Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2018
13 – 20 May 2018
“Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power”
(cf. Exodus 15:6)
In 2018 the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Australia will be observed from 13-20 May 2018 in the week between Ascension and Pentecost.
Justice, Peace and Creation Care
WELCOME
NCCA is committed to the churches working together for justice, peace and the care of creation.
The NCCA coordinates networks from member churches for mutual support and participation, connecting networks of expertise & experience, and enabling the voice from the margins to be heard.
The pages that are included in this section of our website refer to projects, workshops and resources that have been produced by our networks with the assistance of the NCCA. They cover issues that we have formerly listed as work of the Social Justice Network and the Eco Mission Network. The amalgamation of these areas reflects the interconnectedness and interdependency of each in our common home.
Concerns and issues that you will find on these pages may include:
- Climate Justice
- Family and Domestic violence
- Gender-based violence
- Modern Slavery
- Our Pacific neighbours
The NCCA has a number of programs and taskforces working ecumenically. You can find these under the OUR WORK menu of the NCCA home page
They include:
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AUSTRALIAN CHURCHES REFUGEE TASKFORCE (ACRT) ACRT is committed to offering a strong Christian moral voice into what has become a heated and hostile public debate. |
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NCCA is committed to the churches working together for justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and for the healing of our peoples. We support and affirm the Uluru Statement from the Heart. |
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For over a decade, the NCCA Safe Church Program has led the ecumenical endeavour to make Australian Churches safe for children and vulnerable people. It works across all denominations to support churches in their safeguarding journey. |
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The international humanitarian agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia. |
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Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) Volunteers travel to Israel and Palestine, spend three months living and working alongside families living under military occupation to become a protective presence as an international observer. |
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What do the Churches Say about...
...PEACEMAKING
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
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NCCA STATEMENT - 14 June 2023 ‘Practising Peace’ in our nation, region and world In Australia and our region and in our world, we are currently focused on issues of peace and security. The war in Ukraine has entered its second year while, simultaneously; there is escalating violence in Palestine, continuing military exercises on the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea; state violence in Myanmar; a fragile situation in Ethiopia and Sudan; and war in several other parts of the world threaten peace. As Australian Christians we are tasked to “seek peace, and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14) and there are live discussions about non-military ways to enhancing security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia’s churches have a long history of formal and informal relationships with communities across the Asia-Pacific region and Australia’s multi-cultural communities retain strong ties to their homelands. Building people to people relationships through diplomacy is a bedrock upon which peace and security is founded. Our Pacific neighbours have pointed out that regional stability for them is survival of their homelands and its peoples. To this end they have requested Australia to stop new fossil fuels projects and genuinely reduce emissions from polluting companies. Similarly Australia’s overseas aid and development program in the Asia-Pacific region has been an important bridge for building stability and security over decades. Many Australians are concerned that the budget for the official aid program is vulnerable to being cut given the fact that increased spending by Australia on weapons of war is being planned. There cannot be peace without seeking justice, removing the causes of crisis and conflict and promoting the wellbeing of all people. We are also reminded that the first greeting of Jesus Christ to his followers following his resurrection from the dead is “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” (John 20:21) Peace is both a gift and a task. Called to be peacemakers, we Christians and churches aspire to put the principles of peace into practice in our day-to-day lives. We hope to build respectful and cooperative relationships with others in our multi-cultural and multi-faith nation. We also call on the Australian Government at this time to:
ENDS – 14 June 2023 Download: pdf Practice of Peace NCCA Statement 14 June 2023 (105 KB) |
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Quakers Australia Annual Yearly Meeting 2023 Public Statement - pdf AYM AUKUS Defence and Foreign Policies 2023 (455 KB) |
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In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalms 4:8 |
In 2017 the NCCA Social Justice Network chose the topic of “PEACEMAKING” for the first edition of their 'What do the Churches say about' series.
This resource puts together a collection of statements that our member churches have made on the topic of peace-making.
The resource is available in printable PDF format and can be downloaded by using the link below. 
Topics covered include:
- Being Peacemakers
- Peace in the Community
- Peace with the Earth
- Peace in the Marketplace
- Peace among the Peoples
What do the Churches say about...PEACEMAKING (2017) is available to pdf Download here (1.11 MB)
Easter Messages 2015
Easter 2015
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’. (John 20:18)
Easter Messages from Leaders of the Christian Churches in Australia
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2016
8 – 15 May 2016
“Called to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord”
(cf. 1 Peter 2:9)
In 2016 the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Australia will be observed from 8-15 May 2016 in the week between Ascension and Pentecost.
Christmas Reflection 2014
The world is full of tears.
So many look for kindness, justice and peace.
However great the darkness of our time, God is our light.
2014 Messages from Australian Church Leaders
Do we really need Christmas?
How many times have you asked this question over the last few weeks?
Do we really need all the tension and stress created by the activities associated with this time of the year? The Victorian Department of Health has an online aid, titled “Christmas Tips to Reduce Stress.”
Martin Place Siege – A Statement for Peace
We, the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) and NSW Ecumenical Council (NSWEC) are deeply saddened by the trauma, suffering and loss of life resulting from the Martin Place siege of December 15-16, 2014, in Sydney.
Our prayers are with the families of those whose loved ones have been killed, injured and/or traumatised.
May this be a time when the Australian community, people of all faiths, unite around our common care for all life.
NCCA Newsletter - Issue 12
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NCCA_Newsletter_12_December_2_2014.pdf Prayer for Christians in Middle East - 7 Dec 2014 Incoming General Secretary, Sr Elizabeth Delaney, sgs |
