Social Justice Sunday: September 26 2010

The NCCA have released their resources for Social Justice Sunday, which is being held on September 26. Entitled “Peace be with you: Witnessing to peace in a violent world” this 8 page booklet contains stories and information for use in services on Social Justice Sunday. Continue reading ‘Social Justice Sunday: September 26 2010′

Events for the Heart and Mind August 19

In this edition: Dayspring: On the EDGE; International Day of Prayer for Peace; Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction; Spiritual Care Australia Conference.

On the Edge

Dayspring presents On the EDGE – a sunday evening presentation to explore fringe issues around Christian spirituality.

This Sunday 22 August, Stephanie Wod explores “The mystical journey in violent times: Etty Hillesum and Simone Weil”

When: 22 August, 7pm – 8.30pm
Where: Dayspring Centre for Christian Spirituality and Counselling, 68 Waverley Street, Dianella
Cost: $10 includes supper.
For more information, contact Dayspring – 08 9376 1400 or info@dayspring.org.au

International Day of Prayer for Peace

WCC member churches worldwide are once more invited to pray for peace on 21 September 2010 or the closest Sunday.

The International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies. The idea was proposed in 2004 during a meeting between WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (press release), and coincides with the UN International Day of Peace. The Day of Prayer is one of the initiatives of the WCC’s Decade to Overcome Violence.

The International Day of Prayer for Peace 2010 is surrounded by peace-related events. One example is the United Nations High-level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, which will take place from 20 to 22 September 2010 in New York. It will encourage governments to increase their efforts to eradicate poverty within the next five years. Without peace, there will be no long-term development. Violence and the threat of violence make everyday life very difficult, if not impossible. The environment suffers. The quality of life of each and everyone decreases. Peace is essential to ensure that the millennium goals are reached. This has been recognized by the government officials who signed the United Nations Millennium Declaration in 2000.

For more information, visit the Overcoming Violence website.

National Symposium of the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction

When: 29th and 30th October, 2010
Where: Centre for Theology and Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052.

The Symposium seeks to foster the professional study of, and academic research into, the impact of contemporary spirituality on the practice of spiritual direction. The Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction (AECSD) invites academics, researchers, the staff of spiritual direction formation programs, spiritual directors, and other interested parties to participate in the two-day Symposium.
During the two days, academic papers and practitioner presentations explore contemporary spirituality and its impact on the practice of spiritual direction in Australia. Some papers also highlight the findings of current and recent research presented within the field. Practitioner presentations are delivered through workshops. The Symposium ends each day with a facilitated panel discussion with the Symposium’s participants and the day’s speakers. Registration and the Symposium’s speakers and their topics are available on their website.

Spiritual Care Australia Conference

Spiritual Care Australia are hosing their 2011 conference at Swanleigh in Perth in May 2011. The Key note speaker is the Rev’d Dr Joseph Parkinson, director of the LJ Goody Bioethics Centre in Perth. In addition there will be a panel of experts to assist exploration of the themes, and associated workshops around the themes.
Swanleigh is located in the semi-rural Swan Valley, and as such the social program will include visits to the nearby chocolate factory, wineries as well as an excursion to Kings Park and an evening river cruise and meal.
For more information, visit the Spiritual Care Australia website.

Act for Peace on Pakistan

Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, is responding immediately to assist the flood ravaged people of Pakistan.  The death toll has soared beyond 1,100 and disease outbreaks are emerging. Act for Peace’s partners on the ground are already distributing food packages, shelter, drinking water, hygiene kits and mosquito nets for flood affected families in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Our project partners have also put into action a mobile health unit to provide emergency health assistance in Mansehra. Continue reading ‘Act for Peace on Pakistan’

Sustainable September Resources

Sustainable September is almost upon us and the Congregational resources are now available. These are ecumenical resources including bible studies, liturgical resources and, in a new development, resources for Children’s’ Ministry. The CCWA secretariat has worked with member churches to produce these excellent resources and encourages their use. Continue reading ‘Sustainable September Resources’

Homeless Persons Week

The Community Housing Coalition of WA are organising Homeless Persons Week 2010. You are invited to join the Walk to Support the Homeless at Midday in Forrest Place on Sunday 8 August. CHCWA has also asked that all churches include homeless persons in their prayers on that day. Can you ask those who pray publicly at your church to include this concern?

Lund Award Nominations

What is the Lund Award? CCWA has a tradition of awarding the Lund Award to individuals who have embodied the Lund Principle. What is the Lund Principle? It was developed in Lund, Switzerland in 1952 and affirms that ‘churches should act together in all matters except those in which deep differences of conviction compel them to act separately.’ We anticipate presenting Lund Awards at the General Meeting in October. Is there someone whom you believe should receive the award? Please contact the CCWA office to discuss making a nomination.

Prayer Points

This month we are introducing a section for ecumenical prayer points. If you would like to include a prayer point, please email to administrator@churcheswa.com.au. Please include the following in your prayers:

1. The people suffering in the floods in Pakistan, the aid agencies who are caring for victims and for those who give generously to provide support;
2. Those developing ‘Project 54’ – an ecumenical prayer project in the lead-up to CHOGM;
3. Those who are homeless in WA – remembering Homeless Persons Week 2010
4. Those who still suffer the ongoing effects of nuclear war – remembering Hiroshima Day on Friday 6 August;
5. Local Ministers Associations and Churches Together groups;
6. Those who gather for ‘Perth Prayer’ at the Wesley Church each Wednesday.

Events for the Heart and Mind

In This Issue: Invitation to attend Spiritual Care Australia Conference; Concert for Perth Modern School Chaplaincy; Hasluck Federal Election Public Forum; Council of Christians and Jews Public Lecture; National Symposium for the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction. Continue reading ‘Events for the Heart and Mind’

NCCA National Forum

Every three years, the National Council of Churches in Australia holds a National Forum. Delegations from the member churches and from State Ecumenical Councils attend to engage in dialogue and to discern the direction of the ecumenical movement in Australia. Western Australia was well represented by five  delegates. Mrs Dorothy Carey formed part of the Uniting Church delegation and The Venerable David Ingleson represented the Council of Churches WA. The Reverends Marie Wilson and Chris Bedding attended as observers and Mrs Loretta Wholley as part of the Christian World Service Commission. The theme of the forum was ‘Shaping our Ecumenical Footprint’. Continue reading ‘NCCA National Forum’

Around the Table – RSVP Now!

Around the table is on Monday! RSVP now for a great night of ecumenical Under 30′s Ministry discussion.

The Council of Churches is keen to facilitate dialogue and co-operation amongst people who minister with:

• Children
• Young People
• Young Adults

To get the ball rolling, we are planning a meal and ecumenical conversation for those in ministry with people under 30. The purpose of the evening is informal networking and discussion with the hopes of encouraging attentive listening and positive engagement across Christian traditions. Continue reading ‘Around the Table – RSVP Now!’

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