In his retiring address to the Assembly in Perth, former president Rev Dr Andrew Dutney quoted philosopher John Dewey who said, “We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience.”
Readers who have never attended an Assembly meeting might be forgiven for thinking that there is ample time during ...
When federal Labor MP Andrew Leigh laces his runners in preparation for a half-marathon in November, he hopes the spirit of his Methodist minister grandfather will spur him on.
In 1970, Rev Keith Leigh decided to run up Mount Wellington in Hobart to raise money for ‘The Methodist Million’, an overseas aid program that supported programs in places such ...
Rev Alastair Macrae introduced the Doctrine Working Group’s The theology of marriage and same-gender relationships within the Uniting Church report to the Assembly, noting that the report is based on the 1997 resolution on marriage and the Uniting Church and the marriage liturgy found in Uniting in Worship 2.
He acknowledged that the theological framework of creation/fall was ...
Presidents past, present and future at Assembly. From left to right: Rev Alistair McRae (2009-2012), Dr Deidre Palmer (2015-2018), Mr Stuart McMillan (2015-2018), Dr Jill Tabart (1994-1997) and Rev Prof Andrew Dutney (2012-2015).
NextGen Youth gather at Merricks Lodge for their annual youth camp.
Manningham Uniting Church members at their Shared Garden (from left to right, ...
Book | From Duntroon to Dili | By Gary Stone
Book review by Chip Henriss
It’s 1990 and, in the middle of the wasteland that divides the opposing armies of Iran and Iraq, drives a small vehicle sporting a big United Nations flag. On board are international peace keepers including Australian Gary Stone.
Any synod seeking to evoke Special Circumstances in the future will be bound by a clear and prescribed process of consultation following a decision of the Assembly.
The Assembly endorsed a proposal which called on the synod or its standing committee to consult fully with all bodies which may be affected by a declaration of Special Circumstances, taking note of ...
The Synod Standing Committee recently made the decision to withdraw as a Supporting Church of ACCESS Ministries.
The decision, made at the Standing Committee’s 24 June meeting, comes after more than three years of consultation with groups including ACCESS Ministries, the Department of Education and Training and Uniting Church religious instructors.
The Christian Religious Education Task Group, on behalf of ...
The Standing Committee recently approved a new strategic direction for the UnitingCare agency network as part of the broader strategic review of all activities and operations of the synod.
A new agency board will be established to oversee delivery and support functions of community services across Victoria and Tasmania.
Governance of the UnitingCare network will subsequently move from the Commission ...
The Uniting Church in Australia has been unable to achieve consensus on a proposal to amend regulations regarding eldership and church councils.
The results from the facilitation group on the issue of eldership in Uniting Church congregations was presented by Rev. Jenny Byrnes.
“Eleven of the 20 working groups only gave qualified support to the direction,” said Rev. Byrnes.
St Andrews in Fairfield is one of many Uniting Churches celebrating the ‘Season of Creation’ in September. This year the focus is on the ‘Word in Creation’ which correlates with the Mark series of the church year. Liturgies focus on planet Earth, humanity, sky and mountains throughout the four weeks.
Dr Peter Fensham, first chair of the Australian Environmental Education ...
Access denied
I write this letter concerning the Uniting Church withdrawing its support for ACCESS Ministries. You published my letter following Synod last year and in that letter I stated “it begs the question have we had the appropriate people negotiating”. It turns out we definitely have NOT had the right people negotiating with ACCESS Ministries. (This includes the members ...
The power of institutions must never again be allowed to silence a child nor must it be allowed to diminish the preparedness or capacity of adults to act to protect children.
That was one of the key messages delivered by the Chair of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Justice Peter McClellan, to the 14th Triennial ...
