NSW Ecumenical Council Commissions
Theological Reflection Commission
To assist the Council and its member churches to celebrate and to manifest their unity in Christ, this Commission provides a forum in which the churches may grow together in their understanding and proclamation of the Gospel, exploring theological and ecclesiological issues, thereby coming to a deeper understanding of each other and growing towards a richer convergence with each other.
Peace and Justice Commission
This Commission gives advice to the Executive Committee on a wide range of matters related to issues of Peace and Justice: for example, refugees and people seeking asylum, climate change and care of the environment, support for the Palm Sunday Peace Rally, indigenous people’s issues relating to reconciliation in Australia, people trafficking.
Overcoming Family Violence Commission
The work of this Commission focusses on raising awareness within church communities about the incidence and effects of family violence, identifying and providing suitable resources for church communities to increase awareness of family violence, and working with the NCCA’s Safe Church Programme. The Commission currently has a Project Officer.
Inter-faith Commission
According to its terms of reference, this Commission is to assist the Council in serving the broader ecumenical endeavour of building better relationships with peoples of other faiths – respectfully engaging with, listening to, hearing and learning from others, enabling a greater knowledge and deeper understanding of other faiths, celebrating diversity, and thus contributing to the building of a better society.
Middle East Commission
The establishment of this Commission was in response to the request by Eastern Churches for there to be an ecumenical forum for conversations about the plight of Christians in the Middle East and the context in which they live, and for exploring ways in which the Council can be active in advocacy and awareness raising.
Taizé Network
For thirty years the Council has had a relationship with the Taizé Community, an ecumenical Religious Community in France, with a Brother from the Community coming to lead Prayer Services, Retreats and Quiet Days. There are also local churches which regularly have Prayer Services using the Songs of Taizé. This Network is a facilitating group.
Youth Commission
The preamble from the Youth Charter: The youth have approached the NSW Ecumenical Council seeking how they may best serve and participate in the life of the Council. The Council sees the Youth as making a significant contribution today and becoming the leaders of the Council and their church communities well into tomorrow’s future. The young adults are ecumenical participants and actors in the life of the Church and Council, acting as organs, arteries, and the backbone of the Council and its member churches.
Recent News
World Day of Prayer 2023
World Day of Pray occurs on the first Friday in March. This year the Council joined the service at St Stephen’s Uniting Church on Macquarie Street, Sydney on 3 March 2023. The World Day [...]
Mid Lent Service for Peace and for those Affected by Natural Disaster
The Council held a prayer service for Mid Lent on Tuesday 14 March 2023 hosted by St Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Lidcombe. The service was small, but the diversity of [...]
Letter from the Editor – April 2023
Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and reflection. Lent draws a kind reminder of Jesus Christ fasting and praying for humanity as described in Matthew Chapter 4. Lent brings people together to pray [...]
People of Faith say “NO” to fossil fuels in Global Week of Action
People of faith say ‘no’ to fossil fuels in global Week of Action This week, Australian people of faith and their organisations are being encouraged to consider divesting from fossil fuels as part of [...]