SPRING/SUMMER ISSUE 14 Sharing

HEADS OF CHURCHES MEETING ON 30TH JUNE 2015

JOURNEYING TOGETHER

Inside this issue

Making a difference. Church Program ...... 10 Catholic Diocese of Bathurst Celebrates 150 years of Ecumenism…A language of love! ...... 2 Explorations in Evangelism Christian Presence in Regional NSW . . . . .23 Dare to Serve – Call to Mission ...... 3 World Council of Churches ...... 11 Speaking out about climate change alongside our Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ...... 4 Laudato Si’ – On Care of Our Common Home 12-14 neighbors in the Pacific ...... 24 NSW Ecumenical Council Great Reading from the Books of the NSW Ecumenical Bougainville will be destroyed in the name of Endorses Interfaith Commission ...... 5 Council ...... 14 development ...... 26-27 Commission on the Middle East Inaugural Meeting 6 Promoting a Harmonious Multifaith Society . . 15 Salvation Army celebrates 150 Years of Service ...... 28-29 A Tour with a Difference ...... 7 The Centennial Commemorations of the Armenian ‘God’s Own People’ ...... 30-32 A Tribute to General Eva Burrows ...... 8 Genocide ...... 17-19 Refugee Week ...... 33 Condolence Extended to the Assyrian Church of the Break my heart for what breaks yours . . . . .20 East ...... 9 162 Years of Christian Witness at Balmain . . .21 Activities of the Council ...... 34 The National Council of Churches in Australia Safe St Paul’s Lutheran Church Celebrates Centenary 22 An invitation join the Ecumenical Network NSW .40 Come and help us… Very Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour

I am not dreaming…I am living a NSW Ecumenical Council, write to the NSW dream… Ecumenical and request how this may be possible. Come and help, and join in the new Ecumenical the churches working together for the Glory of landscape that God’s hand is doing for NSW & God! No church can claim the Holy Spirit. No ACT. It is God’s marvellous hands and Spirit that church can claim the Kingdom of God. No church moves us and works through us for the Glory of can say, their brand of theology is authentic His Kingdom. and unique and all others are null and void of substance. The church is like a mosaic, different This issue will address the recent exploration size and different pattern, we all belong to God, of Evangelism in Sydney by the World Council without exception. All churches complement of Churches and Council for World Mission. one another. The churches complete each other. What is meant by Evangelism in Context? This Without realising, you belong to a church that issue initiates a discussion on local ecumenical works within your own community and supports initiatives. At the last Theological Reflection the broader community in a very unique and Commission initiated an appointment of a authentic manner. It is without, only when you coordinator to look after “Local Initiatives” for the explore what other churches may be doing in State of NSW & ACT. The Council understands their ministry to their people and to their local there is good energy in NSW and ACT on local community, you realise a reality: we are all doing ecumenical initiatives. This issue presents two a small bit to serve God’s people on earth, for the examples: one in Port Macquarie on Taizé; and the Glory of God. other on the Ku-ring-gai Inter church Committee.

St Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia The Council’s Annual General Meeting held on the calling out to him and saying, “Come over to 15th August 2015 had a successful symposium Macedonia and help us.” I want to present a on “The role of the Church in Secular Society”. As vision to you, as a reader, as a church, to come the current issue was bumper, we have decided to and join us at the NSW Ecumenical Council, have a special issue collating all the presentations bringing your gift of zeal and gifts to share the joy and some photos of the Symposium. and love of Christ to all areas of NSW and ACT. No one is an island. Collectively, at the public A couple of our member churches recently space, churches standing together impacts on celebrated their New Year celebrations, the society and government. I want you to be part of Assyrian Church of the East and the Coptic this dream, this vision. Yes, I am the man, just like Orthodox Church. The membership of the NSW from Macedonia, but from the NSW Ecumenical Ecumenical Council shows the great diversity and Council calling out to you, “come and help rich landscape of Christianity in Australia. This us”. There is so much work to be done. At the issue celebrates with these communities. Ecumenical Council, it is a team effort of God’s The NSW Ecumenical Council extends people working together. At the Council it seeks congratulations to the Assyrian Church of the East to serve the member churches through the five for the election and consecration of the 121st Commissions: Peace and Justice; Theological Patriarch Catholicos Mar Gawarios III. Reflection; The Middle East Commission; Interfaith Commission; and Overcoming Family Violence. Finally, don’t forget the Christmas Bowl season is Its main purpose is to meet the needs of the around the corner. A special article is dedicated churches. here.

“Come and help us” by joining either as an Next issue will be focused on local ecumenical Ecumenical Friend by pledging an amount to initiative. If you have a story that you would like to help the Council in its mission on the Ecumenical share, please email the editor on journey for the State of NSW & ACT. If your [email protected] Denominational Church is not a member of the

2 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER NSW Ecumenical Council AGM Saturday 15th August 2015 Wies Schuiringa, vice-president Representative of the Religious Society of Friends, Quakers

The office bearers were commissioned in a Our Annual General Meeting, held service led by Rev James Collins. After a hearty at the Uniting Church in Epping on lunch, we heard from the five commissions Saturday 15 August. who spoke to their reports: Peace and Justice, Theological Reflections, Middle East, A large group of representatives of the member Interfaith and Overcoming Family Violence. All Churches, friends of the Council, office bearers commissions have representatives from most and members of Commissions met for the of the member Churches. Doug Hewitt stepped AGM. Our president, Rev John Barr was laid down from his leadership role in the Peace and low with the flu and the vice-president took Justice Commission and so closed his 55 years the chair. Pastor Ray Minnicon provided the of service to the NSW Ecumenical Council. Acknowledgement of Country. At the first He was presented with a special plaque as a morning session, representatives of five member symbolic thank you for his work. Churches gave a presentation about “The role of the Church in secular society”. A topic suitable The day was a great gathering for ecumenism for a PhD or a study group that meets for a during which we celebrated all the work of the semester. Our speakers had been given six to ten last 12 months and are looking forwards to the minutes each and all provided a very thoughtful next 12 months. and reflective presentation. Members of the Executive of the NSW The representatives were from the Uniting Ecumenical Council for 2015 – 2016: Church, the Religious Society of Friends President: Rev John Barr, Uniting Church of (Quakers), the Lutheran Church, the Salvation Australia Army and the Coptic Orthodox Church. Each Wies Schuiringa, Religious speaker spoke from the context of their own Vice President: Society of Friends, Quakers Church and tradition, however the common theme in all the presentations was that we are Vice president: Rev Bruce McAteer, Anglican called to live the Gospel, to care for the stranger Church and that by our works we will we be known. Treasurer: Rev Bruce McAteer, Anglican Church Upon further reflection in the following days, I Public Officer: Father Shenouda Mansour, remembered the “Lund Principle”, accepted by Coptic Orthodox Church the third World Conference on Faith and Order of Members: the World Council of Churches in Lund, Sweden Rev Dr James Collins, Anglican Church in1952 when it was accepted that the Churches: “Act together in all matters except those in which Father Youssef Fanous, Coptic Orthodox Church deep differences of conviction compel them to Bishop Mark Leischke, Lutheran Church act separately“. There was a great togetherness Major Peter McGuigan, The Salvation Army in how we understand the role of the Church in Ms Mandy Tibby, Anglican Church secular society. Rev Dr Andrew Williams, Uniting Church of Our general secretary, father Shenouda Mansour Australia presented highlights from his annual report. The audited financial report was accepted. Our Executive and office bearers were elected and the list is at the end of this article.

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 3 Exploration in Evangelism in Sydney By Rev Dr Andrew Williams

I was recently involved in organising the conference What has also become clear to me is that we for the World Council of Churches on the issue cannot forsake the personal nature of the gospel of “Evangelism in the City”. With a range of message which we have received. Principalities and participants from many churches, and several from powers, governments and nations cannot come my own church, the Uniting Church in Australia to faith – only individuals can! Making prophetic (UCA), we had an excellent gathering. I am also statements to governments may be mission but it is teaching the course “Mission, Evangelism and not evangelism, for evangelism is always addressed Apologetics” at our Theological College this to persons. However, the personal response cannot semester. You can imagine then, that the issues of stay on the religious surface of a person’s life. It mission and evangelism have been very much on has to penetrate all the way down to the core of my mind over the past few weeks. How do we as a person’s being, uncomfortable as that may be. church engage with the world around us? It cannot be motivated by social respectability, upward mobility, or cultural conformity. It cannot The UCA is often characterised as one which likes aim at satisfying rather than transforming people. the “doing” side of mission more than we like the Granted, the gospel does come as peace and “proclaiming” side of evangelism. As the great comfort to people in tragedy and emptiness but missiologist David Bosch said “the relationship only within the context of its being a word about the between the evangelistic and the social dimensions Lordship of Christ in all realms of life. This personal of Christian mission constitutes one of the thorniest response that is called for is a call to service. Jesus areas in the theology and practice of mission”. invitation to follow him is asking people whom But it remains true, as all leading thinkers attest at they want to serve. Evangelism is therefore a call this time, that we must try and hold them together, to service – to win people to Jesus is to win their and that evangelism is important. I suggest four allegiance to God’s priorities… Evangelism then, is elements: calling people to mission.

1. Words are required. The message is necessary. Have we lost confidence in these basic truths? It is unique. It cannot be replaced by unexplained Are we willing to be people that can both act out deeds. our faith and speak about our faith? I hope that our engagement with the community around us 2. Words must be backed up by lifestyle and action. includes both words and actions, and that our If lives are unchanged (unconverted) how can they proclamation is always filled with joy. As Pope call others to “conversion”? Francis recently said, “there are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter.” He encourages 3. Church membership cannot be the primary aim those who share the gospel to let their lives “glow of the announcement. The gospel is news about with fervour” as people who have first received the God’s reign and action not about an institution. The joy of Christ. May it be so for us! Church growth movement often thinks the success of mission correlates directly to church membership growth.

4. There is no perfect set of words that captures the gospel. Again, Bosch famously says “we may never limit the gospel to our understanding of God and salvation. We can only witness in humble boldness and bold humility to our understanding of that gospel.”

4 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 4 CHRISTMAS BOWL 2015-2016 HOLD AN ECUMENICAL CAROL SERVICE FOR THE CHRISTMAS BOWL

With the celebration of the birth of The Ecumenical Carol Service Guide is available to download from www.actforpeace.org.au/ Jesus near, Act for Peace would like christmasbowl. If you have any questions at all about to thank you sincerely for uniting with holding an ecumenical carol service for the Christmas thousands of churches and supporting Bowl appeal, please contact Act for Peace on info@ actforpeace.org.au, freecall 1800 025 101. the Christmas Bowl appeal to show communities threatened by conflict Photo credit Karen McGrath/Act for Peace and Rob Cleary/Seen Australia and disaster that we are with them in their time of need.

The Christmas Bowl is our way of forging a loving connection between our Christian communities here in Australia and people around the world who are experiencing extreme hardship and suffering. Now, the Christmas Bowl is Australia’s longest-running and best- loved ecumenical appeal. Over 2000 churches and 100,000 compassionate Australian Christians take part each year.

This year Act for Peace is offering you a fantastic new resource to help you take ecumenical action at Christmas – the Ecumenical Carol Service Guide.

Many churches gather together to organise special ecumenical carol services in support of the Christmas Bowl appeal. These services are especially popular, and bring together Christians of all denominations within the community to celebrate the birth of Jesus and give our Christmas gift to the world. Holding an ecumenical carol service gives you the opportunity to reach out to your wider local communities and share with them the message of Christmas. We thereby give common witness to the powerHeads of God of Churches in our hard lives. at work in their meeting

This invitation to Australian Christians to stand by men, women and children living through conflict and displacement is, sadly, more important than ever. War, violence and persecution have now left one in every 122 people in the world without a home. That adds up to more than sixty million refugees and internally displaced people around the world.

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 5 5 5-13 SEPTEMBER 2015 Exploration in Evangelism Life-Affirming Evangelism in the City By Very Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES-COUNCIL FOR WORLD MISSION, GOLDEN GROVE CENTER, NEWTOWN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

A big thankyou to the organisers, Ms Kyriaki Avtzi (URC – UK); Rev Dr Peter Cruchley Jones (URC – from the World Council of Churches, Mr Philip UK); Ms Tara Tautari (Methodist Church – NZ); Rev Woods, Council for World Mission, Bishop George Dr CHEN Hsin-Liang (PCT - ); Rev Dr CHEN Ching- Matthew, Chair of the WCC Commission on World Fa (PCT); Ms Emily Lai (HKCCCC – Hong Kong) ; Mission and Evangelism and Ms Anna Marundan Rev Dr Bright Myeong Seok Lee PCK; Fr. Jacob from Council for World Mission. At the local scene in Joseph University of Divinity; Rev Dr Daryl Jackson Sydney, a special thanks to Rev Dr Andrew Williams (Morling College – Sydney Australia); Ms Lisa King who organised the local settings in Sydney and the (Sydney Rotuman Church – Sydney Australia); Mrs local program. The participants were: Naomi Tawake (Rural NSW Multicultural Church – NSW Australia); Ms Ruthmary Bond(UCA South Ms Kyriaki Avtzi (World Council of Churches Australia Synod); Ms Denise Champion (Uniting (WCC)); Mr Philip Woods Council for World Mission Church in Australia – South Australia); Pastor Ray (CWM); Bishop George Mathew WCC-CWME; Rev Minnecon (Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Dr Andrew Williams (Uniting Church in Australia); Congress – Sydney Australia); Ms Anna Marundan Dr Katalina Tahaafe – Williams Uniting Church in (CWM – Singapore);and the Very Rev Father Australia; Rev Dr Heather Heinzman Lear (United Shenouda Mansour (NSW Ecumenical Council – Methodist Church-USA); Rev Dr Tracey Lewis; Sydney Australia).

6 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER As the list shows, the Participants came from all over the world.

The program commenced on Saturday 5th September and concluded on Saturday 12th September 2015. The exploring of evangelism in a big city as Sydney was challenging and exciting and revealed that all Churches are involved in evangelism. I guess, you may rightly say…what is evangelism? After the explorations deliberated over the whole week, all churches engage in evangelical work according to the context their Church and community is serving. It will be unjust to criticized one Church to say to them, you are not doing the work of evangelism, when in fact they are doing the work of evangelism in their local community, the broader society or the whole country. Defining At the Coptic Orthodox Church at Guildford evangelism into a community’s context is the key and core to understand fully the Churches role in their community.

The first day on Saturday evening 5th September the group meet over dinner and it gave an opportunity to break the barriers and to know one another where they came from and their Church background. On Sunday morning, the group were given an opportunity to explore Christian worship in two traditions, a Protestant tradition and an Orthodox tradition, attending a Tongan Uniting Church service in Auburn and the Coptic Orthodox At St Barnabas Anglican Church Church service at Guildford. At Guildford, His Grace Bishop Daniel warmly received the group. For most, this was the first time the participants experienced an Orthodox service and engaged The Church is bigger with an Orthodox community. This exchange than one denomination. highlights the importance to visit and experience, and, to listen and learn from each other. On Sunday evening, the group experienced an Anglican Church The Church is a mosaic service in Broadway, St Barnabas, where the majority were all youth coming from the catchment of different colours, of Sydney University and surrounding areas. It was different to the Orthodox Liturgical service for it sizes and shapes. included music and a live band. This experience highlighted the importance for Churches to meet the needs of their unique and authentic community in their context.

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 7 CITY WALK AT REDFERN

On Sunday afternoon, the Rev Pastor Ray Minnecon took the group for a city walk in Redfern. Redfern is the heart and soul of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Stories were told of the Indigenous people, we were walking on Eora Country. The photo shows an Aboriginal artwork of the First People attached to their land and the life giving importance of the land, earth, water, and nature. Pastor Ray gave the group a cultural and spiritual experience by walking through the streets of Redfern and exploring a number of sites, places and people.

The second city walk focused on the heart of the red light district in Sydney, Kings Cross. There the group had the opportunity to experience evangelism in context through the work of Way Side Chapel and the Safe Injection Room. These two organisations with their Christian foundations showed the group in their explorations the importance of serving a target group according to their needs. In this context, evangelism is about saving lives…saving a life from an untimely death. The group was very much moved by these two The group at the Injection Room organisations in serving the marginalised in society reminding us that “God cares” for humanity.

Secondly, all churches work for the glory of God in their context. Learning about the different contexts in evangelism, it was a challenge to listen to each member bringing their context into the living spirit of evangelism. Each group member was asked to make a presentation of evangelism in their Church. To my amazement, I had to conclude all Churches do their work on evangelism in their unique context. Without doubt, evangelism is to save a human life from The group at the Injection Room untimely death.

8 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER Rev Pastor Ray Minnecon giving his presentation on evangelism Rev Dr Andrew Williams giving his presentation on evangelism

Group and class lecture members actively involved in “Mission, Evangelism, Rev Dr Andrew Williams giving his class lecture on “Mission, Evangelism, Apologetics” with the Uniting Church Australia College community at North Apologetics” with the Uniting Church Australia College community at North Parramatta on Wednesday 9th September 2015 Parramatta on Wednesday 9th September 2015

The presentations were excellent providing lots of ideas celebration of the Coptic New Year at Parliament House. and food for thought in practical evangelism. The Rev This gave the group an opportunity to visit the New Dr Andrew Williams invited the group to experience South Wales Parliament House and meet the Coptic one of his theological class lecture on “Mission, community and many other dignitaries attended the Evangelism, Apologetics” with the Uniting Church evening. Australia College campus at North Parramatta Overall, the conference on Wednesday 9th was very successful! The September 2015. The NSW Ecumenical Council class was dynamic, is walking of the footsteps energetic and filled with of the predecessors of great ideas and learning. past General Secretaries, There is so much to Presidents, Commissioners, learn and experience on supporters and Executives evangelism…what we of the Council in their work know is a drop of water on evangelism and mission. in the ocean! The Council’s physical presence in NSW and Finally, the group was ACT through its member

able to enjoy a dinner Dinner hosted by the National Council of Churches on churches, working to together hosted by the Tuesday 8th September in Newtown collaborate, to witness together National Council of Churches and in the open and public space in Australia. The evening allowed opportunity for is a great witness of unity and witness for evangelism members to exchange more deeply and learn more and mission. I am indebted to the NSW Ecumenical from each other on exploring evangelism in their unique Council for allowing me to participate in this international contexts. On Thursday 11th September 2015, the group conference on the Exploration of Evangelism in the heart joined the Coptic Orthodox Church community in their of the City of Sydney.

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 9 Islamic State Executes 3 Assyrian Hostages in Syria By Mr Joseph Haweil

On 7 October, ISIS released a video showing the To date, there has been no attempt by the international execution of 3 Assyrians which it has held captive community to intervene in this specific case and secure since 23 February – a captivity of over 7 months. The 3 the release of the Assyrian hostages. Indeed, the Assyrians, wearing orange jumpsuits and kneeling, were historic Assyrian community in north-east Syria is all but killed by gunshots to the back of their heads after each annihilated today with little prospects that those who have introducing themselves. They were identified as Ashur left could ever return. Piro Rustam Abraham from Tell-Jazirah, Dr ‘Abd al-Masih ‘Izarya Nwiya from Tell-Jazirah and Bassam ‘Isa Mishael Modern Assyrian history in the Syrian Arab Republic from Tell-Shamiram. (Reference – Al-Jeloo, Nicholas, Persistence & Existence, Fairfield City Museum & Gallery, 2010, p.11) The video first shows 3 Assyrians, each of whom states his name and his village. These 3 are executed. The video Throughout the last century Syria has proven a refuge and then shows 3 other Assyrians on their knees behind the safe haven for Assyrians fleeing persecution and injustice bodies of the 3 dead Assyrians. The 3 Assyrians state – from Genocide under the Ottomans (1914-1924), to the their name and village and one says “Our fate is the Simele massacres under Iraq (1993), the Gulf War and same as these [pointing at the 3 dead Assyrians lying in resulting sanctions (1990-2002), and now the intense front of him] if you do not take proper procedure for our religious violence that has erupted in the wake of Gulf War release.” Two (2003-Present).

The 3 other captives also make a plea for the payment Today, there are over 100,000 Assyrians in the Jazirah of their ransoms, which amount to $50,000 per person. region of Syria, predominantly in the province of Their names are Zayya George Eliya from Tell-Shamiran, al-Hasakah. Although there has been a continuous history William Yukhanna Malham from Tell-Shamiran and Martin of Assyrians living in the province, most of those living Tamraz Tamraz from Tell-Jazirah. there today are descended from refugees that came in two waves. The first began to arrive after the Skykes- Picot line drawn in 1920, fleeing Tur-Abdin, Bohtan and other parts of Turkish Mesopotamian where they had suffered persecution under the Ottoman Empire. Most of these belong to the Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholic and Chaldean Catholic Churches. The second wave of migrants arrived in 1933, fleeing genocidal massacres that were being perpetrated by the Iraqi Government. With assistance from the French Mandate authorities they were able to establish 30 villages along the Khabur River. Most of these belong to the Assyrian Church of the East. There are also some Iraqi refugees that have arrived in the There are more than 180 other Assyrian captives, last two decades. including scores of women, teenagers and children, In Levantine Syria there are another 150,000 Assyrians currently being held by ISIS. The total ransom for these comprised largely of refugees from Iraq that have arrived people amounts to $9.5 million, which must be paid to in the last two decades, using Syria as a stepping stone secure their release. to migrate to the West. A number of those in Aleppo The three Assyrians were part of the group of 253 and Damascus are descendants of refugees who fled Assyrian that were abducted by ISIS on February 23, the persecution of Assyrians under the Ottomans in the when it overran the 35 contiguous Assyrian villages on First World War, and an even smaller amount are the the Khabur River in Syria’s al-Hasaka province. Following descendants of merchants who settled in Syria during negotiations with the Assyrian Church of the East, ISIS the 19th century and earlier. The Assyrian community has periodically released some of captives, numbering of Aleppo is comprised mostly of Assyrians who were more than 50 persons. forcefully expelled by the Turkish military from their homes in the city of Urfa (Edessa) in 1924.

10 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER A Tribute to DAPHNE SIVA - Rest in peace

Daphne Sivasubramaniam (Siva) died on 7 August 2015. She had lived with cancer for some time. Daphne was the Director of Finance for the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) since January gathered for a wedding. At the Monday morning 2011. weekly prayer time she shared with us her sense of deep peace, of “that peace that passes all Daphne became a CPA and gained her MBA during understanding” and acknowledged this as a great gift her 10+ years with the Board of Finance and Property and blessing from God. This deep peace never left her of the Uniting Church NSW/ACT Synod. She brought in the following weeks. this relevant experience and an analytical mind to the NCCA, together with her compassion and integrity, and “Peace I give to you, my own peace I give you, “never had a dull moment” as the saying goes. Daphne loved her work with NCCA and had a strong a peace that the world cannot give, this is my sense of service. She was gracious and brought a gift to you.” (John 14: 27) quiet assurance to her role that was appreciated by May peace be with all who have left us and gone to staff, Commissions and networks, member churches God. and partners. (Elizabeth Stone, Associate General Secretary, Daphne was a friend. She was a supportive colleague NCCA) and sounding-board, a good listener with a ready laugh. Daphne also loved to sing. She was ‘Mum’ NB: The Ecumenical Council and the NCCA are to Diane and Denise and was thrilled about being a co-located and there was constant contact between grandmother next month. the Council staff, volunteers and Daphne for all these years. She provided support to the Council and took Daphne was a woman of great faith. Two months an interest in the work of the Council. We will miss before her death, Daphne returned to the office from her. a visit to Sri Lanka where her extended family had

Theological Reflection Commission Treading in the footsteps of our predecessors By Mr Joseph Haweil On Thursday 24th September 2015, the Commission elected the General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council. A two new Convenors, Rev Glenda Blakefield and Professor number of local inter-church, ecumenical initiatives are active Diane Speed. The two new Convenors bring a wealth of throughout NSW and the ACT and the NSW Ecumenical experience to the Commission. The Commissions’ new Council is re-engaging with them. These initiatives are all membership embraces a good mix in different Christian different from one another and can be made up by different traditions, gender, laity and academia. The membership of local Churches. The heart and pulse of ecumenism is at the commission is: Rev Glenda Blakefield (Uniting Church); Fr the grass roots level. The current work of the Theological Daniel Fanous (Coptic Orthodox Church); Major Paul Kinder Reflection Commission is the document by the World (Salvation Army); Mr Michael Thompson (Anglican Diocese Council of Churches on “My Church, Your Church, Our of Newcaste); Ms Joan Wilcox (Uniting Church); Professor Church”. The Commission is working on the production Diane Speed (Anglican Sydney); Rev Paul Weaver (Anglican of a workshop booklet to encourage Churches to discuss Sydney); Very Rev Fr Dr Doru Costache (Greek Orthodox their understanding of their Church in this day and age. The Church); Very Rev Fr Dr John El Karaan (Antiochian Orthodox Commission is grateful for the work by Ms Joan Wilcox to Church); Rev John Barr (President NSWEC, Uniting Church); initiate the production of the DVD for this project in her local and the Very Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour (General Secretary Church. NSWEC, Coptic Orthodox Church). The Commission’s Terms of Reference will be reviewed After a long period of absence from the Council’s core work, to meet a changing, challenging, dynamic landscape on the “Local Initiatives on Ecumenism” was reactivated and ecumenism in NSW and the ACT. This will be addressed it will be under the auspice of the Theological Reflection over the next few Commissions’ meetings. Finally, the NSW Commission. The appointment of Major Paul Kinder as the Ecumenical Council congratulates the Theological Reflection coordinator will bring the energy to revitalise this area of work. Commission on its new members and we look forward to their It must be noted, Major Paul Kinder is one of the founding upcoming work and resources for the benefit of the Churches fathers of “Local Initiatives on Ecumenism” when it was first in the future. formed in 2004 by the Rev Dr Ray Williamson, who was then SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 11 Ecumenical Service of Prayer and Remembrance: Commemoration of the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide

Over 300 people gathered at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church Chatswood on 13 October for a service of prayer and remembrance for the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Hosted by the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, Bishop Peter Comensoli welcomed His Grace Bishop Haigazoun Najarian of the Armenian Apostolic Church and dignitaries and members of the Armenian community, along with Bishop Robert Rabat of the Melkite Catholic Diocese, Bishop Bill Wright of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, , Fr Basil Sousanian of the Armenian Catholic community, representatives of the Greek Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, and Uniting Churches, and other church and civic leaders.

In his homily, Bishop Najarian described the history of Armenian Christians which has been one of repeated struggle under persecution and at the same time resilience forged through faith and hope. Bishop Comensoli observed the genocidal impulses of our own time that link us to the remembered events of a century ago. Prayers were read by representatives of various Churches, with the variety of liturgical vestments and Bishop Peter Comensoli Catholic Diocese of customs mingling colourfully in a vibrant ecumenical Broken Bay tapestry. An Armenian choir and a Catholic choir led the congregation in song, a remembrance wreath was laid at the Paschal candle (a symbol of hope and resurrection) and a minute of silence observed. The participation of Catholic and Armenian youth was a living symbol of hope. Parishioners of Our Lady of Dolours offered warm hospitality and supper. As Parish Priest Fr Paul Finucane noted, the evening was a truly ecumenical experience of prayer and solidarity.

Among the dignitaries attending in the service were Fr Shenouda Mansour, General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council; Sr Elizabeth Delaney, General- Secretary of the National Council of Churches Australia; The official Bishops leading the service Sr Giovanni Farquer, Sydney Archdiocesan Ecumenical From L to R: Bishop Robert Rabbat of the Melkite Commission; Mr Peter Hamill, Director, Broken Bay Catholic Eparchy of Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Catholic Schools Office; The Hon. David Clarke MLC, Peter Comensoli from the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, Bishop Haigazoun Najarian of the Armenian representing the NSW Minister for Multiculturalism; Apostolic Church, Bishop Bill Wright of the Catholic Councillor John Hooper, Willoughby City Council. Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle

12 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER Ku-ring-gai Interchurch Committee Promoting friendship and understanding between Christians; learning from each other; worshipping together… Anglican Church of St. John the Evangelist, Gordon St. Ives Uniting Church Corpus Christi Catholic Church, St Ives Pymble Uniting Church St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Pymble/St Ives Pymble Chapel (Uniting) Pymble Catholic Parish St Swithun’s Anglican Church Pymble

An Exercise in Local Ecumenism-Ku-ring-gai longer exists. We have recently welcomed St Swithun’s Anglican Parish, Pymble, as a new member and hope to Inter Church Committee have them sign the Agreement at our Annual Dinner this Based on Christ’s prayer for the Church that we are “one year, in November. in Him”, local ecumenism can be seen as a partnership How we have progressed and extended our influence, between Christians seeking to witness together to their and made our presence felt in interchurch relationships common faith in God, and to act together in matters of and activities! We now meet monthly on the premises common interest in their communities. Indeed our logo of a member Church ; a supportive prayer roster is the cross formed from the mast over the boat affirms our circulated between members; an informative leaflet togetherness as those fishermen of old, afloat with Christ detailing members’ particulars is distributed to the wider in the world, “growing up in every way to Him who is the community; the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” head unto Christ (Ephesians 4, 15). is celebrated as a common thread by each member Bishop Herft, Anglican Bishop of Newcastle, addressing Church individually within their own traditions, while a forum on local ecumenism in 1999 stressed acknowledging a common purpose and central theme; “the important, indeed essential, character of local regular annual functions of a social and an educational ecumenism…that “if we are not engaged in ministry nature keep the Committee’s work alive in the minds of the each locally in our local faith communities where we live individual congregations, and, to some extent that of the our Christian belonging-then there is little point to the wider community, as well as uniting those congregations theological dialogue and to all else that happens in councils on an informal level that gradually breaks down barriers of churches and at other levels in the churches’ life.” between us. Some pulpit sharing has occurred, but we are endeavouring to promote it on a more regular and wider Significant Covenants, or Agreements have been made basis. have been made between Churches to this end that we are “one body”, “many parts” with unique callings In 2009 the Committee commenced Clergy/Committee committed to act together with other Christians in matters Lunches, held informally at a member’s home at least other than those in which deep convictions compel once annually, a great opportunity for Clergy to become separate action. This Committee has been encouraged acquainted , thus strengthening relationships, resulting in by the example of those initiatives, and in particular by closer ties with and between Clergy and committee. that Covenant signed in 2008, between the Catholic, Each of the abovementioned Congregations is Anglican, Baptist and Uniting Church Parishes of Epping represented on the Committee, which meets monthly and Carlingford. In November 2012, at the Annual Dinner (except in December). The Committee organizes three of the Ku-ring-gai Interchurch Committee an Agreement major functions annually: a Breakfast during Lent, usually was signed between the eight member Churches, quite hosted by St John the Evangelist Anglican Parish in a significant step forward from that first meeting in March Gordon, a Social Justice Lunch in August, usually hosted 1980 when a group of representatives from local Anglican, by St Andrew’s Presbyterian Parish in St Ives, and our Baptist, Catholic and Uniting Churches met in a private Annual Dinner, in November, usually hosted by St Ives home “to discuss one or more ecumenical services in Uniting Church in St Ives. Each of these functions is an the period of 15th to 29th May, 1980, and with the long occasion for ecumenical fellowship and is addressed by term objective of the establishment of an interchurch a speaker on a topic relevant to the shared beliefs of the committee.” The Congregations which participated in member Congregations. the 2012 Agreement were two Roman Catholic (Sacred Heart, Pymble and Corpus Christi, St Ives), one Anglican With God’s help, we trust that our humble efforts at (St John the Evangelist, Gordon), one Presbyterian (St local ecumenism will foster the continued growth of His Andrews, St Ives-Pymble), three Uniting (St Ives, Pymble Kingdom. and Pymble Chapel) and the Anglican Catholic Parish of St Mary the Virgin. The last mentioned Congregation no Alex Koroknay

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 13 14 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER Love Makes a Way BY SISTER SUSAN CONNELLY RSJ - SISTER OF ST JOSEPH

‘Love Makes a Way’ is an ecumenical group The answer to prayer for the asylum seekers, as for formed in response to the government’s other requests, is the Spirit of God. statement to would-be refugees that ‘No It is not only politicians who need to be ‘inspired’, Way’ would they ever receive refuge in who need the Spirit, it’s us. A conversion needs to Australia if they came by boat. happen in me, in you, so that we will not sit back On June 17, ten years to the day since John while the humanity of asylum seekers is craftily Howard said that all asylum seeker children would hidden, and while political parties manufacture be released from detention, forty religious leaders enemies from which they can appear to save us from various denominations and from across and hence secure our votes, nor while the human Australia sat down in protest in Parliament House rights of vulnerable people are threatened, nor Canberra, claiming that love would make a way. while leadership is in thrall to polling and talk-back The lament sung was “Were you there when our radio shows which have elements displaying all the nation turned its face?” “Were you there when the honour, trustworthiness and courage of any other kids were locked away?” There are still children in form of anonymous communication. asylum detention, over two hundred of them. It is love that will make a way. Christianity is an What do we actually do when we pray for a person, incarnational religion. God became human, was a situation, or a problem? There is a real sense in crucified, and rose in Jesus. We express an integral prayers of petition that we are acknowledging our aspect of that resurrection when we sing: “Christ dependence on God and that we don’t have all has no body now, but yours”. What we are praying the answers. Jesus told us to ask and we would for when we pray for asylum seekers is that God receive. But he did not specify that we would get will help them through you and me, through us. what we asked for, only that we would receive. The sub-text of our prayer must be that we accept Further, he said that God would give the Holy Spirit our shared humanity with boat people, with all the to those who asked. He didn’t say that the Holy consequences of that truth. We are praying that Spirit would be given only when someone asked we refuse to accept the repelling of asylum seeker for the Holy Spirit; he said the Holy Spirit would be boats as the absolute national policy that it has given if we ask (Lk 11:13). So I might ask God for become. Such a prayer implies that we reject the something I really want, or for relief from a problem, subjection of truth-telling, the Navy, transparency, but what I can confidently expect is that I will be the rule of law, international responsibilities, given the Holy Spirit. politicians’ electoral prospects, and human compassion to the supreme demands of this now What do we mean by asking God to ‘help’ the non-negotiable Australian response to a world-wide asylum seekers? Think of a boatload of asylum crisis. seekers on the high seas. What are we expecting God to do about this? Pluck them up and put them In these times when leadership has been replaced somewhere safe? Sometimes, prayers are for the by a type of followership, dependent on focus leaders of our nation whose policies totally reject groups, media image and popularity polls, the boat-people. What are we asking God to do about leaders must be given something meaty to follow. A the politicians responsible? A Damascus moment critical mass of people who believe that love always perhaps, for the whole parliament? makes a way can provide that leadership. It is a serious situation if the followers of Christ As prayers are said for asylum seekers, God is in Australia are satisfied to mouth a prayer or pouring out the Holy Spirit on those who pray, the two for asylum seekers in the expectation that Spirit who brings every gift needed for the task of God, by some extraordinary process yet to be acting in, with and like Christ. demonstrated, will rescue boat people, fix the situations from which they escaped, or change politicians’ minds.

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 15 ‘God’s Own People’ The Reverend Andrew Sempell Rector of St James’ Anglican Church, King Street, Sydney

From Nationalist to Consumerist belonging and renewal of the community. In this Churches way, the church reflects the individualism present in society but yet stands apart from libertarianism It is inevitable that any authentic expression through moral and intellectual conservatism. of church will reflect the community in which it exists, including its use of language, social Such privatisation of faith has produced a structure, cultural life, and the goals that it number of negative outcomes. Firstly, it has chooses to pursue. For this reason, many church weakened the church’s engagement with the denominations have tended to have a national- wider community; for when faith is understood cultural focus. Yet, sometimes they have become to be a private matter (not to be talked about in nationalist in their outlook, becoming more a general and not to be brought into public sphere mouthpiece for state and cultural interests rather in any meaningful way), it is easily disregarded. than a prophetic voice for faith and justice. Second, it has contributed to a consumerist approach to religion, where individuals are more More recently, globalisation has brought a concerned with what they get out of the faith growing awareness of cultural diversity, both community rather than what they contribute to it. within churches and the wider world. This has Consumerists will tend to behave like ‘customers’ created ethical challenges for some churches, and ‘shop around’ to ‘buy’ the type of religious including in the role of women in leadership, expression that they want, as against committing the status of gays, the persecution of minority to a community of faith with all the diversity of groups, and religious support for war. Such relationships that exist within it. In such situations challenges often create dissension and the supplying of ‘religious style’ becomes the sometimes schism. The ongoing problem is how important thing and the various denominations to determine those things that are central to the are the franchises. Christian faith and those that are secondary. There are not always easy answers to these A church that is overly-concerned with dilemmas; nevertheless sectional interests within individualism, style and sectional interests is churches are usually quite determined to fight never going to be in a strong and sustainable (even at all costs) for their particular positions. position to change the world. Indeed, it will be vulnerable to changing fashion, worried about A paradox emerges at this point. In reaction ‘brand image’, and ill-equipped to challenge to ethical relativity and in an effort to control people with the gospel. Moreover, as is the internal debate, many churches have developed case with narcissists, when things become a concern for matters of ‘correct belief’ and the difficult such organisations will succumb to process by which such beliefs are appropriated. the unreasonable use of power to get their The business of evangelism has become more own way, the denigration of other groups, and a matter of getting someone to ‘believe the disengagement with the broader community. So right things’ rather than being incorporated into how are we to live and operate as the people the community of faith. This has led to a more of God while not selling out to privatisation, individualistic approach to faith with an emphasis popularism or pretension? on ‘personal salvation’ rather than corporate

16 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER Incarnational and Set Apart Outward Looking and Loving

The Scriptures describe God’s people as set Churches have invested considerable resources apart for the benefit of the wider world (1 Peter in recent times to address the nature of mission, 2:9). This is a theme running down through but little has changed. Nevertheless, the process both the Old and New Testaments to the early of reflecting on this has helped to sharpen our church and on through history to us today. By priorities. In my Anglican tradition we developed this, we understand that the faithful stand in a a useful statement called The Five Marks of special relationship with God and that we have Mission, summarised as: a distinctive role and responsibility to be ‘light • To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom, to the nations’ – a means of helping people to see and understand the presence of God among • To teach, baptise and nurture new believers, humanity. • To respond to human need by loving Indeed, unless people can see some worthy service, distinction in the life of the Christian community, as against the world around it, then non- • To seek to transform unjust structures of Christians have every right to question its society, and value. We, as a community of faith, are called to • To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation embody the presence of Christ on earth, which and sustain and renew the life of the earth. is to be incarnational - and where the body of Christ gathers; God is present in the church. They provide a good outline of what we should do as church, and interestingly, they are all Universal and Evangelistic outward-looking activities. The church does well when it is a creative, loving and nurturing The structural and theological divisions in presence in the world - which is the calling for church life provide some of the greatest all Christians not just the clergy! Indeed, it is a hindrances to mission. It is one thing to communal and public act of showing hospitality have diversity of practice, perspective and by bringing God’s love into the lives of others - organisational structure, recognising the mixed and where love and charity is; God is present in cultural life of the church; however, it is another the church. thing to hold particular positions with the steadfast desire to exclude those with whom Worship and Sacraments one disagrees. The church seems to approach unity as an activity ‘more honoured in the breach Through my spiritual journey I have come to than in the observance’. understand that worship is a vital part of what it is to be church. This is especially through Part of the problem is the ‘I’m right, you’re the celebration of the two great sacraments of wrong’ and ‘I’m in, you’re out’ practices of Baptism and Communion, by which we affirm institutional religion. Of course we should strive the active and beneficial presence of God for truth and live disciplined lives, yet often the among us. It begins with our being welcomed fractured and militant behaviour of church life into God’s family and goes on with the regular negates its presenting a cohesive narrative offering and nourishment that comes through about God and humanity. When this happens, the words of Scripture and the sharing of bread churches become just another set of competing and wine in Eucharist. voices in the market place of ideas rather than a divine community living out a calling. We Our worship life should remind us that we are therefore need to avoid the temptation to create bound together, with God and with each other, structural, intellectual or into a community of faith – which is part of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:7-13). Through

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 17 physical actions we come to know the spiritual humanity and creation lived in harmony, and then nature of our relationship with God through Christ, forward to understand that we are meant to live and how that is to be evident in our relationships that way again. The Scriptures remind us that with each other. The sacraments therefore provide God continually acts through history to bring a narrative that touches a person’s physical, people back into a set of right relationships, but emotional, mental and spiritual being: thereby that humanity struggles to be faithful to it. In helping them to understand the presence of God Christ, God takes the initiative to enter the human in their lives. Worship especially reminds us of the dilemma and overcome it, thereby demonstrating experience of God’s grace - and where grace is; that the renewal of humanity is possible. God is present in the church. The church is a community in transition, seeking Mystery and Hope to live out holistic and peaceful relationships that are focused on God’s presence. In this way, the A failure of an enlightenment understanding people of God are meant both to challenge and of the world is its mechanistic approach to the renew the world. It is a work in progress, partially operation of all things, including humanity. It achieved now but more fully completed in the reflects an attitude drawn from science that future. We therefore live in hope, knowing that argues understanding ‘how’ something works God acts to draw all things to himself. God’s is all that we need to know, thereby ignoring the presence through the people of God (the church), ‘why’ question. What is missing in this attitude is is therefore to be a sign of hope - and where hope any sense of mystery, purpose or hope. is; God is present in the church. Part of the mission of the church is to become the people that God wants us to be. In this respect, we look back to the creation story where God,

CHRISTIAN PROTESTERS OCCUPY TURNBULL’S OFFICE, CALL FOR CLOSURE OF NAURU & MANUS ISLAND DETENTION CENTRES WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER

A group of 25 Christians are currently engaged in “We are here to welcome Mr Turnbull as our a peaceful occupation of the Edgecliff electoral new Prime Minister, and to call on him to finally office of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The do something about the inhumane practice of group is part of the ‘Love Makes a Way’ movement mandatory detention, especially of children,” said calling for all asylum seekers to be released into the Justin Whelan, speaking for the group. Australian community, and for the toxic detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island to be shut down. The group is appealing to the PM to make good on recent comments he has made in which he expressed concern about asylum seekers “languishing” in offshore detention centres. Mr Turnbull has previously acknowledged that the government’s asylum seeker policy is “cruel” and “harsh”, and has stated that no one wants children in detention.

18 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER LEIGH MEMORIAL UNITING CHURCH International Day of Peace Interfaith Prayer Service

21 SEPTEMBER 2015

The International Day of Peace has been observed in September every year since its inception by the United Nations in 1982. Each year the occasion is marked by the ringing of bells at noon – at the UN’s headquarters in New York, at places of worship and at schools and other institutions all over the world. Prayer and meditation services, concerts, forums, and candle- lighting cerem onies are among the ways the day is commemorated in many countries. In Leigh Memorial Uniting Church in Parramatta this service was held on 21 September as an interfaith prayer service. This year the day fell on a Monday and it was also the first day of school holidays. But nothing deterred people from far and near to take part in this very meaningful service. More than two hundred people filled the church’s Fellowship Centre and its adjoining courtyard. There was a wonderfully diverse group of guests from fifteen different religions invited to lead prayers; many of them had attended in years past and there was a warm and friendly feeling in the room as they greeted each other. The service was conceived and led by the Minister of Leigh Memorial Church, Rev Dr Manas Ghosh. A traditional welcome was given at the beginning by light a peace candle. At the end of the service twenty an Aboriginal lady. The youth Ambassador of the five peace doves were released from the front of the UN lit the Peace candle while the assembly recited church. The service once again proved that every faith together the International Prayer for Peace, adapted shares a common foundation of peace and divine by Mother Teresa from the Upanishads, the ancient love. scriptures that are the basis of the Hindu religion. After a general prayer representatives from fifteen The buffet meal and fellowship afterwards made different religious/cultural backgrounds namely the for a convivial conclusion to the proceedings as First People of Australia, Baha’i, Brahmakumari, the guests and church members visited with each Buddhism, Catholicism, Coptic, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Mandaeanisn, Sikhism, Sufism, other, the hall filled with the noise of laughter and Uniting Church and Zoroastrianism offered prayers. The children playing. At a time when millions around Mayor of Parramatta, the Federal and State Member the world struggle to escape war, terror and of Parramatta and the State member for Granville, the poverty, and Australia struggles to come to terms Parramatta Area Police commander were present. with its multicultural and multi religious future, a Some of the prayers were in English; others in the truly multicultural and multi religious gathering in central tongue of the respective faith (Sanskrit, Arabic, the name of peace took place at Leigh Memorial Hebrew, Persian, Coptic, Prakrit etc), with translations provided in the printed order of service. Between each Church in Parramatta in an unforced, grassroots prayer the assembly repeated the plea, “Let peace fill sort of way. Perhaps it can serve as a blueprint. our heart, our world and our universe.” With all these Rev Dr Manas Ghosh prayers that call for peace repeated over and over, the service took on a very meditative and tranquil quality. Co-Convenor NSW Ecumenical Council This was enhanced by the terrific music performed Commission on Interfaith between prayers by the Circular Keys Chorus, Women’s Whispers, one individual who sung in Swahili language, and two very special classical dance items, one by two young Hindu girls and another by five young Jain girls. The occasional address was given by Dr Pheroza Daruwalla. Everyone was given an opportunity to SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 19 Celebration of the Coptic Orthodox Church for the Coptic New Year – El Nayrouz 1732AM Thursday 10th of September 2015

This address was given by Bishop Daniel at a function room at the NSW Parliament House as part of the annual celebration of the Coptic New Year “The Martyrs and us and the testimony to our Lord Jesus Christ”

Good Evening Honourable members of Parliament, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters in Christ. I would like to begin by acknowledging and paying respect to the traditional The Bible shows us that the martyrdom of our blessed owners of the land, the Eora nation. martyrs is a testimony to all nations, not only those in the time of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also in our Tonight, we are gathered together in the presence present time. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not limit their of our Lord Jesus Christ to celebrate the 1732AM testimonies to the persecutors and to the Gentiles, but (Abbreviation in Latin –Anno Martyrum – meaning Era rather He made it an open occasion of testimony to the of Martyrs) years of our Coptic Calendar which know:” whole world. El Nayrouz” or the feast of the Coptic Martyrs. [NB: The Coptic New Year commenced in 284AD, in the reign Let us not forget when ISIS killed the 21 Coptic Christian of the Roman Emperor, Diocletian, when over 1 million Martyrs in Libya, filmed them, and published the film Coptic Christians were martyred in Egypt for being to the whole world, many people around the world Christians]. questioned why would God allow such a thing? I would like to focus tonight on the Martyrs, the Coptic Firstly, let me comfort you my dear brethren with a quote Church and their testimony to our Lord Jesus Christ. from the saying of our desert father St Anthony the Great, (an Egyptian Desert Monk who lived in Egyptian 1. Let me begin with a verse from the Holy Gospel of Desert in the 4th Century), “When Abba Anthony St Matthew Chapter 10 Verse 18 (NKJV), our Lord and thought about the depth of the judgments of God, he God Jesus Christ said: “You will be brought before asked, “Lord, how is it that some die when they are governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to young, while others drag on to extreme old age? Why them and to the Gentiles”. The Holy Bible reveals to are there those who are poor and those who are rich? us that the martyrdom of our blessed Martyrs became Why do wicked men prosper and why are the just in a testimony to their persecutors and to the rest of the need? He heard a voice answering him, “Anthony, keep world. This is what happened when Saul attended your attention on yourself; these things are according to the martyrdom of St. Steven the Archdeacon and first the judgment of God, and it is not to your advantage to Martyr, he believed and became known as St. Paul, the know anything about them.” great preacher of Christianity. Secondly this led our people to become more 2. Let us also share together what is written in the Holy enthusiastic about the Coptic Orthodox Church of Gospel of Luke 21:12-13 (NKJV), our lord and God Alexandria and strengthen the faith of its children and Jesus Christ said again: “But before all these things, the true believers. they will lay their hands on you and persecute, you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You Thirdly, this action of ISIS made lots of non-Coptic will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s people to ask about us: Who we are? What is our sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for doctrine? And, what is the history of our church? testimony.”

20 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 3. Thus, we can definitely say that:” the greatest 6. Brothers and sisters, the call to give testimony martyr of all times is our Lord Jesus Christ, Who was through martyrdom, is an open chance to all believers slain to redeem us by allowing His blood to be shed to abide by the word of God which is mentioned in on the Cross”. Let us therefore share together the the Holy Bible in the book of Revelation 6:9(NKJV), song of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders as written in the book of Revelation 5:6-9 “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar (NKJV): the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.” “And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of 7. Again, maybe some will ask: what will happen to the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, the inhabitants of the earth who killed the people of having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the God? The answer of this question is mentioned in the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 book of Isaiah 26:21(NKJV),“ For behold, the Lord Then He came and took the scroll out of the right comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 Now when the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and her blood, and will no more cover her slain.” the twenty four Elders fell down before the Lamb, 8. Finally I would like to ask you a question: what we each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, should do now? We must be very careful and watch which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a our life, both spiritually and psychologically, trying new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, hard to make our life sound, so that we can give good And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have testimony to others and deserve the kingdom of God. redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe Let us share together what our Lord Jesus said in: and tongue and people and nation.” Mark 13:9, “But watch out for yourselves, for they will 4. Also, all our fathers, the Apostles, made deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in testimonies about our Lord Jesus Christ. As written the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and by St John the beloved in the book of Revelation 1:9 kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. (NKJV) “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Do not fear my brethren because, St Augustine said: Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for “do not be afraid from any external enemy, control the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus yourselves, and you will have victory over the whole Christ.” world. And St Anthony once said, “I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said 5. Not only did our fathers, the apostles, make their groaning, “What can get through from such snares?” testimonies about our Lord Jesus Christ, but also the Then I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Humility.’” hermits, the monks, the Nuns and the consecrated sisters, made their testimonies of Christ our Lord as So, let us in humility be ready as the martyrs were we read in Hebrews 11:35-40 (NKJV), 35 “Others ready. Let us be a living testimony to our Lord Jesus were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they Christ. Their lives and martyrdom witness to us might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others their strength and power of their faith. Let our faith had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of be renewed and strengthened by commemorating chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they and honouring them with this blessed feast of were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with El-Nayrouz the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 Let me conclude with a quote from one of the early of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered church fathers Tertullian who wrote “the blood of the in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the martyrs is the seed of the church” and also said: “If earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good the martyrs of the whole world were put on one arm testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, of the balance and the martyrs of Egypt on the other, 40 God having provided something better for us, that the balance would tilt in favor of the Egyptians.” they should not be made perfect apart from us.” I wish you all the blessings, peace and happiness Here, I would like to emphasize that all the monks, of this glorious Feast of the Nayrouz, and thank you nuns, consecrated brothers and consecrated sister again for coming to celebrate it with us. were the sons and daughters of our great Coptic God bless you Orthodox Saint, Saint Antony the great. He is the father of the monastic movement in the whole world, Bishop Daniel and his monastery still exists in the Red Sea in Egypt Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church till this day. – Diocese of Sydney & Affiliated Regions

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 21 Mar Gewargis III Sliwa Consecrated 121st Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East

The Assyrian Church of the East, priest worthily and continuing one of the world’s most ancient his training in the Church, Rev. Apostolic churches, has elected Polos was nominated by the late and consecrated its 121st Catholicos-Patriarch and the Catholicos-Patriarch following the hierarchy to assume the exalted passing away in the Lord of His rank of Metropolitan for Baghdad Holiness the late Mar Dinkha IV. and all Iraq, filling the vacant Metropolitan see of Elam, thus The election of His Holiness succeeding the late Metropolitan Mar Gewargis III Sliwa, formerly Mar Yosip Khnanisho, of blessed Metropolitan of Iraq and memory. Russia was announced from Erbil, Iraq at 3pm Baghdad On Pentecost Sunday, June 7, time on 18 September 2015, 1981, Rev. Polos was consecrated following the convocation of the by His Holiness the late Mar 14-member Council of Prelates Dinkha IV in the Cathedral church from 16 September 2015 for of St. George, Chicago, assisted deliberations. by His Grace Bishop Mar Aprim Khamis. The new Metropolitan was An auspicious service marking his given the name ‘Mar Gewargis.’ consecration and enthronement was held at St John the Baptist After the falling asleep in the Lord Cathedral in Erbil, Iraq on 27 of the late Catholicos-Patriarch September 2015. Mar Dinkha IV on March 26, 2015, the Council of Hierarchs met in His Holiness was born Warda synod in the church of St. John the Daniel Sliwa, in Habbaniyah, Iraq Baptist in Ankawa, Erbil (Kurdistan 1941, from his parents the late Regional Government), Iraq Daniel Sliwa and Mariam Sliwa. between September 16 and 18, He matriculated from the School 2015. On Friday, September 18, of Education at Baghdad in 1964. the hierarchs elected His Beatitude Then, he taught English in various Mar Gewargis Sliwa as the 121st cities in Iraq for 13 years. Catholicos-Patriarch of the holy While visiting the United States, he See of Seleucia-Ctesiphon. He was called by His Holiness the late was solemnly consecrated and Mar Dinkha IV to serve the Church enthroned at the same church of in the ordained ministry. After St. John on Sunday, September training in the rites and theology of 27, 2015, by two Metropolitans the Church, he was ordained to the Their Beatitudes Mar Aprem diaconate on April 13, 1980 and Mooken and Mar Meelis Zaia, was ordained to the priesthood with the right hand of fellowship on June 8, 1980 taking the name of all the hierarchs of the Assyrian Polos (Paul). After serving as a Church of the East.

22 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER During the course of His Holiness’ ministry in Mardin and Hakkari, while visiting the ancient the Church as a Metropolitan, he has been able relics of the Assyrian Church of the East in that to establish the archdiocesan minor seminary country dating back to the early centuries of in Baghdad, which produced numerous priests Christianity. and deacons to serve the Church in Iraq. Some His Holiness has been active in ecumenical of the students were sent abroad to Europe forums and fraternal exchange between the for doctoral theological studies, and it was Assyrian Church of the East and other Churches expected that they returned and served the and ecclesial organizations. Most notably, he Church in Iraq and contributed to the formation has been active with the Middle East Council of of a proper seminary for the Church. Churches and the Council of the Heads of the His Holiness as Metropolitan established Churches in Baghdad. the library of the Metropolitan’s residence, As His Holiness embarks upon his sublime which now houses hundreds of ancient archpastoral ministry as the head of the Assyrian manuscripts. While in Baghdad, he established Church of the East worldwide, the faithful the Metropolitan’s press and was successful take hope and consolation in a dedicated and in printing a number of liturgical books and unfailing pastor who cares for his flock. May his other volumes of a catechetical nature for sublime ministry as the supreme head of the the needs of the Church across the globe. In Church be fruitful and give hope to the flock of 2009, he established the Urhai (Edessa) private Christ, purchased by His Precious blood. elementary school in Baghdad. With his consecration and enthronement, In 1994, after the fall of the USSR, His Holiness the Patriarchal See of the Assyrian Church of began a mission to the Assyrians in the Russian the East will return to Iraq after having been Federation, establishing a number of mission established in-exile in the United States for more parishes. In that year a permanent priest was than 70 years. assigned for the newly established parish of St. Mary in Moscow, Russian Federation. The This good news comes during times of immense newly built and beautiful church in honor of St. darkness for the Assyrian people in Iraq and Mary was consecrated. From this point on, the throughout the Middle East. As a tragically number of priests and deacons to serve the persecuted minority group in a sea of conflict, growing community of the Assyrian Church of the indigenous Christian Assyrians need now the East in Russia was increased. more than ever the wise and dignified leadership of the newly-elected Catholicos-Patriarch that While Metropolitan of Iraq, His Holiness he may continue to stand in solidarity with them has governed the Church in Iraq with great and minister to them in their suffering. dedication and tireless efforts wherever needed. He travelled to China in 1998 and made contacts there with the Christian Churches. He also made historic visits to the regions of

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 23 Wednesday 22nd of July 2015

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO COUNCIL Bishop Amos Ndhlumb of Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) Vice-President Bishop Amos Ndhlumbi visits NSW Ecumenical Council

In July, the Council welcomed the Vice President of Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Bishop Amos Ndhlumb. The Bishop presented the current state his country is facing. Hearing the reports from other Councils from the globe allows the Council to understand the international sister councils and their needs.

The visit by the Vice President of Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Bishop Amos Ndhlumb allows councils like the NSW Ecumenical Council to understand the member churches struggle in their mother land of origin. Living in Australia may cause a numbness of reality and self-denial of social and economic matters. It is so important to listen and hear the narratives of churches and church councils around the globe.

Moderator of Churches Together Britain and Ireland visits the Council

In June, Bishop Angaelos (Coptic Orthodox Church) Moderator of UK and Ireland visited the Council and gave an excellent talk on the current state in the Middle East. The message of love and forgiveness towards those who persecute Christians is the core of the Christian message.

The need to forgive our enemies is a strong message to all the churches globally. The need to assist and help Christians in the Middle East is the core of Bishop Angaelos message to the Council. The Council congratulated His Grace for recently receiving the Order of the Most Excellent order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to International Religious Freedom. The Council looks forward to his return visit in 2016. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II invests Bishop Angaelos on the 16th October 2015 With an OBE

24 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER THE STORY OF TAIZÉ Taize – Anniversary Rev Paul Weaver

It was 100 years ago that a son was born in of reconciliation and peace, making pilgrimages to Switzerland to a Protestant pastor and his French the community, and this number continued to grow. wife. As he grew up, the boy learned from his They were not only Protestants, but also Catholics. parents to love music, to be concerned for the poor, Later on, members of the Orthodox churches would and surprisingly to respect rather than reject the join them too. Denominations would always be a Catholic Church. During his studies in theology, the non-issue at Taizé. young man developed a desire to form a community of people devoted to living in simplicity and showing The number of pilgrims grew, as did the number of God’s love to those in need. brothers, and the small church became inadequate to hold them all. The brothers built a larger church, In 1940, war had started. Much of France using simple materials and using their skills to was directly controlled by the Nazis, while the decorate it fittingly but simply. compromised Vichy regime was in charge of the rest of the country. The young man found a small It also became necessary to provide depressed village in Burgundy, about halfway accommodation and catering facilities for the young between Paris and the Mediterranean coast, not pilgrims. Over the decades the church would be far from the German lines, and bought a house further enlarged to provide room for thousands of there. Refugees and victims of the war found their people. way to his house, and he always welcomed them. Food was scarce, but he made do with what he In the mid-70’s, the idea developed of a “Pilgrimage could grow, and there was always enough. He of Trust”, with brothers travelling throughout the prayed three times a day in a room which became world to take a message of reconciliation and hope his chapel, or he went into the woods to pray. The to the poor, and to young people everywhere. Some young man continued to research and consider the branches of the Taizé community were set up in value of a monastic style of life. By the end of the places like India and Africa. The number of brothers war, three other young Swiss men had joined him to was getting close to 100. Out of this, in the early form a small community. 90’s Br Ghislain came from Taizé on the first of what became his annual visits to Australia – meeting In 1949, seven men, including three from France, young people, and sharing in services of prayer and committed themselves to a life of celibacy, of weekends away. The NSW Ecumenical Council was common goods, and of leadership by a Prior. regularly involved in arranging these visits. This Prior, the man who had begun the process 75 years ago in 1940, became known to people By this time the particular style of services of the throughout the world as Brother Roger of the Taizé community had developed. There were many Taizé Community. It was the first time that the old different languages and backgrounds, both of monastic ideal became a reality in the churches of brothers and especially the pilgrims, at Taizé by the Reformation. the 1970’s. Br Roger saw that a way of providing for people of different linguistic backgrounds was By this time, the little community had been given needed. Traditional Latin hymns had been used permission to use the village church. The brothers in the services, but now something new began were determined to serve the poor in whatever way to develop: the use of simple chants with words they could, and continued to welcome refugees, but which could be sung or understood in different they were also committed to the reconciliation of languages. the church, and indeed of people everywhere. They found young people, enthusiastic about the goals

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 25 Now the words might be written not only Last year, Br Ghislain invited the NSW Ecumenical in Latin, but in French or English or other Council to send a group of people for a week at languages. People might join in the language Taizé at the beginning of July, to link up with the as written, or a simple translation could be community in this special year. Eight people went, used in one’s own language. The chant was including Kathy Moroney, Doug and Isobel Hewitt, repeated so that the melody and words and others who have been involved in Taizé events became familiar, and in a sense got not only in NSW. It was a wonderful time sharing in the inside one’s head, but into one’s heart. program with 1500 pilgrims, the vast majority of whom were under 30. The scripture readings were not too long or complex, and might be read in more than one We joined in the prayers. We heard the insightful language, to enable people to understand more talks given by Br Emile, given by him in English and clearly. And instead of a sermon, there would be French, and then translated into a number of other silence: a silence which gave space for people to languages. And we shared in discussion groups be open to God in the way that was appropriate with other English-speaking people. Br Ghislain for them. was generous with his time, showing us aspects of the community that we would otherwise have As time went on, the number of young pilgrims missed. We saw Br Roger’s room, which has continued to increase: churches and schools been kept as a place to welcome visitors. As an would bring their young people, and during the artist himself, Br Ghislain showed us a new project summer educational holidays, there would be involving young people in a variety of artistic thousands of pilgrims to join in the prayers, to learn projects. While most of the young people stayed more of God and the scriptures from the brothers, in tents and others stayed in dormitories, we as and to share in the work of the community. seniors were able to stay in more comfortable In August 2005, Br Roger was at evening prayers rooms. But we had the same food as everyone: in the Church of Reconciliation at Taizé. A very basic Taizé-style food, prepared by the young demented woman came over the low greenery people! which marked out the area where the brothers A Service of Prayer based on the pattern of pray, took out a knife, and started stabbing him in Taizé is held at 6.00pm on the second Sunday of the throat. Br Roger, of all people a man of peace, each month at St. Alban’s Epping. People from was brutally murdered while at prayer, with over all church backgrounds are most welcome, in 2000 people present. keeping with the ecumenical emphasis of Taizé. When people were informed what had happened, All interested people are invited to join us for this prayers were said for the woman, and a spirit gentle reflective form of prayer and worship. If of forgiveness was very evident, as was the you know of other regular Taizé-style gatherings, conviction that God’s work in the community please let Fr Shenouda Mansour know, so that would and must continue. And so it has. people can be aware of where they can find Taizé- style services. In Taizé on Sunday August 16, the community and 4000 visitors commemorated the 100 years since Br Roger’s birth, the 75 years since the founding of the community, and the 10 years since Br Roger’s death. At St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Epping, on that same date, more than 50 friends of Taizé and other interested people gathered for a Service of Prayer following the pattern of Taizé, sharing locally in the celebrations of the Taizé community.

26 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER Taizé – Reflection from Port Macquarie By Mr. Hans von Chrismar

The Taizé Community is an ecumenical in half, Roger’s home became a sanctuary to monastic order in Taizé, Saône-et-Loire, countless war refugees seeking shelter. On Burgundy, France. It is composed of about November 11, 1942, the Gestapo occupied Roger’s one hundred brothers, from Protestant and house while he was in Switzerland collecting funds Catholic traditions, who originate from thirty to aid in his refuge ministry. Roger was not able to countries across the world. The monastic return to his home in Taizé until the autumn of 1944, order has a strong devotion to peace and when France was liberated. justice through prayer and meditation. It was In 1941, Roger had published a few small founded in 1940 by Brother Roger Schutz, a brochures outlining several facets of a Christ- Protestant. centred communal life together. These brochures The community has become one of the world’s prompted two young men to apply, soon followed most important sites of Christian pilgrimage. by a third. They all lived in Switzerland in a flat Over 100,000 young people from around the owned by Roger’s family until after the war when world make pilgrimages to Taizé each year for they began a new life together in the French prayer, Bible study, sharing, and communal work. countryside. On Easter day 1949 seven brothers Through the community’s ecumenical outlook, they committed themselves to a life following Christ in are encouraged to live in the spirit of kindness, simplicity, celibacy and community simplicity and reconciliation. Engagement with youth culture Early years In the 1960s young people began to visit the Taizé The Taizé Community was founded by Frère Roger community. The first international young adults’ in 1940. He pondered what it really meant to live a meeting was organized in Taizé in 1966 with 1400 life according to the Scriptures and began a quest participants from 30 countries. for a different expression of the Christian life. A year after this decision Roger reflected, “‘The defeat The village church of Taizé, which had been used of France awoke powerful sympathy. If a house for the community’s prayers, became too small could be found there, of the kind I had dreamed to accommodate the pilgrims. A new church, the of, it would offer a possible way of assisting some Church of Reconciliation, was built in the early of those most discouraged, those deprived of a 1960s with the help of volunteers, and expanded livelihood; and it could become a place of silence several times in the subsequent decades, first with and work.’” Because his Swiss homeland was tents, and then with simple wooden annexes. neutral and thus less affected by the war, he felt as In 1970, in response to student protests taking if France would be ideal for his vision. For Roger, place all over Europe and the world, as well as the France was a “land of poverty, a land of wartime Second Vatican Council, Brother Roger announced suffering, but a land of inner freedom.” He eventually a “Council of Youth”, whose main meeting took settled in Taizé, which was a small desolate village place in 1974. just north of Cluny, the birthplace of western monasticism. At the end of the 1970s, the meetings and surrounding activities began to be referred to as In September 1940, Roger purchased a small a “Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth”. The community house that would eventually become the home decided to focus on youth. of the Taizé community. Only miles south of the separation line that divided a war-torn country

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 27 Young adult meetings in Taizé

Small discussion groups. Saturday at 22h (Central European time) by the German radio station Domradio and provided Throughout the year, meetings for young adults online as a podcast between 17 and 30 years old (and, within certain limits, for adults and families with children) take For more information visit http://www.taize.fr/ place in Taizé. The number of visitors reaches more than 5000 during the summer and on Easter. Meetings usually last from Sunday to Sunday, though it is also possible to just come for a few days, or, for young volunteers, to stay for a longer time.

Several sisters also help with running the meetings, however, they are not “Taizé Sisters”. These sisters come from various orders, most notably the Catholic order of St. Andrew from Belgium. The Sisters of St. Andrew live in the neighboring village Ameugny.

The schedule of a typical day in the youth meetings: Morning prayer; Breakfast; Large group “Bible Introductions” led by one of the brothers; Sharing group discussions; Mid-day prayer; Lunch; Optional song practice Practical tasks; Theme workshops; Dinner; Evening prayer; and Informal gathering at Oyak (a common area at Taizé)

The evening prayer is broadcast every

28 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN) Engaging with the realities

As I sit down to write, I am awash with the news the war on Gaza over a year ago. For Palestinian from the West Bank and Jerusalem where scenes refugees in surrounding countries, the situation is of violence have played out for five days. Four desperate – with refugees from Syria becoming Israelis have been killed in what appear to be lone third or fourth time refugees and seeking to settle wolf attacks by Palestinians, all of the victims were in some of the other already overcrowded and settlers advocating against justice for Palestinians. stretched camps in neighbouring countries. While Four Palestinians have been killed by Israel forces, the Palestinian flag flew at the UN for the first time one of them 13yrs old, and another running in October, this feels meaningless amongst the from an Israeli lynch mob. The UN Secretary violence, blockades and lack of progress towards General said he is alarmed by these fatalities. The justice. Palestinian Red Crescent Society has declared a The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN) state of emergency following 14 attacks on their began its formation almost a decade ago from ambulances by Israeli settlers and soldiers, and Christians who wanted to respond to Christ’s calls are reporting that 500 people were injured by to seek justice and love mercy. They have listened Israeli forces over the weekend. Israeli settlers to the call of Palestinian Christians who have been were said to have rampaged across the West crying out for years for our solidarity and love. It is Bank, damaging property and writing ‘revenge’ on a small but faithful organisation that seeks to give people’s homes, and reports of mobs of right-wing voice to this suffering. Israelis charging through the streets of Jerusalem looking for Palestinians to attack send shivers down This year PIEN responded to a request from my spine. Palestinian Christians to respond with ‘more than words’. In response, PIEN has decided to This latest round of violence, from both the campaign against goods made in Israeli settlements Occupiers and the Occupied, has not come out of and sold in Australia. We have called our campaign nowhere. The latest round of ‘peace talks’ finished Don’t buy into the Occupation. over a year ago, and there has been no progress since that time. Senior Israeli parliamentarians PIEN is grateful to be working with the NSWEC to have been publically declaring all year that they faithfully support our brothers and sisters in Israel have no intention of allowing a Palestinian state. and Palestine, so there can be a just and peaceful Two weeks ago I watched footage of huge Roman future for all - Christian, Muslim and Jew. era Olive trees being ripped from the ground in For more information and ways to get involved, see the Cremisan Valley near Bethlehem where the www.pien.org.au Catholic Church has been desperately trying to stop Israel’s separation wall cutting its lands in half. For almost all of September, all 47 Christian schools in Israel were on strike because the State subsidy was much lower than for Jewish schools and had continued falling. And every day this year I’ve received daily reports from the West Bank - of settler violence, settlement expansions, house demolitions, Israeli night-raids arresting Palestinian children, news of the twenty people killed by Israeli security agencies just this year. And things in Gaza remain dire, with not one house yet rebuilt after

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 29 Acting for peace and justice in the Middle East: EAPPI Jessica Morrison APAN Executive Officer

For over 10 years, the participants of the Daily life for EAs can include monitoring military Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine checkpoints that control the movement of people and Israel (EAPPI, www.eappi.org) have stood in and livestock, walking Palestinian children to solidarity with vulnerable communities in occupied school so they aren’t harassed by Israeli security Palestine: witnessing daily life under occupation, forces, attending and documenting cases of settler offering protective accompaniment where possible, violence, planting trees, teaching English, and and advocating for a just peace to the regional participating in nonviolent demonstrations alongside conflict. Palestinian and Israeli partners. In 2015, the tenth Australian volunteer took part Upon their return home, EAs continue their in this program, becoming part of an international protective accompaniment by raising awareness community of over 1500 volunteers from more than of the realities of the occupation, and campaigning 25 countries who have taken part in the program for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli/ since its formation in 2002. Palestinian conflict that is based on international law and respect for human rights. EAPPI is coordinated by the World Council of Churches (WCC), and was established in response EAPPI leaves an indelible mark on the lives of to a call for support and solidarity for vulnerable those it touches – be it the EAs themselves, or the communities suffering under occupation. In communities they work with: Australia, the NCCA has taken up the call to “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.” coordinate and enable the participation of Australian EA, 2014-2015 Australians in the program. “The biggest effect has been on the children. I have EAPPI’s vision is a future in which the occupation asked how they feel, when the settlers come and of Palestine has ended and both Palestinians and you [EAs] are here, and they say they are no longer Israelis enjoy a just peace with freedom and security scared like they used to be.” Rashed, Mayor of based on international law. Yanoun village where EAPPI works EAPPI’s mission is to witness life under occupation, One day, we all hope that EAPPI will no longer be engage with local Palestinians and Israelis pursuing needed. But until that time, EAPPI-Australia remains a just peace, and to change the international committed to sending and supporting Australians to community’s involvement in the conflict, urging participate in this vital program for justice and peace them to act against injustice in the region. in the Middle East. The program brings Ecumenical Accompaniers EAPPI-Australia relies on the efforts and (EAs) from around the world to live in occupied contributions of its volunteers and donors. If you’d Palestine for 3 months at a time, offering protective like to know more about how you can be involved presence to vulnerable communities, and in the work of EAPPI-Australia by becoming an monitoring and reporting human rights abuses. EA, having an EA speak to your group, or making a These EAs join Palestinians and Israelis who work donation please visit: http://www.ncca.org.au/index. in nonviolent ways for peace, and they also support php/departments/eappi or email Bek (the EAPPI- local churches. Australia coordinator) at [email protected]

30 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER “GIFT OF EACH “PILGRIMS OF HOPE”, OTHER”: A BOOK written by Rev Dr Raymond K. Williamson, ex-General Secretary of ON ‘RECEPTIVE the NSW Ecumenical Council ECUMENISM’. This book goes on an Ecumenical Journey in and across Australia over the last 30 years, the period between The book is a study guide, for use in 1980 to 2010. parishes and inter-denominational studies. Cost is $39.95 plus postage and handling. Enquiries to the General The cost is $5.00 plus postage and Secretary: [email protected] handling. Enquiries to the General Secretary: [email protected]

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 31 Activities of the Council

The Commissions of the NSW Ecumenical Council

Commission for Overcoming Family Violence Peace and Justice Commission

Commission on the Middle East

Taize Celebration in France

This is a group photo with Frere Ghislain Taize – Image of Taize expression at the front altar of St Albans Anglican Church in Epping and Frere Alois who is now the prior at Taize (France) Photo taken on July 2015

32 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER Supporting Member Church

With the Assyrian Church of the East…in memory of 100 Years of Genocide – Friday 7th August 2015

With the leaders of the Ethiopian Tewahdo Orthodox Church in Sydney Saturday 27thJuly 2015

Building Relations International Conference Evangelism in the City

L to R: Bishop George Matthew – L to R: Reverend Graham Long, Pastor and R to L: Official Delegate of the World Council CEO of Wayside Chapel Sydney and Fr Ms Jessica Morrison of Churches - Commission on World Shenouda Mansour Rev Aimee Kent Mission and Evangelism Dr Rebekah (Bek) Christensen Very Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 33 Visiting Catholic Diocese of Lismore Visiting the Carmelite Monastery in Wardell, Ballina Saturday 26th September 2015 on Saturday 26th September 2015 Left: Bishop Daniel (Coptic Diocese of Sydney), Bishop Geoffrey Jarret (Catholic Diocese of Lismore), Fr Shenouda Mansour (NSWEC)

At the Interfaith Symposium, “One God to bind us all” Venue: Western Sydney University, Milperra Campus

Panel of speakers answering Q & A from the floor Taken during afternoon tea session

L to R: Sister Elizabeth Delaney, Very Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour, Associate Professor Mehmet Ozalp and Mr Jeremy Jones

34 SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER Meeting with the NSW Minister Ajaka, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Multiculturalism on the 23rd September 2015.

L to R: Minister Ajaka, Dr Eman Sharobeem, Fr Shenouda Mansour and Rev John Barr

Meeting the Parramatta Catholic Education, Catholic Diocese of Meeting Zalman Kastel, National Director of “Together for Humanity Parramatta, Mr. Daryl Castllini (Centre) Foundation” (On the left) (24th September 2015)

SHARING | ISSUE #14 SPRING/SUMMER 35 An invitation JOIN THE ECUMENICAL NETWORK NSW

Become an Ambassador for Christ… AN ECUMENICAL FRIEND

Members are invited to meet with overseas visitors, attend ecumenical dinners and other times of celebration. You will receive regular updates on ecumenical events and the News Letter. Experience the Ecumenical movement. Experience the voice of Christ, “that they may all be one…that the world may believe” (John 17:21).

Members are asked to pledge to contribute regularly. Direct Deposit: NSW Ecumenical Council (ANZ Bank) BSB 012 006 Account No. 5256 42292

God loves a Cheerful Giver 2 Corinthians 9:7

How you can be involved! Pray with Jesus ‘that they may all be one’! Participate Engage • Join us as a volunteer or correspondent Let us know what is happening in your area or through your church • Receive the quarterly issue of “Sharing” by email Help promote ecumenical activities in your area or • Support our work with a financial donation through your church You can make a difference! Help arrange an ecumenical forum, dinner or other Send your details to the General Secretary at activity in your area. NSWEC representatives are always [email protected] OR by post at willing to share something of our work or to help in NSW Ecumenical Council, Locked Bag 199, other ways. QVB, NSW 1230

Editor: Very Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour NSW Ecumenical Council Ph: 8259 0819 Fax: 9262 4514 Website: www.nswec.org.au

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