“In the face of catastrophic humanitarian situations, displacement and war, it’s critical that churches work together for peace and hope for all people,” writes Rev David Fotheringham.
This month’s Crosslight will be arriving when the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is being celebrated in Australia.
This has been a year in which the Orthodox and Western celebrations of Easter have coincided. It’s also the 1700th anniversary year of the ecumenical council of Nicaea, which articulated the foundational faith of all of the churches in words that we continue to receive, study and interpret.
Over this last month, my prayers have particularly included the members and leadership of other denominations, with a number of them going through transitions.
I was appreciative of the invitation to share in a special mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral following the death of Pope Francis, and pray for the transition to the leadership of Pope Leo XIV.
The next Anglican Archbishop for Melbourne may also have been elected by the time this edition of Crosslight is published.
At a few recent meetings between the Churches, and also in conversations with some of my friends who aren’t part of the Uniting Church, I’ve had my attention drawn to a great example of ecumenical cooperation through Whitehorse Church Care (WCC), in Melbourne’s east, where there is a wide range of initiatives.
As well as running a food bank and a highly organised hamper program, they run a community space in the Forest Hill Chase shopping centre which is very actively used.
WCC also supports a program in which some church members have been able to offer spare rooms in their homes to assist people experiencing homelessness.
As we move towards winter, I’m aware of other communities in which the Winter Shelter program brings various Churches together for the provision of warm and secure places.
There are many other examples of interchurch community care programs, and opportunities for growing relationships through Lenten Bible studies, the World Day of Prayer, or occasions for combined worship.
The Tasmanian Council of Churches (TCC) is not currently active but I’ve been pleased to be involved with the Victorian Council of Churches (VCC), which has its Annual General Meeting in May.
The VCC helps the Churches to work together to address issues like child safety, brings denominational leaders together and facilitates meetings with the Victorian Government, and offers support to local Inter Church Councils.
In both Tasmania and Victoria, TCC Emergencies Ministry and VCC Emergencies Ministry bring together volunteers from across all faiths to provide care and support for people and communities in times of crises and disasters – and they are happy to hear from church members who might be able to volunteer in this way.
God’s vision for the world is much greater than just us. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities we have to work broadly for community cohesion, advocacy, Christian witness and community care.
In the face of catastrophic humanitarian situations, displacement and war, it’s critical that churches work together for peace and hope for all people.
Across denominations, as well as within our own, we don’t all agree on everything, but I pray for God’s work in and through us all for the sake of the world that God loves.
Rev David Fotheringham
Moderator
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