ECUMENICAL RESOURCES
SA Council of Churches promotes conversation, study and reflection on Ecumenism and the following resources may be of interest.
World Environment Day
Prisoners, Prisons and Respectful Relationships
An ecumenical resource, developed by SA Council of Churches Working Party, to assist us all to:
- Become more aware of and better respond to the needs of people who are in prison.
- Advocate for reducing conditions of inequality and disadvantage.
- Contribute to the restoration of right relationships for all.
SECTION A Introduction and Two Social Justice Statements[20.8 KByte]
SECTION B Prisons and Prisoners
i. Personal Stories
ii. Bible Stories[30.6 KByte]
SECTION C Statistics and 'Maps' of Disadvantage[22.9 KByte]
SECTION D Process for Group Discussion and Theological Reflection on Social Justice Statements [67.9 KByte]
SECTION E Resources, Prayers and Poems for Justice [34.6 KByte]
SECTION F Volunteering & Caring for Prisoners [17.5 KByte]
SECTION G Preparing for Release [12.4 KByte]
SECTION H People, Organisations & Resources [47.4 KByte]
SECTION I Advocacy: Contacts for Members of Parliament, Media etc[29.7 KByte]
Flyer [72.4 KByte]
Letter Writing Guidelines from Prison Fellowship Australia[52.3 KByte]
Domestic Violence Handbook
Domestic Violence Handbook (870 KB)
Ecumenical Lenten Resource 2012
SA Council of Churches is delighted to make available the Ecumenical Lenten Resource for 2012.
The theme is Fast, Pray, Give and Receive. The Resource offers suggestions for four group sessions in Lent. The first session focuses on the concept of Lent itself. The following three sessions are devoted to three spiritual disciplines which have been traditionally associated with Lent: fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Scriptural passages, wisdom from the past, contemporary insights and questions for reflection are included.
The resource builds on 40 years of such resources being prepared by the Churches together in South Australia and invites people to engage not only in education and conversation but to move beyond the discussion process to inner conversion and to action.
“I consider that 'Fast Pray, Give and Receive' is a useful ecumenical resource to help small groups in the preparation for Easter.” Pastor Fraser Pearce, Senior Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Flinders Street, Adelaide
People are encouraged to reflect on the Resource in small groups together with people from various local churches.
Resources:
Ecumenical Lenten Resource - PDF document (734 KB)
Ecumenical Lenten Resource - Word document (434 KB)
Guidelines for Leaders and Participants (520 KB)
Suggested text for inclusion in pew sheets, school newsletters etc (for adaptation as necessary) (34 KB)
Sign up form (for adaptation as necessary) (505 KB)
Additional Prayer resources (509 KB)
Any queries, contact Jacqui or Geraldine at SA Council of Churches via or phone 8215 0300.
International Day of Peace - 21 September 2011
A global 24-hour spiritual and practical observation for peace
The United Nations' International Day of Peace - marked every year on 21 September - is a time when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace. Established by U.N. resolution in 1982, "Peace Day" has grown to include millions of people around the world who participate in all kinds of events, large and small.
The initiative was further developed by the World Council of Churches, inviting us all to pray for peace on 21 September, or the Sunday preceding it, as a response to the United Nations' encouragement for a "global 24-hour spiritual observation for peace", which "is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual practices in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict".
Refugee and Migrant Sunday: 28 August 2011
Refugee and Migrant Sunday is a celebration of the dignity of people who are refugees and migrants and the contribution they have made to life in Australia. It is celebrated by the Churches together on or around the last Sunday of August each year.
Resources to assist us to mark Refugee and Migrant Sunday (28 August 2011) have been prepared again this year by the SACC Working Party
Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:13-15
Refugee and Migrant Sunday Resources - 2011
Refugee and Migrant Sunday 2011 Liturgy Notes
Refugee and Migrant Sunday 2011 Fact Sheets
Refugee and Migrant Sunday 2011 Activities
Refugee and Migrant Sunday 2011 Websites and Contacts
International Day of Peace - 21 September 2010
The United Nations' International Day of Peace - marked every year on 21 September - is a time when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace. Established by U.N. resolution in 1982, "Peace Day" has grown to include millions of people around the world who participate in all kinds of events, large and small.The initiative was further developed by the World Council of Churches, inviting us all to pray for peace on 21 September, or the Sunday preceding it, as a response to the United Nations' encouragement for a "global 24-hour spiritual observation for peace", which "is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual practices in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict".
Churches are encouraged to be aware of the day, of the WCC commitment to peace and to develop opportunities to assist members to participate in activities which contribute to Peace in all communities.
In particular, Churches are urged to include aspects of peace making eg through prayer, reflections, in their services on 19 & 26 September.
On or near the 21 September, Interchurch Councils and Churches in a local area could also arrange prayer vigils - a period of time when people from across denominations are brought together to reflect and pray for those things which make for peace.
South Australian Council of Churches
Discussion Guides
-- An Ecumenical Resource for use between Easter - Pentecost
Authors - Dr Stephen Downs and The Rev'd John Littleton
Introduction
In late 2006 the SA Council of Churches planned a period of discernment, to look anew at its core business and to further the Council's aims in a new and different context. One of the tasks it has set for this period is discussion based on the documents "Called to be the One Church" and "Australian Churches Covenanting Together". Two discussion guides have been prepared to assist with this: "Christian Fellowship: What does in mean to me?" and "Common Action: What am I doing about it?"
