Available Documents

mandate

Charter of responsibilities for commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religius Relations

Walk of Witness 2012

Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations

The Diocesan Pastoral Council has established as one of its strategic directions the fostering of our ecumenical and inter-religious relations.  To address this task a Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations was established in 2007, and a Diocesan Ecumenical Officer was appointed.

The Commission will advise the Bishop on ecumenical and inter-religious  matters and is charged with putting into practise any  directives or orientations he may give and, in general, with  promoting ecumenical activity within the diocese. [Directory for the Application of  Principles and Norms on Ecumenism]

The Ecumenical Officer acts in collaboration with the Commission  with specific responsibility to act as animator of the Commission.

The members of the Commission are:

  Our Local Ecumenical Endeavours - 2011

Walk of Witness

Church leaders in Townsville invited their communities to participate in a Walk of Witness to our common faith in Jesus Christ on Sunday 5 June. The Walk commenced at St James Anglican Cathedral at 4pm and travelled to the City Council Administration for a prayer over the city led by bishop Michael Putney, then on to Sacred Heart Cathedral via Central City Mission Uniting Church  and St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The  four distinctive marks of the earliest Christian community gathered in Jerusalem after the death, resurrection and ascension of their Lord  - the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers - were celebrated in prayer, praise and creed  at the churches along the walk.

Neighbour2Neighbour Townsville

Townsville Churches were invited to show their unity in Christ in action by becoming involved in the Townsville Neighbout2Neighbour project, which was the initiative of a group of local pastors. It took place  on Saturday June 18^th  and was a response to 450 families who requested help in the aftermath of cyclone Yasi.  420 participants from 43 churches/parishes volunteered to assist which enabled 261 homes to be visited and 365 requests to be actioned.  The project was deeply appreciated by the Townsville community.

National Day of Thanksgiving

The Combined Churches in Townsville work with the local City Council to celebrate the annual National Day of Thanksgiving. The Mayor provides an official morning tea to which are invited the representatives of those sections of the community to be thanked.  In 2011 these were the members of the Armed Forces, the Emergency Services, Paramedics, Media personnel etc who assisted during and after the advent of cyclone Yasi. Official words of appreciation and prayer were offered by the representatives of the Combined Churches.The churches/parishes/church agencies were also invited to sponsor a morning tea or breakfast at the various City Council Work Depots throughout the week to demonstrate the community’s appreciation for the hard and unrelenting work of the clean-up crews.

NightLife Chaplaincy

Street chaplaincy is an emerging new ministry for the Combined Churches in Townsville and has been operating for the past 8 months.  NightLife Chaplains work with police and security to help enhance public safety and reduce the problems that arise from the consumption of alcohol and drugs.  Bringing a friendly and compassionate presence, they act as eyes and ears on the street, looking out for anyone in need of assistance to whom they can offer a helping hand.  They may help someone to get home safely, diffuse tensions, assist someone in distress, provide a listening ear to someone who needs to talk, or provide first aid and practical supplies such as water or thongs for the long walk home.  They provide pastoral care that is non-authoritarian and non-judgmental.  The ministry is simply about reaching out in the model of Christ’s love with acts of kindness and compassion in the street, no strings attached, no hidden agenda.  The chaplains are highly regarded on the night club strip.

Ecumenical Dialogue

The Townsville Diocesan Ecumenical Commission continues to engage with the Anglican Community in an annual dialogue based on common agreed documents. The 2011 dialogue is based on the document and study guide for Church as Communion.  The Commission is also in conversation with the local Uniting church towards establishing a dialogue on the common document the Mission of the Church.