The Victorian Council of Churches

Explore the VCC


	Emergencies Ministry
	An update on the work of Emergencies Ministry is available. Be sure to visit Emergencies Ministry's Website for the latest developments! http://www.vccem.org.au/
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	WCC Prayer Cycle
	WCC Prayer Cycle
	This week we pray for the churches and people of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Iran, Iraq See the WCC Website for prayers.
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	Taize
	Taize style prayer services are held at several Melbourne and Regional Churches read on>>
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	*NOW* *AVAILABLE* 2011 Annual Oration in honour of former General Secretaries. *"Ecumenism* as *I see it"* by Dr Merrill Kitchen Delivered on 28th July at the VCC July Assembly
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	*Ecumenical Publications*
	Worshipping Ecumenically A guide to Preparing and Evaluating Ecumenical Worship This great resource is now available for download in a much tidier format. Be sure to visit our Faith and Order page for further resources. _______________ Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World Recommendations for Conduct - Produced by the World Council of Churches, World Evangelical Alliance, and the Catholic Church, available in pdf format
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	Environment Paper
	The Faith and Order Commission have produced a paper on Christian Care for the Environment.

Victorian Council of Churches

MEDIA RELEASE December 8, 2011

Australian Christian Lobby does not represent all Australian
Christians, nor all Christian viewpoints

The VCC has not issued any statement on the current debate regarding a held position on the sanctity of marriage.

The VCC acknowledges that it is up to each faith group to respond according to their traditions and reason.

The VCC considers carefully many positions and enables a safe environment for leaders to prayerfully discuss and discern theologically differing viewpoints.

For comment on particular held views, the VCC encourages contact with the individual Church leaders, or if they so elect to do so, any group acting on their behalf.

The VCC is committed to encouraging debate, and thus, does not, by nature, make policy binding on the Churches based on theological and doctrinal views.

The VCC encourages the media and elected office holders to look beyond lobby groups and individual voices in the community.

Any statement that calls for wider debate including contrary views is welcome.

(Please click on the image to read the Media Release)

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VCC Emergencies Ministry's New Website!

Over the last 12 months the Management team of the Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry (VCC EM) have been working on improving governance and compliance across the program. Along with this, there has been a concerted effort to communicate more effectively with all partners in the Ministry; volunteers, government, NGO sector and within VCC. As part of this strategy, the VCC EM has been working on a website dedicated to its work in supporting affected individuals and communities in times of crisis. The website is designed to inform, educate and provide access to training to the faith communities of Victoria.

The Management team would like to introduce this website to you and encourage you to inform your colleagues, friends and family to do the same.

Remember to keep vccem.org.au to your list of bookmarks!

Upcoming News, Events and Other Points of Interest

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Ron Browning: Flickering Lights. Click the image above to view pdf containing blurb and ordering details.

Peacemaking - Where To Now?

You may remember that in the early 1980s Clergy for Peace formed to address the then increasing nuclear threat, with an aim of bringing the conversation and action about nuclear war into the churches. Read here for this important announcement.

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SACC Ecumenical Lenten Resource for 2012

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“And it was good ….” - a Communion wide Lent course for 2012

Australian Council of Christians and Jews Announce Second Interfaith Tour to Israel

Other Forthcoming Events

Story Weaving: Colonial Contexts and Postcolonial Theology:

Program and Registration Form

Reconciliation Issues:

NATSIEC Website

NATSIEC Newsletter December 2011

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Read a statement by Northern Territory Elders and Community Representatives, entitled:
"No More! Enough is enough!"

	*Past Issues/Statements:*
	NCCA Media Release: Churches grapple with prisons and the justice system for Social Justice Sunday (Please click on the above to read the Media Release) --------------------------- Dementia Awareness Week Bishop Philip Huggins laments the terrorism that can result from religious ideology JCMA Issues Statement on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 PAX CHRISTI USA STATEMENT: On the tenth anniversary of 9-11, The Things That Make for Peace Open Letter to The Hon. Jenny Macklin, MP Review of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights