Dear Friends

We are experimenting with a different approach to our Newsletter. Instead of circulating one each month, we intend to send out a shorter, more timely newsletter twice a month. I think that our goal is to send it on the first and third Friday of each month. We will be happy to hear your views on this approach.

May I invite you to encourage friends to subscribe to the Newsletter through the NCCA website: www.ncca.org.au. It’s very easy!

Reading of the actions of the North Korean leader may fill us with dread.

The prayer of the National Council of Churches in Korea and the Korean Christian Federation for the unity of Korea gives hope. Let’s join with them as they celebrate the joy of the resurrection and lament the 70 years of separation.
Download the prayer here.

21 May 2017

How wonderful to celebrate the great feast of hope for fifty days! 

However for some people hope is being tested greatly, particularly in a number of countries in Africa as they live in a situation of famine. We struggle to imagine how this must be. 

The World Council of Churches is calling all churches around the world to unite for a day of prayer on Sunday 21 May. Attached is a letter from the WCC General Secretary, Rev Olav Fykse Tveit and the General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches. 

Time to Draw the Line

There is no border between Timor-Leste (East Timor) and Australia.

We have permanent maritime boundaries with other regions: New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, but there is no maritime border with Timor-Leste.

Let the Australian Government know how you feel about this by signing the petition below. Please distribute this request amongst your colleagues and communities. The petition will also be on the Parliament website in June, so people can sign it there instead. [Read more]

Take action!

Maintain hope as we see and feel the damage to our climate more and more.

With the federal government reviewing policies, now is the time for us as people of faith to lead and help our communities to speak up and be heard. Speak boldly for better laws and policies to stop damaging our climate, shift to clean energy, and create a better future for people and our living world

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change joins with Micah Australia for a petition in all 150 electorates in Australia. 

“Reconciliation - The Love of Christ Compels Us”

(cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14-20)

28 May – 4 June 2017

In 2017 the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Australia will be observed from 28 May - 4 June 2017 in the week between Ascension and Pentecost.
The theme ‘Reconciliation – the Love of Christ compels us’, celebrates the irrevocable reconciliation that we have received through faith in Jesus Christ. Christ’s love becomes the driving force that moves us beyond our division toward acts of reconciliation

Leaning into the Spirit

Registrations open

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)

'Gospel Leadership in Times of Chaos: the Hope of Pope Francis'

Thursday 10 August 2017, 10:30am-2:45pm (AEST).

The eConference will bring together a line-up of prominent international and national speakers and panellists from the political, media and business arenas alongside well respected theologians and leaders of religious congregations from across Australia.

Registration is free but mandatory in order to view the event on the day. 

Safe as Churches Conference

16 - 17 May 2017 - Jasper Hotel, Melbourne

This coming month over 150 registrants will gather in Melbourne for the 8th Safe as Churches? Conference. These are dedicated people involved in Professional Standards, Safe Church Training, Clergy, Ministers and Religious Orders and they come from a diverse range of church traditions (Anglican, ACC, Baptist, Catholic, Christian Reformed, Church of Christ, Coptic Orthodox, Lutheran, Presbyterian Salvation Army, Uniting Church of Australia)  

Training

Without suitable training and resources for leaders and volunteers in our churches, Safe Church Policies and Procedures can become ineffective. Those who are involved in children’s and youth programs or have any responsibility over children and young people need regular training aimed at equipping and empowering them to serve with confidence and know where to get support.

The NCCA – Safe Church Program facilitates the Safe Church Training Agreement (SCTA), a set of standards and framework to enable churches to suitably train their leaders to assist in creating a safe church.
Find out more information about the SCTA via  www.safechurches.org.au.

Brunswick, Melbourne

A Spoonful of Gratitude Community Project

On May 7, 2017 a feast will be held for 200 people, from 11am - 4pm at Siteworks, 33 Saxon Street in Brunswick. People are being asked to donate a very special recipe and the story behind it.

The recipes are being captured on the day and photographed to be published in a cookbook. All proceeds from the feast and the cookbook will be going to the charity -Feed The Little Children. 

Position Vacant - Ecumenical Officer, CCWA

Location: Noranda, Western Australia

The Council of Churches of Western Australia are seeking an enthusiastic person to support ongoing dialogue and cooperation amongst churches in Western Australia

Applications to be submitted by the close of business 16th May, 2017.

On 24 April 2017, as part of his official visit to Switzerland, His All Holiness Bartholomew I delivered a public address at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. The visit coincided with The Ecumenical Patriarch’s 25th anniversary of his enthronement and the 50th anniversary of the Orthodox Centre of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy.