Dear friends

As we approach the amazing feast of Christ's birth, I join with you in celebrating the most amazing mystery of God's taking on our humanity, entering into our world, being one with us. May we always continue to grow in wonder and appreciation of God's great act of love. 

Acknowledging Catholic and Lutheran leaders

On Tuesday October 31 in Westminster Abbey, a service was held marking the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's public criticism of Catholic teaching on justification. Archbishop Welby presented a resolution from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) at this service, welcoming the Roman Catholic-Lutheran Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification as a sign of healing after 500 years of division.

‘The Word became flesh and lived among us’ (John 1: 14).

What an extraordinary, breath-taking statement! God took on humanity – the same humanity that you and I share. The Gospel writer continues, ‘From his fullness, we have all received’ (John 1: 16). God shares our humanity and we share the Godhead.

Can you imagine the love and reverence with which the angel said Jesus’ name, when the angel spoke to Joseph?

“You are to name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Migrants and refugees: men and women in search of peace

Pope Francis’ message for the 51st World Day of Peace has been released by the Vatican.

"Peace to all people and to all nations on earth! Peace, which the angels proclaimed to the shepherds on Christmas night,[1] is a profound aspiration for everyone, for each individual and all peoples, and especially for those who most keenly suffer its absence."

Can you imagine the love and reverence with which the angel said Jesus’ name, when the angel spoke to Joseph?

“You are to name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) 

Dear friends

Last week the National Council of Churches staff together with Act for Peace held its end of year function. This seemed extraordinarily early to me. You will notice that I did not say that we celebrated our Christmas party - because we had not even entered the church's season of Advent. It was certainly a reminder to me that the end of the year is fast approaching. It was significant for me also as I will be finishing my three-year term as General Secretary on 4 January and, sadly, I will be leaving NCCA.

We stand up for compassion, justice and dignity for refugees in Manus Island, PNG.

November 24 2017

The National Council of Churches in Australia, Act for Peace and the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce stand together to bear witness to the suffering that Australia’s bipartisan refugee policy in regard to offshore processing, has caused.

2017 Christmas Bowl  

For many refugees, access to basic healthcare is incredibly difficult.

Achala was born in a refugee camp in Tamil Nadu, India. It is all that Achala has ever known. Achala’s grandmother, Praveena, fled from Sri Lanka with nothing when civil war came to her village.