Lutheran Church of Australia

In 2017 our prayers are with our friends in the Lutheran Church who celebrate and commemorate 500 years of reformation. The Church has planned a variety of celebrations and events to mark the historical milestone and these can be found on the Church's national website.

The Lutheran Church, the oldest Christian Church in the protestant tradition, takes its name from the German reformist, Martin Luther. It is well documented in history now but in the 16th century Martin Luther, a Catholic monk, set out to challenge the church practices that he saw were inconsistent with scripture. On 31 October 1517 he famously posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg conveying these concerns. This eventually led to a separation with the Roman Catholic Church and the beginning of the Protestant reformation. His writings had changed the course of cultural and religious history.

South Australia

The South Australian Council of Churches celebrates its 70th birthday.

An Exchange of Gifts on the Journey Towards Unity

A celebration will be held on Saturday 29 April 2017, 10am-3.30pm

The NCCA extends congratulations to the President of The Lutheran World Federation and Bishop of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land,Bishop Dr Munib Younan. Bishop Younan is to receive the Niwano Peace Prize at a ceremony in Toyko, Japan on 27 July this year.

The award is given annually to recognise dedicated service and scholarship to promoting peaceful cooperation among religions particularly in places of difficulty. Bishop Younan has devoted his life to building peace with justice in the Middle East and gloabally He is a strong witness for interfaith harmony, equal diginity and respect for all people and a just peace between Israel and Palestine.

This scholarship is given to a young person (under 33) to be a "source of encouragement…in their developing ministry of Telling others what others are doing for Lord."

An ARPA conference package will consist of payment by ARPA of registration, accommodation and airfares up to the value of $1500 for a younger delegate

Closing Date for applications for 2017 is Monday 1 May 2017 at 5 pm (AEST).

Applications should be emailed to The ARPA Executive Officer, Mrs Elizabeth Harris: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABC Religion and Ethics

During 2016 Church Leaders were invited to sign a letter to the Chairman of Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) expressing concern about the proposed reduction in religious programming.

The ABC is the only mainstream media organisation that is committed to airing programs with specialist religious content.

APRO One Day Forum 

Religious values and the Value of Religion

NCCA General Secretary ,Sr Elizabeth Delaney, joined 80 or so leading representatives of major world faiths at an Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations event at NSW Parliament House yesterday, 23 February.

Under the formidable organising skills of Josie Lacey OAM and Dr.Natalie Mobini various themes relating to: Religious values and the value of religion and how to make religion more relevant in Australia were explored.

The keynote speech was a lively and poignant one, the religious/ spiritual journey of NSW's first female Premier, Professor the Hon.Kristina Keneally. Two round-table discussions were a great part of the program, an opportunity for everyone to participate .

In October 2016 the leaders of Churches met for conversation and to support each other.  At this meeting they decided that the first Sunday of Lent, 5 March 2017, will be a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

The NCCA has put together resources to assist with reflection, prayer, reading and study.  These documents represent a collection of some of the wonderful resources that have been sourced from our Churches.

Celebrating 50 years of The Anglican –Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC)

A series of events are to be held in Melbourne on 31 May 2017 exploring the work of ARCIC II

• Colloquium – academic symposium
• Book Launch – ARCIC II’s final report
• Knox Lecture – a public lecture on the ecumenical progress

Venue: Trinity College, Royal Pde, Parkville

Thirst for Justice

The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Water Network (EWN) invites you to use this season of Lent to reflect on how we can be better stewards of God’s Creation and live out God’s love in how we relate to others. 

The EWN has been providing reflections and other resources on water for each of the seven weeks of Lent since 2008. In 2017 we will be taken on a pilgrimage of water justice in Africa.

Leaning into the Spirit

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)

To register visit the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture website.