2014 Year in Review

16 Apr 2015 - by

The Centre is at an exciting stage in its development with plans for new programs, projects and partnerships. During 2014 we developed a vision, strategic plan and programs for the coming years. The result is Four Pillars for the Centre to focus and revitalise the engagement of Christian faith with culture. The Four Pillars are: Wisdom through Civil Society; Creativity through the Arts, Sciences and Culture; Resilience in institutional life and ethical leadership; Peace through new religious engagements.

The Centre’s mission is to lead and enable the Churches and people of goodwill to seek God’s wisdom and work together for the common good. The Centre belongs to the whole Church and is ecumenical at its heart. However Christianity has a long history of interaction and learning from other religious traditions and practices. This means that pilgrimage in the footsteps of Jesus is one undertaken in company with those of other faiths and none. The expectation is that through dialogue and desire for the common good there will be fresh insights and a greater appreciation of other faiths and how all might contribute to a more humane and just society, and healthy environment.

The Centre has been host to some significant events in 2014 e.g. various Interfaith symposia; an Iftar meal during Ramadan addressed by the Grand Mufti and the Minister for Social Services; events to mark the MH17 loss of life; to remember those suffering in the conflicts of the Middle East; to raise concerns for asylum seekers and refugees; to give thanks for those who speak up for religious minorities.

The Centre has been enriched by visits from international scholars on a variety of topics—theology for a global world, the relationship between psychology and theology, community, leadership and pastoral challenges, monotheism and idolatry. We have welcomed Indigenous leaders of faith to record their work and ministries. We have been blessed by visits from school children and the young who have discovered some of the secrets of the site (The Bible Garden, the Labyrinth, the Mural Wall, the Pilgrim Walk) and the Canberra Chorus of Women have been regular singers at events. We have enjoyed book launches and rejoice in a growing band of scholars associated with the Centre.

Through the activities of the Centre, new collaborations and growing networks of supporters and donors, the Centre is fulfilling its mission of creative engagement between Christian faith and culture. It does this through hospitality offered from home—the heart of Christian faith—and extended to all. This is done in the hope that our spirits will be stirred to seek a common future marked by justice, mercy and humility. This is the way of true reconciliation and it lies at the heart of the Centre’s vision.