Moderator Rev Salesi Faupula and outgoing Moderator Rev David Fotheringham at this morning’s Opening Worship at Kingswood College.
By Andrew Humphries
The installation of Rev Salesi Faupula was the highlight of today’s opening day of Synod 2025, the four-day gathering of Uniting Church members from Victoria and Tasmania which continues until Tuesday.
Day one has now wrapped up, with the welcome dinner, an interview discussion on peace in the Middle East, and theological reflection, ending proceedings this evening.
The opening day of Synod 2025 began with Opening Worship at Kingswood College, featuring Salesi’s installation as Moderator and bringing to a close Rev David Fotheringham’s term in the role.
Installed as the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania’s ninth Moderator, Salesi takes on the role conscious of the trust placed in him by Uniting Church members.
“As we gather for Synod 2025, I stand before you with humility, hope, and deep gratitude,” Salesi said in his reflection during this morning’s Opening Worship.
“Gratitude for those who have journeyed with me in faith, for those who have gone before, and for the God who calls us always forward.
“I take this moment to honour our outgoing Moderator, Rev David Fotheringham.
“In his humble and gracious manner, he has guided us through challenging times with strength and presence.
“He has encouraged us when we were weary and offered calm, Christ-centred leadership in moments of uncertainty.
“He leaves us with big shoes to fill, yet with an example of faithfulness that strengthens us for the road ahead.”
Incorporating the Synod 2025 theme of ‘Pilgrims of the Spirit’, Salesi encouraged Uniting Church members to “continue to be drawn forward by God” and to “set a new kind of banquet because Christ first set a table for us”.
“Hospitality, for us as pilgrims, is not just politeness,” he said.
“It is the risk of opening ourselves to the stranger, trusting that the Spirit works through such encounters.
“It is choosing to go “outside the camp” with Jesus, where faith becomes vulnerable, where love is tested, and where God promises never to leave us or forsake us.
“He welcomed us when we had nothing to give in return, and he fed us with his very life.
“Every table we set in his name — whether in our homes, our congregations, or our Synod — is invited to look like his: wide open, grace-filled, and marked by self-giving love.
“We have already taken courageous steps toward justice, inclusion, and diversity, but the journey continues.”
Rev Salesi Faupula speaks following his installation as Moderator at Opening Worship this morning.
Following Opening Worship, official proceedings began at Box Hill Town Hall.
During today’s business session, a number of reports were tabled, including from the Synod Standing Committee, former Moderator, and Victorian and Tasmanian Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congresses.
In his report to the meeting, outgoing Moderator Rev David Fotheringham offered his thanks for the opportunity to serve the Church in Victoria and Tasmania over the last three years.
“It has been an enormous privilege to serve in this role, and I want to express my gratitude to the Synod for entrusting me with the privilege of serving this way for the last three years,” he said.
“I have understood this to be a part of God’s calling, and I’ve tried to be faithful to that.
“We are a conciliar Church, and as such this is not so much a role of authority, but one of representation and leadership for which I’ve offered what I can.
“It’s also a role which gives a pretty unique opportunity to see the enormous variety, breadth and depth of God’s work through the people, committees, and entities of the Church.
“I can hardly express how much I’ve appreciated being able to gain those kinds of perspectives, and I’m conscious that I’m still learning.”
Click here for a more detailed summary of David’s report.
Uniting Church members were able to acknowledge David’s strong contribution to the life of the Church, through a resolution and minute of appreciation.
Following a proposal put forward by Libby Gregor and seconded by Lucas Taylor, it was resolved that the Synod “give thanks to God for and express deep appreciation to David for his leadership as Moderator, that is both steady and Spirit-led, and marked by calm wisdom, deep theological grounding, and a pastoral heart for the Church as a whole and the collection of diverse individuals who make it up”.
“David has modelled a disciplined focus on the work that rightly needs our attention and, in establishing safe conversational spaces, he creates the opportunities for the various, and at times disparate, nominees and appointees to respond to the challenges presented.
“He has brought a gentle humour and a warm presence into these spaces, which have turned groups of strangers into communities of trust and collaboration.
“He always meets people with kindness, a great smile, attentiveness, and heartfelt interest in what is happening in their various patches.
“A particular hallmark of David’s leadership has been his visible and deep commitment to covenanting with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.
“His guidance in the Synod’s response to and representation at the Yoorrook Justice Commission has been a significant act of truth-telling and solidarity with First Peoples.
“Through this, and his advocacy for the Voice to Parliament and Treaty processes, we have been strengthened in our commitment to walking together faithfully in justice, truth, and reconciliation, while respecting First Peoples’ self-determination.
“The light and life of Jesus of Nazareth is truly reflected in David.”
Tomorrow’s day two proceedings will include reports from the Assembly, Uniting AgeWell, Uniting Vic.Tas and U Ethical, the opportunity for members to attend a number of elective sessions, and a tributes service honouring ministers for their faithful contribution to the Church.
