If you already use Facebook, just search for "Christians for an Ethical Society" in the "Search Facebook" box in the blue ribbon at the top of your home page. On the group's front page you will need to click on the "Join" button and then wait a day or so for our group administrator to admit you to the group. Guidelines on making posts and comments in the group are posted in the group - please read them before you post anything or make a comment.
If you don't already use Facebook, you will first have to join Facebook. It's very simple - all you will need is your email address and a password which you have to think up and remember. You do not need to provide any of the personal details requested.
As members of the group you will get reminders of our forums and get access to discussion and up-to-date information on topics that concern us. We also hope that your use of the group will allow CES to be known by a wider audience, particularly amongst the younger generations.
If you do not wish to become a member of the CES group, you will still be able to view posts but will not be notified of new posts as they occur.
We look forward to seeing you in our CES Facebook group.
Christians for an Ethical Society
C/- Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture,
George Browning House
15 Blackall Street (cnr King's Avenue)
BARTON ACT 2600
We are an
ecumenical, mainstream organization, established in 2008. We aim to
strengthen social justice and ethical structures in Australia; to promote
social justice as a core Christian value; and to further public education
on ethics, current social justice issues and the Christian perspective on
them.
More information about us, our constitution, membership form
Please read the Message from the Chair: Bishop George Browning or Bishop Browning's blog
Thorwald Lorenzen is to continue as president for another year. The new Executive comprises Bishop George Browning (Chair), David Hunter (Vice-Chair), Jeremy Dawson (Treasurer), Robyn Coghlan (Secretary). Other committee members are: Bill Bush, Ingrid Moses, Werner Padarin, Clive Rodger, Stephen Pickard and Cath Blunt.
John Nevile has retired from the committee, but will continue to represent CES at the NSW Ecumenical Council. A motion of thanks for his years on the committee concluded "His presence on the committee will be greatly missed, whilst his continuing counsel will be welcome and sought".
The AGM minutes contain the Annual Report by the Chair, Bishop George Browning.
Andrew Leigh spoke to our following forum on Wed 19 April on "The Politics of Love". Here is a copy of Dr Leigh's address and here is a recording of the session (86MB)
Clive Hamilton spoke to a forum on 3 May. His title was the title of his new book Defiant earth: The fate of humans in the Anthropocene Here is a recording of the session (46MB)
Future forums:
Our annual dinner forum will be on Thursday 17 August, when Kristina Keneally will speak on "Wisdom in an uncertain world".
The first forum of the year was on 24 February 2016 at the
Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture.
Bishop George Browning
gave a theological framework for the theme
"Common wealth, common good"
around environmental issues arising from his Ph.D thesis.
This thesis was published by Ecobook on 24 February
and there was a book launch following his address at the forum.
Here is a copy of his address.
Here are the
audio recordings of his address
For the second forum, on 20 April 2016, Rt Rev'd Professor Stephen Pickard spoke on "Religion, Violence and the Peaceable Kingdom". Here is a copy of his address.
Dr Brendan Long of the ACCC addressed our third forum on 25 May 2016,
on the topic A Christian Vision for Tax Reform in Australia
Here are the
audio recordings of his address
Our annual dinner forum at the Bella Vista Restaurant in Belconnen on 21 July
was a great success with a full house and much conversation.
Frank Brennan's talk on What makes for Common Good
was well received and reflected in Ingrid Moses' vote of thanks.
Here are the
audio recordings of his address
Our fifth forum was addressed by
Helen Szoke, Chief Executive of Oxfam Australia, on 21 September,
on the topic:
Strategy, not charity: why we need effective aid now.
Here are the
audio recordings of her address
Our sixth forum was a joint forum with the
Catholic Social Justice Commission,
on their Social Justice Statement, on Wed 19 October.
Here are the
audio recordings of the addresses
Our last forum for the year was be addressed by
by Graeme Garrett and Jan Morgan, on 8 November,
who addressed the
topic: Does Beauty say Adieu? The Call of
Beauty in a Disfigured World.
Here are the
audio recordings of the evening.
Our new President, the Reverend Dr Thorwald Lorenzen,
introduced the theme at the first forum on Thursday 12 February.
Under the title,
"Free and equal! Towards a more humane society"
he suggested what Christians may offer to shape a more humane society.
Here is a copy of his
address
Here are the
audio recordings of his address
For our second forum we had Dr Ken Crispin discuss drug law reform.
Here are the
audio recordings of his address
For our third forum we had Paul Bongiorno discussing the role
of the media in Australian society, with reference to the federal budget.
Here are the
audio recordings of his address
Our next event was our winter dinner forum, on Thursday 27 August,
which was a sell-out.
Tim Costello spoke on "Fortress Australia - myth or reality?"
(photo on the right)
Here are the
audio recordings of his address
For the last (purely) CES forum of the year we had Steve Hatfield Dodds, discussing climate change, on Tuesday 20 October.
Finally, we held a forum held jointly with the
Catholic Social Justice Commission,
at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 11th November 2015.
Speaking on the Catholic Bishops' 2015-16 Social Justice Statement:
For Those Who've Come Across the Seas:
Justice for refugees and asylum seekers
were Jon Stanhope, Sr Jane Keogh and Felix Macharidza
(a refugee from Zimbabwe) with Genevieve Jacobs moderating.
Here are the
audio recordings of the addresses
See here for details of these forums and of previous years' forums.
Our forums seek to encourage discussion from the floor.
A $5 donation is suggested to cover forum costs.
Supper is provided after each forum.
Here is a useful website addressing drug and alcohol abuse: Lifting the Lid
Australia 21 has several publications on refugee policy, including Refugees and asylum seekers: Finding a better way and Beyond the boats: building an asylum and refugee policy for the long term
Here is author and outspoken Refugee Rights supporter Tim Winton giving a speech at the Palm Sunday Walk for Refugees 2015
2017 April | March | February | January |
2016 November | October (2) | October | September | July (2) | July | June (2) | June | May (2) | May | April | March | February | January |
2015 November | October | September (2) | September | August (3) | August (2) | August | July | May (2) | May | April (2) | April | February | January (including message from the Chair: Bishop George Browning) |
information and registration details
Misha Coleman has been the Executive Officer of the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce (ACRT) since its establishment in 2012 and will share her insights and respond to questions on the highlights and lessons learnt during her time with the ACRT
This event will be on Thursday 2 March 2017, 7:30-9:30pm, at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, 15 Blackall St Barton, ACT. It is organized by the Faith Based Working Group of the Refugee Action Committee (RAC) Canberra.
Domestic violence experts will examine the nature of violence and look for practical solutions.
BYO lunch, beverages provided. A donation would be appreciated to cover costs.
Inquiries to Margaret 0417 418 838 or commissionforwomencg@gmail.com.
When: Friday 6 May at 7 pm
Where: Canberra Labor Club, 51 Chandler St, Belconnen
Cost is $35 per person - The evening will include a three course dinner (with bar service) with special dietary needs met if requested
Bookings are essential, with payment in advance (by 1 May) to AJPP's account (BSB 805-022; Account 03424708 in Beyond Bank). Add your name as a reference.
Please email ajpp1948@gmail.com to advise your payment and any dietary needs.
For further information Kathryn Kelly on 0417 269 984, or Kevin Bray on 0406 376 878.
This free public forum aims to shed light on how the culture of spin and secrecy surrounding the very politicised issue of Australia's refugee policy has impacted on the ability of journalists to provide accurate and impartial information. The forum is organised by the Refugee Action Committee Further details here
This movie is promoted by Conservation Council ACT Region & Canberra People's Climate March
showings Tuesday, 10 November and Monday, 16 November
Film and religion belong together. The reason is simple; they both explore, in different ways, what it means to be a human being in the universe.
The Religious Short Film Prize is an opportunity for film-makers to explore the religious quest through a powerful contemporary medium. Religious themes are as varied as human beings are in the world.
The Religious Short Film Prize falls under the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture's (ACC&C) pillar dedicated to the Arts, Sciences and Culture.
The inaugural Australian Peacewomen Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate Australia's contribution to the peace process and will recognise the talents and dedication of Australian women whose activities have promoted peace at the local, national and/or international levels. This year's award recipients include Helen Caldicott, Anne Gallagher, Helen Durham and Kirstie Parker.
More information about the PeaceWomen Awards
The Women's Power to Stop War Conference will discuss the who, what, where, how, why of Women's Power to Stop War, with keynote speakers, panel discussion, a mini debate "Government Diplomacy vs NGO Advocacy – who is the best peace-builder?", and conversations with subject matter experts on WILPF's three program areas, disarmament, human rights and gender, peace and security.
More information about the Women's POwer to Stop War Conference
Place: Holy Faith Hall, 30 White Crescent, Campbell
Date: Tuesday April 14, 2015
Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm (Followed by a light supper)
Registration and pre-payment required Sharon Brewer (02) 6163 4300
World War 1 brought death to approximately 61,000 Australians and shattered the lives of countless others. Globally, a generation was virtually lost. The legacy of the war continues to this day. A century on, does our commemoration stop short of asking the hard questions such as how such a cataclysmic event could occur, what we learnt from it and whether that responsibility to learn has been lost amid the flag-waving ?
Tuesday 4 November 2014, 7.30 pm
The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, 15 Blackall St,
Barton.
Organised by the Medical Association for Prevention of War, a Chorus of Women, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (ACT Branch), Honest History and the UN Association of Australia (ACT Branch)
Other related events before then. More information and here
"Australian banks are major financiers of fossil fuels, especially coal. As well as loans their superannuation and investment operations are significant investors in fossil fuel companies.
ACCR's research leads us to believe that this investment in 'unburnable carbon' is a financial risk for investors as well as major environmental issue.
ACCR wants investors to know what the banks are doing, and we want banks to reduce their risky fossil fuel investments."
They need the support of 100 shareholders in each of the big banks, to enable them to move shareholder resolutions. Read more here