Just recently I witnessed the value of good friends. About 150 people turned up for lunch on Saturday last in Teasdale. The Revd Tim Smith and the Belmont parishioners were absolutely wonderful hosts, so well organised, gracious and kindly, opening their doors and hearts to a number of recently arrived Iraqi Christians.
It was truly beautiful to see the happiness surrounding our Iraqi friends. They had come from such desolation and misery and shared with us what ISIS has done to their former homes and Church.
The pictures below show so vividly the destruction meted out.
Dear friends
As I write this last message for 2016,the words of Dag Hammarskjold, come to my mind, For all that has been, Thanks, for all that will be, Yes! There is so much for which to be thankful. 2016 has been a very significant year in the life of the national Council of Churches in Australia. Our forum took place giving us a new President, a new constitution, a new Board of Directors, and a new Assembly. Our commissions and networks continue to commit to ensuring our churches work together and grow in understanding of each other. The NCCA staff is beavering along – with generosity and commitment. Act for peace are completing the requirements for accreditation. These few sentences completely understate what we are doing together. To each person who is involved, who has gone the extra mile, Thank you.
25 November – 10 December
‘From peace in the home to peace in the world: make education safe for all!’
ACRATH'S campaign is 16 days of activism against gender-based violence which began on November 25 and ends on December 10 – Human Rights Day. During this time we are encouraged to work together to stop trafficking of girls and women.
Millions of women and girls are forced to work for little pay in terrible conditions with no chance of an education. Human trafficking is a growing, $150 billion global industry.
The Uniting Church in Australia was recently honoured with the Armenian National Committee of Australia’s Freedom Award at the Annual Banquet of the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) in Sydney.
On Friday 4 November 2016, Stuart McMillan, president of The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly and Rev. Dr Krikor Youmshajekian, President of the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia and Minister of St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, Longueville, accepted the Award for the Church. The Award, one of several honours to be handed out on the night, was presented by ANC Australia Honorary Chairman, Greg Soghomonian and ANC America Chairman, Raffi Hamparian.
On Sunday 27th November 2016, church leaders, parishes and Indigenous communities gathered together to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the visit to Alice Springs of Saint John Paul II (JPII) on 29th November 1986. The Bishops Commission for Relations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (BCRATSIP) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) worked together to prepare this day of celebration.
‘Walk Tall and Command Respect. The time for this rebirth is now’ was the theme of the commemorations.
The Christmas Bowl has begun!
Please join us in this powerful act of faith, love and solidarity.
For over 67 years, the Christmas Bowl has been a way for Christians to express the love of Christ to those in great need around the globe, and affirm that every displaced or hungry person is worthy of empathy and compassion.
Giving is such an important part of Christian living. Last year, Christians just like you raised over $2.5 million for the Christmas Bowl. Your kind gifts helped to bring clean water, soap and toilets to South Sudanese refugees living in Ethiopia’s Gambella region and helped other people suffering around the world.
Become an Ecumenical Accompanier (EA) today!
Are you a passionate and caring individual committed to human rights and learning about other cultures? Do you want to explore a full immersion experience where you work non-violently with occupied communities in one of our placements in the West Bank or East Jerusalem? If the answer is yes, consider applying to be an Ecumenical Accompanier today!
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) is a program coordinated by the World Council of Churches that brings international volunteers to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Since 2002, over 1,500 volunteers have come for 3 months placements as Ecumenical Accompaniers.
Safe as Churches? 8 Conference
The conference will be taking place in Melbourne on 16th – 17th May 2017
This will be our 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 vulnerable adults.
Ministry Review
A ministry review can be done on an annual basis with the leadership team, to assess the commitment, availabilities and suitability to the roles.
It also provides a space for leadership development and training opportunities for current leaders, as well as accountability for training new leaders.
Claire Evins works in the Marketing and Campaigns (MAC) team of Act for Peace (AfP), on a part time basis, three day per week with regular giving and Gifts of Peace. Initially drawn to the job because it was a church based charity, Claire says that she loves working here. She finds her job very rewardingbecause the fast paced environment and high energy involved make her days unique.
Armenian Apostolic Church
60th Anniversary
In 1953, the Armenian Church Council of NSW founded the first Armenian Apostolic Church in Australia with the purchase of their first building at 108 Campbell Street, Surry Hills.
2017 will mark the 60 years since the Church established itself in Australia. On 22nd October this year the Church launched the official commemorative logo and outlined a schedule of events to take place throughout the coming year.
SA Dialogue of the Roman Catholic and Uniting Churches
An ecumenical dialogue has existed for more than 25 years in South Australia between the Uniting Church(UCA) and Roman Catholic Church(RC). Membership is appointed by the Synod Standing Committee of the UCA and the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission of the Adelaide Diocese and the Bishop of Port Pirie Diocese. Each denomination has 6 members, one of whom is the country representative, involved in the work of the two churches in the whole state. The two co-chairs are Rev Dr Michael Trainor (RC) and Dr Marelle Harisun (UCA).
APRO One Day Forum 2017
An invitation has been extended to NCCA and its member churches for a maximum of 20 delegates to this Forum.
Date: 22 February 2017, 10 am to 4 pm
Theme: Religious values and the value of religion
Location: Strangers Function Room, NSW Parliament House, Sydney
Keynote: Former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally
Want to hear the latest on the global Divest Invest movement?
Are you interested in fossil fuel divestment but unclear on implementation?
You are invited to join a webinar to discuss the status of the fast paced global Divest Invest campaign, the latest updates from the recent COP 22 in Marrakesh, including from the Faith, Foundations and Finance events.
Your help is required.
Your assistance is appreciated in gathering information about current attitudes to the role of spiritual care in hospitals. You may participate by either completing the survey or passing it on to someone with a specific interest in spiritual care of those in hospitals.
The data from the survey will be used to inform a national consensus conference Enhancing Quality & Safety: Spiritual care in health to be held 1-2 June 2017.
Community Organisation and Communications Kit
3 December is recognised as the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want ” is the theme for 2016.
You are invited to join in recognising and celebrating the wonderful contributions of people with disability by holding an event in your community.
Yuróra is a Uniting Church youth event for delegates aged 16-25 from around Australia with programs for younger siblings and children. Yuróra places special emphasis on the participation and relationship with the First People of Australia and the Second Peoples of Australia.
You are warmly invited to attend.
The Conference is hosted by:
- The Centre for Ecumenical Studies / Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture
- The Australian Catholic University – Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry (Melbourne) and Signadou Campus (Canberra)
- The Research Centre for Public and Contextual Theology (Charles Sturt University)
NYMC17 is going to Sea World Resort
When: 9-11 October 2017
Where: Sea World Resort, Gold Coast
Keynotes, Registration rates and Accommodation will be announced soon
Looking for youth ministry resources?
Some great podcasts are available, along with more information on the NYMC2017 website.
