GAZA - Need for lasting ceasefire and end to ongoing suffering

O Lord, you will hear the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, so that those from earth may strike terror no more.   Psalm 10:17– 18

“We welcome the peace initiatives … and offer prayerful support for all the parties trying to broker a lasting peace for Gaza” Rev John Gilmore, NCCA President.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10

In a humble setting in Bethlehem, not in a place of power, … love was born. 

The NCCA and its member churches warmly invite you to unite in prayer for peace, so that everyone may experience the 'great joy' proclaimed by the angel this Christmas.

A Call to Continuous Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." – 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Together let us seek peace with justice.” Rev John Gilmore, NCCA President.

2024 World Week of Prayer for Peace in Palestine and Israel

“We need to re-focus our efforts in faith-filled prayer”. Rev John Gilmore, NCCA President.

RELEASED 23 May 2024

The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) looks forward to welcoming Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay to Australia 

Rev. Pillay is the 9th General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and is an Eminent Ecumenical guest at the NCCA Forum in June 2024.

‘He is Risen’

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die” (John11:25-26).

Stories of hope do not seem to get the same level of attention as those that focus on what is terrible in the world.

Easter is a powerful story of hope.  

The 14 messages follow. 

Jesus is not here, He is Risen!

The empty tomb is a sign of LIFE, HOPE AND LOVE, says World Council of Churches General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay in his 2024 Easter Message. 

"...In every situation of suffering and death today let us be reminded that the Risen Lord brings us life, hope, and love." 

RELEASED 22 February 2024

Act for Peace and the National Council of Churches in Australia support call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic with millions of people without a place to call home or food for their families,” says CEO of Act for Peace, Elijah Buol OAM.

Permanent Ceasefire urgently needed to ease suffering in Gaza

The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) has released a Media Statement renewing its call for peace in Gaza.

The NCCA  supports the Australian Government’s call for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.

 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, good will among people’. Luke 2:14

We are soon to celebrate God’s presence with us in the birth of Jesus ….There is such a contrast with the beauty and wonder of the Christmas story and the present-day reality of the Holy Land.

NCCA and its member churches invite you to join together and pray for peace and goodwill among people this Christmas.

On Hamas Israel Armed Conflict

The NCCA President, on behalf of National Church Leaders, has released a Public Statement regarding the armed conflict in Israel and Palestine. 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.

You believe in God, believe also in me 

(John 14:1 NIV). 

Easter Sunday is the Christian celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection after being crucified on the day called Good Friday. The Easter messages from our churches speak to our Australian and world context this Easter season.

 The 15 messages follow. 

Christ makes all things new

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay shares an Easter message of hope and renewal, reflecting on the moment when Jesus Christ, on the cross cries: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Call for constitutionally guaranteed Voice 

Released:  8:00 am, Wednesday 22 February 2023

Reverend John Gilmore, President of National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) is a joint signatory to the Open Letter from Australia’s leaders of major religious organisations to federal parliamentarians on 22 February 2023. The letter calls for support of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament as requested in the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart.

‘So this is Christmas and what have you done’?

"May the grace and beauty of Christmas create hope in us and guide our actions."  

NCCA and its member churches invite you to join together and pray for hope and compassion this Christmas.