Council of Churches of WA

Week Of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022

Posted on May 30, 2022 by Simone Micke

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022

“We have seen his star in the East and come to worship him” Mt 2:2

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith Order Commission of the World Council of Churches had entrusted the Middle East Council of Churches based in Beirut, Lebanon, with the task of choosing the theme and preparing draft texts for the Week of Prayer 2022. They chose the theme, “We have seen his star in the East and have come to pay homage to him” (Mt 2:2). More than ever, in these difficult times, we need a light that shines in the darkness and that light, Christians proclaim, has been manifested in Jesus Christ.

In a region of the world where human rights are habitually trampled underfoot by unjust political and economic interests, in the face of an unprecedented international health crisis and bearing the human and material consequences of the serious explosion that devastated Beirut on August 4, 2020, the local ecumenical group nevertheless made every effort to present the results of its work by participating in the online meetings. We thank them wholeheartedly and pray that greater unity among Christians in the Middle East and around the world may contribute to a more dignified, just and peaceful life for all men and women in our time and in the times to come.

The Christians of the Middle East offer these resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity conscious that the world shares many of the travails and difficulties that they experience, and yearns for a light to lead the way to the Saviour who can overcome darkness. The COVID-19 global pandemic, the ensuing economic crisis, and the failure of political, economic and social structures to protect the weakest and most vulnerable, have underlined the global need for a light to shine in the darkness. The star that shone in the east, the Middle East, two thousand years ago still calls us to the manger, to where Christ is born. It draws us to where the Spirit of God is alive and active, to the reality of our baptism, and to the transformation of our hearts.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022 in Southern Hemisphere usually takes place the week leading up to Pentecost Sunday (based on the western calendar). We have compiled a series of reflective videos from the resources provided by Eastern Council of Churches, Lebanon and the World Council of Churches.

Each day we will post a link for the 8 days of reflections as well as on our FACEBOOK and TWITTER page. Click on the link below and it will take you to a reflection video on our YOUTUBE channel. Thank you to everyone who contributed toward making these videos. We hope you enjoy listening to the reflections and feel free to share with family, friends, members of your church.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2020 -“They showed us unusual kindness” Acts 28:2

Posted on May 24, 2020 by GenSec

Today, Sunday 24 May 2020 is the start of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been prepared by the Christians Together in Malta.

We have compiled a series of daily reflections using the resources from Christians Together in Malta through World Council of Churches and Churches Together in Britain & Ireland.

Each day we will post a link for the 8 days of reflections as well as on our FACEBOOK page. Click on the link below and it will take you to a reflection video on our Youtube channel.

Events for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are:

24 May 2020 3pm (EST) – Ecumenical Service of Worship Click HERE to join.

30 May 2020 2pm (WST) – Ecumenical Hour of Prayer presented by the Focolare Movement – Click HERE to Join

31 May 2020, 5pm (WST) Hosted by Prayer Together in WA streaming live on their website, join H ERE

RESOURCES:

Coffee, Prayers and Spirituality

Posted on August 7, 2012 by GenSec

Spirituality and Energy Security – Mr Andrew Pickford, Managing Director, ISSA Indo-Pacific

As a consultant and researcher in the field of energy, Andrew Pickford will discuss the spiritual considerations of energy. This talk will cover topical matters around our energy use and conservation, such as the ‘rationing of energy’, as well as philosophies behind political decisions related to associated infrastructure. For example, the talk will examine the values and beliefs which guide how we consume electricity. Crucially, it will ask what value our society places on energy and whether this is any different to other civilisations and periods of history. Plunger coffee, prayers, and a presentation, with an opportunity for questions and discussion.

Time: 9.30am – 11.30am.

Venue: Friends’ Room, Lower Burt Memorial Hall, 38a St Georges Terrace.

Entry: $5.00, including coffee or tea, and muffins.

Please book your place so that we can cater for you and ensure everyone has a seat. Registrations must be with Bishop Murray by the Monday before the event you are attending. Phone 9325 5766 or email:

david.murray@perthcathedral.org

It’s not too late!!! Three Opportunities with Professor Paul Murray

Posted on July 4, 2012 by GenSec

Professor Paul D Murray is a lay Roman Catholic systematic theologian in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University. He also directs a series of research projects in Receptive Ecumenism which have received international attention. Receptive Ecumenism and the Local Church involves all the major Christian denominational groupings in asking how they each might fruitfully learn from the others in relation to matters of organisational culture, structure and process.

Saturday 14th July 10.30—3.30 “Introducing and Developing Receptive Ecumenism”

St Peter’s & Emmaus Anglican/Uniting Church, 56 Green Street JOONDANNA

Cost:$25.00 (Includes Morning Tea and Lunch)

This session will introduce and explore the basic thinking behind and strategy of Receptive Ecumenism and what is distinctive about it; inform about the English regional project and invite reflection on how all of this could apply in our own context.______________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday 15^th July 10.30 – 11.30 am

CCWA INAUGURAL ECUMENICAL LECTURE

St Denis Catholic Church60 Osborne Street JOONDANNA

Mass 9.00am – All Welcome

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday 15^th July 7.00 for refreshments and 7.30 start

“Reception as a Spiritual Discipline”

Dayspring Centre for Christian Spirituality 68 Waverley Street, Dianella

Part of the Dayspring “On the Edge” Series

Cost: $10.00 at Venue

______________________________________________________________________________________

Enquiries and registrations: Rev Isobelle Shortreed, Ecumenical Ministry Officer

ecumenical@churcheswa.com.au

Lessons from Rwanda

Posted on June 18, 2012 by GenSec

2012-06-18 09.46.33 — Governor of WA opening the Lessons from Rwanda Exhibition

This “Lessons from Rwanda” exhibition presents an account of the events that took place before, during and after the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. Its purpose is to raise awareness of lessons learned from these events, the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and other judicial mechanisms in ending impunity, and the lasting impact of genocide on survivors.

This important exhibition marks the start of Refugee Week and is open at the State Library untill June 24th. Admission is free.

Let your God love you……

Posted on May 8, 2012 by GenSec

Edwina Gateley

Let Your God Love You

Be silent.
Be still.
Alone.
Empty
Before your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent.
Be still.
Let your God look upon you.
That is all.
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you
With an enormous love,
And only wants
To look upon you
With that love.
Quiet.
Still.
Be.

Let your God—
Love you. Continue reading →

Preventing violence and HIV pandemic in Nigeria

Posted on April 23, 2012 by GenSec

Jessie Fubara-Manuel shares her views on violence, the HIV pandemic and

36533f18bd — Jessie Fubara-Manuel from the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.

struggles of women in churches to become part of the solution in Nigeria. She is a Presbyterian elder, a poet and a human resources consultant and has been involved with the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA) programme.

How do you see the HIV pandemic affecting communities in Nigeria?

In Nigeria today, we still have alarming numbers of persons testing HIV positive as we work toward the elimination of HIV infections, discrimination and HIV related deaths. With a large number of people still dying from the disease and the government’s efforts to provide free antiviral drugs being thwarted by the corruption in the system, worry about the disease has taken a new dimension. Continue reading →

The Good Shepherd

Posted on April 23, 2012 by GenSec

Gospel writer John

loved a good agricultural metaphor;

(were there many other kinds

in a pre-industrial age?)

Jesus, lover of people,

welcomer of ratbags

and friend of troubled souls;

likens himself to a shepherd

who cares only for the welfare of his sheep.

Animal rights proponents would love him

because he reckons the life of the human shepherd

to be more expendable

than those of his ovine flock.

But we all know that it’s not about sheep.

It is about people,

individuals like you and me,

who, we are assured,

are loved and valued,

watched over and cared for

by the one he calls Father.

Furthermore, the metaphor implies,

we are all part of something bigger,

joined into one huge flock

of disparate humankind;

each member of which

is also loved and respected,

cared for and wept over

by that same Father;

and expected to do the same

Five Leaf Eco Awards – Associate Member CCWA — Presentation Ceremony

Posted on April 12, 2012 by GenSec

You are invited to come and see the presentation of the first ever environmental awards for churches in Western Australia. Hear about how WA churches have been greening their buildings, worship, congregations, outreach and community leadership. Celebrate with churches from multiple traditions as they join others all over Australia in being recognised for their dedication to caring for God’s creation and our environment. Learn more about the Five Leaf Eco-Awards program and how your church can be involved.

Saturday, 12 May, St Luke’s Anglican Parish, 20 Monument St Mosman Park, 4.00pm for a 4.30pm start.

Please RSVP to Jessica Morthorpe on fiveleafecoawards@gmail.com or call 0409 503 369 before 4 May.

Act for Peace responds to Fiji floods

Posted on April 12, 2012 by GenSec

In response to the devastating floods across parts of Fiji in the past few weeks, Act for Peace, with the generous support of AusAID, is providing crucial assistance to logistical and humanitarian assessment work in the aftermath of the disaster. These funds will enable Act for Peace to support the Fiji National Disaster Management Office to hire aircraft, boats and vehicles to carry out assessments across the country and deliver aid in hard to reach places as well as supporting the delivery of water to affected areas including evacuation centres.

Recent heavy rains and flooding have caused several deaths in Fiji, severely damaged homes and infrastructure and forced thousands to take refuge. The Australian government has committed up to $1 million to support Fiji’s disaster response activities.

Act for Peace has worked across the Pacific Island nations of Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Tonga since 2008 implementing the Pacific Community for Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction (PCIDRR) program. This program has supported hundreds of villages to improve their preparedness and response to natural disasters.

To find out more about the PCIDRR program, please click here.

Uniting people of faith, serving people in need