Uniting Church Assembly

For two thousand years now the church has gathered as a council from time to time to worship, pray, celebrate and discern together.  The first major council of the church was in Jerusalem (see Acts 15).  We don't know about other agenda items, but circumcision was one of them. Reading between the lines of Luke's account,as well as Paul's writings in Galatians and other places, the debate was passionate and heartfelt.  And can I say, the final determination (it was not necessary to be circumcised to be a 'proper' Christian), important!  Ever since that first decisive meeting in Jerusalem, the various streams and branches of the church have met together and separately to do what the Council of Jerusalem did - listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Today begins the 13th Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia.  Together with 250 or so other members I will spend the next week in worship, bible study, prayer and conversation as we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Assembly meets for a week every three years.  To be elected as a member is a great privilege and honor. This year we meet in my 'home town' of Adelaide. Members come from every state in Australia and reflect the demographic diversity of the church, including members designated as 'youthful', members from migrant-ethnic congregations and from the United Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.

Here are some of the things I am looking forward to this week:

Tonight my College Principal, Rev Dr Andrew Dutney,will be installed as the new President of our church. He will be a great President.

We will celebrate the 100 year history of Australian led mission to Korea.  This is a remarkable and God-honoring story.

We will discuss and debate proposals to change the way we oversee our theological colleges.  This is a conversation critical to the future of training women and men for ministry. 

We will be enriched by guests from 28 of the 35 partner churches the Uniting Church has across the world.  I am involved in various dinners and events with them in my role as chair of the Uniting World Church Connections committed.

Finally, I am looking forward to great Adelaide coffee and some great conversations! I will be a full, rich and tiring week.
 
 
 

Comments

[andrew hogarth]

Praying for you and everyone involved.

[Stu Cameron]

Thanks Andy.