The Annual General Meeting of the Council of Christians and Jews WA Inc. was held at the Anglican Parish of Applecross on 16 February. In his Annual Report, CCJWA Chairperson, the Rev. Associate Professor Rowan Strong, focused on the purpose of the Council, and reflected on what is being achieved. He concluded by urging Jews and Christians alike to support the Council's interfaith activities, saying :"We cannnot afford for this work to falter here in Western Australia. Complacency is always the friend of evil, and the good God we serve demands more of us." (His entire report is available on the Diocesan website at www.perth.anglican.org/web/Resources/Archives/?pageid=156&article=366)
The guest speaker for the occasion was the Honorary Secretary, Dr Mary J. Marshall, who gave an illustrated address on Highlights from the International CCJ Annual Conference held in Berlin, July 2009. One of the recurring themes was that Jews and Christians must work together as allies, on ethical problems, and towards tikkun olam - the repair of the world. With regard to the Middle East, the hope had been expressed that if we work for justice, perhaps peace will come. Dr Marshall also stressed the finding that biblical texts need to be studied with "interfaith eyes", and the importance of employing sound scholarship in the interpretation of Scripture. In closing, she encouraged the audience to "Think globally, act locally", and echoed Rowan Strong's call for commitment to the Council's work through membership, and perhaps by joining its Executive. While expressing thanks for the address, Dr Strong said that it had made us aware that we are part of a much wider movement, and that we are "here to serve the cause of God's peace".
Report submitted by Rev. Marie Wilson