Churches Association Ltd in 1976 as a gift from Laurie and Nancy Wilkinson. The property was sold in May 1987 and the proceeds were allocated "to provide resources for the churches and the community on issues relating to a just, participatory and sustainable society."

To apply for funding from The Glenburnie Program it is necessary to complete an application form. Each application is taken on its merits.

The Ecumenical Leadership Fund assists young people eager to enlarge their ecumenical experience and leadership skills.  It helps those who have exhibited leadership potential to develop their gifts and focus their vision.

Application for assistance should take the form of a letter setting out your plans and aspirations for serving the church in Australia, with all the usual information about yourself, your background and interests, and your financial needs.

At the 5th National Forum of the NCCA in 2004, a landmark covenant was signed.

Church leaders have hailed it as one of the most significant events in Australia’s ecumenical history. “It’s an international benchmark,” NCCA president, the Revd Professor James Haire, said. “No one else, I believe, anywhere in the world, has been able to produce anything quite as comprehensive as this. It’s true that the US is working towards something similar – but that doesn’t include the Catholics.”

Churches continue to agree to the various parts of the Covenant.  To view a current copy of the document click here.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN AUSTRALIA

[as amended 13-17 July 2007]

1. NAME

1.01 The name of this organisation shall be the "National Council of Churches in Australia" [hereinafter referred to as "NCCA"].

2. BASIS

2.01 The NCCA gathers together in pilgrimage those Churches and Christian communities which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures and commit themselves

[i] to deepen their relationship with each other in order to express more visibly the unity willed by Christ for his church, and
[ii] to work together towards the fulfilment of their mission of common witness, proclamation and service,

to the glory of the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. THE CHURCH, THE CHURCHES AND THE NCCA

3.01 The NCCA is not a church. Rather, by bringing its member Churches into a living contact with each other it desires to give expression to the significant bonds which already exist between them: what they share with each other as Christians because of their union with God in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit [often called communion or koinonia]. It recognises that each member Church brings to the NCCA its own understanding of the nature of the Church.

3.02 No member Church is being asked to forsake or compromise its own ecclesiology. However, the NCCA provides a framework within which member Churches are encouraged to enter into dialogue, at all levels, about the understanding of "church" which each Church holds.

3.03 While some member churches may not be able to recognise each other as churches in the full and true sense, they nevertheless acknowledge in each other important elements of both doctrine and practice that belong to the church which Christ founded. It is hoped that through further dialogue the member Churches will broaden their knowledge of each other, extend their recognition of each other, find ways of giving greater expression to what they hold in common, and move towards a more visible expression of the unity Christ has given to his church.

4. OBJECTIVES

4.01 The objectives of the NCCA are:

[a] to encourage and enable the member Churches to develop their existing relationships by

i] raising awareness among their people of Christ's gift of unity and of his call to express that unity through prayer, dialogue and shared engagement in mission; and
ii] coming to know each other better in all respects, including the areas of spirituality, liturgy, theology, history, sociology and culture;

[b] to encourage and enable the member churches in the light of the Gospel to give prophetic leadership to each other and the community by

i] developing a deeper understanding of evangelism/ evangelisation in Australia's cultural context;
ii] addressing moral issues;
iii] speaking out on behalf of oppressed people;
iv] acting in solidarity with Aboriginal and Islander people; and
v] responding to human need and acting on issues of justice, peace and creation;

[c] to promote relationships

i] with non-member Churches, state ecumenical bodies within Australia, regional and national ecumenical bodies in Asia and the Pacific, and the World Council of Churches; and
ii] with people of other living faiths; and

[d] to undertake joint initiatives as determined from time to time by the National Forum at the request of member Churches.

5. MEMBERSHIP

5.01 Membership is open to those Churches and Christian communities which accept the Basis, have a spread of groups in at least two Australian States/Territories, and have their own national organisation and ecclesial identity. Election to membership shall be by resolution passed by a majority of not less than three quarters of the members present and voting at a meeting of the National Forum following consultation with all member Churches.

5.02 A Church or Christian community which does not have credal statements within its tradition and therefore finds it difficult to subscribe formally to what appears to it to be a written credal statement in the Basis may apply for and be elected to membership provided that the Church or Christian community demonstrates by its life and conduct that it upholds the spirit of the Basis.

5.03 A member Church may resign from membership by giving not less than three [3] calendar months written notice of resignation to the General Secretary. The notice will take effect at the expiry of the period of notice unless it is withdrawn in the meantime.

6. STRUCTURE

6.01 The NCCA is part of a nationwide ecumenical movement of prayer, reflection and growth in association with local efforts, regional collaboration, state ecumenical bodies, meetings of heads of Churches and inter-church dialogues. Its structure is designed to reflect this nationwide partnership.

6.02 The components of this structure are:

• • General Church Consultations
  • the National Forum
  • the Executive of the NCCA
  • Specific Consultations
  • Commissions, Working Groups and Networks
  • staff of the NCCA

7. GENERAL CHURCH CONSULTATIONS

7.01 From time to time the NCCA will convene General Church Consultations which bring together a broad range of ecumenically involved people, on either a national or regional basis, to enable the member Churches to celebrate and to share their life and witness, and when appropriate, to make comment and recommendations to the NCCA, and to listen to and act on the insights offered by the NCCA.

8. THE NATIONAL FORUM

8.01 The National Forum is the general meeting of representatives of member churches of the NCCA together with representatives of state ecumenical bodies and representatives of a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body. The National Forum's responsibility is to enable member Churches to establish and review the overall policies and programmes of the NCCA.

8.02 The membership of the National Forum will comprise:

[a] national heads of member Churches
[b] representatives appointed by member Churches
[c] one representative appointed by each state ecumenical body
[d] four representatives appointed by a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body.
[e] the President and General Secretary and Treasurer in any case where the office holder is not otherwise a member.

Each member shall have the right to attend and vote at a meeting of the National Forum.

8.03 The Executive shall from time to time determine for the purpose of Clause 8.02 [b] the number of representatives which each member Church may appoint to attend a meeting of the National Forum, provided that each member Church shall be entitled to appoint not less than two representatives. In making its determination, the Executive shall have regard to numerical strength and parish units of the member Church and such other criteria as the Executive may consider relevant.

8.04 If the national head of a member Church is unable to attend a meeting or part of a meeting of the National Forum, the national head may appoint an alternate to attend and vote on behalf of the national head at the meeting of the National Forum or that part of the meeting as the case may be.

8.05 The membership of the National Forum will not exceed one hundred unless the Executive shall determine otherwise.

9. MEETINGS OF THE NATIONAL FORUM

9.01

[a] The National Forum shall hold an ordinary meeting at least once every two years for the first four [4] years after the first meeting of the National Forum and thereafter at least once every three [3] years on such date[s] and at such place as the National Forum [or the Executive] may determine.
[b] The National Forum may hold special meetings at such other times and for such purposes as the National Forum determines.
[c] The Executive may whenever it thinks fit convene a special meeting of the National Forum.
[d] The Executive shall on the requisition in writing of not less than one third of the member Churches convene a special meeting of the National Forum.
[e] Not less than 3 months notice of a meeting of the National Forum shall be given to the member Churches.

9.02 In addition to any other business which may be transacted at a meeting of the National Forum the business of the ordinary meeting shall be:

[a] to receive from the Executive reports upon the activities of the NCCA since the last ordinary meeting;
[b] to receive and consider financial statements;
[c] to elect the President and not more than six [6] members of the Executive whose nominations for election have been endorsed by their member Churches; and
[d] to determine policy.

9.03 At a meeting of the National Forum:

[a] the President shall preside; or
[b] if the President is absent, unable or unwilling to act, the members present at a meeting of the National Forum may choose another member of the Executive to preside at the meeting.

9.04 The General Secretary of the NCCA will be the executive officer of the National Forum.

9.05

[a] No business shall be transacted at any meeting of the National Forum unless a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business nor shall a meeting proceed if the chairperson determines by a count that a quorum is not present.
[b] A quorum shall consist of not less than one-half of the membership of the National Forum, present in person or by alternate appointed pursuant to Clause 8.04.

9.06 Subject to this Constitution, questions arising at a meeting of the National Forum shall be decided by a majority of votes of those present and voting.

9.07 The Executive may invite appropriate people who are not members of the National Forum to attend a meeting of the National Forum. Such persons may be given the right to speak but not to vote. Categories of persons who will be invited include:

observers from non-member Churches, and
one executive staff person from each state ecumenical body.

10. THE EXECUTIVE

10.01

[a] The Executive will be responsible for implementing the policies of the NCCA, monitoring its work, and making policy recommendations to the National Forum.
[b] The Executive will act on behalf of the NCCA between meetings of the National Forum in respect of any of the responsibilities of the NCCA and may determine policy which is not inconsistent with policy determined or directions given by the National Forum and act on any matter which does not require a resolution to be passed by more than a simple majority of those present and voting at a meeting of the National Forum.

10.02 The Executive will consist of:

[a] the national heads of the member Churches;
[b] one other person appointed by each member Church;
[c] not more than six [6] members elected by the National Forum pursuant to Clause 9.02 [c];
[d] two members appointed by a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body
[e] the General Secretary and the Treasurer of the NCCA [ex officio]; and
[f] the President in any case where the person elected as President is not otherwise a member of the Executive.

10.03 A national head of a member Church who is unable to attend a meeting of the Executive may appoint an alternate to attend and vote on his/her behalf at the meeting.

10.04 In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the elected membership of the Executive, the Executive may fill the vacancy.

10.05 At a meeting of the Executive

[a] the President shall preside, or
[b] if the President is absent, unable or unwilling to act, such one of the remaining members of the Executive as may be chosen by the members present, shall preside.

10.06 Subject to this Constitution the Executive may meet and adjourn or otherwise regulate its meetings as it thinks fit.

10.07 The Executive shall meet not less frequently than three [3] times in each calendar year.

10.08 The President may at any time, and the General Secretary shall on the requisition of not less than ten [10] members of the Executive, convene a meeting of the Executive.

10.09 Questions arising at a meeting of the Executive shall be decided by a majority of votes of members present and voting.

10.10 A quorum shall consist of not less than one-half of the members.

10.11

[a] The Executive may decide to meet by telephone conference or in such other manner as it shall think fit.
[b] The Executive may make decisions in other manner than by attendance of members at a meeting.

10.12 The Executive may appoint committees and delegate to Commissions and committees such matters as will facilitate the business of the NCCA.

11. OFFICE BEARERS

11.01 The office bearers of the NCCA shall be :

[a] the President
[b] the General Secretary
[c] the Treasurer

11.02 The President of the NCCA will normally

[a] be elected by the National Forum;
[b] hold office until the conclusion of the next ordinary meeting of the National Forum and
[c] be eligible for re-election;

In the event that an unexpected vacancy in the office of President occurs between meetings of the National Forum, the Executive may elect the President who will hold office until the commencement of the term of office of a President elected by the National Forum.

11.03 The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Executive and will hold office until the conclusion of the first meeting of the Executive following the next ordinary meeting of the National Forum after the Treasurer's appointment.

12. SPECIFIC CONSULTATIONS

12.01 Specific Consultations may be convened to enable the member churches to listen to one another and plan action, separately or jointly, on specific issues or on general areas of responsibility of the NCCA.

12.02 Specific Consultations will be convened on a regional or national basis by the National Forum or the Executive as and when required.

12.03 Specific Consultations will report to the Executive unless the convening body otherwise determines.

13. COMMISSIONS

13.01 The National Forum may establish Commissions to conduct ongoing programmes of the NCCA.

13.02 The National Forum may constitute whatever Commissions it deems necessary to assist it to carry out the objectives of the NCCA.

13.03 The mandate, size and membership of Commissions will be determined by the National Forum.

13.04 Members of Commissions will be appointed by the National Forum on the nomination of member Churches. The Executive may fill casual vacancies.

13.05 Commissions will be responsible to the National Forum through the Executive of the NCCA.

14. WORKING GROUPS

14.01 The Executive may establish Working Groups to undertake specific short-term tasks.

14.02 The Executive may constitute whatever Working Groups it deems necessary to assist it in carrying out the objectives of the NCCA.

14.03 Working Groups will be responsible to the Executive through the General Secretary.

15. NETWORKS

15.01 The National Forum or the Executive may develop Networks of people with common responsibilities within member Churches to foster particular concerns.

15.02 The National Forum or the Executive may establish whatever Networks are deemed desirable to further the objectives of the NCCA.

16. STAFF

16.01 The staff of NCCA will be headed by a General Secretary who will have ex officio membership of the National Forum, the Executive, Commissions, Working Groups, Networks and Committees.

16.02 The General Secretary of the NCCA will be appointed by the Executive, which will also decide the terms and conditions on which the General Secretary is appointed. The General Secretary is also accountable through the Executive to the National Forum.

16.03 Other executive staff will be appointed by the Executive in consultation with the General Secretary and will be accountable to the Executive through the General Secretary.

17. PUBLIC STATEMENTS

17.01 In furthering its objectives, the NCCA will seek to resource member churches to help them, together or separately, speak publicly on significant issues facing the community.

17.02 In order that the voice of the churches may have a greater impact on issues of public importance, member churches may authorise the NCCA to make public statements on their behalf. Where a majority of member churches agree but unanimity is not reached, the names of member churches supporting the statement should be attached and the NCCA may offer its facilities to issue the statement on their behalf.

17.03 Publishing such statements may not be held to imply that the NCCA has, or can have, any authority over the member Churches.

17.04 The NCCA will be advised by such Commissions, Committees and Working Groups as it may establish, and at times that advice may take the form of recommendations regarding public statements. While Commissions, Committees and Working Groups may not themselves make public statements without the authority of the Executive, they may in the course of their work publish research, educational and promotional material.

18. RELATIONSHIPS WITH NATIONAL HEADS OF CHURCHES

18.01 The NCCA will maintain a close liaison with the national heads of Churches group through periodic consultations, and through the General Secretary.

19. RELATIONSHIPS WITH STATE ECUMENICAL BODIES

19.01 In this constitution the expression "state ecumenical body" refers to those bodies, whether corporate or unincorporated, which the NCCA, through the National Forum or its Executive, recognises from time to time as state ecumenical bodies. Recognition may be withdrawn at any time.

19.02 While recognising that state ecumenical bodies are autonomous, the NCCA invites their participation in the NCCA through the appointment of voting representatives to the National Forum.

20. RELATIONSHIPS WITH A NATIONAL ABORIGINAL AND ISLANDER ECUMENICAL BODY

20.01 In this constitution the expression a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body refers to that body, whether corporate or unincorporated, which the NCCA, through the National Forum or the Executive, recognises from time to time as a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body. Recognition may be withdrawn at any time.

20.02 While recognising that a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body is autonomous, the NCCA invites its participation in the NCCA through the appointment of voting representatives to the National Forum and voting members of the Executive.

21. THE NATURE OF REPRESENTATION

21.01 Representatives of member Churches on NCCA bodies will have a dual responsibility - to the Church and to the NCCA. Within the NCCA they are responsible for representing the views of their Church and for contributing to the life and work of the NCCA, and within their Church they have a responsibility to represent the life and work of the NCCA.

22. FINANCE

22.01 The member Churches will have responsibility for ensuring that normal running costs of the NCCA are adequately funded.

22.02 Each member Church shall make financial contributions to the NCCA according to guidelines approved by the Executive.

22.03 The NCCA may obtain and raise funds by donations, bequests and sale of publications and in such other manner as the Executive may from time to time determine.

22.04 The Executive may authorise the borrowing of funds for the purposes of the NCCA.

22.05 All money received by the NCCA shall be deposited as soon as practicable to the credit of the NCCA in a bank or building society or with such other financial institutions as may from time to time be approved by the Executive.

22.06 All cheques, drafts, bills of exchange, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments shall be signed by any two members of the Executive or employees of the NCCA being members or employees authorised to do so by the Executive.

22.07 The NCCA shall have power to establish trust funds.

22.08 The General Secretary shall have power to authorise accounts to be established and operated with any bank, building society or other financial institution approved by the Executive for the purposes of any Commission or any activity of or associated with the NCCA.

22.09 A financial report shall be prepared for presentation to each meeting of the Executive and the annual financial statements duly audited shall be presented annually either to the Executive or to an ordinary meeting of the National Forum.

22.10 The Executive shall supervise the investment of the funds of the NCCA and may make grants, donations, loans, arrange conferences and consultations, employ or engage persons for specific projects or activities and do all other things within or outside Australia which it may consider in accordance with the objectives of the NCCA and the policies from time to time determined by the National Forum.

22.11 The Executive shall appoint the auditor[s] of the NCCA. The auditor shall not be a member of the Executive nor of any Commission, Committee, Working Group or other body whose accounts are to be audited. An auditor may be appointed to audit the accounts of a particular body or bodies within or related to the NCCA.

23. CORPORATE ENTITY

23.01 The Executive shall have power from time to time to incorporate, secure and maintain a corporate entity or, where it thinks fit, more than one such entity, for the purposes of the NCCA.

23.02 Whenever the Executive considers it desirable

[a] property funds and investments shall be held in the name of the corporate entity;
[b] activities shall be conducted on behalf of the NCCA by the corporate entity;
[c] the corporate entity shall employ persons or enter into contracts on behalf of the NCCA; and
[d] the corporate entity shall undertake any trusts which the NCCA desires it to undertake.

23.03 For this purpose the Executive shall have power to adopt or approve the memorandum and articles of association or the objectives, constitution and rules of the association and to appoint members and if appropriate, the governing body of the corporate entity from time to time and to give such directions to the corporate entity or its governing body as the Executive may consider appropriate from time to time.

24. AMENDMENTS

24.01 This Constitution may be amended at a meeting of the National Forum by a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds [2/3] of the members present and voting.

24.02 Notice of a proposed amendment shall be given to the General Secretary not less than three [3] weeks before the date of the meeting and shall be proposed by not less than three [3] member churches.

24.03 An amendment to the Basis or Objectives shall not take effect unless and until it is approved or ratified by all member churches.

25. DISSOLUTION

25.01 The NCCA shall be dissolved in the event that the number of member Churches is less than four [4] or upon a resolution of a meeting of the National Forum passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds [2/3] of the members present and voting at a special meeting convened to consider the question provided that the resolution is approved or ratified by not less than two-thirds [2/3] of the member Churches.

25.02 Upon dissolution, all surplus property remaining after payment of all expenses and satisfaction of all liabilities shall be transferred, paid or distributed in such manner as may be determined by a resolution passed at a special meeting of the National Forum or at a meeting of the members of the last preceding meeting of the National Forum which in either case is convened to consider the dissolution and/or the manner of distribution.

26. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS

26.01 The NCCA shall comply with the requirements of taxation law and laws relating to charities insofar as they are applicable.

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