NCCA Postage Recharges 504 NCCA Printing Recharges 1,114 NCCA Support Services 7,971 NCCA Telephone Recharges 353 Printing & Stationery 973 Travel & Accommodation 2,261 Website Maintenance 290Total Expenses $85,066Profit/Loss $ 9,153Page 51 of 89
Page 52 of 89
Financial Statements for Year 1st July 2015 to 30th June 2016Page 53 of 89
Page 54 of 89
Page 55 of 89
Page 56 of 89
Page 57 of 89
Page 58 of 89
Commission on InterfaithPage 59 of 89
NSW Ecumenical Council Interfaith Commission Annual Report 2016On 3 June 2015 the new Interfaith Commission of the NSW Ecumenical Council waslaunched with the following members:Captain Tara McGuigan, The Salvation Army, Co-ConvenorDr. Artin Jebejian, Armenian Apostolic ChurchDr. Katalina Tahaafe-Williams, Uniting Church AustraliaDr. Mario Baghos, St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological CollegeDr. Michael Sutton, Anglican ChurchMs Wilma Viswanathan, Uniting Church AustraliaRev Deacon Joseph Abdelki, Syrian OrthodoxRev Fr Anthony Morgan, Coptic Orthodox ChurchRev. Dr. Manas Ghosh, Uniting Church Australia Co-ConvenorRight Rev Nabil Kachab, Antiochian OrthodoxRev John Barr, Uniting Church NSWEC PresidentMs Wies Schuiringa, Religious Society of Friends NSWEC Vice PresidentVery Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour, Coptic Orthodox, NSWEC General SecretaryThe following are the objectives of the IF Commission: 1. Building a better society through faith 2. Building bridges with people of other faith 3. Building understanding by listening, hearing and learning 4. Engaging and celebrating diversity 5. Respectful in discussing with others 6. Respectfully endorsing harmony 7. Sharing and exchanging Interfaith respect and storiesSince its inception the commission met three times. Unfortunately the enthusiasm withwhich the IF Commission was formed was not reflected in its meetings in terms ofattendance. So there was frustration and disappointment. As a result of which Ms WilmaViswanathan resigned and Captain Tara Mcguigan relinquished her role.But it’s not all doom and gloom. Some members of this commission carried out theobjectives of the Interfaith Commission by involving themselves and by supporting anumber of interfaith activities. Abraham Faith Conference 2015, which was held on 26 August at the Fellowship Centre of Parramatta Mission, 119 Macquarie Street, Parramatta. The theme was “Respecting the other’s religious and cultural narratives”. Ms Maha Abdo OAM was the keynote speaker and there was panel discussion with panellists Rabbi Gad Krebs and Ms Alice Priest. The MC of the evening will be Assoc. Prof Mehmet Ozlap. This interfaith gathering comprised one hundred and twenty people from three Abrhamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. International Day of Peace was observed on 21 September 2015 with Interfaith Prayer service at the Fellowship Centre of Parramatta Mission. Two hundred and fifty people from fifteen different religions attended the service prayers from their religious backgrounds for global peace were offered. Prayers were interspersed with musical/cultural items presented by individuals and groups. Peace doves were released at the end of the service. A number of members from the Ecumenical Council joined and supported this great interfaith event.Page 60 of 89
I attended the Parliament of the World Regions which was held in Salt Lake City, USA from 15-19 January and after my return shared with all members of the NSWEC a comprehensive report and my own reflections on the Parliament. This document has in nutshell some of the talks from world famous religious leaders from all faith backgrounds. Interfaith Christmas Peace Dinner, the first of its kind, was held on 5 December 2015 at Parramatta which was attended by people from several religions and political field, and a great fellowship was enjoyed by them. On 10 December 2015 a Goodwill and Friendship visit was made to the Parramatta Mosque. Several members from the Ecumenical Council met the President and other leaders of Parramatta Mosque which was highly successful in building relationship with the Islamic community especially after the Parramatta shooting in October. I represented the Commission at the Muslim Australia’s annual gathering on 30 April 2016. I represented the Commission at the Iftar Dinner hosted by the Archbishop Anthony Fisher on 8 June 2016. Three major events are in the pipeline: Abraham Conference 2016 on 21 August, 2.30-6pm at Fellowship Centre, Parramatta Mission. Keynote speaker is Rabbi Dr Ben Elton from the Great Synagogue, Sydney, there will be QA style discussion. International Day of Peace would be observed on 21 September at the above venue. Time is 2pm. I’m planning a special commemorative service involving Islamic and Christian communities which will involve LGBTQ community as well. I’ll inform the council as soon as everything is finalised.On reflection I note that in the last year this commission was unable to gather as manymembers as possible. It may be due to members’ difficulties with time, venue and othercommitments. But this is an important commission and its tasks are vital in building betterrelationship with greater community and creating a harmonious and peaceful world. Ibelieve in the axiomatic saying of one of the most famous theologians of this century, ProfHans Kung: “No peace among the nations without peace among the religions. No peaceamong the religions without dialogue between the religions. No dialogue between thereligions without investigation of the foundation of the religions.” Keeping this in mindand being inspired by the Christian imperative, “Love your neighbour as you loveyourself” let us continue our interfaith journey.Thank you and God Bless.Recommendations: That the Report to be receivedRev Dr Manas Ghosh (Co-Convenor, NSWEC IF Commission)Page 61 of 89
Page 62 of 89
Commission On Middle EastPage 63 of 89
Page 64 of 89
NSW Ecumenical Council Middle East Commission Annual Report 215-2016 Terms of Reference objectivesThe Middle East Commission had a fairly active year with trying to achieve the followinggoals which were set out in our terms of reference;1. To inform Churches both member and non-member churches of the NSWEC on theplight of the Christians in the Middle East2. To improve the lives of minority groups in the Middle East by ensuring their dignityand human rights are upheld3. To advocate for an increase intake for Refugee and Asylum Seekers intake for ourmember churches MeetingsThe Commission had four meetings throughout the year where committee membersdiscussed concerns over the plight of Christians, ethnic minorities and other religiousminorities who were affected by Syrian/Middle Eastern Conflict and the inadequateresponse by the Federal Government and perceived bias. The Middle East Commissionpresented two reports to the executive committee which provided an update on the situationwithin the Middle East and Government response. Activity ReportSeptember 2015The Australian Government announced an increased intake to the Humanitarian Programmein September 2015, where the Peak Church Bodies and organisations were invited to attenda round table discussion. Both Co-conveyors Carmen Lazar and Sarkis Mouradian attendedthe meeting where community and NSW Ecumenical Council concerns were tabled.October -November 2015NSW Ecumenical council highlighted concerns over perceived media bias and wording ofmedia releases where Christian groups may not have have been fairly represented within theHumanitarian Programme. NCCA and Act for Peace where contacted to highlight ourconcerns and request a united approach.November 2015The Minister of Immigrations department was contacted to arrange a meeting so that ourmember Churches could table their concerns over the fate of communities and highlight thatall our member churches are willing and able to provide all the moral, spiritual andcommunity support for refugees once they arrive in Australia.Paris Aristotle (Foundation House and member of Prime Minister Expert Panel on Asylumseekers) and Peter Vardos (Syrian Refugee Resettlement Programme) were contacted and aconference completed to relay community concerns and misinformation relating to theFederal Governments initiative on the addition 12000 refugee visas and composition ofrefugee intake. The Middle Eastern Commission requested fair representation for Christianwithin the Humanitarian Programme.Page 65 of 89
March 10 -2016The NSW Ecumenical Council Middle East Commission Co-Conveyors and representativeof member churches attended a 1 hour meeting Minister Dutton and his staff where thefollowing points were discussed; 1. Community concern over plight Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities affected the Middle Eastern Conflict. 2. Communities willingness to help with the successful resettlement and our willingness to help with Governments selection process of refugees overseas. 3. Concern over the lack of feedback from the government relating to composition of the Humanitarian programme, timing or selection process. 4. The response of our member Churches in supporting high intake of refugees 5. Disappointed with pace of the Humanitarian Programme. 6. Member Churches such as the Armenian Apostolic Church in Australia and New Zealand being recognised as Supporting Community Organisation for the Community Proposal Pilot and they like other member churches have been providing guidance, spiritual, moral and community support via our mature community infrastructure.March 10 – 2016(Afternoon session)Ms Carmen Lazar and Mr Sarkis Mouradian look part in the Community Consultation insetting the Humanitarian Policy for 2016-2017. Community and NSW Ecumenical Councilconcerns were re-stated at the round table discussions.March 16 – 2016The co-conveyors Ms Carmen Lazar and Sarkis Mouradian provided statements to theHuffington Post Australia to highlight the plight of the Christians within the Middle East theGovernments in adequate response.June 2016Ms Carmen Lazar attended a UNHCR meetings in Geneva 7-27 June where concerns overthe Plight of persecuted Christians within the Middle East were tabled including the NSWEcumenical Councils concerns.June 28NSW Ecumenical Council organised a special public forum titled “I was stranger and youinvited me in” to address the current displaced people crisis and the current Governmentpolicy on refugee and asylum seekers and the disappointing response to the 12000additional refuge places within the Humanitarian Programme.His Grace Anba Angaelous was the key note speaker.Page 66 of 89
Objectives 2016-2017 The Middle East Commission will continue to lobby the Federal Government to ensure that the plight of Christians are highlighted and that they are fairly represented within the Governments Humanitarian response. Increased Humanitarian intake of refugees for member Church communities. Increased volunteer resettlement services to successful refugee visa applicants.Recommendations: 1. That the report be received 2. That the Middle East Commission will continue to lobby the Federal Government to ensure that the plight of Christians are highlighted and that they are fairly represented within the Governments Humanitarian response.Co-ChairMr Sarkis MouradianMs Carmen LazarCommission on the Middle EastPage 67 of 89
Page 68 of 89
Commission On Overcoming Family ViolencePage 69 of 89
Page 70 of 89
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FAMILY VIOLENCE COMMISSION for the 2016 AGMThis Commission was established in 2015 “to help our churches respond to the tragicreality of family violence and work towards its prevention” (Family Violence CommissionNSW/ACT Charter).The ongoing tragedy of Family and Domestic Violence in Australia once again featured inthe news recently.“Today's death marks the fourth Australian woman to have allegedly died in a domesticviolence related incident in the past 11 days and the 41st woman this year…”(SMH, 7/08/16).These statistics do not include the hundreds of thousands of Australians experiencingphysical, sexual, financial, emotional or psychological abuse every day. Our churches needto stand firm against violence in all its forms, addressing this abuse of power both withintheir church communities and also the broader community.The Commission has continued to meet on a quarterly basis, and most of 2015 was spentwriting the charter and establishing the Committee.The final draft of the Commission’s Charter, accepted in November 2015, states that:The work of the Family Violence Commission NSW/ACT will focus on:1. Raising awareness within church communities about the incidence and effects of familyviolence;2. Liaising and engaging with Government, non-Government and other decision makers toestablish collaborative partnerships and mutual understanding protocols with thisCommission;3. Identifying and providing suitable resources for church communities to increaseawareness of family violence, whilst recognising that each church community is different inits traditions and daily work;4. Working with the leadership of the Safe Church Program to engage member churches toadopt its philosophy and practices; and5. Supporting church communities to partner with local community organisations todevelop a prevention and early intervention model on family violence.The Commission has met twice in 2016, with two main outcomes: A resource for local churches to raise awareness of Family and Domestic Violence, and provide contact information for local, state and national Service Providers. The Standing Against Family and Domestic Violence flyer was kindly prepared by thePage 71 of 89
Social Justice Taskforce of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle on behalf of the NSW Ecumenical Council. The flyer will be sent to member churches with an accompanying letter asking that each church: 1. Nominate someone in your church community to contact the relevant organisations in your local community to find out about their service and to provide a brief summary on the flyer. 2. Place a copy of this completed flyer in your church and appropriate areas. 3. Continue to develop relationships with local service providers. This may include attending their meetings or public events and joining their mailing lists. This may be done by your nominated church member. 4. Continue to work alongside all those affected by this violence. A Vigil on the eve of White Ribbon Day. The Commission has 2 vigils planned for the evening of 24th November, one in Sydney and one in Newcastle.The Commission attendance has been variable, with average attendance of 4 people.Although small in number, the Commission has been able to work well together. As Co-Chair, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the members of the Commission fortheir commitment to addressing Family and Domestic Violence in our churches andcommunities.Recommendations: That the report be receivedCaptain Robyn BlackPage 72 of 89
Commission on Peace & JusticePage 73 of 89
Page 74 of 89
New South Wales Ecumenical Council Annual Report of the Peace and Justice Commission 2016Purpose: This Commission of NSWEC has continued to meet quarterly to consider a rangeof issues related to peace and justice concerns in the Council, the wider church and thegeneral community. The Commission brings recommendations to the Executive Committeeon action to be taken by the Council. It has a representative membership with wideexperience in the fields of peace, justice and international development. New Terms ofReference for the Commission has been written this year, and this document is includedwith these papers.Membership: Rev Clabon Allen (Wellspring Community), Ms Wies Schuiringa (Society ofFriends), Professor John Nevile (Christians for an Ethical Society, Canberra), Revd Lu Piper(Anglican with PNG experience), Ms Maria Tiimon Chi-Fang (Pacific Calling Partnership),Mr Jon O’Brien (UnitingCare Social Justice Consultant), Ms Pearl Wymarra (Indigenous),with Father Claude Mostowik (President Pax Christi Australia), Father Shenouda Mansouris an ex-officio member as General Secretary, Janet Coombes (Mosman Inter-ChurchCouncil), John O’Brien (Uniting Church), Anthony Tadros (St Mark’s Coptic OrthodoxChurch, Canberra), Wies Schuiringa (Society of Friends and co-President), BasiliosPsilacos, Paul Bottrill (House of Welcome)Major Task for year: As part of the review of NSWEC in 2012, the Council decided thatevery three years a Forum would be held to focus on a significant area of ecumenicalconcern. Peace and Justice was selected as the issue for the Council to consider in 2014/5after the Commission accepted the challenge presented at the World Council of Churches10th Assembly in Busan, Korea, which had the theme God of Life, lead us to justice andpeace by joining with ten partner agencies in the organisation of the Forum, AchievingPeace with Justice, held on August 29, 2014, at Santa Sabina College, Strathfield. This verysuccessful event where over 150 attended, including more than 40 secondary schoolstudents, has not been repeated with another forum as yet.Concerns which are regularly considered by this Commission at its meetings include:Refugees and Asylum Seekers: From time, when available, a representative from theHouse of Welcome (HoW) has brought reports of the needs it is responding to. HoW is aformer agency of NSWEC and part of the St Francis Social Services. When available, PaulBottrill has attended to brief the Commission. Paul Bottrill provided some generalreflections on the situation of asylum seekers in Australia. He has shared information on thecentre in Carramar that is fully operational and the outreach service at the community centrein Auburn. He said that income comes from regular donations from concerned citizens(about 1/3), from religious organisations (about 1/3) and from incident donations (about1/3). The corporate sector donates very little but provides “in-kind” support with mentoringand job seeking skills for those refugees who are allowed to work. Paul has said that asmore refugees are allowed to work, the emphasis of the HoW has moved from socialintegration to work readiness. There is also the arduous process of assisting people to applyfor work and providing support with filling in forms. Things become complicated when theylose their job, unable to pay their rents and need to re-establish their entitlements. Otherproblems are the very slow progress in processing the claims for refugee status due to newlyintroduced legislation that restricts and complicates the application and review processwhich also means that refugees stay in the supported housing for longer periods of time.Other members of the Commission are active in advocating on behalf of asylum seekers,especially children in detention, through movements such as Free the children and LovePage 75 of 89
makes a way. Since April 2014, six actions have been participated in with Love Makes aWay nonviolent actions at the office of Tony Abbott (when still Prime Minister) ScottMorrison (when Minister for Immigration) Malcolm Turnball (when CommunicationsMinister) and twice at Malcolm Turnball’s office (as Prime Minister). There was also alarge action inside the Parliament at Canberra with about 45 participants. It is important toremember that the participants are all committed to nonviolent action and come from a widerange of churches. This opposition to federal government policies with regard to asylumseekers also results to failures to reach government in other ways but also acts as a publicwitness to the community that the churches stand in solidarity with people who seek ourprotection.Christians for an Ethical Society, Canberra: John Nevile has reported that CES has goalsof promoting social justice and furthering public education in ethics. The Christianperspective on current social issues is addressed through public forums. Social justice is notthe monopoly of Christianity but is also supported by the values of other religions andsecular ethical systems, but, as Christians, we believe the dissemination of the truth is partof Christian discipleship. Injustice is easily perpetrated through ignorance ormisunderstanding. CES continues to fulfil its aim very effectivelyWellspring Community: Due to the resignation of Clabon Allen from the Commission wehave not receive any reports on the programmes conducted by the Wellspring Community.Peace-Making: The Council has consistently supported, in collaboration with the SydneyPeace Justice Committee (a coalition of unions, churches organisation and political groups)the organisation of the annual march and rally in Sunday for peace. The focus in 2016 again,was on refugees and asylum seekers, where many thousands of people gathered in BelmorePark and then marched along Broadway to Victoria Park near the University of Sydney. Themarch this year had a unique spirit to that of previous years, that despite the rain, peopleremained in the park to spend time with each other. The Commission was represented at theannual service of Inter Faith prayer and reflection on the International Day of Peace, held atthe Parramatta Mission on September 21, 2015.From April 11-13, 2016, Claude Mostowik was the only person from Australia to attend,along with 80 other delegates, an unprecedented and ground-breaking conference in Romeco-hosted by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Pax ChristiInternational. This conference called Nonviolence and Just Peace: Contributing to theCatholic Understanding of and Commitment to Nonviolence came together to discuss theCatholic Church’s history of and commitment to nonviolence. This gathering wasconsidered almost two years before by various organisations concerned with peace andnonviolence and then contacted the Vatican’s Pontifical Council which, by the end of 2015,had agreed to co-convene the meeting. Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the PontificalCouncil, delivered a message from Pope Francis which called “on all people of good will torecognize what Christians profess as a consequence of faith: that it is only by consideringour peers as brothers and sisters that humanity can overcome wars and conflicts.” PopeFrancis reminded the participants of the positive contribution they could make byrevitalising the tools of nonviolence and of active nonviolence in particular. Participantscame from South Sudan, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, the Philippines, Croatia, Japan,Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Thailand,Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Guatemala, Palestine, the USA andAustralia.The four main topics addressed included:1. Experiences of nonviolence2. Jesus’ way of non-violencePage 76 of 89
3. Nonviolence and Just Peace4. Moving beyond unending warThe primary focus of the conference was nonviolence and the just war theory was discussedat length and the possibility of Pope Francis writing an encyclical on Nonviolence. Thoughparticipants were deeply committed to peacemaking and nonviolence, there was nosuggestion that this was pacifism. Most participants challenged the centrality of the just wartradition and affirmed pro-active, nonviolent approaches to peacemaking at all levels.Central to the discussion, was the appeal from the conference to the Catholic Church (first,and beyond) to re-commit to the centrality of Gospel nonviolence and to commit to furtherCatholic understanding and practice of active nonviolence on the road to Just Peace, and forthe Church to develop further its social teaching on nonviolence. Along with a number ofproposals, the call was to lift the prophetic voice of the church to challenge unjust worldpowers and to support and defend those nonviolent activists whose work for peace andjustice put their lives at risk. Claude Mostowik has submitted an article for Sharing aboutthis.As a member of Pax Christi Australia, Claude has also reported on its activities incontributing to the NSWEC Peace and Justice Commission focus on peace. In 2015, as wemarked the centenary of the beginning of World War l, the focus in Australia was on thecentenary of Gallipoli invasion in 1915.The Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign (GCPC), a working group consisting of membersof Marrickville Greens, Marrickville Peace Group, Marrickville Residents forReconciliation, and Pax Christi formed in February 2014 attempted for 18 months to tell analternative story to the ANZAC myths officially presented by presenting a different visionfor the future of this country. It tried to offer an alternative picture to militarismcharacterised by the official celebrations and remind us that Australian history is one that isvery bloody. The working group challenged the official ANZAC mythology that Australianhistory began on the Gallipoli battlefield and worked to tell a different story – that Australiahas a ‘black history’ and of the forgotten frontier wars against the original inhabitants andthat there were social and economic achievements in Australia prior to WW1.Forums were held at Sydney University and also St Brigid’s Church, Marrickville,Petersham Town Hall telling the real story of Australia’s involvement in WW1 and theconsequences for those who survived the battlefield and those remaining at home and theuntold and suppressed stories of the heroes and peacemakers who opposed war and rejectedconscription. This was not to dishonor those fought and died, but remember those killed inwars and to learn from those conflicts so that they are not repeated and to seek nonviolentsolutions to international and intra-national disputes.NCCA Network on Social Justice: Wies Schuiringa is a member of this Network and shebrings reports on their planning for each year’s NCCA statement for Social Justice Sunday,which we promote in our member churches. The Network has decided not to continue withthe annual statements and to publish a series of online resources which gather statements bythe Churches that are already in the public domain. The NCCA Network on Social Justiceis also represented at the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council in preparing theCatholic Bishops’ annual social justice statement which in 2015 was titled For ThoseWho’ve Come Across the Seas: Justice for refugees and asylum seekers and launched by thethen newly appointed chair of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, and alsoformer ‘boat person’, Bishop Vincent Long.Caring for Creation: The presence of Maria Tiimon Chi-Fang gives the Commission astrong link with Pacific Calling Partnership. Unfortunately, Maria resigned from theCommission due to personal reasons. However, the Commission continues to support thePage 77 of 89
efforts of Pacific Calling Partnership and other agencies in promoting the plight of Pacificnations threatened by rising sea levels, which are already inundating many of the islands.Again in 2016, the Pacific Calling Partnership organised the third annual KATEP (KiribatiAustralia Tuvalu Exchange Program) which brings two young people from Kiribati and twofrom Tuvalu to Sydney for training in public advocacy, working with the media and meetingpoliticians. Claude Mostowik has been involved in program over the years with input andresources. In 2016, two other people Islander people living and studying in Sydney alsoparticipated in the program. It is inspiring to see people who often arrive very timid and shyfind a voice to speak out for their own people. Claude has also been involved in anotherinitiative of Pacific Calling Partnership where religious congregations who have been or arestill engaged in ministry in the Pacific meet in order to enhance or amplify the Pacific voicevis-à-vis climate change and to act as a united religious group who speak as one on the issueof climate change. This group is made up of up to 10 congregations. This group held a verysuccessful seminar day at Del Monte School Strathfield in October 2015 where more than100 people attended.Indigenous: This important issue of Australia’s Indigenous People and their recognition inConstitution being brought to the Australian people in a referendum was not beenadequately addressed. The Commission has not had contact with anyone from NATSIEChas it did in previous years. Another reason was the diverse voices and opinions amongpeople in the Indigenous community. However the intent is there and maybe more attentioncould be paid to Indigenous Issues in 2016/17.Claude has also reported on his membership of another group Action for Peace andDevelopment in the Philippines which is concerned with the impacts of foreign miningcompanies, including Australian, on the lives of traditional people’s lives in the Philippines.Indigenous people have been impacted and moved from their ancestral lands and theirtraditional lives turned over. In August 2015, Claude attended the International Peoples’Mining Conference in Manila, Philippines – a gathering of people from Africa, Asia, LatinAmerica, Europe and Australia who have been affected by the activities of foreign miningcompanies. These effects have consisted of broken promises, environmental destructionwhich is not rehabilitated when the mines close, loss of land, traditional lifestyles,employment and way of life and has at times led to conflict between peasants andindigenous peoples. Prior to the Conference Claude joined in a Solidarity Mission with theRural Missionaries of the Philippines to areas affected by mining. Some time was spent withcommunities in Didipio and Runrunno in Nueva Viscaya, listening to their stories of lossand damage done to their communities. On Claude’s return, he has given some presentationsabout the solidarity mission and also written a Just Comment for the Edmund Rice Centre:‘No to mining, Yes to life’……..Palayasin ‘Go away’.Prison Reform: Claude has reported on the meetings of the Community Justice Coalition(CJC) which considers issues related to the state’s criminal justice system. The CommunityJustice Coalition is a very small committee that seeks to bring about changes in the NSWprison system through advocating for prisoners’’ rights to education. The Uniting Church,as is the CJC, has also focussed on the concern that more private prisons are going to bebuilt in NSW as well as the increase in prison population while the crime rate is goingdown. The Uniting Church has also gone public that after 25 years, most recommendationsfrom the Deaths in Custody report into deaths of Aboriginal people in custody have not beenimplemented. This is particularly relevant in terms of the ‘not so new’ revelations oftreatment of indigenous people in the Northern Territory in general and the disproportionatenumber of indigenous people in the prison system in particular.Congratulations and ThanksPage 78 of 89
Congratulations have been offered by the NSWEC to Doug Hewitt and John Nevile on theirAustralia Day awards. Both were highly deserving for their long commitment toecumenism, justice and peace.Thanks goes to Maria Tiimon and Pearl Wymarra for their presence on the committee. Bothmade a significant contribution to our commission meetings. Clabon Allen’s resignationearlier has also left a whole in our meetings when he brought his general wisdom but alsoinformation about the Wellspring Community’s programs. A special thanks to FatherShenouda for his enthusiasm and availability to all in the commission. Thanks to all whomake the time to attend the meetings. A final word of thanks for the tireless work in somany areas of Wies Schuiringa. She does not know how much she is appreciated and reliedon.Recommendations: 1. That the report be received 2. That resources for Social Justice Sunday be promoted in member churches 3. That the needs of the House of Welcome should be widely publicised in the churches and the general community 4. That A Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace should remain a priority of the Council’s program in the coming year, and speakers be invited to the Council 5. That the Council promote within its member churches the work of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical NetworkFather Claude Mostowik mscC0-PresidentJuly 27, 2016Page 79 of 89
Page 80 of 89
Theological ReflectionPage 81 of 89
Page 82 of 89
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION COMMISSION REPORT TO AGM, 20 AUGUST 2016MembershipThe members of TRC in 2016 are:Rev Glenda Blakefield (Co-Convenor), Prof Diane Speed (Co-Convenor), Rev John Barr(ex-officio), Fr Shenouda Mansour (ex officio), Rev Dr Doru Costache, Rev Dr El Karaan,Fr Daniel Fanous, Major Paul Kinder, Rev Paul Weaver:At the 26 November 2015 meeting, warm appreciation was expressed for the valuablecontribution of Joan Wilcox, who had announced her retirement, to the work of theTheological Reflection Commission over the many years she was a member.Recommendation:That the NSW Ecumenical Council note with regret the retirement of Joan Wilcoxfrom the Theological Reflection Commission after many years of faithful and valuableservice, and wish her Godspeed in her future endeavours.Activities1. The Commission has met five times since the last AGM:2015 24 September, 26 November2016 10 March, 12 May, 11 August; one further meeting is scheduled for the year, on 3 November.2. The ‘Local Ecumenism’ project has now been completed. The fruits of this project are a website and a blog. The aim is to foster and build local ecumenical relationships. This project was organized by Claire Wright, a candidate for ordination in the Uniting Church, Synod of NSW and the ACT, and was supervised by Major Paul Kinder. The hope of this project is the establishing of online local communities that will share, inform, and connect with local initiatives and events. This will enable a stronger capacity for local ecumenical networks in NSW. Paul Kinder is now the Moderator of this blog.3. A short paper on the Lund Principle enunciated in 1952, intended as a reminder to the ecumenical community of its importance and an update on ways in which it has been implemented in Australia, was presented to the 10 March meeting by the co-convenors and subsequently edited into Sharing, no. 15 (pp. 13-14).4. The August meeting accepted a proposal from the co-convenors for a one-day conference on ‘Multi-Culturalism and Ecumenism’, exploring the impact of cross- cultural theology and ministry on the nature of ecumenical relations in Australia. The event is to be held on Saturday 12 November, at the Uniting Church Parramatta Mission. The morning sessions will have presentations from Rev Dr Clive Pearson and Rev Dr Seforosa Carroll, both Uniting Church ministers but very well-qualified to speak to relevant concerns. The afternoon sessions will consist of workshops on related topics, to be finalised, followed by a plenary gathering of the results. It may be possible to publish useful materials subsequently. It is hoped that the conference will be of some practical use to both clergy and laity in their daily rounds.The conference will be low-cost, to recover catering. There will be no charge for the useof the Mission premises, and the Sydney College of Divinity will provide someassistance in kind. It will be advertised widely as soon as possible, once details arefinalized, we hope, by early September.Page 83 of 89
5. The TRC has been kept informed about the visit of Brother Ghislain from Taizé in late September this year by Paul Weaver, who will report to the AGM separately. It has been noted that Taizé services are held in individual churches across NSW, but it is not clear whether or how information about these services is made known to other interested people, or whether the September visit of Brother Ghislain is known to all who might be interested. Paul Weaver has now produced a flier for general distribution, in an effort to address this situation.6. Recognizing a common concern to advance ecumenism, the co-convenors are exploring with the Wellspring Community leader ways to encourage the mutual sharing of news in the future. We note that a previous connection between the two organizations existed in the person of Doug Hewitt. It is expected that a firm proposal will be brought to the November meeting.7. In the course of our meetings it was decided not to proceed at this point with a proposed project on the meaning of ‘church’ or another on understandings of ‘marriage’, as issues better handled in other contexts. It was also decided to defer a decision on whether to mount a project on receptive ecumenism until 2017.Recommendations: 1. That the report be received 2.Rev Glenda Blakefield and Prof Diane SpeedCo-ConvenorsPage 84 of 89
Report on TaizePage 85 of 89
Page 86 of 89
REPORT OF THE TAIZÉ CONVENOR to the Annual General Meeting 2016 of the NSW Ecumenical CouncilFollowing the retirement of Kathy Moroney, Paul Weaver agreed to take on the role ofTaizé Convenor for the NSWEC. We are all most grateful to Kathy for her enthusiastic,generous and ableco-ordination of Taizé services, retreats and activities, and visits from Taizé brothers, overmore than 20 years. We owe her a huge debt for all that she has done to ensure that we inNew South Wales are able to benefit from the life and prayer of the Taizé brothers, and toshare in fellowship with this loving ecumenical community.Early this year, the Wollongong Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church informed us that ithad requested a visit from a Taizé brother, and were planning a retreat for young people atthe Carmelite Monastery at Varroville, not far from Campbelltown. Representatives fromthe NSWEC took part in a planning meeting, and it was agreed that the visiting Taizébrother would also take part in prayer services arranged by the NSWEC as follows: Evening Prayer will be celebrated at 6.30pm on Thursday 22 September in theCrypt at St Patrick’s Church in the city. Kathy Moroney is making the arrangementsfor this service of prayer. Morning Prayer will take place in the offices of the NSW Ecumenical Council onFriday 23 September from 9.30am, facilitated by Fr Shenouda. Evening Prayer will be at St Alban’s Anglican Church Epping at 7.00pm onFriday 23 September, and Paul and Sarah Weaver are looking after that evening. Evening Prayer will be held at Merewether Uniting Church at 6.00pm on Sunday25 September, which Doug Hewitt is facilitating. Kathy Moroney has offered to driveBr Ghislain to and from Newcastle for that evening, returning to Sydney after theprayers.We are delighted that our good friend Br Ghislain will again be with us. He has requestedthat his name not be promoted as we publicize the events, because he comes not in his ownname, but as a representative of the Taizé community. At his request, Br Ghislain will haveSaturday free, as he needs time for preparation for the retreat which follows at theVarroville Monastery from Monday 26th to Thursday 29th September.Flyers with details of the Prayer Services can be found on the NSWEC website, and allmembers of Council are invited to attend one or more of the services, and especially tomake them known, and to encourage people to come along.I continue to be deeply grateful to Kathy Moroney and Doug Hewitt for their enthusiastic,knowledgeable and helpful contribution to the planning process for these special times ofprayer.Paul WeaverTaizé ConvenorRecommendations: 1. That the report be received. 2. That the council publicize the visit of Br Ghislain, and that Council Members assist in making the services known to interested people. 3. That we thank Kathy Moroney for her wonderful and continued contribution over many years.Page 87 of 89
Personal NotesPage 88 of 89
Personal NotesPage 89 of 89
Search
