Here is another resource from the Council of Churches of Christ in Australia, Telling Our Story: Women in Ministry.  We celebrate the contributions in this booklet and the contributions that they represent.  This resource is offered, to honour those who have served faithfully within our movement.  It is not a theological position statement, and as such, allows local churches to determine their own ‘leadership views’ with respect to women in ministry. We look forward to more women being inspired to minister in our Movement. Telling our Story – Women in Ministry 2012 BOOKLET

This calendar of ‘important’ dates is designed to be informative, rather than prescriptive. There are many, many more dates that various organisations such as the United Nations, UNESCO, the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches in Australia have designated as days to celebrate, mourn or remember. The dates below have been selected based on past interest and involvement of Churches of Christ churches and members, the theme of Gospel love being made apparent in care for others and also how the subjects of some of these commemorative dates can link in with existing local church and national agency ministries. 2013 Calendar of Important Dates

Of course, not all churches will commemorate all the dates below; it would be both impractical and bordering on tokenistic to do so. It may be that one or two of these dates resonate (aside from Christmas and Easter, of course!) with your church community, and you want to make a feature of them.  If you do, we’d love to hear about what you’re doing.

For more details throughout the year, consult the relevant websites below, as well as the Council of Churches of Christ website, Facebook page and the State Conference websites.

Craig Brown

Federal Coordinator, Churches of Christ in Australia

Please read this important joint statement from ACCIM and GMP regarding the future of Indigenous ministry in Churches of Christ. ACCIM-GMP Statement

Act for Peace is the aid arm of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA), of which Churches of Christ are a member. They have released a media statement regarding the situation in Gaza.  www.actforpeace.org.au/Be_Informed/Latest_News

Stirling College has announced an exciting new partnership.  Stirling PR EAST copy

Press release from ACOM (Australian College of Ministries) regarding recent significant developments.

ACOM press release 30Aug2012

Churches of Christ Sunday is on Sunday October 7th.  The theme this year is “Christ Alone: No Creed but Christ”.

The aim of Churches of Christ Sunday is to simply create an annual “gathering point” for our values and characteristics as a Movement to be discussed.  It is not a Sunday where we envision that all churches will stop and preach on this theme, but we do hope these resources can be used to help people who are new to our churches understand what we’re on about.  The resources we have produced over the last 4 years are also useful for small group studies, new member packs and for quoting in church bulletins and the like.

Here’s the PDF of the 2012 resource: Christ Alone 2012 Booklet (CofC Aus)

Here is the joint statement on asylum seekers signed by various heads of Churches, including the UCA, Churches of Christ, Anglicans, Salvation Army and Catholic Bishops.

Joint statement from Australian Church Leaders on asylum seeker legislation 020912

ACCIM MEDIA RELEASE

Changes to Come for ACCIM

and Indigenous Ministry

8 August 2012

The Board of the Australian Churches of Christ Indigenous Ministries (ACCIM) recently met to discuss the future shape of ACCIM’s ministry.  The Board acknowledged ACCIM’s long history, as well as the contribution of people who have tirelessly worked to build the current foundations of Indigenous ministry over the past decades. The ACCIM Board also recognized critical factors threatening ACCIM’s future.  The Board has sensed the changing season for Indigenous ministry in Churches of Christ, and looks forward to ensuring the sustainability of Indigenous Ministry in Churches of Christ.

The following decisions were made only after first unanimously supporting a document outlining the important values regarding the shape of Indigenous ministry authored by the Indigenous members of the Board.

The ACCIM Board has appointed an interim transition group whose first task is to explore with the Council of Churches of Christ in Australia (CCCA), Global Mission Partners (GMP) and the Churches of Christ State Conferences the creation of an Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) that will determine the future shape of Churches of Christ mission and ministry with, for and alongside Indigenous people.

This group will also investigate the formation of an appropriate Trust or Foundation that will be able to fund future Indigenous ministry, with governance coming primarily from the Indigenous Reference Group.

This interim transition group will report its findings to the ACCIM Board by October 31, 2012.

We encourage ACCIM supporters to participate with us as we discover God’s path for Indigenous Ministry. Your prayers will be valued as we make the necessary arrangements to resource a sustainable ministry that reflects the ACCIM Board’s long-standing commitment to mission and ministry with, for and alongside Indigenous people.

Any questions from supporters, churches or other interested parties are welcome.

Justin Dhu, ACCIM Chairman

For further information, please contact ACCIM:

Phone: (08) 9309 3922, Fax: (08) 9309 4101

Email: admin@accim.info

The Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, today congratulated award recipients in The Queen’s Birthday 2012 Honours List. The diversity of service across all fields of endeavour was recognised today with a range of awards within the Australian Honours System.   These awards include the contributions from the community as well as Defence, Police, Fire and Emergency Services personnel.

“These awards recognise shining examples of men and women who display the finest community values of respect and giving, dedication and commitment,” Ms Bryce said. “I congratulate those recipients who today receive the highest level of recognition accorded by our nation. They, and all Australian Honours recipients before them, represent what is most important and unifying in Australian life.”

The recipients include 540 exceptional individuals who are receiving awards in the general division of the Order of Australia for their contributions to the community.  Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC AFC (Ret’d), Chair of the Council of the Order of Australia, echoed the Governor-General’s sentiments.  He also stated that: “The awards within the Order of Australia reflect the voices of Australians across the breadth of our great land who have nominated their peers for outstanding service and achievement within the community. Today’s recipients are role models and champions of our national identity. Today we especially draw attention to Australia’s quiet achievers – people who serve without expectation of acknowledgement, but are the backbone of our community,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

“Wherever you see your fellow Australians making a difference in the lives of others and strengthening our communities and nation, I encourage you to consider nominating them for recognition within The Order of Australia,” he said.

OFFICERS (AO) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Dr Judith Teng Wah GOH (Gold Coast, Queensland)

For distinguished service to gynaecological medicine, particularly in the field of fistula surgery, and to the promotion of the rights of women and children in developing countries.

Fistula surgeon, Mercy Ship, West Africa, 2003-2007.

Assisted with establishing a fistula unit in Bangladesh, 2003-2004.

Spent 6 months at the Fistula Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1995 and 1996.

Volunteer fistula surgeon, since 1995.

Dr Goh attends the Southport Church of Christ.

MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Mrs Beryl Ruth MARSHALL  (Ulverstone, Tasmania)

For service to the community of Ulverstone, and to local government.

Member, Ulverstone Church of Christ, for 17 years.

Volunteer with Lifeline, Australian Red Cross and The Salvation Army.