The churches were St John’s Anglican Church, St Peter’s Catholic Church and Toorak Uniting Church[i]. In practice the pledge means that the churches pray for each other; they work together; they study together; and they worship together. This was the foundation of the Toorak Ecumenical Movement.
40 years on, thanks to the founders and the inspirational endeavours of the many volunteers involved in the Toorak Ecumenical Movement throughout the years, pre-existing collaborative activities were strengthened and new ones were initiated. These include –
Monthly Prayers for Christian Unity
Lenten Study Group
World Day of Prayer
Ecumenical Way of the Cross Walk
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Toorak Opportunity Shop
Combined services at Pentecost and Advent
Food for Friends Annual Christmas Appeal
Annual Covenant Renewal
In 2007 The Swedish Church Melbourne, under the leadership of the Reverend Per Anders Sandgren, formalised its hitherto informal links with the Toorak Ecumenical Movement by accepting a welcome invitation to affirm the Toorak Ecumenical Covenant.
This involvement has served to increase the diversity of the community and has provided wide opportunity for fellowship and increased understanding amongst the congregations of the four churches. The Swedish Church is very appreciative of the opportunity to host, on a rotational basis, the monthly Prayers for Christian Unity and the annual World Day of Prayer, as well as participating in and contributing to other services and events which mark the Christian year.
In 1986 a foundation member of the Prayers for Christian Unity group donated a carved candle holder to hold a candle which symbolises “One light for the World”. The candle is taken to each host church and lit at the start of each monthly meeting. The image of the candle is now used as the symbol of Toorak Ecumenical Movement. This month the candle can be seen in the chapel at The Swedish Church.
Sadly, the plans to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the affirmation of the Toorak Ecumenical Covenant have had to be deferred because of Covid-19. We look forward to re-instating the celebrations once the pandemic is over.
Meanwhile we keep mindful of the closing words of the Covenant: “To seek in every way to demonstrate to the world that we are united in our commitment to Christ and to the coming of his kingdom.”
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[i] The Uniting Church Australia was formed in 1977 by marrying the Presbyterian, Congregational and Methodist churches of 18th century Britain.
Jennifer Beck, 14June2020