World Day of Prayer – March 2nd 2012

Posted on by ecumenical

The World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.

  • It is a movement initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions.
  • It is a movement symbolized by an annual day of celebration – the first Friday of March – to which all people are welcome.
  • It is a movement which brings together women of various races, cultures and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.

 

 

Through World Day of Prayer, women around the world:

  • affirm their faith in Jesus Christ
  • share their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, their opportunities and needs.

Through World Day of Prayer, women are encouraged:

  • to become aware of the whole world and no longer live in isolation
  • to be enriched by the faith experience of Christians of other countries and cultures
  • to take up the burdens of other people and pray with and for them
  • to become aware of their talents and use them in the service of society.

Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world. The motto of the World Day of Prayer is “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action”.

The country providing the resources for 2012 is Malaysia and the theme is “Let Justice Prevail.”   For more information contact www.worlddayofprayer.org

Working together for social justice and decent work

Posted on by ecumenical

The dignity of work and workers is a common value among the faith traditions. It is also the focus of a policy handbook
titled Convergences: Decent Work and Social Justice in Religious Traditions, for which the World Council of  Churches (WCC) has collaborated with the International Labour Organization (ILO).

In the handbook, the WCC and ILO encourage  policy-makers to work with faith communities for social protection and security for all, especially in the area of labour. Other partners in the project include the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. Continue reading →

WCC urges protection of religious minorities in Pakistan

Posted on by ecumenical

On a recent visit to Pakistan, a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation met with prime minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, religious leaders, civil society organizations and UN representatives urging protection of religious minorities, especially against the misuse of blasphemy law in the country.

The delegation was led by Rev. Kjell Magne Bondevik, former prime minister of Norway, and current moderator for the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs.

When speaking with the prime minister the delegation’s focal point of discussion was Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy law, which has been misused more often against the Christians. They also said interfaith harmony and solidarity with the Pakistani churches was the main objective of the visit. They met the prime minister on 20 December in Islamabad. The visit was 19 to 20 December.

Bishop Samuel Azariah, a WCC Executive Committee member, moderator of the Church of Pakistan and delegation member, called churches “a moral voice of conscience” in the country. “Christians have played a significant role in the development of Pakistan. Discriminatory laws are denial to this contribution, and add nothing but fear and insecurity of the Christian community,” said Azariah.  Continue reading →

An Invitation to The Great Conversation

Posted on by ecumenical

In 1943, in the throes of World War II and one of the most fraught times in
contemporary human history, the psychologist Abraham Maslow published a paper
explaining, as he understood them, the five basic, motivating needs common to
all of humankind.

They are:

  • Physiological
    (air, food, water, sleep, etc.)
  • Safety
  • Love/Belonging
  • Esteem
    (confidence, achievement, respect of others and respect by others)
  • Self-actualization
    (morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice,
    and acceptance of facts)

While Maslow’s theories are humanistic, they have a connection to religion
and spiritual life in what he called “peak experiences,” and what the religious
world might call epiphanies — moments of clarity or ecstasy when the enormity
of the wonder of the physical world, harmony with others, and relationship with
the transcendent, with God, are felt in powerful, transformational ways.

Continue reading →

Christmas Blessing from the National Council of Churches

Posted on by ecumenical

Peace on Earth

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising
God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favours!” Luke 2:13-14  

Peace on earth is more than the absence of conflict, peace is stability. Everyone wants stable employment, health, housing and. personal relationships. A stable political and economic environment is also desired.

Similar desires filled first century people. Economic and social pressures existed and increased when all citizens were required to journey to their home town for a census.

Christmas recalls the journey of one couple to Bethlehem. They longed for political stability and stable health services. Instead they delivered their baby in a stable filled with hay.  Angels heralded this birth to itinerant agricultural workers who went with haste to see the child. As well a sign seen in the stars brought gift bearing travelers from the East to Bethlehem. Each journey ended seeing Jesus the Prince of Peace.

The National Council of Churches in Australia wishes everyone a happy and peace filled Christmas and New Year as you discover God’s peace and love revealed in Jesus.

The Reverend Tara  Curlewis, General Secretary
National Council of Churches in Australia

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF WA (INC)

Posted on by ecumenical

The Council of Churches is seeking applications from suitably qualified and motivated persons for the position of Field Officer (0.5FTE).  The Council has the responsibility for the provision of ecumenical chaplaincy in prisons and hospitals.

Applicants should have a proven ability in providing pastoral care and the capacity to work with Chaplains of other faiths and traditions, Service Providers, Department of Corrective Services and other Stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

The provision of quality Ecumenical Chaplaincy Services by: Pastoral care and support for CCWA contracted chaplains;

  1. Facilitation of professional development and
    resourcing of CCWA contracted chaplains;
  2. Facilitation of the employment of new CCWA
    contracted chaplains;
  3. Assisting member churches to organize locum
    chaplains when requested;
  4. Attending meetings of the CCWA Chaplaincy
    Committee as an ex-officio member;
  5. Maintaining effective and efficient
    administrative records; and
  6. Liaising with Stakeholders

 

Essential Criteria 

  1. Theological qualification, preferably tertiary level
  2. Willingness to uphold the Mission of the Council of Churches WA (Inc);

3.    Well developed interpersonal, written and communication skills;

4.    A member in good standing of a church which is a Member of the Council of     Churches WA     (Inc);

5.    Satisfactory completion of a CPE unit or equivalent;

6.    Current Working with Children Check card;

7.    Current Police Clearance; and

8.    Current driver’s license and own vehicle

Desirable Criteria 

Chaplaincy experience in a prison or hospital setting.

Applications should be emailed to the executive@churcheswa.com.au by C.O.B. Friday 30th December 2011.  The Job Description is located on www.churcheswa.com.au

 

Getting ready for the Unexpected

Posted on by ecumenical

Elizabeth (mother of John) and Mary (mother of Jesus) are kinswomen, a linkage that makes their sons cousins. The readings this month feature both cousins. It is important to see them commonly in their work of witnessing to God; it is equally crucial to see each of them at distinctive work.

In the first two Sundays we get cousin John (Luke 3:1-6, 7-18). John has a sense of demanding urgency, because the new rule of God is very close at hand. That new rule is not to be received casually; there must be intentional readiness for it. The texts may tremble us out of our narcotized consumerism into a practice of hope and obedience. Conversely, we get cousin Jesus in the last two Sundays, plus, of course, Christmas. Mary’s song is about the revolution Jesus will lead. The Christmas reading is about the “touch down” of the revolution in the region of the shepherds. And the final Sunday voices the large vocation of Jesus that he will act out in the gospel narrative.

We are summoned by both cousins. John issues a call to disciplined readiness; Jesus is an agent of deep newness. Readiness and newness are counterintuitive in a weary society like ours. We are invited to embrace that which is deeply inexplicable among us. When we do, we may be amazed like those who heard the shepherds’ testimony (Luke 2:18) and exuberant like the singing church (Colossians 3:12-16).  (Walter Bruggemann, Sojourners Magazine)

Durban outcome is not enough, says WCC

Posted on by ecumenical

In a statement read on 9 December to
government members from around the world at the United Nations climate summit
in Durban, South Africa, the World Council of Churches (WCC) reaffirmed the
need for a fair, ambitious and binding treaty to effectively address climate
change effects on vulnerable communities.

“In Durban, religious communities have come together in various ways to express that climate change is also a moral and spiritual crisis. We proclaim together: We have faith. Act now for climate justice” the statement requested. Continue reading →