Advancing the Journey Together 

On Thursday 2 May 2019, 25 people from across a number of Australian churches attended the NCCA Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Roundtable in Melbourne, held at the Barbara Dowling Room of St Paul's Cathedral, Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. 

Participants were church people who work at developing resources, implementing training or drafting policy on domestic and family violence. Churches represented include: Hillsong, The Salvation Army, Anglican Church, Uniting Church, Religious Society of Friends, Lutheran Church, Coptic Orthodox Church, Churches of Christ, the Ecumenical State Councils of NSW and Victoria, and Scott Holmes, Manager Practice Development from Our Watch.

Questions addressed during the roundtable discussions were:

• How can churches deal with the fact that they include both perpetrators and survivors?
• 'Culture of denial, silence and silencing’: How can churches best address this?
• How does Christianity shape the nature, dynamics and impact of domestic and family violence?
• How can churches strengthen positive and respectful relations?
• How can churches challenge gendered stereotypes and roles?
• How can churches better respond to domestic and family violence? 

 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

NCCA President, Bishop Philip Huggins opened in prayer and acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land on which the meeting was held. This was followed by a Theological introduction from Rev Ian Rentsch, Coordinator, Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Campaign, Lutheran Church of Australia.

Participants at the DFV roundtable take time out for a group photo with the NCCA Thursdays in Black banner

Participants made the most of the opportunity to network, sharing resources and learn from each other. The event drew people together who work in the space of policy development, training and advocacy within their church. 

There was a great energy in the room, with confidence and enthusiasm to share ideas and work together. This proved to be a day where our differing church traditions could come together to listen to each other, to share and to proclaim Our Lord with one voice. Many participants developed new networks and expressed a desire to share resources.

The NCCAs committment to the Thursdays in Black (TiB) campaign - Towards a world without rape and violence, was also expanded upon during the days' sessions.  Participants heard of the origins of the campaign, the reasons behind the colour selection and were even encouraged to wear black on the day.  A break in the days' proceedings saw particpants taking the opportunity to take a selfie with the NCCA TiB banner. 

Thanks to Emily Evans for facilitation of the NCCA roundtable.

L-R  Rev Charissa Suli (UCA), Dr Deidre Palmer (UCA President)	L-R V Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour (NSWEC) and Laura Cregan (NCCA National Safe Church Program Coordinator)
Rev Ian Rentsch leading the Theological introduction.	L-R V Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour and Rev Canon Michelle Hazel-Jawhary, Anglican Maitland-Newcastle (NSWEC), Rev Catherine Wynn Jones (Sydney Anglicans) and Laura Cregan (NCCA National Safe Church Program Coordinator)

Commitment to the Thursdays in Black campaign

To find out more about the campaign please visit the NCCA Website: https://www.ncca.org.au/departments/thursdays-in-black

Facebook and Twitter: Like and follow the NCCA page to also stay up to date with activities. https://www.facebook.com/NCCA.Au/ Every Thursday, NCCA acknowledges the Thursdays in Black

World Council of Churches - Thursdays in Black: Additional resources for Thursdays in Black can be found at the following link, including a short three minute video. https://www.oikoumene.org/en/get-involved/thursdays-in-black