Border CC banner (Fr John Darbyshire
and Lorraine McRae).
For ten years now the Border Council of Churches (BCC) has been operating faithfully as a shining ecumenical light in the border region between coastal Queensland and New South Wales. BCC is an Associate Member of QCT. Read about the marvellous work they do in the following account sent to us by Rev. Fr John Darbyshire, priest of St Joseph's Catholic Church, Tweed Heads, and currently Chair of the BCC:
"The Border Council of Churches (BCC), which represents the churches from Kingscliff (SW) to the southern end of the Gold Coast, celebrated the Tenth Anniversary of its foundation on 29th November 2009 at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Tweed Heads, NSW.
The BCC is constituted under the auspices of Queensland Churches Together. It was ten years ago that several ministers from Catholic, Anglican and Uniting churches got together to find a path where we could unite in prayer in worship, share common pastoral pursuits and partake in charitable projects. The Statement of Covenant was presented on Advent Sunday, 8th November 1999:
'We, the members and ministers of the churches, confessing our faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and believing that the unity of the Church is the will of God, hereby commit ourselves to further this unity by venturing into this local Covenant.'
BCC clergy with Advent candle.
Anniversary service
The Anniversary Service was also a combined Advent service, and the Call to Worship opened with a procession of church ministers into the church, carrying with them the Advent Candle. The blessing of the Advent Candle was followed by the Confession and Hymn "Be Thou My Vision" sung by a representation of choir members from across all the churches. The First Reading from Jeremiah 33:14-16 was read by a member of the Anglican Parish of Coolangatta. The Eanora Uniting Church read the Psalm and the Gospel was read by Fr John Darbyshire of the Catholic Church.
Teresa Brierley speaking.
A reflection on God's Word was given by Teresa Brierley, Vice Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland and pastoral co-ordinator. The Prayers of the Faithful were delivered by the Tugun Catholic Parish, followed by the concluding prayer read by the member of Kingscliff Anglican parish.
Glenine Hamlyn speaking.
An address by Glenine Hamlyn, General Secretary of the Queensland Churches Together (QCT) proved inspiring and informative, and the BCC thank her for being able to be present with us at this anniversary celebration. The Hymn " Let There Be Peace On Earth" was sung and a Reflection was given by Mary Wardrop, Vice Chair of BCC, of St Cuthbert's Anglican Church, Tweed Heads.
The Service concluded with a "Power Point" display of activities of the BCC and an Affirmation of the Faith we share together and a Blessing and Dismissal given by clergy. The Hymn "Lord, The Light of your Love" (Shine Jesus Shine) concluded the Anniversary Service.
"Attendees".
Quarterly gatherings
The BCC meets quarterly, and the planning of four "Ecumenical Services" in our churches proves effective for prayer and worship together. There is always a good attendence, and the community meet together after each service for refreshments and to discuss common interests.
Care of the homeless
The BCC have been involved in promoting and helping charitable works in various parishes, especially the care of the "homeless" in the combined mission of " Lunch in The Park" where meals - nutritious and cooked the same day - are distributed three times a week. Various people have volunteered to cook and make this good work viable. There is also a registered charity, "You Have A Friend", founded by John Lee, a parishioner of St Joseph's Catholic Parish Tweed Heads. NSW. It functions with the aid of delivery food headed for Tweed Heads, Coolangatta, Kingscliff and Murwillumbah districts, and it continues to grow .
Some assistance is also provided by way of temporary shelter for the homeless, and negotiations to secure a permanent shelter are underway.
Pastoral concerns
The BCC also addresses pastoral concerns in various parishes - and the Council occasionally invite guests to speak on various topics. In our last meeting we had guest speakers from Al-Anon. The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems, believing that alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.
These concerns are just a few of the topics raised at our quarterly meetings, and this year 2010 will present its own issues.
The Border Council Of Chuches is fundamentally a representative group "confessing our faith in one God". This is reflected in the Statement of Covenant (1999):
'We also commit ourselves to enact and fulfil such matters as our churches shall determine by common consent, which at present are as follows:
Please keep us in your prayers as the BCC launches into its next decade - we all share in God's Mission. May God's blessings be with you in this new year!"
*Photos courtesy of Rev. Craig Blackburn.
