Canberra and Goulburn Archdiocese, like other Australian dioceses in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, experienced considerable Charismatic Renewal activity. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal had been in Australia since 1969. Prayer groups had sprung up in many parishes and people were finding the power of the Holy Spirit flowing from a personal experience of Jesus in their lives. These prayer groups, however, were generally loosely structured, did not involve the whole parish community and, as far as lifestyle went, had limited commitment principles. However, it was from within these smaller parish groups that the inspiration sprung for Covenant Community in Canberra.
At this time, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart priest in Canberra had a vision that his new parish would move under the power of the Holy Spirit. It would become a community of Faith, built on the Scriptures and living as Christians in strong, committed relationships. This vision spurred a number of people to look closely at what "living as a committed community" meant in real life. These people experienced a desire for close relationship with others of like mind and heart.
Soon after, some people made contact with a community in Brisbane, Queensland, called Emmanuel Covenant Community. The Emmanuel Community was experiencing a really strong environment of committed Christianity while living in their local suburban areas. The leaders of this Community were invited to come to Canberra and share about their experiences.
During a weekend with the people from Emmanuel, the Canberra people were told that Emmanuel had begun through a relationship with a group from Ann Arbor, MI, in the USA. Many of the Ann Arbor people had experienced the first Catholic Charismatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Duquesne (pron. "doocain") University, PA, in 1967. From the Duquesne experience the first Catholic Covenant Community, The Word of God, began in Ann Arbor. The Emmanuel Community had it's beginnings in 1975, growing under the discipleship given by The Word of God.
The visible strength in these Covenant Communities was their commitment to the Biblical principles of community life. These principles are spelt out in Acts 2:42, "[They] remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers." As a sign of that commitment, people who want to live the lifestyle are asked to make a Covenant, undertaking to be faithful to this way of life. The fruits were obvious in the strength of faith, the bonding and the spirit-filled attitude to life that these people had.
Over the weekend of 12/13 February 1982, three Canberra couples came together to pray for God's vision. Early on 13 February they made a written commitment to live in covenant relationship with each other.
The Canberra Christian Covenant Community had begun!
The couples began meeting together on Sunday afternoons at a local show ground. A steady stream of other people joined them.
The fledgling Community came under the discipleship of Emmanuel in Brisbane. It enthusiastically embraced the principles of Acts 2:42 and, as the Scriptures say, "the Lord added to their number" (Acts 2:47).
A short time later, the Community was given the name "Hephzibah" meaning "My delight is in her" (from Isaiah 62:5).
Since that time the Community has grown significantly. The Canberra branch currently has some 200 adult members and around 100 children.
During 1989, the branch leaders began to feel a stirring to reach beyond Canberra with the gift of community life. From Canberra a number of branches of the community were formed in places such as Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart.
In 1994 Hephzibah amalgamated with the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community. Disciples of Jesus now has branches in Canberra, Adelaide, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney North, Sydney South, The Blue Mountains, NSW Central Coast, and in Port Moresby. A priest and brother from the Missionaries of God's Love are also working in Manila, The Philippines. A wonderful work of the Lord from such humble beginnings!
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