“PLEASE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRAYER?”  A reflection by Bishop Philip Huggins

I attended another meeting last week of folk drawn to deeper prayer, based on the theme, “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).

It is called, you may remember, the Antonian Contemplative Vocation, in recognition of the continuities with the Call and Response of St Anthony, the Desert Mothers and Fathers.

At the Annual General Meeting on 30 October 2019, the Interim General Secretary, Ms Liz Stone, presented an Annual Review for 2018-2019 relating to the activities and programs of the National Council of Churches in Australia.

Cooperation needed to meet the challenges we face

A summary and reflection from Bishop Philip Huggins 

Pacific Church Leaders gathered at the Pacific Theological College, in Suva, Fiji from Wednesday 6 November through to Sunday 10 November 2019. The meeting was convened by the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) to discuss major issues that are affecting the people of the Pacific Nations. It concluded with an Ecumenical Service on Sunday at which Bishop Huggins, an Anglican Bishop, was invited to preach.

Visit affirms need for safe pathways for asylum seekers

A group of Australian Catholic leaders show solidarity with, advocate for, and gather information on those seeking asylum by visiting and talking with some of the men that have been removed from Manus Island to Papua and New Guinea (PNG). 

The visit was coordinated by Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) and facilitated by the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and Solomon Islands. It affirms the value of the work that the Catholic Church, along with other church communities across Australia, is doing in finding alternate and safe pathways for detainees and asylum seekers.

2019 - 70th anniversary of the Christmas Bowl

Christ the King Sunday

Seventy years ago, millions of refugees were starving in war-ravaged Europe. As Reverend Frank Byatt, a young Methodist Minister, looked at his heavily-laden Christmas dinner table, the contrast between this abundance and the needs of others around the world could not have been starker. 

Inspiring Courage to Act and Adapt in Climate Emergency

NCCA President, Bishop Philip Huggins will join with representatives of several international groups as a guest panellist at this event to be held alongside the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) to be held in Madrid, Spain on 3 December 2019. 

Hope, Love, Joy and Peace

As we prepare for the Feast of the Nativity and all our Christmas celebrations, we offer you some reflections and resources from our members and their networks.

Building Earth Ethics in Australia - Pathways and Challenges

How do we build Earth-centred ethics in Australian society? What barriers prevent people from developing and maintaining an Earth-centred world view? How do we address these barriers?

When: Thursday 28th and Friday 29th November 2019
Where: ACU, 115 Victoria Parade , Fitzroy, Victoria 

Transitioning to net zero emissions: What can we learn from the Swedish model?

The ANU Climate Change Institute and the Embassy of Sweden are hosts of this seminar presented by Prof Sverker Sörlin, Professor of Environmental History at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, and co-founder of the KTH Environmental Humanities Laboratory

When: Wednesday 4 December 2019, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Where: Finkel Theatre, John Curtin School of Medical Research, 131 Garran Road Canberra, ACT 

 Applications now open - close 12 December 2019

The Australian Government is inviting applications through an open competitive process for the Driving Social Inclusion through Sport and Physical Activity grant to be run over two years from 2019-20 to 2020-21.

This grant opportunity will use sport and physical activity projects to address inclusion issues for vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and seeks to enhance well-being and instil a sense of community belonging.

Sing as One

This is a wonderful opportunity for people across many faiths to sing together in unity, friendship and togetherness.

When: Sunday 24 November, 2019 - 7:45 for 8:00 pm start
Where: St Kilda Shule, 12 Charnwood Grove, St Kilda VIC 

Former Iraqi refugee is NSW Australian of the Year

Professor Munjed Al Muderis was announced as the 2020 NSW Australian of the Year on Tuesday 5 November 2019. Dr. Munjed Al Muderis is a Professor in orthopaedic surgery, author and human rights activist. He is noted for his pioneering work on prosthetics and in particular, titanium devices