Ecumenical Activities ...
Ecumenical Activities and Covenant (Chester St and OLHC):
Ecumenism:
o Both communities are involved in a wide range of ecumenical
activities with other Christian Churches in the area. The Catholic
community at Epping has a particularly close relationship with St
Alban’s Anglican Church and Chester St Uniting Church with whom it
shares a covenant relationship.
The annual Lenten discussion groups are mixed ecumenical groups from the different congregations, affording an excellent opportunity to share our faith and learn from each other. The three churches, along with St Gerard’s Catholic Church in Carlingford, St Aidan’s Anglican Church in West Epping, West Epping Uniting Church and Carlingford Baptist Church share a series of five weekly Ecumenical Liturgies during the Season of Lent.
There is also a liturgy at Pentecost and in Advent. The clergy from the three Churches preach to their neighbouring congregations on a Sunday once each year. There is also an annual joint sitting of the Parish Councils of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, St Alban’s Anglican Church and Chester St Uniting Church.
o At Pentecost 2004, a formal covenant was entered into by the Catholic
community at Epping, the Anglican Parish of Epping, and Chester
Street Uniting Church, Epping. This covenant gave formal expression
to many of the joint activities that are shared by our three
communities and expressed a commitment to continue these activities.
Epping Covenant:
o Carlingford’s Catholic community has a committed ecumenical team
which is working at building a series of interchurch gatherings with
members of West Epping Uniting Church, St Aidan’s Anglican Church,
Carlingford Uniting Church and Carlingford Baptist Church. The extended Covenant with Carlingford Baptist Church and West Epping Uniting Church was signed at St Gerard's Catholic Church on the 3rd December 2008. The
ultimate goal is the development of a local interchurch Council.
o Carols in the Park: held each December is organised by the various Christian Churches in the area.
The Taize Group: an ecumenical activity in the Epping area involving prayerful chants developed by the ecumenical community of Taize in France meets at St Alban’s Anglican Church at 6pm on the second Sunday of every month.
Food for Thought:: Regular lunch gatherings, known as Food for Thought, an initiative of Epping Catholic community, St Alban’s Anglican Church and Chester St Uniting Church, are held with various interesting speakers being invited to discuss relevant issues.
Together in Epping (TIE): The ecumenical social justice group, Together in Epping (TIE) is dealt with in a separate entry in this website.