About Us
THE WORKING GROUP ON CHRISTIAN JEWISH RELATIONS
1. INTRODUCTION
The Working Group had existed prior to 1996 as an unofficial group of lay and ordained UCA members committed to better relations between Christians and Jews. In 1996 it was officially appointed as a Working Group of the Ecumenical Relations Committee of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. Prior to the 1997 Assembly of the Uniting Church in Perth, a Task Group of Melbourne and Sydney UCA members was appointed by the Assembly to draft a policy statement on the Uniting Church's relationship with Jews and Judaism.
The Task Group also produced educational materials to accompany the official statement. The statement when adopted as UCA policy was sent to Synods, Presbyteries, Parishes and non-parish groups with the Uniting Church. The Victorian and Tasmanian Working Group continues the task of educating the people of the Uniting Church in this vital area.
2. MATTERS REFERRED
The issues germane to the Working Group’s identity are highly sensitive; they include
- Supercessionism, together with the so-called ‘teaching of contempt’ for Jews and Judaism;
- Christian complicity in the growth and sustaining of antisemitism;
- The significance of the ‘Shoah’ (or Holocaust) for Jews and Christians;
- The proper interpretation of Christian scripture where there appear to be derogatory statements about Jews and/or Judaism.
3. ACTIVITIES
3.1 Website
The website continues to provide resources for the church and other organizations in the area of Christian-Jewish relations. It contains articles, reports and readings in the form of radio plays ideal for use in worship and adult studies. The web site address is http://www.wgcjr.com.au/
3.2 Funding for the Council of Christians and Jews (Vic) Inc
The Working Group’s application to Board of Mission and Resourcing on behalf of the Council of Christians and Jews has resulted in a yearly generous generous grant of $6,000.
3.3 Annual Shoah Service
This service is jointly organized by the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania;s Working Group on Christian-Jewish Relations, the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne Committee for Interfaith Relations and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne Committee for Catholic-Jewish Relations. In 2016 the service was held at the Catholic Church's Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill. In 2017 it will be held at the Uniting Church's Kingswood College, Box Hill.
3.4 Holy Week Notes
Holy Week notes, available via the website, have been produced by the Working Group to clarify the historical background of the gospels as this affects the material in the Revised Common Lectionary. These are designed to help preachers and teachers avoid anti-Jewish interpretations – still commonly heard in churches and classrooms.
3.5 Corrective Measures
Periodically, material that could be seen as anti-Jewish or antisemitic is drawn to the attention of the Working Group, and suitable action taken where possible .
3.6 Speaking/Teaching Engagements
Members of the Working Group have spoken by invitation on Christian-Jewish Relations in churches and inter-church gatherings both in Victoria and interstate
3.7 Migrant Congregations
Work is in progress toward providing print matter in relevant languages to inform migrant congregations on the central issues that define the Working Group’s agenda.
3.8 Other Denominations
The Working Group notes that the U.C.A. has set in place position papers and educational programs that are not evident in other denominations, and is working toward ways in which it may help them address the issues noted above in #2.
3.9 Council of Christians and Jews Victoria
Two of the Working Group hold office in CCJ Victoria; the Rev Graham McAnalley (former Chairman) and Mr Edwin Carter (Treasurer). The Rev Graham McAnalley and Mr Edwin Carter are also members of the national ‘dialogue’ between the UCA Assembly and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
3.10 Membership
Officers are Chair: Rev Dr Lorraine Parkinson; Secretary: Rev Dr John Bodycomb; Treasurer: Rev Neil Wilkinson. Committee: Mr Edwin Carter, Dr Julie Hall, Rev Graham McAnalley.
4. POLICY CHANGES
Nil.
5. CONCLUSION
The Working Group values the confidence placed in it by the Synod. It is accountable via the Ecumenical Relations Committee. The group invites members of the UCA who have a keen interest in its work to consider becoming members of the group.