Our local Christian churches celebrated the 1700^th anniversary of the Nicene Creed with two events in July. The first, an opportunity for Ecumenical Dialogue* on Wednesday 23 July at the Uniting Church, and the second, an Ecumenical Service held on Sunday 27 July at St Agnes’ Catholic Church.

The Nicene Creed was first adopted at the Council of Nicaea (May–July 325 AD) and is still said  at Mass today. The creed is a powerful statement of belief that is accepted and professed by all major Christian denominations.

Ecumenical Dialogue

The evening of Ecumenical Dialogue, moderated by Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers and attended by forty people, was a wonderful opportunity for Christians from all denominations to come together and learn about the Nicene Creed.

The keynote speakers were:

• The Right Reverend Professor Stephen Pickard: retired Anglican Bishop, former Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture and current adjunct Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University. He has exercised ministry in Australia and the UK in theological education, ministerial formation and pastoral ministry.  He is a recent recipient of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lambeth Award, The Cross of St Augustine, in recognition of his contribution as a theologian, teacher and bishop in the Anglican Communion.
• Reverend Associate Professor Anthony Gooley (Catholic): deacon of the Diocese of Lismore and a professor of theology. He has been Assoc. Prof. and Dean (Courses) at BBI- The Australian Institute of Theological Education and Adjunct Associate Professor within the Institute for Ethics and Society of the University of Notre Dame, Australia. He has taught at Australian Catholic University. He is currently Director of the Centre for Theology and RE, a project of Lismore Diocesan Catholic Schools and Southern Cross University.

Those who braved the wet, cold night to attend were treated to engaging and enlightening lectures, as well as good conversations, from Reverend Professor Stephen Pickard and Reverend Associate Professor Anthony Gooley, as they discussed the Council of Nicaea and the development of the Nicene Creed. Ross Chambers, a lecturer at Charles Sturt University, also contributed a brief historical perspective.

The Uniting Church, in partnership with Reyhana Turkish Restaurant, provided excellent hospitality, making the evening truly memorable.

Ecumenical Service

Over 100 people, attended the Ecumenical Service on Sunday afternoon at St Agnes’ Church.

The gathering, united as a Christian community with representatives from the Anglican, Uniting, Lutheran and Catholic churches, was both fitting and symbolic for the celebration of this significant anniversary.

We were blessed to have the following ministers preside over the service:

• Rev Paul Gooley, St Agnes’ Catholic Parish
• Rev Shane Hyland, St Agnes’ Catholic Parish – St Joseph’s Regional College
• Rev Yoshiya Sakamoto, St Thomas’ Anglican
• Rev Leanne Smith, St Thomas’ Anglican
• Rev Lofa Anga’aelangi, Port Macquarie Uniting Church- Charles Sturt University Chaplain
• Right Rev Professor Stephen Pickard – Retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra Goulburn
• Rev Jon Cornish, Anglican, St Columba’s Anglican School Chaplain
• Pastor Dr Mark Worthing, St Peter’s Lutheran Port Macquarie

The convenor of the events, Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers from Charles Sturt University was also in attendance.

The St Columba’s Chamber Choir performed a Latin version of ‘Northern Lights’ by Ola Gjeilo from Song of Solomon, called Pulchra Es, (You are Beautiful), as the Psalm.

The St Agnes’ Catholic Parish 9 am Sunday Choir also led two hymns, completing a fitting service to celebrate this anniversary.

Thank you

Thank you to our speakers, clergy, and everyone across all churches, who contributed to the success of these two events, especially the choirs, who added so much to the inspiration and beauty of our Ecumenical Service.

At St Agnes’ Catholic Parish we especially thank Deacon Shane Hyland, who represented the Parish in organising the Ecumenical events around this significant anniversary, and to the parishioners who supported one or both events through their attendance. Thanks, also, to Deb Ward, Vanessa Denham, Cath Freeman, Zac Parnell, Tess Koning, Leanne Hyland, and Tony Worner, who assisted with the prayer, and Daniel Barakat, who led the organisation of hospitality from members of our Catholic community and other Christian churches.

Both events were truly symbolic gatherings of Christian Churches striving to live out the Gospel imperative that we should all be one.