The Cathedral is hosting a Symposium called "The Seasons are Gone", on indigenous perspectives on climate change. Almost all discussion on climate change concentrates on scientific and political issues, and the perspectives of those who are most vulnerable to climate change often do not rate in the discussion.   This symposium brings together speakers from the South Pacific, the Torres Strait Islands and the Top End to tell their stories. Our speakers include: Rronang Garrawurra, Yolgnu man and Uniting Church Minister Rose Elu, Torres Strait Islander Nigel Kelaepa, from the Polynesian atoll of Ontong Java in the Solomon Islands Aram Oroi, from the Melanesian Island of Makira in the Solomon Islands All are leaders in their field, and respected elders of their people. You are also invited to join the conversation: to listen, to speak and to act. The Symposium starts at 4pm on Friday 16th September, and goes through to 4 pm on Sunday 18th September. There is no charge for attending, and tea & coffee will be provided. You are welcome to attend as little or as much as time permits. The basic program is: Friday 16th September 4pm to 6 pm - meet the speakers Saturday 17th September 9 am - Welcome to Country, followed by presentations and discussions on the South Pacific, Yolgnu country, and the Torres Strait Islands (9 am to 3 pm with a lunch break). To finish the day, a Q&A panel, from 3.30 pm to 5 pm - You are welcome to join us for worship at the Cathedral, with our visitors from the Solomon Islands preaching. This will be followed at 11.30 am with a session on the current state of play in Australia, and then from 2pm to 4pm a discussion as to where to from here. For further information, to receive a flyer or programme, or to register interest in attending, please contact the Dean of the Cathedral, Dr Keith Joseph, at keij@bigpond.com or on 0409 783 452

Sadly, yet another mass killing. And it seems that we are becoming anaesthetised to the stream of hatred and killings that weekly fill our news media. The epistle reading this Sunday 19 June tells us that "there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3.28). Acts of hatred like this go clearly against the message of the epistle, and the broader message of the Gospel: for we are all one. In particular, we reject homophobia in particular, and all acts of violence based on hatred in general. So, all are welcome at our service this Sunday 19 June 2016 at 9.00 am, where we will pray for the victims of Orlando, and the victims of hate crime in general. We commend the souls of the dead to Christ, and we pray for those who mourn. We also pray for those trapped in hatred and those who commit such crimes: we pray that they will open themselves to God, who is love and whose love knows no bounds.

  On Saturday 11 June 2016 a memorial service for the late Corporal Reg Hillier was held at Christ Church Cathedral. It was followed on Sunday 12 June 2016 by the reinterment at Adelaide River War Cemetery. Corporal Reg Hillier was the only Territorian who was killed in action in the Vietnam War. Sadly it took over fifty years for him to come home. However the journey is now over and he is at peace in the land he loved.

Corporal Reg Hillier died in Vietnam on 29 November 1965. He was buried in Malaysia, in accordance with the policy that applied at that time. From 1966 all Australians who died on active service were repatriated. Some 50 years later, after a campaign by the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, Australian soldiers who died in Vietnam and were buried overseas are being brought home. Reg Hillier was the only Territorian to die on active service in the Vietnam War. His memorial service is to be held at Christ Church Cathedral Darwin at 10 am on Saturday 11 June 2016. The reinterment service will be at 10 am on Sunday 12 June at Adelaide River War Cemetery. All those attending on Saturday at the Cathedral or Sunday at Adelaide River are asked to be present and seated by 9.30 am at the latest - large congregations are expected on both days and seating will be limited. Invitations are the responsibility of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (NT); please contact Mr Bob Shewring or Ms Sue McCallum at bringthemhome@vvaant.org.au.

Friday 1st April at 7.30 pm, the Young Voices of Melbourne supported by the Darwin Youth Choir and Pure Note Choir. Please join us for this memorable evening. Gold coin donation for admission.