Churches, Denominations and Religions: Reconvened 16th Assembly

Saturday, May 7, 2022

Reconvened 16th Assembly - Day 1

Reconvened 16th Assembly kicks off

The 16^th Assembly has officially reconvened on Gubbi Gubbi Country on the Sunshine Coast. Around 200 members from around the country have come together to continue the business of the triennial meeting which first met online in July last year.

The meeting began with a Welcome to Country from the Gubbi Gubbi Dance Troupe who shared a number of traditional songs and dance from their Country.

Members then shared in worship led by Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis which included a historic renewal of the covenant between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. In gesture of deep humility, those Second Peoples who participated in the worship and all who were watching online, were invited to kneel for an Act of Confession, and read the words,

“We pray that our commitment to this covenant will be renewed and enlivened. Kindle in us a flame for justice and equity in these lands known as Australia, and remind us to work in solidarity, shoulder to shoulder, with our First Nations siblings."

During worship, Bible readings were shared from Ezekiel (36:22-28) and Genesis (1:1 – 2:3). Prayers were shared in Fijian, Dinka, Korean, Tongan and English. The worship included joyful song and dance led by liturgist Megan Laurie-Thomson.

The night closed with blessing from the President and sung blessing for one another. Members were encouraged to continue to dwell in the love of Christ as the reconvened meeting begins.

Renewing the Covenant

Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis led a liturgy of renewal together with UAICC National Interim Chairperson Rev Mark Kickett during the worship at the commencement of the reconvened 16^th Assembly. It was a time of both a celebration of this important commitment and a time of confession for the ways we have not honoured or lived up to the vision of the Covenant.

Youthful delegates gather ahead of meeting

Twenty youthful members of the 16^th Assembly have gathered today ahead of the beginning of the reconvened meeting, building community and sharing hopes for the meeting. The final session was joined by President Rev Sharon Hollis and Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer, who fielded questions about the process and shared their own hopes for the meeting.

Join us in prayer for

The Covenant shared between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. We pray that as Second Peoples we choose love and justice over racism and fear.
Day 2 of the reconvened 16th Assembly as members regather from across the country to discern the will of God and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.