News
The National Council of Churches in Australia hosted a webinar on 21 March featuring Rev. Dr Mikie Roberts, WCC programme executive for Spiritual Life and Faith and Order.
Some participants gathered in-person at the Catholic Institute of Sydney, with others online. The topic for the webinar was “That all may be one—Stepping stones on the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity.”
In his address, Roberts highlighted what he considers to be five key stepping stones which, if embraced, can contribute to the ecumenical renewal within the framework of the ongoing pilgrimage. The five were participation, solidarity, prophetic leadership, church as life-giving community, and ecumenical theological education and formation. A panel responsed to Roberts’ presentation. Other attendees also had the chance to ask questions and respond.
Elizabeth Stone, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia and the key organiser of the webinar, commented: “Since our triennial Forum in 2024, our current focus as a council is deep listening and accompaniment with Australia’s churches about what we can do better together to witness the good news of Jesus Christ that promises hope and reconciliation to all people and creation.”
She added, “This webinar was an opportunity to reflect on how we are living and praying our unity as Christian communities and what new expressions can be built on the ‘stepping stones’ of the ecumenical pilgrimage we are on. We are asking about re-imagining ecumenical expression and opening up new ecumenical spaces. We need leaders to bring this about.”
She concluded by affirming: “We were encouraged by Rev. Dr Mikie Roberts’ input. At all levels of our deep listening and reimagining, we need to ask who are the voices that are missing?”
Rev. John Gilmore, the National Council of Churches in Australia president, reflected: “Our journey together as Australia’s churches rests on relationship, participation, formation, and leadership.”
Roberts’ two-week visit wrapped up with a presentation of books to the principal of the Untied Theological College (UTC), Rev. Dr Peter Walker. In reflecting on the impact of this visit, Walker commented, “UTC has deeply ecumenical DNA, having been formed by the union of Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian colleges. And so, it is a high point, in any year, to welcome an ecumenical leader. Hosting Dr Roberts for public lectures, seminars with students, forums with ministry candidates, and visits to local congregations of the Uniting Church has been a special experience. And it got us singing a new song. Nothing feels quite so core to our identity as being reminded of our place within the family of the WCC.”
Learn more about the National Council of Churches in Australia
