SPRING ISSUE 18 DECEMBER 2016 NSW Ecumenical Council Sharing NEWSLETTER OF THE NSW ECUMENICAL COUNCIL INCORPORATED Inside this issue Christmas Message . 2 4th International Conference Congratulations to Rev Claire Wright . 24 From the Editor’s Desk . 3 on Receptive Ecumenism . 12 ACERO Telethon . 24 Heads of Churches meeting, held at the Armenian Common Grace . 14 A Modern Slavery Act for Australia . 25 Apostolic Church . 6 Second Annual Community Peace Dinner . 16 Activites of the Council . 26 Mosman Council: Nomination of Citizen of the Year Safe as Churches Conference . 17 Christmas Bowl . 27 Alison Vickery… . 9 Domestic Violence – Are Friends Aware . 18 In the Wake of Terror in Cairo: Visit of the Anglican Primate of Egypt and the The Blood of the Martyrs, the Tears Horn of Africa, Bishop Mouneer Anis to Sydney . 20 of the Church . 10 Kur-ring-gai Inter Church Group . 22 Chirstmas Messages Bishop Greg Thompson – Anglican Diocese of Newcastle How will they celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem this year? With a message of peace. Online news accounts tell of the Mayor of Bethlehem leading the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 4 this year. The Christmas tree at the heart of this event can be found in Manger Square, Bethlehem, in front of the Church of Nativity. The message of peace has long been associated with the celebration of Christmas, for this long been one of the great hopes of God’s people. We long for peace in our world, peace in our neighbourhoods and families, and peace in our own lives. The good news of Christmas is a message of peace. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Christ. It was amazing to those who first witnessed the birth of Jesus and heard the promises around him that this hope of peace could be fulfilled in a tiny baby. As the baby grew it was equally amazing that the promise of peace could be fulfilled in one who embodied gentleness, forgiveness, faithfulness and truthfulness. And yet history tells that the most powerful messages of peace, justice and hope were embodied in exactly these things. How can this be? Because in Jesus we encounter God with us – a truth that changes everything. My hope and prayer for Christmas 2016 is that you may find God’s transforming peace in your place, and that you might also be an agent of that peace for someone else. Randall Gauger - Bishop, Bruderhof Australia Advent and Christmas are a time of expectation – a time for us to pray and long for a new dawning of joy and peace on earth. This will happen through the second coming of Jesus Christ. He came 2,000 years ago to reconcile us to God and open up the way to a new life. Until He comes again we have the task to proclaim the truth that Jesus is the one way to the Father and that He alone can give each human soul forgiveness and purpose. Jesus wants to break into our lives, our churches, and everywhere on this earth to bring peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness. He can restore broken relationships and heal every sin and hurt. Let us be bold in proclaiming that wonderful message! We send our very best wishes for the New Year to each member church. 2 SHARING | ISSUE #18 SUMMER Bishop Mark Lieschke – Lutheran Church Australia – NSW & ACT InRegions these days we celebrate once again the Son of God becoming a human being. He came down to our level. He identified completely with us. He experienced the joys and high moments of life as well as the pangs of grief, loneliness and temptation. He shared our blood, sweat and tears, and faced all and more than what any one of us will ever have to face. We celebrate the unique intervention of God in human history. In the person of Jesus, we see what God is really like. We see God’s character, his love for us, his commitment to us, and the sacrifice he was willing to make for us. Jesus is the exalted King of the universe who descended to the lowliest of positions, so that those in the lowliest positions may be exalted into the presence of the King of the universe. May Christ give you joy as you celebrate and share this precious message again this Christmas. But he wasn’t the kind of person that the people expected or wanted. He was misunderstood and was put to death by the very people he came to save. He knew that this would happen, but came anyway. He came because of his intense love for us. He came and lived and suffered and died as a human being. He came to take on himself the punishment that we deserved because of our sin. He came to rescue us and to give us eternal life. I’m not sure that I could identify with a God who never shared any of my struggles. I’m not sure that Jesus miraculously descending from heaven on a cloud, as some kind of superman would be quite the same. Jesus experienced what it means to be human. He was like us in all things except sin. Divisional Commander NSW/ACT Divisional Commander The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory Friends, What amazes you? I can think of plenty of things, both good and bad. However, let’s focus on the good things that “amaze” us. I am amazed.... -by the beauty and innocence of children. They capture my heart. -at creation. Just stunning -that Jesus loves me -by His love, grace, goodness -by Him! -when someone’s life is transformed by Jesus -by the gift of family and friends -when I look into the sky at night -at the beauty of the sun rising and setting -that the tides come in and out -at love, peace, joy, hope -when my family gather at Christmas time -when a child gets excited by new discoveries There is so much to “amaze” us, so much to capture our hearts. It is quite stunning really. Back, at the birth of Jesus, this was the reaction of those who heard about the birth of Jesus...(Luke 2:18) “All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” “All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished” “....seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child/ All who heard the sheepherders were impressed” I want to be constantly amazed, astonished and impressed by Jesus. He is the reason for the season. Take time to enjoy Him, to be amazed by Him, to love Him, to listen to Him, to respond in love to Him. He is pretty amazing. Have a wonderful Christmas. 4 SHARINGBless | ISSUE you #18 heaps SUMMER From the Editor’s Desk Very Rev Fr Shenouda Mansour I remember the beginning of the year of 2016. How quickly the year as gone past us. In 2016, there has been lots of good work achieved by the Council’s five Commissions. Without doubt, it is the family of ecumenists and ambassadors of the Kingdom of God that work so tirelessly within each of the Commissions for the Glory of God. What can ecumenism offer me as an individual? The Ecumenical movement actually offers the Christian faithful an opportunity to live the Gospel of Christ. Question may lie in your mind, how? Through invitation and engagement in church activities and events, the churches are given opportunities to witness and see, listen and hear, and share each other’s traditions. It is a great wonder that we realise there are more common denominator than difference. We all share the same joy and feeling towards Jesus Christ and God. We all have dreams to further the Kingdom of God within our communities and the local community where we serve. It is strange to see that we are all made in the image of God. If this is the case, then, why are we at times scared to make a plunge and do things together in the spirit where we are able to agree and work for the common good for the Glory of God. It may lie in the aspect where each church is struggle with church identity and denominational difference. If ecumenism gives the faithful an opportunity to live the Gospel, then, what about the interfaith dialogue and engagement with non-Christian living faiths? There will be those that will use the Biblical text, ‘we should have dealings with those who do not profess Jesus’. Today, we all hear the wonderful work of God all over the world. If scripture is written for all ages and for all the enjoy and hear the Gospel, then, the words of scripture is as applicable today as it was then. Those words were uttered by…. when it was said, who shall I send? Well, interfaith gives us all the opportunity to practice the Gospel. For, the Gospel tells us to love those who are different to us. How can I engage with those who are much different to me and to you? The interfaith engagement and dialogue allows the churches to do just that, for it allow us to be in engage with many different people who will never have the opportunity to meet with good church leaders, as yourself. You are doing the will of God. You are ambassadors of Christ. You are ambassador for the Word of God. You are consulates for your local ecumenical and interfaith movement in your area. You are doing the work of God for the Glory of God.