Saturday, 9 October 2021 (10:00-12:30), took place online via Zoom the 2021 Conference of the NSW Ecumenical Council’s Theological Reflection Commission. The theme of the conference was What Does It Mean to Be Ecumenical?
The event consisted of two panel sessions, preceded by the acknowledgment of country, the opening prayer, and introductory remarks. It was concluded by a word from Professor Diane Speed and the final prayer. The programme of the conference unfolded as follows:
10:00am Welcome and acknowledgment of country: Dr Timothy O’Hearn (NSWEC TRC)
10:05am Prayer: Major Clayton Spence (NSWEC TRC)
10:10am Introducing the Theological Reflection Commission and this event: Rev. Dr Raymond Williamson OAM (Past President NSWEC)
10:15am The first panel offered reflections on NSWEC TRC’s volume A Celebration of Ut unum sint: The 25th Anniversary
Moderator: Professor Emerita Diane Speed (Co-Convenor NSWEC TRC)
Speakers: Rev. Myung Hwa Park (President NSWEC); Fr Claude Mostowik msc (NSWEC); Mr Doug Hewitt AM (NSWEC)
11:25am The second panel debated the challenge of increasing polarisation in our society and the potential role of the ecumenical movement in addressing this
Moderator: Associate Professor Doru Costache (Co-Convenor NSWEC TRC)
Speakers: Rev. Dr Josephine Inkpin (Minister, Pitt St Uniting Church); Rev. Dr Michael Jensen (Rector, St Mark’s Darling Point); Ms Brooke Prentis (CEO, Common Grace)
12:25pm Closing prayer: Rev. Paul Weaver (NSWEC TRC)
More than thirty enthusiasts for Christian unity attended, with the conversation and the debates going far beyond the recorded sessions, through the very busy and active chatroom. The convenors and the NSW EC’s TRC team are grateful for the vibrant response of the audience.
Video recording
9 October 2021