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
Family and Domestic Violence Project Annual Report 2021-2022
Annual report 2021-2022 The project is supported by a small committee of Rev Greg Woolnough, who had to stand down in June 2022 due to work commitments, Father Shenouda Mansour and Wies Schuiringa. A new [...]
Overcoming Family Violence Commission Report
This commission has not met for more than a year as the focus has been on the family and domestic violence project. This commission met in August 2022 and has church representatives from the Anglican [...]
President’s Report AGM 2022
Twelve months into my role as President of the NSW Ecumenical Council, I feel as though I’ve had an experience of entering a new world, but an exciting and enriching world. So I thank God [...]
Voice to Parliament
The NSW Ecumenical Council commends to Parliament a referendum for a Voice, as well as a truth-telling process and consultation towards a Treaty or covenant. We are all Australians living under the Southern Cross. We [...]