As we enter the final month of spring and prepare for summer we are reminded of the joys and challenges that the coming season will bring. We are buoyed with the expectation of summer holidays, lazy days at the beach and the joyous season of Advent but we also prepare for harsh summer sun and the threat of bushfires.

The final weeks of October at the NCCA have been extremely industrious and fruitful, heralding times of change, challenge and preparation. The activities and events have been many and varied and we would like to share the highlights from October with you. 

PALESTINIAN CHRISTIAN SPEAKING TOUR:

We had the pleasure of hosting a talk from Palestinian Christian, Areej Masoud on Friday 26 October. Areej's Australian visit was sponsored by PIEN and funded by the Glenburnie Program. Areej spoke on the topic 'Is there any hope for Palestine now or ever?'

Areej shared with us her daily experience of life. Her 'normal' is a far cry from our own sheltered and straightforward lives. Border checks and military harassment are a daily hinderance to movement. The simple act of going to school or work can be very difficult and often dangerous. Moving home to a 'better' or 'safer' neighbourhood is impossible. We thank God for Areej and pray for her safe return to her homeland.

L-R Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour and Weis Schuiringa of NSWEC; Nell Porter, PIEN; Areej Masoud centre; Noelene Osora, NCCA;         Rev Ray Williamson, NSWEC	Rev Ray Williamson, President NSWEC thanks Areej Masoud

FRANC CONFERENCE:

On Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 of October the second Financial Representatives of Australian National Churches - FRANC conference was held. The meeting was was held at the Melbourne Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, VIC under the theme Building Collaboration, Innovation and Impact. It included a Networking Dinner on Wednesday evening and a tour of the NAB Social Media Command Centre on Thursday. 

You can read the report from Rev Janet Woodlock in the next issue of this newsletter. Pictured, particpants at the FRANC Conference.

The Board of Directors of NCCA Ltd met on Tuesday 30 October, making decisions to carry us forward through 2019. This was followed by the AGM, where the audited NCCA Financial Statements 2017-2018 were presented along with the first NCCA Annual Review.  

Also, in October our President Bishop Philip Huggins officially retired from his position as Assistant Bishop of the Melbourne Anglican Diocese. Our prayers are with him as he explores this exciting phase of his life. He will however, remain as NCCA President until the next triennial Forum in June 2019. You can read more of his story in this issue. 

Participants at the Roundtable 31 October.

.Roundtable particpants ponder questions raised by Helen Blake, facilitator for the afternoon.

3RD NCCA ASSEMBLY 2018:

On Wednesday 31 October, directly after the AGM, the NCCA Assembly held their final meeting of the year on the topic of Performance Appraisal Frameworks, Recommendation 16.44:

Consistent with Child Safe Standard 5, each religious institution should ensure that all people in religious or pastoral ministry, including religious leaders, are subject to effective management and oversight and undertake annual performance appraisals.

The NCCA Assembly Roundtable looked at current performance appraisal tools that incorporate recommendations of the Royal Commission relating to Child Safe Standard 5:

that people working with children are suitable and supported and that supervision and people management have a child safety focus.

Participants at the Assembly heard from Rev Geoff Broughton on the theological aspects of having consistent frameworks in place and encouraged us to see the recommendations as an opportunity for learning, for spiritual growth and discipleship. James de Vries showed us how good design can carry our ideas forward and Gary O’Brien of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney shared a case study of the Performance Appraisal Framework currently in use by the Anglican Sydney Diocese.

After lunch, participants broke into small ecumenical groups to learn and share their ideas across traditions. Among the questions discussed were; "what constitutes a ‘good’ framework" and "what barriers do we envision when putting these in place?" The opportunity to share examples of each other’s’ tradition and learn from each other was invaluable.

2019 NCCA NATIONAL FORUM:

And lastly, the 10th National NCCA Forum will be held from Friday 21 June – Monday 24 June 2019 in Canberra. Please mark this date in your diaries? The NCCA asks all its members to keep the planning committee in their prayers. We advise too, that is time to begin to discern people among your own churches who have a particular interest in Ecumenical work and consider them for nomination at the Forum.

As we learn from each other, let us also not forget that which unites us all. I leave you to peruse the remainder of this newsletter with the prayer that Paul prayed to the Ephesians:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21