C 65 65NSW EcumenicalcCCc Churches 65 67Terms of Reference objectivesMeetings Council Inc.Activity ReportObjectives 2016-2017Annual General Meeting 2016 Saturday, 20 AugustReports “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you Page 1 of 89 were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-5).
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Table of ContentsAgenda 3Constitution 5AGM 2015 Minutes of Meeting 16Table Index to the Reports 23President’s Report 24General Seretary Report 27Report on the Executive Meetings 34Financial Reports 38 Public Accountant’s Report 40 Treasurer’s Report 42 Budget 1/7/16 to 30/6/17 45 Financial Statements 1/7/15 to 30/6/16Report on the Work of the Commisions 51 Interfaith 54 Middle East 58 Overcoming Family Violence 61 Peace & Justice 67 Theological Reflection 69Report on Taize 71Blank – for Personal NotesPage 3 of 89
NSW Ecumenical Council Annual General Meeting 2016 Saturday, 20th August St James Anglican Church Hall,Level 1, 169-171 Philip Street, Sydney9.00am Arrival and Registration9.30am FIRST SESSION - Acknowledgement of Country by Rev Ray Minniecon - Opening Prayer & Worship by Rev Andrew Sempell - Constitution of the Meeting – Rev John Barr - Welcome to new representatives, observers and visitors; and Apologies by Rev John BarrPage 4 of 89
9.45am SECOND SESSION9.45-10.15am Key Note Speaker: Rev Gaby Kobrossi: “My personal experience at a Refugee Camp in Lebanon10.15-10.30 Opportunity for questions & table discussion based on the presentation10.30-10.50 Reports from the General Secretary10.50-11.10 Morning Tea11.10am THIRD SESSION11.10-11.20 President’s Report11.20-11.50 Financial Report11.50-12.15 Report from the Commissions12.15-12.30 Elections of the President, Executive and the Office Bearers12.30-1.00 Worship & Commissioning led by Fr James Collins1.00 – 1.45 Lunch1.45pm FOURTH SESSION1.45 - 2.15 Key Note Speaker: Rev Dr Andrew Williams: “My learning of the workshop on Evangelism in the City and the Current Issues in Evangelism in the State of New South Wales”2.15-2.45 Opportunity for questions & table discussion based on the presentation2.45-3.00 Other Business Matters3.00pm Closing Worship3.30pm Afternoon TeaPage 5 of 89
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Constitution of NSWEcumenical CouncilPage 7 of 89
New South Wales Ecumenical Council Incorporated CONSTITUTION Amendments to the former version dated February 2003 have been Approved by the Council at its Annual General Meeting on 15 June 2013A. NAME The name of the Council is the New South Wales Ecumenical Council and became the New South Wales Ecumenical Council Incorporated (hereinafter called \"the Council\") after it was incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1984B. STATEMENT OF OBJECTS1. Basis The Council is based on the acknowledgment of the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the scriptures and the readiness of the churches to fulfil their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.2. Objects The Council exists:- (a) to bear witness to the unity of the Church as both gift and calling and, in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to promote a more profound communion- Koinonia; (b) to be an instrument of the churches in New South Wales whereby they may grow in the understanding and fulfilment of their common calling to unity and to mission; (c) to facilitate the quest for unity in the Church by enabling the churches to address together causes of division in the faith and order of the Church, and to pray together, acknowledging their common heritage in worship; (d) to encourage understanding of, and participation in, the world-wide mission of God; (e) to resource and support the churches in that mission, so that, by joint study, consultation, reflection and action, they may confront all people more authentically with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they may respond more effectively to human need and to the scriptural imperative to seek justice for people everywhere; (f) to bear witness to the gospel by promoting dialogue with people of other faiths and ideologies in New South Wales.C. RULESPage 8 of 89
1. Membership 1.1 Membership shall be open to churches in New South Wales which are willing to co-operate in fulfilling the objectives of the Council. New South Wales may be taken here and elsewhere in this Constitution to include the Australian Capital Territory. 1.2 All member churches of the National Council of Churches in Australia shall have the right to be members of the Council. 1.3 Other churches may be elected to membership of the Council on the affirmative vote of a three-fourths majority of the persons who, being entitled, attend and vote at the Council Meeting, provided that the Executive Committee shall have first considered the application and reported thereon to the Council Meeting, and provided also that at least sixty (60) day's notice specifying the intention to consider the matter has been given in accordance with these Rules. 2. Cessation of membership 2.1 A church which is a member of the Council ceases to be a member of the Council if the church resigns membership by notice to the General Secretary. 2.2 If a member church ceases to be a member, an appropriate entry will be made in the Register of Members recording the date on which the member church ceased to be a member. 3. Membership entitlement is not transferable 3.1 A right, privilege or obligation which a church has by reason of being a member of the Council:- (a) is not capable of being transferred or transmitted; and (b) terminates on cessation of the church's membership. 4. Register of members 4.1 The public officer of the Council must establish and maintain a Register of Members of the Council specifying the name and address of each church which is a member of the Council together with the date on which the church became a member. 4.2 The Register of Members must be kept at the principal place of administration of the Council and must be open for inspection, free of charge, by any member church or representative of a member church who is entitled to vote at a Council Meeting, at any reasonable hour. 5. Fees and subscriptions 5.1 No fees or subscriptions are payable by the member churches to the Council. 5.2 Member churches will, as far as they are able, make the annual budgeted financial contributions to support the Council 6. Members' liabilities 6.1 A member church is not liable to contribute towards the payment of the debts and liabilities of the Council or the costs, charges and expenses of winding up of the Council. 7. Resolution of internal disputesPage 9 of 89
7.1 Disputes between a member church and the Council, are to be referred to the National Council of Churches in Australia for mediation by such persons as the National Council shall nominate. 7.2 The Council shall endeavour to mediate disputes between member churches and shall at its discretion refer them for mediation by such persons as the Council shall nominate or to the National Council of Churches in Australia for mediation by such persons as the National Council shall nominate. 8. Association 8.1 The Council shall be in association with the National Council of Churches in Australia which is associated with the World Council of Churches and shall consult with the National Council of Churches in Australia and related Councils in other States before acting on matters that affect either the National Council of Churches in Australia, the Councils in other States, or both. 9. Authority 9.1 The Council may advise, provide opportunity for united action by, and, where that authority is committed to it, take action on behalf of the member churches. 9.2 The Council may speak and act on its own behalf as a Council. 10. General Meetings of the Council 10.1 The Council shall act through its general meeting (\"Council Meeting\") which shall be composed of:- (a) Representatives of the member churches, being:- (i) The Heads of member churches or their alternates; and (ii) Two other Representatives appointed by each member church, or Diocese, which belongs to the Council. The Uniting Church, Synod of NSW and the ACT, may nominate four representatives (b) The General Secretary who shall have the right to vote except on resolutions which are proposed as special resolutions; (c) The Honorary Treasurer who shall have the right to vote except on resolutions which are proposed as special resolutions. For the purposes of this Rule10.1 the word \"ministers\" shall be interpreted by each member church in accordance with its own policy. 10.2 The following persons may attend Council Meetings:- (a) One Consultant appointed by each division of work of the Council. A Consultant shall have the same right as elected members of the Council: that is the right to speak and move motions. (b) Two Observers appointed by each of such non-member churches and Christian organisations of ecumenical character as are invited to do so by the Council, and by each associated Inter-Church Council. An Observer shall have the right to speak but not to move motions or to vote.Page 10 of 89
(c) Such members of staff of the Council as the Council may invite to attend Council Meetings. A staff member so invited shall have the right to speak and move motions but not to vote.10.3 Each member church may appoint alternate Representatives to the Representatives referred to in Rule 10.1(a) and the alternate representatives may attend all Council Meetings and speak thereat but may move motions or vote only when the Representative is not present.10.4 (a) Upon request by any person entitled to vote at a Council Meeting, a motion shall not be declared carried unless there are Representatives of more than two member churches voting in the affirmative. (b) Subject to paragraph (a) and Rule 1.3, a motion (other than a motion which is proposed as or may only be proposed as a special resolution) shall be declared carried if the majority of the persons attending and voting at the General Meeting vote in the affirmative.10.5 The Council shall hold a Council Meeting at least once each calendar year, one of which will also be the Annual General Meeting of the Council.10.6 The quorum for a Council Meeting shall be fifteen (15) Representatives from at least five (5) member churches.10.7 (a) With the exception of the first annual Council Meeting following incorporation, the Council must, at least once in each calendar year and within the period of 6 months after the expiration of each financial year of the Council, convene an annual Council Meeting. (b) The Council must hold its first annual Council Meeting after incorporation:- (i) within the period of 18 months after its incorporation under the Associations Incorporation Act, 1984 (“the Act”); and (ii) within the period of 6 months after the expiration of the first financial year of the Council. (c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) have effect subject to any extension or permission 10.8 (a) granted by the Director General of the Department of Fair Trading under section 26(3) of the Act. (b)10.9 (a) Council Meetings shall, subject to the Act and to Rule 10.7, be convened on such dates and at such places and times as the Executive Committee thinks fit. Notice of a Council Meeting shall be given to each person who is entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting. In addition to any other business which may be transacted at an Annual General Meeting, the business of an Annual General Meeting is:- (i) to confirm the minutes of any preceding Council Meeting which have not previously been confirmed at a Council Meeting; (ii) to receive from the Executive Committee reports on the activities of the Council during the last preceding financial year; (iii) to elect the officers of the Council and the other members of the Executive Committee who are appointed by the Council;Page 11 of 89
(b) (iv) to receive and consider the statement which is required to be10.10 (a) submitted to members under section 26(6) of the Act. (b) An annual Council Meeting must be specified as such in the notice convening (c) it. The Executive Committee may, whenever it thinks fit, convene a special Council Meeting. The Executive Committee must, on the requisition in writing of at least two (2) member churches, convene a special Council Meeting. A requisition of member churches for a special Council Meeting:- (i) must state the purpose or purposes of the meeting; and (ii) must be signed by the member churches making the requisition and for this purpose, a requisition signed by at least one of the Representatives of a member church under Rule 10.1(a) shall be taken to be signed by the member church; and (iii) must be lodged with the General Secretary; and (iv) may consist of several documents in a similar form, each signed by one or more of the member churches making the requisition.(d) If the Executive Committee fails to convene a special Council Meeting to be held within 1 month after that date on which a requisition of member churches for the meeting is lodged with the General Secretary, any one or more of the member churches which made the requisition may convene a special Council Meeting to be held not later than 3 months after that date.(e) A special Council Meeting convened by a member church or member churches as referred to in paragraph (d) must be convened as nearly as is practicable in the same manner as Council Meetings are convened by the Executive Committee.10.11 At a general meeting:- (a) the President or, in the President's absence, a Vice President, is to preside; or (b) if the President and the Vice President are absent or unwilling to act, such one of the remaining Representatives of member churches referred to in Rule 10.1(a) as may be chosen by the Representatives present at the meeting is to preside.11. Officers of the Council11.1 The officers of the Council shall be:- (a) a President; (b) two Vice-Presidents; (c) a General Secretary, who may be an Honorary General Secretary; (d) an Honorary Treasurer.11.2 The President and Vice-Presidents shall be elected annually from among the Representatives of member churches referred to in Rule 10.1(a).Page 12 of 89
11.3 The Honorary Treasurer shall be elected annually, but not necessarily from among the Representatives of member churches referred to in Rule 10.1(a).11.4 The office of President shall not be held by any person for more than two (2) years consecutively.11.5 The appointment of the General Secretary shall be made by the Council, and for periods not exceeding three (3) years.11.6 In the event of casual vacancies occurring in the positions stated in Rule 11.1, the Executive Committee has authority to make appointments to fill such vacancies and the persons so appointed will hold office until the following annual Council Meeting of the Council.11.7 The General Secretary shall be appointed as the Public Officer unless the Executive Committee determines otherwise.12. Executive Committee12.1 The Council shall appoint an Executive Committee which is empowered to act on behalf of the Council between Council Meetings in respect of any of the responsibilities of the Council except such as the Council Meeting may determine. 12.2 The Executive Committee shall consist of:- (a) The officers of the Council; (b) Six members appointed annually by the Council Meeting from among the Representatives of the member churches; 12.3 The following persons may attend meetings of the ExecutiveCommittee:- (a) One representative from each division of work of the Council appointed by the Committee of such division of work. Such representatives shall have the right to speak and move motions and to vote; (b) Such staff members of the Council as the Executive Committee may invite to attend its meetings. A staff member so invited shall have the right to speak and move motions but not to vote; (c) One Observer appointed by each non-member church which has been invited to appoint observers to the Council Meeting. Observers may speak but not move motions or vote.12.4 Each member of the Executive Committee appointed pursuant to Rule 12.2(b) shall have the right to appoint from among the Representatives of member churches referred to in Rule 10.1(a) a person who may attend meetings of the Executive Committee as an alternate for that member in his/her absence. 12.5 For the purposes of these Rules, a casual vacancy in the office of a member of the Executive Committee occurs if the member:- (a) dies; or (b) resigns office by notice given to the General Secretary; orPage 13 of 89
(b) becomes a mentally incapacitated person.12.6 (a) The Executive Committee shall meet at least five (5) times a year on such dates and at such places and times as the Executive Committee may determine. (b) Additional meetings of the Executive Committee may be convened by the President or by any five (5) members of the Executive Committee.12.7 Oral, written, faxed or e-mailed notice of a meeting of the Executive Committee must be given by the General Secretary to each member of the Executive Committee at least 48 hours (or such other period as may be unanimously agreed on by the members of the Executive Committee) before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting.12.8 The quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be six (6) voting members from at least three (3) member churches.12.9 No business is to be transacted by the Executive Committee unless a quorum is present and if, within half a hour of the time appointed for the meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting is to stand adjourned to the same place at the same hour of the same day in the following week.12.10 (a) A meeting of the Executive Committee may be held by members communicating with each other by any technological means by which they are able simultaneously to hear each other and participate in discussion. (b) Members of the Executive Committee need not all be physically present in the same place for a meeting to be held. (c) A member of the Executive Committee who participates in a meeting of the Executive Committee held in accordance with this Rule is taken to be present and shall be entitled to vote at the meeting.12.11 If at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour of the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting is to be dissolved.12.12 At a meeting of the Executive Committee:- (a) the President or, in the President's absence, a Vice-President is to preside; or (b) if the President and the Vice-Presidents are absent or unwilling to act, such one of the remaining members of the Executive Committee as may be chosen by the members present at the meeting is to preside.Page 14 of 89
13. Divisions of Work13.1 The Council shall have the power to establish such divisions of work as are necessary to carry out its objectives.13.2 The composition and terms of reference of committees responsible for each division of work shall be determined from time to time by the Council Meeting.13.3 The convenor of the committee responsible for a division of work shall generally be appointed from the Representatives of member churches on the Council.13.4 Committee membership need not be restricted to members of member churches13.5 Committees shall report to each annual Council Meeting.14. Associated Inter-Church Councils14.1 Local or regional councils of churches for areas within New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory (\"Inter-Church Councils\") may apply to be associated with the Council.14.2 An Inter-Church Council applying for association with the Council shall submit its application and a copy of its constitution to the Executive Committee and the Executive Committee may grant association.14.3 An Inter-Church Council granted association with the Council shall have the right to appoint two Observers to attend Council Meetings and to use the designation \"in association with the New South Wales Ecumenical Council\".15. Finance15.1 The finance of the Council shall be administered on the basis of a budget approved annually by the Council Meeting.15.2 The Council's primary sources of income shall be:- (a) contributions from member churches; (b) gifts, donations and bequests from organisations and individuals, and any special appeals.15.4 The Honorary Treasurer shall supervise the due receipting, banking and transmitting of funds received by the Council.15.5 The Council shall have the power to open and operate such banking accounts as are necessary and to appoint signatories thereto. The Council may contract out the operation of the accounts.Page 15 of 89
15.6 Financial statements shall be presented to the Executive Committee at least quarterly and the audited financial statement shall be presented to the annual Council Meeting.16. Special Resolution16.1 A resolution of the Council is a special resolution:- (a) if it is passed by a majority which comprises at least three- quarters of such member churches of the Council as, being entitled under these Rules so to do, vote by their representatives at a Council Meeting of which at least 21 days' notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution was given in accordance with these Rules; (b) where it is made to appear to the Director General of the Department of Fair Trading that it is not practicable for the resolution to be passed in the (c) manner specified in paragraph (a), if the resolution is passed in a manner specified by the Director General; or (d) a member church shall be taken to have voted for or against a proposed resolution if a majority of its Representatives attending and voting at the Council Meeting vote for or against the proposed resolution, as the case may be.17. Amendment to Constitution, Statement of Objects or Rules17.1 The Statement of Objects or these Rules or this Constitution may be altered, rescinded or added to only by a special resolution of the Council passed at a Council Meeting.17.2 An amendment to this constitution or the Statement of Objects or the Rules may only be made after previous consideration of the proposal by the Executive Committee. Notice of proposed amendments shall be given to the General Secretary at least forty two (42) days before the date of the Council Meeting at which it is intended to propose the resolution as a special resolution.18. Dissolution18.1 The Council shall be dissolved in the event of the number of member churches becoming less than three (3), or upon a resolution for dissolution being passed as a special resolution at a Council Meeting.18.2 Upon dissolution, and after payment of all expenses and liabilities, any funds remaining shall be dispersed to projects which were initiated by the Council, or to member churches, as determined by the Council on the recommendation of the Executive Committee 19. Common SealPage 16 of 89
19.1 The common seal of the Council must be kept in the custody of the public officer.19.2 The common seal must not be affixed to any instrument except by the authority of the Executive Committee and the affixing of the common seal must be attested by the signatures either of 2 members of the Executive Committee or of 1 member of the Executive Committee and of the public officer or General Secretary.20. Custody of Books20.1 Except as otherwise provided by these Rules, the public officer must keep in his or her custody or under his or her control all records, books and other documents relating to the Council.21. Inspection of Books21.1 The records, books and other documents of the Council must be open to inspection, free of charge, by a member church at any reasonable hour except where privacy or confidentiality is required by the Privacy Act 1988 or any other legislative requirement and any policy reasonably adopted by the Council to comply with statutory requirements.22. Service of Notices22.1 For the purpose of these Rules, except as provided in Rule 12.7, a notice may be served on or given to a person: (a) by delivering it to the person personally, or (b) by sending it by pre-paid post to the address of the person, or (c) by sending it by facsimile transmission or some other form of electronic transmission to an address specified by the person for giving or serving the notice.22.2 For the purpose of these Rules, a notice is taken, unless the contrary is proved, to have been given or served: (a) in the case of a notice given or served personally, on the date on which it is received by the addressee, and (b) in the case of a notice sent by pre-paid post, on the date when it would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post, and (c) in the case of a notice sent by facsimile transmission or some other form of electronic transmission, on the date it was sent, or if the machine from which the transmission was sent produces a report indicating that the notice was sent on a later date, on that date.Page 17 of 89
22.3 Accidental omission to give notice of a meeting or of a proposed resolution or non-receipt of a notice shall not thereby invalidate a meeting or the passing of the resolution unless legislation so requires. Constitution originally dated February 2003, amended by decision of the Annual General Meeting on 15 June 2013, on the recommendation of the Executive CommitteePage 18 of 89
AGM 2015 Minutes of MeetingPage 19 of 89
NSW Ecumenical Council INC Annual General Meeting Saturday 15th August, 2015 The Uniting Church Hall, Corner of Oxford and Chester Streets, Epping1. First SessionConstitution of the MeetingMeeting opened at 9:40 am.Ms Wies Schuiringa, Acting President, welcomed all members of the Council, observers and visitors weregiven opportunity to introduce themselves.2. Acknowledgement of the LandPastor Ray Minnecon from the Uniting Church was invited to give an acknowledgement to the traditionalowners of the Country of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and offered a prayer for the First People of theland.3. Opening WorshipRev Fr Dr James Collins led the opening worship.4. PresentOfficers of the Council Ms Wies SchuiringaActing President: The Revd Fr Bruce McAteerVice-President: The Revd Fr Bruce McAteerTreasurer: The Very Revd Fr Shenouda MansourGeneral Secretary:Representatives from Member ChurchesAnglican Church NSW DioceseDiocese of Sydney Rev Fr Dr James Collins Rev Fr Bruce McAteer Ms Mandy TibbeyDiocese of Newcastle Mr Michael ThompsonSt Paul’s Anglican Burwood Ms Rosemary king Diocese of Canberra/Goulburn Professor John NevilleAntiochian OrthodoxArmenian Apostolic Dr Artin Jebejian Ms Sonia BerberjianAssyrian Church of the East Rev Deacon Nishan BasmajianBruderhof CommunityCongregational Federation of NSW Rev Fr Daniel FanousCoptic Orthodox Church Rev Fr Youssef Fanous Very Rev Fr Shenouda MansourEthiopian Orthodox ChurchGreek Orthodox Church Mr Bobby PhilipsIndian Orthodox Church Bishop Mark LieschkeLutheran ChurchPage 20 of 89
Ms Alison ShortMar Thoma ChurchReligious Society of Friends Ms Wies Schuiringa Ms Rae Litting Mr. Gary DuncanSyrian Orthodox ChurchThe Salvation Army Colonel Graham Durstan Major Paul Kinder Captain Robin Black Major Peter McGuigan Captain Tara McGuiganUniting Church Australia NSW Moderator Rev Myung Hwa Park Mr. Doug Hewitt Rev Dr Andrew WilliamsCommissions Rev Dr Manas Ghosh (Uniting)Interfaith Ms Wilma (Uniting)Middle East Mr Sarkis (Armenian)Overcoming Family Violence Bishop Mark Lieschke (Lutheran)Peace and Justice Fr Claude Mostowik MSC (Catholic) Rev Lu Piper (Anglican) Mr. Doug Hewitt (Uniting)Theological Reflection Major Paul Kinder (Salvation Army) Rev Fr Paul Weaver (Anglican) Professor Diane Speed (Anglican) Rev Glenda Blakefield (Uniting) Ms Joan Wilcox (Uniting) Rev Fr Daniel Fanous (Coptic)National Council of Churches in Australia Sister Elizabeth Delaney (Catholic)NSWEC (Intern) Ms Claire Wright (Uniting)Minute of Meeting Taker Mrs Amira G (Coptic)Welcome to Country Rev Ray Minnikon (Uniting)AGM 2015 ApologiesDenomination NameAnglican Church Diocese of NSW The Right Rev’d Bishop Rick Lewers Diocese of Armidale The Right Rev’d Dr Sarah Macneil Diocese of Grafton Diocese of Newcastle The Right Rev’d Bishop Greg Thompson Rev Fr Chris Jackson Diocese of Riverina The Right Rev’d Bishop Rob Gillion Diocese of Sydney The Most Rev’d Dr Glen Davies The Right Rev’d Bishop Robert ForsythAntiochian Orthodox Church H.E. Metropolitan Archbishop Paul SalibaPage 21 of 89 Right Rev Fr Nabil Kachab
Armenian Apostolic Church His Grace Bishop Haigazoun NajarianAssyrian Church of the East His Beatitude Mar MeelisBruderhof Australia Rev Bill Wiser Rev Randall GaugerCongregational Federation Mr. Keith LyonsCoptic Orthodox Diocese His Grace Bishop Daniel Diocese of Sydney Rev Fr Antony Morgan ACT Rev Fr Michael ZamerEthiopian OrthodoxGreek Orthodox Church His Grace Bishop Seraphim Protopresbyter Dr Doru CostacheIndian Orthodox Church Basilios PsilacosMar Thoma ChurchSyrian Orthodox Church Very Rev Fr. Thomas VargheseThe Salvation Army Very Rev Fr. Thomas Koshy His Grace Metropolitan Malki Malki Commissioner James CondonCommissions Ms Carmen LazarMiddle East Dr Eman SharobeemOvercoming Family ViolenceIt was agreed that the Apologies be received and recorded in the Minutes of Meeting5. Correction to AGM Minutes 2014:Members Present: Anglican Church NSW Diocese: Professor John Neville The Salvation Army: Major Rhonda Kingston Churches Housing: Mr. Magnus Linder Report of Housing Mrs. Rosemary King: World Day of Prayer Misspelling page 2 of Mr. Sam PanackerNoted: Ms Joan Wilcox represented as a member of the Theological Reflection Commission and not as arepresentative of the Uniting Church in Australia.6. Second Session – Chaired by Ms Wies Schuiringa (Vice President) (9:50 - time?)A Symposium on: The Role of the Church in Secular SocietyThe Symposiumi. Speaker: Rev Myung Hwa Park – Moderator of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW & ACTChristianity is recognised in Australia for its educational role, but religion has little place in society.Key features: secular, individual, consumer, postmodern, multi-religious.Uniting Church consists of Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational sectors and is more of a movementthan a denomination.The role of Church is to:1) advocate for the marginalised and to be a place of welcome, care and comfort for those who come to Australia, such as Boat People.2) seek a nation that strives for active reconciliation by acknowledging rights of Aboriginal peoples. In1994the Uniting Church apologized to the first peoples, leading the way for constitutional change and creating apreamble to acknowledge the past and affirm its new role.3) care for environmental concerns – reconciliation, wise use of energy, protection of the environment,Page 22 of 89
which was emphasised in the retreat.4) be a moral guide and ethical leader. All people deserve to be treated with dignity and justly.5) provide spiritual Leadership for all people, especially the aging. There has been a decline in traditionalforms of worship, but interest in spirituality is anticipated to increase in the future, which is a sign of hope tothe world in Jesus Christ.ii. Speaker: Rev Fr Andrew Sempell – Rector of St James Anglican Church – Did not attend (Apology)iii. Speaker: Mrs Rae Litting – Religious Society of FriendsSociety of Friends promotes the qualities of simplicity, peace, integrity for all believers in a secular society.Focused on the question of what we can ask of secular leaders:a. to model patterns of discussion that are suited to democracyb. to speak to the best in usc. to protect the weakd. to ensure that all receive a good educatione. to ensure that all receive adequate health careThe Quakers come into conflict with secular society over the issue of peace through the Quaker’s belief inexemption from military service. There are signs of spiritual growth with efforts to stop violence againstchildren and domestic violence.The Quakers promote equality: a. in 1770 women preachers ordained. b. in 1995 Lesbian members given equal rights to long term loving relationships and marriage equality.The Quakers continue to live and advocate for our equality, following the teachings of William Pen that ‘Truegodliness doesn’t turn men out’.iv. Bishop Mark Lieschke – Bishop of the NSW and ACT Province of the Lutheran ChurchThere is a need to advocate for people in need. Compassion needs to be shown to all. The lack of mercy inIsrael is a sign of their ungodliness. It is important to remember that Jesus’ ministry was an inclusive ministry.The Lord has mercy and re-act with compassion. The Church has a long tradition of serving the needy –Ministry of Mercy. The Lutheran Church advocates the Kingdom of the right hand and has programs ofChristian Care.v. Captain Robin Black – Salvation Army; Commissioner on the Peace and Justice CommissionChurch gatherings and singing to support women going through fire and flood, where women foundcommunity care. Noted that Jesus uses inclusive language, such as daughter. The Salvation Army sees the roleof the church is to live a transformed life with God. This calls for us to act on racism and domestic violence.We must ask ‘Where is our voice’? The Church is people and we need to see transformation in our world.William Booth set an example for action in his saying that ‘while women weep, I’ll fight’. Jesus is a radical,loving saviour.vi. Rev Fr Daniel Fanous – Coptic Orthodox Church; Commissioner on the Theological ReflectionCommissionThe focus of the Church is on the interface between secular and Christian values, in particular, how do secularvalues pose problems for the church and the pursuit of individualism? Secular is not connected with religiousconcerns, while religious is defined as referring to the divine being, which is absolute. C.S. Lewis pointed tosocietal devaluing. Which values should humanity look to? Secular values are relative, effected by changing oftimes, which produces a state of confusion where no one knows right from wrong. However, God’s truth isabsolute, not effected by changing degrees where we have moved away from absolute truth. This has produceda state where we have become confused. Secular values are individual and impinge on the rights of otherpeople. Sin is not sin under secular values. Rationalising any negative behaviour reveals the hypocrisy thatexists in relative values. Good things in secular values include the idea of ‘live and let live’. David BentleyHart (please check) said that atheism is an illusion, while stating that Christian revolution is the only truerevolution that revolutionised life, eg. the Christian care of slaves. Indeed, hospitals were a monastic invention.Therefore, all good secular values are based on Christianity. Julian the Apostate (please check), who tried tore-establish paganism, wrote that pagans should take care of the poor, like the Christian model. The JudaicChristianity sees the role of the Church as helping society find the divine truth, the Logo, the absolute truth. Ifthe church fails in this, the church should still bring people closer to religious values.Members broke off into groups to discuss ideas raised by the speakers.Speakers then answered questions from members. It was as to what extent the Ecumenical Council needs toagree o everything. It was agreed that a level of agreement was demonstrated by the choices of members toattend such as meeting. Furthermore, it was hard to come to consensus intellectually, but rather, this mustcome from compassion.Page 23 of 89
It was suggested that copies of the speakers’ presentations be obtained and printed in the next newsletter.Furthermore, members were encouraged to join the mailing list by leaving their e-mail address at theregistration desk.Morning Tea (Time)7. Third Session – Chaired by Ms Mandy Tibbey – Executive Member (9:50 - time?)i. Acceptance of the Minutes of Meeting AGM, 2014It was requested that in future the Minutes be circulated within a few months of the AGM to provide a chancefor members to read them carefully before they are endorsed.Acceptance of the Minutes deferred until after lunch – moved Fr Claude Mostowik, seconded Professor JohnNeville.ii. President’s Report – Absentiii. General Secretary’s Report - The Very Revd Fr Shenouda MansourA reflection on Ephesians 2:11-22 and John 13:31-35, which is a Gospel of love, acceptance and tolerance inour journey as ambassadors of Christ. There are challenges ahead in the next 12 months. The Council is hereto serve its member churches in a new Ecumenical landscape – the harvest is great, but the labourers are few.The challenge is to determine how we support each other - who is my neighbour? – churches with which wehave not yet met.Heads of Church Meetings - thanks to the Lutheran Church for hosting the meeting in December, 2014; andthe Uniting Church for hosting the meeting in June, 2015. The next Heads of Church Meeting will be held inDecember, 2015 and will be hosted by the Coptic Orthodox Church.The Mr Doug Hewitt presented a plaque by Weis Schuiringa. Mr Hewitt retires after 55 years of service to theEcumenical Council of NSW and service to the Peace and Justice Commission.The Secretary General also announced that three new Commissions have been created – Interfaith, MiddleEast and Overcoming Family Violence have been elected, each with a Co-Convenor to chair theircommissions.The Newsletter will henceforth be published as a quarterly magazine. Thanks go to Mrs Marlene Botros forher contribution of graphic arts and design.Council is considering work to redesign its web page and marketing. Social media, such as Twitter, to be usedto engage people.Ms Clair Wright, an intern working at the Ecumenical Council was thanked for her work.It was agreed that the report be received.iv. Finance Committee Report & Recommendations – Fr Bruce McAteerAnnual account highlight in report. The report outlined the monies received in donations, as well as moniessaved by the General Secretary. Attention to be drawn to churches who are in need. A small group to beassigned to look at increasing fund raising opportunities.It was agreed that the report be received.v. Elections – to the Executive of NSW Ecumenical CouncilPublic Officer: The Very Revd Fr Shenouda MansourPresident: The Revd John BarrVice President: Ms Weis Schuiringa2nd Vice President: The Revd Bruce McAteerTreasurer: The Revd Bruce McAteervi. Endorsement of Members to the CommissionsElection of ExecutivesThis reflected a balance of lay, women, men and denominations.Convenors of the Commissions are Ex-Officio.Nominations:Page 24 of 89
Rev Dr Andrew WilliamsRev Fr Dr James CollinsMajor Peter McGuiganMs Mandy TibbeyRev Fr Youssef FanousBishop Mark LieschkeThe Armenian Church will be approached.It was agreed to receive the elected members. Vote as a block accepted.8. Ecumenical Worship & Commissioning – led by Rev Fr Dr James CollinsLunch (Time)9. Fourth Session – Chaired by .....i. Peace & Justice Commission & RecommendationsFr Fadi Nemme, Professor John Neville, Rev Lucilla Piper, Fr Claude Mostowik, Ms Maria Tiimon Chi-Fang,Pearl Wymaeea, Mr Antony Tadros, Mr Debbie Armanious, Mr. Vasillos Psilacos, Ms Weis Schuiringa,Captain Robin Black.TBARev Clabon Allen, Rev John Obrien, Very Revd Fr Shenouda MansourReport accepted.ii. Theological Reflection Commission & RecommendationsRev Paul Weaver, Professor Diane Speed, Fr Dr John Karaan, Fr Daniel Fanous, Rev Dr Dora Costache,Major Paul Kinder, Ms John Wilcox, Rev Glenda Blakefield, Rev John Barr, Revd Fr Shenouda Mansour.Report accepted.iii. Middle East Commission & RecommendationsRev Deacon Josehp Abdelki, Rev Fr Isaac Zghaib, Rev Fr Narsi Youkhanis, Mrs Carmen Lasar, Mr SarkisMouradiam, Deacon Nishan Basmajian, Dr Eman Sharobeem, Rev Fr Youssef Fanous, Ms Liz Stone, Rev DrAndrew Williams, Rev John Barr, Very Revd Fr Shenouda Mansour.Report accepted.iv. Interfaith Commission & RecommendationsDr Michael Sutton, Right Rev Nabil Kachab, Dr Artin Jebejian, Rev Fr Anthony Morgan, Dr Mario Baghos,Ms Liz Field, Captain Tara McGuigan, Rev Deacon Joseph Abdelki, Rev Dr Manas Ghosh, Ms Wilma Viswa,Dr Katalina Tahaafe-Williams, Rev John Barr, Very Revd Fr Shenouda Mansour.Report accepted.v. Overcoming Family Violence Commission & RecommendationsRight Rev Bishop Stuart Robinson, Fr Chris Jackson, Rev Michelle Hazel-Jawhary, Very Rev Fr BasilliosKodseie, Rev Fr Isaac Zghaib, Dr Eman Sharobeem, Miss Jaimee Mary Varghese, Mrs Cynthia Godly, BishopMark Lieschke, Ms Corinne Lindsell, Mr Clive Price, Ms Claerwen Little, Rev John Barr, Very Revd FrShenouda Mansour.Report accepted.10. Other Business MattersIt was agreed to receive the AGM minutes, 2014.Amend corrections in list of apologies, 2014Thanks to Mrs Manal Mansour for catering for the AGM. Thanks also to Miss Michelle Ibrahim forvolunteering to help.No other matters.11. Closing Prayer - Very Revd Fr Shenouda Mansour.Meeting closed 2:40 pmPage 25 of 89
Reports Index to the Reports 1. President’s Report 2. General Secretary Report 3. Report on the Executive Meetings 4. Finance a. Public Accountant’s Report b. Treasurer’s Report c. Budget: 1st July 2016 to 30th June 2017 d. Financial Statements: 1st July 2015 to 30th June 2016 5. Commissions a. Interfaith b. Middle East c. Overcoming Family Violence d. Peace & Justice e. Theological Reflection f. TaizePage 26 of 89
President’s ReportPage 27 of 89
PRESIDENT’S REPORTWhen Rev Dr Andrew Williams, General Secretary of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW andACT, phoned me just over two years ago about taking on the Presidency of the NSWEcumenical Council I had little idea about what I was really getting myself into. Indeed,juggling responsibilities in a busy parish together with all the things the NSW EcumenicalCouncil is doing is a real challenge. But it has been an absolutely marvellous two years!Our Lord calls us to unity and my time as President of the NSW Ecumenical Council hastaught me there are far more things that bind us together than indeed separate us. Thisunity we are gifted with in Jesus Christ is a most precious thing. It’s not an optional extra.Nor is it a supplementary activity. Rather, our witness to the unity of the church, withChrist as our head, forms an essential commitment and an absolute priority concerningwho we are and what we a called to do.The NSW Ecumenical Council exists to nurture, support and resource such a commitment.Our focus is on networking, listening, learning and working collaboratively on thosematters and issues where we share common concerns and where we demonstratecommon expressions of interest and commitment.Over the past year we have listened to the cries of our Middle Eastern brothers and sisters,we have advocated for the rights of displaced people, we have worshiped together, dinedtogether, studied together and we have struggled with concerns centred around suchissues as the Marriage Equality proposal.Here diversity is acknowledged and celebrated with the understanding that we learn fromone another in an attitude of mutual respect and love for the other.I can think of no other time where the unity of the church and a common witness as apeople “one in Christ’’ is just so important. As I write there are news reports concerning aracist group disrupting a service of worshippers in Gosford Anglican Church. Here theparish priest, Fr Rod Bower, a champion of human rights and a strong advocate for asylumseekers, was attacked for his compassionate commitment to displaced people and theirsettlement in Australia.Then there is the horrific plight of our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle Eastwhere Iraq’s 1.5 million Christians have now been reduced to a figure of around 150,000while the proportion of Christians living across the region has declined from around one inseven some one hundred years ago to around one in twenty five today. Here we areconfronted with the shocking reality that Christianity is being driven out of its homeland asreligious cleansing amounting to genocide takes place every day.Meanwhile, here in NSW and particularly in the City of Sydney, historical divisions centredaround theological and other divisions still afflict the church. Here we earnestly desire tonurture fellowship with our evangelical brothers and sisters while praying to establishstronger ecumenical relationships with our Roman Catholic brethren.In all of this the NSW Ecumenical Council is committed to encouraging conversations andoffering ways of connecting, building bridges and sharing. We approach this vital taskunderstanding the value of diversity and affirming the rich value that differing ecclesialtraditions bring to the church. Moreover, we do so believing our efforts here are aPage 28 of 89
response to God’s calling and an expression of obedience to what God wills for God’schurch.As I conclude my term as President I wish to thank all our member churches, our churchheads (whose meetings I greatly cherish), the NSW Ecumenical Executive (who offer suchexcellent gifts and skills), the Core Group (whose deep commitment and great sense ofsolidarity made my role such a pleasure) and our various Commissions (who are the“engine rooms” of who we are as a council).Moreover, I wish to thank Fr Shenouda Mansour, General Secretary, whose passionconcerning the task inspires each one of us and whose devotion to the faith stirs ourspirits. Thank you Fr Shenouda!I conclude my Presidency of the NSW Ecumenical Council and with a deep expression ofgratitude and an immense sense of joy. For, in the words of St Paul’s letter to the people ofEphesus:“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and throughall and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-5).Rev John BarrPage 29 of 89
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General Secretary Report AGM August 2016 St James CentreReflection on Ecclesiates 4:1- 16The Book of Ecclesiates reminds us about wisdom and learning from the past. Placing thereading into contextThe work of the Council cannot be achieved unless we all become thatsecond person King Solomon speaks of. As churches, we need each other. We need tosupport one another, by walking and carrying each other in time of need, joy, clebration andin sadness. The world is experiencing a time of uncertainity with immigration, refugees,asylum seekers world wide, and the global movement of people. The ecumenicalcommunity is in need to stand in solidarity with those who are weak, the poor, the refugeeand etc. The Council is an embassy of Heaven. It is the expression of the Gospel that welive for the Glory of God. Are you ready to walk. The Council is very much in need of yoursupport!SynopsisThere were a number of good things that has happened over the last 12 months. Theinvolvement of the Council engaged with a number of matters that are important in today’ssociety. The Council needs to further increase its profile at every opportunity. The followingare the important highlights that took place since the last AGM 2015. In short, a team effort,reflecting the work of the Executive, Core Group and the Commissions. The following isonly a brief of the total work of the Council over the last 12 months. The Council needsyour support to continue the mission in promoting ecumenism and supporting the work ofthe Commissions that advocates for the voiceless as the engineHeads of Church Six Monthly MeetingsThere were 2 meetings held in December 2015 held at the Coptic Orthodox Church andJune 2016 was held at the Greek Orthodox Church. Both meetings were well represented.The meetings gave opportunity for Heads of Churches to share and to hear each other’sstories, concerns, happenings and important development within their church denomination.In the December meeting, a special guest was invited, Mr. Steve Kinmond, NSW DeputyOmbudsman spoke on Child Protection and the Churches”. At the June Meeting, BishopAnagelos (Coptic Orthodox), Moderator UK & Ireland Churches Together spoke on“International Reponse on the Refugee Crisis”. Both presentations were well received.At both meetings, there was an opportunity for the Heads of Church to share church news,events and concerns. Some of the concerns noted: The crisis in the Middle East; Refugeesand Asylum Seekers; Same Sex Marriage; Safe School Programs; and Climate Change.The next two meetings will be held at the Armenian Apostolic Church (December 2016)and at the Salvation Army (June 2017). VisitationsThe Council was able to meet with a number of Church leaders, promoting the EcumenicalCouncil and its mission over the past 12 months. Canberra Experience – Planting ChurchesEarly this year, the SW Ecumenical Council was invited to an ecumenical gathering of 7local churches in a suburb in Canberra. The event was designed to plant churches byinviting the local community to a local park. The involvement of 7 local churches wasinspiring. Each church had a stall to occupy, promote and run. The simplicity of the eventPage 32 of 89
was fruitful in showing this local community the life of the churches. I saw two foldedplatforms. The first platform was planting the life of the church in the local people. ThePlanting of a church was looking at non-Christians and inviting them to the Easter service.The second platform is the ecumenical opportunity to sow seeds of ecumenism in this localsetting of these 7 churches. Obviously, to do any activity takes pray courage, and time. Weneed to believe in it. I thank the Lutheran Church for given the Council that opportunity tolearn from them. I hope that the NSWEC may adopt a similar model in the future, that is,the planting of churches in the hearts of the people and planting local ecumenism in the lifeof local churches.Winter School on ÉcumencismI presented a lecture at the Winter School on Ecumenism on the Orthodox Churches and theEcumenical Movement. It was also an opportunity to promote the Council in presenting thelecture.CongratulationsThe Council congratulates Mr Doug Hewitt & Professor John Nevile for receiving OAM,Order of Australia for their Ecumenical work. and raising the flag for the NSW EcumenicalCouncil.Retiring & Special ThanksMs Joan Wilcox has retired from the Theological Reflection Commission end of last year.Captain (Interfaith Commission)Executive MeetingThe Executive has met 5 times since the last AGM. The meetings have been veryproductive, lots of enthusiasm, and good outcomes at each of the Executive Meeting. Themeetings have been cordial and well represented. The outgoing Executive has proven howimportant it is for the Executive to work as a team, fragrance with humility, love, meeknessand sincerity. The executive members dealt with many challenging agendas and haveproven, God provides solutions to problems. It would have been good for morerepresentation from the 5 Commissions. It is understood that the Council is blessed withprofessional Commissioners from all walks of life.Core GroupThe Core Group consists of the President, 2 Vice Presidents, Treasurer, and 2 members ofthe Executive. The Core Group does not have an official status within the Constitution,however, their work is extra to the Executive. They provide support to the General Secretaryand to the President, preparing many of the backstage, behind the scenes to make theCouncil’s work stable and fluid. I am in debited to their constant sacrifice of time anddedication to the meetings in order to provide the best outcome for the Council.CommissionsThe Council’s 5 Commissions have been doing their best over the past 12 months. The commission’senergy and vitality is visible and is very contagious. The Commissions are under resourced, and I hear fromtime to time about having a small budget. The Commissions are in need of a small budget to operateeffectively. I know that the Council is in need of funds, and we need to address this matter forPage 33 of 89
the future. The second issue is human resource. The Commissions are very respectful and understandsthe human element its commissioners who are volunteers and professional in the full time roles. TheCommissions are doing their best to overcome these new challenges. Finally, with all the Council’s limitedresources, the Council thanks for the Commission’s achievements over the past 12 months.FinanceThe Council has balanced the books for the financial period 2015-2016, and will balance thebooks for the current financial year. The Council needs to find new means of income tomeet the constant rise of fixed and variable expenditure. The Council has increased Churchcontribution of 3%, a small increment to meet the rising cost to run the office. Is it possiblefor a church to host a simple dinner to raise funds for the Council? Finally, a special thanksgoes to our Treasurer, Fr Bruce McAteer and to the Council’s Public Auditor, Mrs RosieDimian for preparing the Accounts for the AGM 2016.Building RelationsThe Council has been building relations at three levels of Government, Federal, State andLocal. It takes every opportunity to promote the work of the Council.Interfaith events have occurred through Islamic and Jewish organizations. Attending variousevents and supporting their communities have been the mode of building bridges and goodrelations. The IFTAR dinner June 2016 have been a good opportunity to build goodrelations with the Islamic community.The Council has attended a number of public forums, functions and events for the past 12months. The purpose is to build relations, for better understanding, and to build bridges witha number of agencies as partners. The Council takes every opportunity to build thosebridges and to break barriers for effective relations with the Council and other agencies.As examples on building relations of recent events in August 2016, the Council attended:Together for Humanity Fund Raisng Dinner (Rabbai Zalman); Breaking the Silence atWollongong (Catholic Diocese of Wollongong); Lunch briefing to hear Mr Michael Singh,Managing Director of Washington Institue for Near East Policy on Trump Vs Clinton:Implications for US Middle East Policy (Jewish Board of Deputies).We have lots to do, but we are in the mode, Work in Progress (WIP).Youth ForumOn March…, the Council in Colloboration withheld a Youth Forum at Parliament House.The event bought schools from Sydney and Regional NSW. The event was a success. Itbrought the value of diversity and inclusivity. Young children as young as in Year 5 to Year12, both genders, State and faith private schools participated in the event. The eventhighlighted the importance for the Council to participate and to be involved in the widerspectrum of public life.Public ForumA Multicultural Public Forum on the Global Displaced Persons Crisis was held on 28th June2016 at St Stephen’s Uniting Church. The event attracted a large crowd to hear two keynotespeakers and a panel of four expert’s contribution to an extraordinary night. BishopAnagelos (Coptic Orthodox General Bishop and Moderator UK & Ireland), and Ms TamaraDomicelj, Regional Refugee Protection Adviser with Act for Peace, the international aidagency of the National Council of Churches of Australia, and both spoke excellently on thetopic. The Forum was recorded by 2 ethnic television units. The Council thanks Agape TVand CYC TV for their production.Page 34 of 89
NewsletterThe Council publishes 4 issues per year. The content and work of the newsletter are acollective effort. The contents of the newsletter focused on the work of the Council plusarticles of interest to its readers. As the newsletter is published quarterly, the publication isold news. It has to be remembered, one day in the ecumenical world is a long day, muchmore to cover 3 months of ecumenical journalism. With the constant guidance taken from aspecialist in the field, we are working on a 32 page quarterly magazine, which appears to bestandard size. A special thanks goes to Mrs Marlene Botros for her continuing support inproducing the final product that you receive quarterly.Social MediaThe Council has commenced to engage in social media through Facebook. At the time ofwriting this report, there were 349 likes. Social Media is the way to go. It requires constantenergy and uploading of articles and photos. Friends of the Council like to know what ishappening in the ecumenical world.AdministrationSince the start of the year, the Council has tried to go digital in order to reduce the collectionof paper and increase in file size.Challenges for the Future InternsThe Council will be encouraged to explore the facility of Interns from Theological Colleges& University Campus that will allow research and explore and productive outcomes. VolunteersTo invite a volunteer for different projects of the Council, such as the Newsletter and SocialMedia for a day a week. Social MediaPromoting the use of Social Media, inviting our friends and network to like the NSWECPage. This is important as this becomes a major contributing factor in promoting theCouncil’s work activity and events. Newsletter SubscriptionI would appreciate if you could promote the Newsletter amongst your friends and network.The Newsletter is electronically distributed via MailChimp engine. The manualmanagement approach to emails of the past is impossible. MailChimp is an automatedmanagement, where subscribers are added or unsubscribed automatically. Friends of the CouncilTo promote a network for Friends of the Council. Requesting a small donation to help thework of the Ecumenical Council. It would be great to achieve 25 new friends over the next12 months. Fund RaiserThe Council needs a volunteer a week to organize activities of the Council, such as a GalaDinner and Friends of the Council Network.Page 35 of 89
Sale of BooksThe Council has a number of books of the Council that are worth promoting. We need tobelieve in our ecumenical products and promote them accordingly. Promoting CommissionsIt will be ideal if the Commissions were to promote a Public Forum/Symposium/Event onan annual basis. It will raise the profile of the Council by building positive relationship withthe broader society. We do live in a plural society, and the Council needs to respondaccordingly. Educational VisitsPromoting the work and mission of the Council through visiting schools and othereducational bodies, such as Universities and Colleges. Bringing the message of ecumenismand the importance of its work. Resources on the WebThe Higher School Certificate curriculum and exam paper has a question on the NSWECand NCCA. Providing resources for schools to download and to engage is an importantfeature of the Council’s work. Digital LibraryScanning of NSWEC documents will continue until the end of the year. It is hoped that thesecond stage will commence to have a digital library of Council’s resource. Cultural Exchange VisitsTaking small groups to visit different church traditions to understand other Christiantraditions. Many Christians have not had an opportunity to see other expressions of theChristian family, churches, retreat houses and monasteries. An opportunity to learn fromthe other. Interfaith DaysIn 2017, the Council to organize a IFTAR dinner in collaboration with another organization. Building RelationsFuture EventsThe following are future events the Council will be engaging in 2016: Taize – (September) International Day for Peace (September) GS – WCC (October) Meeting with the Premier (October) White Ribbon Day (November) Hanukah with the Jewish Board of Deputies (November) Heads of Church Meeting (December)Special ThanksA very special thanks goes to the President, Rev John Barr for the work over the last twoyears. His energy, dedication, many phone calls, some very late and at odd days and time,the many meetings, the travels and etc. Words will never be enough to express my sincerethanks to the Rev John Barr for all the work that he has dedicated to the mission and workof the Council. Truly, you are an Ambassador for the Council, and an Ambassador for theKingdom of Heaven.Page 36 of 89
Another special thanks goes to the Core Group that I have mentioned above. The countlesshours and communication is a witness to their commitment and love for the Kingdom ofGod.The Council’s Intern, Ms Claire Wright gave the Council one semester researching intoLocal Ecumenism, and at the end of theA special thanks goes to Mrs Nadia Naguib, who has devoted 1 to 2 days a week volunteerscanning the Council’s documents, virtually, ensuring the documents aSpecial thanks goes to the Minute Taker, Mrs. Amira Ghebranious, for 2015 and 2016.Finally, the work set before you was a Council team effort. It is the Grace of God that Godhas blessed, supported and given grace to all of us to continue in our roles, that we are ableto soldier on with the limited resources available.May God bless all the effort of every person.Glory to God in the Highest.Your Servant in the LordFr Shenouda Mansour20th August 2016Page 37 of 89
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Report on the Executive MeetingsPage 39 of 89
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EXECUTIVEThe Executive has played a vital role in the functioning of the Council this year.Our President for the last two years, Rev John Barr, a Uniting Church member of the Executive, hasvery ably chaired meetings of the Executive and guided the work of the Council in many and variousways. He has represented the Council with Fr Shenouda in many activities with the various churchesand his skills in diplomacy, warmth and understanding have been greatly appreciated. He has beenunstinting in his active and engaged co-ordination work with Fr Shenouda. He has also led the “CoreGroup” that meets between Executive Committee meetings to assist in the on-going work of theCouncil. We are very thankful for the his warm, generous and able leadership.We have been blessed with excellent reports from Fr Shenouda, usually with a powerpointpresentation of highlights of the work since the last meeting. These reveal the breadth and depth ofthe involvement of our Council in the life of our member churches and a reaching out to new possiblemembers. Fr Shenouda prepares faithfully for meetings of the Executive and keeps executivemembers in touch and involved in the various activities of the Council. His warmth and enthusiasm areinfectious.At the beginning of the Council’s new year, Ms Wies Schuiringa, Vice-President and Executivemember of the Religious Society of Friends, led us as we commenced with sharing our visions for thework of the Council and this was very useful in highlighting areas for development and desired waysof working for the coming year and in getting to know each other.Fr Bruce McAteer, an Anglican member of the Executive and Treasurer of the Council travels from theCentral Coast to present the Treasurer’s reports to the Council. He also meets with other officers inbetween Executive meetings on the Finance Committee. His untiring work in this regard is bothessential and greatly appreciated.It has been interesting to see the Commissions taking up new work, in the case of the Middle EastCommission, Interfaith Commission and the Commission on Overcoming Domestic Violence. Eachhas made a “good start”, with energy and commitment. The Theological Reflection Commission hasnew membership and is charting new directions. The Peace and Justice Commission is continuingtheir work, with the networks of Fr Claude Mostowik MSC connecting the Council.Executive member Rev Peter McGuigan of the Salvation Army took up the cudgels to plan whatturned out to be an excellent evening on 28 June 2016 focussing on “Welcoming the Stranger” andthe plight of refugees.Rev Manos Ghosh, a Uniting Church Minister who sits on the Executive as a Convenor of theInterfaith Commission, offered to host the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at Parramatta and thatwas a wonderful occasion of witness and sharing with other faiths.Other members of the Executive have taken initiative in encouraging their churches to be involved inthe life and work of the Council and in encouragement and support for Fr Shenouda and the executiveteam.Attendance at Executive meetings has been reasonable, though it could be improved. There is awarm fellowship around the table, which is heartening. It is very important that the member churchesPage 40 of 89
actively participate in the oversight and development of the work of the Council and the Executive is avital part of that process, particularly as Commissions bring reports to the Executive, the Executivedecides what events the Council should publicly support and many other outreach initiatives.We are very thankful that the Uniting Church in Australia, NSW Synod has hosted meetings of theExecutive, free of charge, in their excellent offices in Pitt St, city. This has been a wonderful venueand the great support and presence on the executive of Rev Dr Andrew Williams is heartilyacknowledged.Mandy TibbeyMember of the Executive,Representing the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.Page 41 of 89
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Financial ReportsPage 43 of 89
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Public Accountant’s ReportPage 45 of 89
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Treasurer’s ReportPage 47 of 89
NSW Ecumenical Council Annual General Meeting 20 August 2016 Treasurer’s ReportAttached are the Financial Accounts for the Year Ended 30 June 2016 and theBudget for the Year Ending 30 June 2017.The Financial Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2016 reflect a Surplus of $6,944compared with a Loss of $2,710 for 2015. This was a good result for the Council asthe Budget for 2016 indicated a loss of $2,300.The Council is grateful to the member churches who contributed $57,460. TheCouncil appreciates the commitment of its Member Churches.The Council received donations from Ecumenical friends of $6,155. Interestreceived amounted to $3,622.The General Secretary has again managed the affairs of the Council efficientlyduring the year achieving savings in many areas.The Council remits a monthly contribution to the Coptic Orthodox Diocese whichattends to the administration of the General Secretary’s remuneration package. TheCouncil is grateful to Bishop Daniel and the Coptic Diocese for the service theyprovide in this regard.The Finance Committee met regularly during the year and assists in the financialmanagement of the Council.The Council has cash funds of $166,735 as at 30 June 2016.The Budget for the Year Ending 30 June 2016 reflects a Surplus of $9,153. TheBudget has been prepared on a conservative but realistic basis based on theresults for 2016. A CPI factor of 1.3% has been applied to items of expenditure.The Council will be encouraging member churches to prayerfully considerincreasing their contributions for 2017.The Executive is continuing to negotiate with The National Council of ChurchesAustralia with respect to the charges for the year ending 30 June 2017. We areconfident that a satisfactory outcome can be achieved and take this opportunity tothank the NCCA its assistance to the ministry of the Council.Fr Bruce McAteerTreasurerPage 48 of 89
Budget 1st July 2016 To 30th June 2017Page 49 of 89
Budget 1st July 2016 to 30th June 2017IncomeMember Church Contributions 58,207Donations - Ecumenical Friends 6,155Donations - Other -AGM August 2015 959Rent Received 20,000Interest Received - Bank 3,622Books 776Fundraising Dinners 4,500 Total Income $94,219 Expenses 60,780 Staff Costs 74 General Secretary Package 393 Workers Compensation 211 Office Costs 128 Public Forum 94 Advertising 349 AGM 2015 Expense 118 Bank Charges 1,154 Computer Software & Maintenance 8,298 General Expenses Meeting & Catering NCCA OccupancyPage 50 of 89
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