Noelene Osora
The Fourth International Conference on Receptive Ecumenism
Leaning into the Spirit
Early bird registrations close 30 April.
To register visit the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture website.
Where: University House, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
When: Monday 6 – Thursday 9 November 2017.
Keynote Speakers: Professor Paul Murray (Durham, UK), Professor Michael Welker (Heidelberg, Germany)
April Calendar
| APRIL | |
| 9 | Palm Sunday |
| 10-18 | Passover |
| 14 | Good Friday |
| 16 | Easter Sunday |
| 24 | Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide |
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2017
28 May – 4 June 2017
“Reconciliation - The Love of Christ Compels Us”
(cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14-20)
In 2017the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Australia will be observed from 28 May - 4 June 2017 in the week between Ascension and Pentecost.
Message from the General Secretary
During the past three months, or even longer, much has appeared in the media about the politics of the United States of America.
The word ‘trust’ has been written – not so much in affirmation, but more frequently, as ‘Can we trust…?’ A similar situation may well be present in Australia.
President of the Uniting Church in Australia received by His Holiness Aram I.
Strengthening relationships with churches in the Middle East
On 21 January 2017 Stuart McMillan met with His Holiness Aram I of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia.
The President and His Holiness discussed matters concerning the church and the Christian presence in the Middle East.
Eastern Orthodox and Anglican Church Leaders commit to tackling modern slavery
Sins Before our Eyes
At a forum in Istanbul the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I have pledged to fight modern slavery signing a joint declaration.
Titled “Sins Before our Eyes” the forum opened up discussion on the tragedy of modern slavery. “Slavery is all around us, but we are too blind to see it. The enslaved are next to us in the streets, but we are too ignorant to walk alongside them. It is still a living reality in all of our communities; our sin lies in blindness and ignorance” said Archbishop Welby.
Act for Peace
Our Work in Sri Lanka
Janarthan’s Story
With your help, Act for Peace’s partner, the Organisation for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OfERR), is providing support services to assist refugees returning to Sri Lanka and creating a supportive environment for returnees by raising awareness at the community level for the difficulties they face upon return.
Please give generously to continue our life-saving work here or find out about how you can become an Act for Peace Changemaker.
Continue reading to see Janarthan’s story.
Safe Church Program
Safe as Churches Conference
16 - 17 May 2017 - Jasper Hotel, Melbourne
Breaking ground for safer churches and stronger communities.
The upcoming “Safe as Churches?” Conference is the 8th biennial conference bringing together various leaders and experts to network and develop effective ways to lead our churches in best practices for safeguarding our children, youth and the vulnerable.
At this conference we will be looking at the: impact of abuse on survivors; pastoral care of survivors and parishes; Family Violence prevention; Elder Abuse; eSafety and digital trends; plus various workshops to assist churches in being a safe place for all people.
Safe Church Tip
Communicate to your Church community
It is important to communicate your church’s commitment to being a safe church to all who come in to contact with the services and ministries of the church. You can include Safe Church contacts, information and activities in newsletter updates, include your Safe Church Policy or Commitment to Child Safety on your website, and make your policies and procedures relating to being a safe church easily available for people.
By communicating your commitment to creating a safe church to the broader community, you are helping to create a culture of safety for all who come in to contact with your church.
Our People
Rev Elenie Poulos
Farewell and may God be with you.
It is with sadness but with huge gratitude that we farewell Elenie as God calls her to new paths.
Rev Elenie Poulos, a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA), has worked tirelessly with NCCA for justice and peace since being nominated at the National Forum in 2003. At the time Elenie had been working with the UCA Assembly for just under a year as the Director of the National office for Social Responsibility and Justice (rebranded in 2003 as UnitingJusitce).
