Faith, friendship and food
Feast of Faith 2026 – Come, Taste and See
From September 11-13, 2026, second-generation young adults and emerging leaders from intercultural communities gathered for Feast of Faith 2026, hosted by the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. This year, the retreat also welcomed participants from the Queensland Synod and the NSW/ACT Synod, creating an opportunity to build connections and share experiences across different parts of the Uniting Church.
With the theme “Come, Taste and See”, inspired by Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the Lord is good” – the weekend created space for participants to step away from the busyness of everyday life and reconnect with God, one another and their calling.
Feast of Faith was more than simply attending a retreat. It was a space where young adults and emerging leaders could come as they are, share their stories and explore what it means to live faithfully within their cultures, families, churches and communities.
Throughout the weekend, participants took part in worship, Bible reflection, prayer, leadership development, conversations and opportunities to learn from one another. Through talanoa and storytelling, participants reflected on their journeys of faith and leadership, including the challenges they have experienced and the places where they have seen and experienced God’s goodness.
A highlight was the Q&A panel, “Where Have You Tasted God’s Goodness?” Leaders shared honestly about their journeys of faith and leadership, the challenges they had faced and the ways God had been present throughout their experiences. Their stories reminded participants that God’s goodness can be experienced not only in moments of celebration, but also through seasons of difficulty, change and uncertainty.
Leadership development was also an important part of the weekend. Participants engaged in Safe Church training with Candice Coles and Joyce Tangi, strengthening their understanding of creating safe, respectful and welcoming communities within the Church. The session reminded participants that leadership also means caring for others and helping create healthy church communities.
The weekend celebrated the richness of the intercultural Church through food, conversation, worship and cultural sharing. Participants shared their cultures, traditions and stories, building friendships across generations, communities and Synods.
As the weekend moved towards Sunday, the invitation shifted from “Come, Taste and See” to “Go and Share”. Participants were encouraged to take what they had received — faith, encouragement, learning, friendships and a deeper awareness of God’s goodness — and share it within their congregations and communities.
Feast of Faith 2026 was a weekend of faith, friendship, food, worship, laughter, learning and honest conversation. It provided a space for emerging leaders to be enriched, empowered and equipped as disciples of Christ.
As participants returned home, the invitation remained simple: Come, taste and see that the Lord is good — and go and share what you have tasted.
