Being in relationship with others is instrumental to how the Uniting Church seeks to witness to Christ in the world. The Seeking Common Ground Circle invites people to learn about and participate in the ways the Uniting Church is in relationship with other Churches, other faiths, and those of no institutional faith, as together we seek to find common ground for the good of all.
Circle members will be informed about and invited to contribute to the Church’s witness through ecumenical relationships. This includes the ways that we seek to witness to the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, with churches across Australia and overseas Partner Churches.
The Circle will invite members to explore the importance of interfaith relationships as a means to witness to God in a world of many faiths. Circle members will engage with theological reflection discerning God’s openness to the world, be invited into mutually respectful interfaith dialogue and promote opportunities for friendship with other faiths.
Additionally, the circle will explore how the Church witnesses to the reconciliation and renewal of the whole creation as it engages with the search for spirituality and meaning in wider society, including with people who do not identify with any institutional faith.
The Advocate for the Seeking Common Ground Circle is Rev. Dr Amelia Koh-Butler.
We asked Amelia to share a bit about herself.
News
From Remembrance to Hope
Rev. Marie Wilson reports on the Kristallnacht commemoration in WA. At Temple David on Sunday 11th November, an overflowing congregation came to commemorate Kristallnacht. As we gathered, the theme from Schindler’s List by John Williams, played by Dr Ronniet Orlando and accompanied by Margaret Helfgott, set the sombre tone for the evening. After introductory comments
There is Hope Indeed
Rev. Vinod Victor, from one of our Partner Churches, the Church of South India (CSI), has written a reflection on the 15th Triennial Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia. He was also captured on video by UnitingWorld. By Rev. Vinod Victor The 15th Triennial Assembly of the Uniting Church of Australia was held from
Behind the Scenes at WCC
By Emily Evans After a long week of community building, prayers, pilgrimage and decision making, Emily Evans shares 5 highlights from the World Council of Churches’ Executive Committee in Uppsalla, Sweden, 2-8 November 2018. Joint ACT Alliance and WCC Day (1 November) The ACT Alliance Assembly met just prior to the WCC Executive Committee meeting.
Child Safety Consultation in Jakarta
By Emma Parr, Religious Education and Safe Church Consultant NSW/ACT Synod The Christian Conference of Asia gathered a consultation group of 60 practitioners working with children and in child safety from member churches and ecumenical organisations on 17-19 September 2018, in Jakarta, Indonesia. I was contributed to the consultation on behalf of the Uniting Church in Australia.
Inexhaustible joy in Taize
By Rosemary Austin Pope Francis in ‘Laudato Si’ writes, “returning to places, a chance to recover something of the true self.” With this in mind, I pack my bag and head for a return visit to Taizé, France, 40 years on! I reflect back to Sunday, 22nd January 1978 – a very special day for