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2018 ACC Conference: Presentations and Overview

With over 250 registered members (and up to 290 people at some sessions), the 2018 ACC AGM and Conference held in Sydney 17-19 September was a gathering of vibrant and stirring fellowship. It was a poignant meeting for many members who had attended the inaugural ACC Conference held at Wesley Church, Wesley Mission in October 2006. The 2018 AGM and Conference provided a strong base for encouraging one another with the theme of "Living and Working Within the Faith and Unity of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church." People have spoken of the joy of meeting with a common and united fellowship and hearing from the excellent and challenging speakers. A list of speakers and their presentations is below. During the Tuesday night rally (18 September) the offering toward Drought Aid raised $2600.

A number of significant decisions were made during the AGM sessions. An important document Questions and Answers in relation to the recent decisions of the ACC (8 October 2018) has been provided to members and is included here for the reference of members, especially in ACC member congregations. Further information will be provided over the coming weeks and also in the December 2018 ACCatalyst magazine.

New National Council for 2018-2019. The ACC's governing executive was appointed and for the current membership see the website link.

ACC was blessed to be led by a wonderful group of Tongan and Samoan members in the singing, with some memorable and inspiring group items. The Wesley Church worship space enabled a prayerful focus and we extend our deep thanks to all the help from members of Wesley Congregational Life, the Wesley Conference Centre team and Upper Room Catering.

Papers and video will be provided on the ACC website (see below) and the ACC Facebook and ACC YouTube sites as available.

Speakers at the 2018 ACC Conference

Rev. Dr Keith Garner AM: Wesley Mission CEO and Superintendent

“Signs of a Healthy Church” (Sermon at the Opening Worship, Monday 17 September): 7 pages PDF.

Rev. Walter and Dr Katherine Abetz: ACC Tasmanian leaders (Devotional Study: Tuesday morning 18 September).

Swimming Between the Flags (A PowerPoint presentation illustrating the marks of an orthodox church)

Monica Doumit: Commentator, writer and legal advisor, and prominent contributor to many Catholic publications, including The Catholic Weekly. Keynote Speaker: Monday night 17 September.

“Challenges for the Church Post Plebiscite.” (8 pages PDF)

Rev. Professor James Haire AC: Ninth President of the UC Assembly. Keynote Speaker: Tuesday morning 18 September.

“Facing the challenges of confessing the faith within the unity of the one holy catholic and apostolic church.” (8 pages PDF)

Rev. Dr Max Champion: ACC Theology and Ecumenical Relationships Convenor. Keynote Speaker Tuesday 18 September.

Why do our churches need faithful confessors? Because “a church which is unable to confess its faith is a lame and withered church.” (You Tube Video link)