White Haze – Racism in Modern Australia 

Rev Glenn Loughrey, of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne participated in the Asia regional webinar, Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination in the Asian Context. The webinar was facilitated by the World Council of Churches (WCC). Rev Loughrey shares his presentation, White Haze - Racism in Australia with us. 

General meeting 2019

Our friends at the Western Australian Council of Churches are having their Annual General Meeting on Sunday 10 November, opening at 1:45 pm for a 2:00 pm start.

Discussion on the theme: Inquiry into Elder Abuse will be facilitated by Rev Brian Carey, and will be in the form of a discussion panel with Q&A. Refreshments will be served after the meeting, ending by 4:30 pm.

Financial Representatives of Australian National Churches (FRANC)

A series of three Lunchtime Webinars - an ideal opportunity of learning and collaboration. Save these dates:

1. Tuesday 13 October, 12.30 - 2 pm
2. Friday 30 October, 12.30 - 2 pm 
3. Thursday 12 November, 12.30 - 2 pm  

2019 - 70th anniversary of the Christmas Bowl

It was 1949. Millions of refugees were starving in war ravaged Europe. Rev. Frank Byatt believed we have a responsibility to share what we have with others who need it. He saw it as a fundamental part of living out Jesus’ call to love our neighbours as ourselves (Mark 12:31). 

And as Frank looked at his heavily laden Christmas dinner table, the contrast between our abundance in Australia and the needs of others around the world could not have been more stark. This is still true in 2019. 

Youth Forum 

"Shut Up & Listen to us!"

A Youth Forum that focuses on getting the millennials and Generation Z’s voice heard when discussing big issue topics such as Identity & Belonging, Mental Health & Cyber-bullying, Jobs & Artificial Intelligence, Climate Change & Refugees and more.

When: Thursday 14 November 2019 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: Victoria University Metro West, 138 Nicholson Street, Footscray, VIC 

Discussion with Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission at the gathering of National Church Leaders in Sydney on 24 September 2019  

In the 8th Century, St. Bede writes of a certain esteemed leader who would sit for long periods, carefully pondering what might be done next.

The necessity for patient discernment now was evident when National Church leaders met with Edward Santow on 24 September.

We were honoured to have Edward Santow, from the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), visit us at the gathering of National Church Leaders in Sydney on 24 September 2019.  

Discussion was held around the consideration of how best to respond to the draft Religious Discrimination Bill, released by the Attorney General, Christian Porter, on 29 August 2019.

This Assembly will be an opportunity to reflect on how churches engage in moral discernment, especially when they make decisions about moral matters that are part of public discussion.

The day is facilitated by the NCCA Faith and Unity Commission and will be led by Rev Dr Gerard Kelly and Dr Morag Logan.

When: Thursday 31 October 2019 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Venue: St James Hall, Level 1, 169-171 Phillip Street, Sydney

Call for Solidarity with the People of West Papua

The Ecumenical Forum of Churches in Papua has issued several pastoral statements in the last month calling for solidarity with the people of West Papua in response to an Indonesian military and police operation which has resulted in dozens of civilian deaths.