Dear friends

Last week the National Council of Churches staff together with Act for Peace held its end of year function. This seemed extraordinarily early to me. You will notice that I did not say that we celebrated our Christmas party - because we had not even entered the church's season of Advent. It was certainly a reminder to me that the end of the year is fast approaching. It was significant for me also as I will be finishing my three-year term as General Secretary on 4 January and, sadly, I will be leaving NCCA.

We stand up for compassion, justice and dignity for refugees in Manus Island, PNG.

November 24 2017

The National Council of Churches in Australia, Act for Peace and the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce stand together to bear witness to the suffering that Australia’s bipartisan refugee policy in regard to offshore processing, has caused.

2017 Christmas Bowl  

For many refugees, access to basic healthcare is incredibly difficult.

Achala was born in a refugee camp in Tamil Nadu, India. It is all that Achala has ever known. Achala’s grandmother, Praveena, fled from Sri Lanka with nothing when civil war came to her village.

Safe Church tip

Q: Are nametags a useful ministry tool or tacky and embarrassing to wear?

Using some’s name is an essential part of making them feel welcomed and included. Nametags help facilitate learning people’s names.

Application date extended

National Coordinator NCCA Safe Church Program

The National Council of Churches in Australia are looking for someone to fill this full time permanent position.

The role will be based in either Sydney or Melbourne CBD.

Applications close: Tuesday 28 November 2017

The Safe Church Program is an initiative of the NCCA and consists of the Safe Church Training Agreement (SCTA), Safe Church Network, and the Safe as Churches? Conferences.

Dear friends

The past weeks have been so full!

During four days of this week, I attended the fourth international receptive ecumenism conference in Canberra. As you know from the advertisements for the conference, the theme was Leaning into the Spirit: Discernment, Decision-making, Reception.

Manus Island

Let us pray for the asylum seekers and refugees that remain in the detention centre.

Sutherland Springs, Texas

Let us pray for the people of the Wilson County community, grieving for the loss of loved ones after a gunman open fired on worshippers in the First Baptist Church.

Antiochian Church of Australia

Metropolitan Elected

We rejoice with the Antiochian Church as Archimandrite Basilios Kodseie elected as metropolitan of the Diocese of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania.

The Antiochian Holy Synod, held in St. Elias Showaya monastery 4 October, 2017 elected Archimandrite Basilios (Qoudsia) as a metropolitan of the Australia, New Zeland and Oceania Diocese. 

Bringing hope and healing to the world through the Christmas Bowl  

For many refugees, access to basic healthcare is incredibly difficult.

This was especially true for Achala as she was diagnosed with leukaemia at just eight years old. Help seemed nearly impossible.

Safe Ministry tip

Q:Do I really have to fill in the sign in sheet, every time?

A: Yes, because nothing is more important than safety.

Parents and carers should complete a sign in sheet every time they drop their child off at crèche or Sunday School or other children’s ministry.