Port parishioners celebrate 1700 years since the Nicene Creed

Concelebrating clergy (l-r) Rev. Paul Gooley and Rev. Shane Hyland, St Agnes’ Catholic Church; Rev. Yoshiya Sakamoto and Rev. Leanne Smith, St Thomas’ Anglican Church; Rev. Lofa Anga'aelangi, Uniting Church; Right Rev. Professor Stephen Pickard, Retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn; Rev. Jon Cornish, St Columba Anglican School; and Pastor Dr Mark Worthing, St Peter’s Lutheran Church. Photo: Pauline Cain.

St Columba Anglican School Chamber Choir led by Annalie McRae. Photo: Pauline Cain.

Right Rev. Professor Stephen Pickard delivering the sermon. Photo: Pauline Cain.

THIS YEAR marks the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the birth of the Nicene Creed; the profession of faith still recited by Christians around the world.

The Council of Nicaea met in what is modern day Türkiye in 325 AD.

Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Uniting and Syrian Orthodox communities in Port Macquarie celebrated the anniversary with an Ecumenical Dialogue on 23 July at the Uniting Church.

Speakers included The Right Reverend Professor Stephen Pickard (Anglican) and Rev. Associate Professor Anthony Gooley (Catholic).

A Ecumenical Service was then held on Sunday 27 July at St Agnes’ Catholic Church.

Both events were convened by Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers from Charles Sturt University.

The Ecumenical Service was led by Rev. Paul Gooley, who welcomed the congregation “as brothers and sisters in Christ from various traditions.

“We come together as the wider Christian family, united in a shared purpose to celebrate a remarkable milestone in our common faith journey.

“The creed begins with ‘we believe’, a profound affirmation of our shared convictions about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

“It is a testament to the enduring truth that binds us, despite our denominational differences.”

Rev. Jon Cornish introduced the SCAS Chamber Choir as they sang “Northern Lights” in Latin.

Written by Norwegian Ola Gjeilo, it reflects scripture from the Song of Solomon.

Right Rev. Professor Stephen Pickard delivered the homily and asked members of the congregation when they first heard the Nicene Creed.

“[The] language became embedded in the corporate memory of [Christians] and we are heirs of that memory and hold it in our hearts,” he said.

“It remained controversial and contested for generations, with differences in interpretation and serious disagreements.

”In spite of this, it has stood the test of time because it says something absolutely crucial [for Christians] about who God is, and who Jesus is in relation to God.”

The Bishop then invited the congregation to “recite the creed with conviction, sing it with vigour, pray it with fervour and practice it so that we may be a light in the world.”

The service ended with a resounding rendition of “All Creatures of our God and King,” translated by William H. Draper and based on the Canticle of the Sun by St Francis of Assisi.

By Pauline CAIN

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