Churches, Denominations and Religions: Reconvened 16th Assembly

Sunday, May 8, 2022

Reconvened 16th Assembly - Day 2

Highlights from Day 2 #UCA22

The first full business day of the 16^th Assembly Reconvened Meeting was filled with listening and discernment with a number of important decisions on continuing witness, climate change, aged care and celebrating deacons in the UCA.

The Day began with worship with a sung Acknowledgment of Country in the language of the Gubbi Gubbi People followed Bible Reflections led by the students of Nungalinya College.

A highlight of the day was the Assembly’s warm reception and adoption of the Continuing Witness proposal which invites the Church to engage with three documents from other churches that will challenge us, encourage us, and offer us wisdom.

The Assembly also agreed to adopt a proposal on climate change which commits the Church to take seriously the voices and wisdom of First Peoples on climate justice and care of creation and to call on the Councils and agencies of the Church to join with the Assembly in committing to net zero emissions by 2040.

Another decision of the Assembly will prioritise advocacy to ensure the dignity and care of older Australians.

In the evening session Assembly members acknowledged with joy and expressed deep gratitude for the ministry of the diaconate within the Uniting Church in Australia, noting the 30th anniversary of the renewal of this ministry.

The proposal emphasised the need for theological colleges to provide specific courses and training for deacons in the Uniting Church within the varied contexts in which they work.

After the decision, the President invited Deacons who were present to stand and the whole Assembly prayed over them. There was an encouragement to take the time to listen to a Deacon and share their good news stories. Watch a video celebrating UCA Deacons.

A proposal was discussed and later passed on a Review of the Regulations of the Uniting Church delegating authority to the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) to immediately review the regulations relating to complaints and discipline.

Another decision was made that allows the ASC to amend regulations in order to reduce the administrative and financial burden on small congregations in relation to auditing processes.

The Assembly meeting also had its first opportunity to engage with the Act2 report and proposals.

Before Dinner Assembly members were invited to turn to another person next to them and share a concern on their heart and pray for one another.

The Day finished with a quiet moment of reflection using the Examen practice, dwelling with the events of the day and within the love of Christ in one another.

Listening anew to words of Continuing Witness

Members of the 16^th Assembly have adopted a proposal for the Church to “listen anew for words of continuing witnesses from recent and contemporary contexts” to challenge, renew and strengthen the faith of the Uniting Church.
Rachel Kronberger introduced the report and proposals: “The task group believes that in studying and praying with these documents across the church we would find in them words with which to express our faith, or be inspired by them to find new words of our own.”

A commitment to climate justice and care of creation

The 16^th Assembly has passed a proposal from the Assembly Standing Committee that commits the Uniting Church to take seriously the voices and wisdom of First Peoples on climate justice and calls upon the wider Church to commit to net zero emissions by 2040. Introducing the proposal, Palawa woman Alison Overeem said, “As First Peoples, the Creator gifted us the role of caretakers of this land. Care for country sits in our storylines, in our songlines and in our cultural practices. As First Peoples we know that if we care for country, country will care for us.”

United for our older people

The 16^th Assembly passed a proposal that both celebrates older people and prioritises advocacy to ensure the dignity and care of older Australians. Under the proposal, Assembly members endorsed UnitingCare Australia to prioritise advocacy that urges the Australian Government to address the growing aged care crisis in Australia. Further the Assembly supported the celebration of an Older Persons Sunday in the Uniting Church each year.

"A whole-of-church national process to explore the opportunities and challenges that face us."

Members of the 16^th Assembly have had their first opportunity to engage with the Act2 report in an information session on Saturday morning. Act2 is process of discernment about how faithfully following Christ in our time and place shapes the Uniting Church into the future.

Dwelling in Love with Creation: Worship Day 2

Another highlight of Day 2 was being led in prayerful reflection on the Dwelling in Love theme by students from Nungalinya College.

A Bible Reflection was led in person by Pastor Kirsty Burgu. A Ngarinyin Worrorra woman, Kirsty is an active artist and the Uniting Church Pastor at Mowanjum in Western Australia. Kirsty spoke about her painting called the Creation Story, beautifully weaving together the creation stories she has learnt from her ancestors and her Christian faith.

What's been great so far?

We asked six members of the 16th Assembly what have been their highlights of the meeting so far. Watch their responses on this video!

A wrap on social media

See what has been shared so far about the reconvened meeting on social media. Don't forget to use the 16th Assembly hashtags when you share - #uca22 #dwellinginlove #Godineveryact

A practice of prayer

Assembly members closed their first full day with a recorded reflective practice of prayer guided by Richmond Uniting Church Minister Rev Dr Sally Douglas. The Examen helps make us alert to God's presence and the leading of the Spirit. Learn more in two videos - a guided Examen and an explanation of the practice.

Join us in prayer for

The continued discernment of the 16th Assembly and for a strong sense of community as members prepare for Day 3.