Following the celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit and the feast of Trinity, the church has entered a time that is named variously the time after Pentecost or Ordinary time.  Within this time, we have much to celebrate. The Uniting Church in Australia is celebrating 40 years of its existence. We are commemorating with the Lutheran Church 500 years of the Reformation. As we honour these two anniversaries, we give thanks for God’s Spirit working within these two churches. But even more we give thanks for the blessings that we have all received through them.

18 June – 24 June 2017

With courage let us all combine.

Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day on 20 June.

Refugee Week calls us to unity and positive action, encouraging Australians to improve our nation’s welcome for refugees and to acknowledge the skills and energy refugees bring to their new home.

15 - 21 October 2017 

The UN's International Anti-Poverty Day is Monday 16 October.

Everyone is encouraged to help reduce poverty and hardship by organising an activity during the Week or taking part in an activity organised by others.

The main aims of Anti-Poverty Week are to:

• Strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia; and
• Encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.

Leaning into the Spirit

Where: University House, Australian National University, Canberra.

When: Monday 6 – Thursday 9 November 2017.

For Registrations and conference details visit the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture website.   

Download the conference flyer and share with your networks.

Ration Challenge 2017

SIGN UP TODAY 

Take the Act for Peace Ration Challenge, 18-24 June 2017.

You can make a difference by raising vital funds and sharing your experience to raise awareness of the refugee crisis.   

Join more than 10,000 people across Australia, living on refugee rations during Refugee Week (18-25 June) and raise money and awareness for communities threatened by conflict and disaster. 

Safe as Churches ? 8 Conference

16 - 17 May 2017 - Jasper Hotel, Melbourne

The 8th Safe as Churches? Conference was held in Melbourne on the 16 and 17 May 2017. Organised by the National Council of Churches in Australia – Safe Church Program, it brought together 180 delegates from a wide variety of Church traditions. There were delegates representing every state and territory within Australia as well as delegates attending from Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

NCCA Newsletter

Do you know others who might enjoy reading this newsletter? Please pass on the newsletter and ask them to subscribe.

Click on Newsletter sign up NCCA website to take you to front page of the NCCA website, enter your details in the Newsletter Signup section to receive the monthly newsletter directly to your inbox.

Date: 23 June

Time: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Venue: St Stephens Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie Street, Sydney

Award-winning Syrian composer/pianist Malek Jandali in Sydney for Refugee Week.

The Sydney Peace Foundation is hosting an event called ‘Ode to Syria’, celebrating Syrian music and stories and looking at the power of music and arts to heal trauma. 

Are you interested in the role that the sacred plays during a period of terrorism?

Can we understand terrorists better if we understand the symbolic element of their behaviour?

Professor David Tacey will be speaking on The Return of the Sacred in an Age of Terror at the second What in the World is going on? forum organised by the Eremos Institute.

Date: Sunday 9 July, 1:30-3:00pm

Venue: St Francis Xavier Church hall, 17 MacKenzie St, Lavender Bay 

Many faiths, One Humanity: Racism & Inclusiveness

Sunday 16 July, Parramatta NSW

This event brings together Jews, Christians and Muslims to create connections build relationships and discuss critical issues of importance to us all in a multicultural, multi-faith society. 

We each bring our own perspectives, together we are enriched and empowered to act on our shared values and beliefs.

The panel will consist of speakers from Jewish, Christian and Muslim backgrounds and is presided over by Julie McCrossin.  Journalist Stan Grant will be the keynote speaker.