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Who We Are

The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania is part of the Uniting Church in Australia, the country’s third largest Christian denomination.

We are one of six Synods, comprising 600 congregations and more than 60,000 members. We also have eight presbyteries and 12 schools.

Our ministers are men and women and we worship every week in more than 40 languages. Through worship, sharing the story of Jesus, and service in the community, we witness to the belief that life is most fully found in God.

We believe sexual orientation is not a bar to ordination and support the ministry of people in same-sex relationships. In regard to same-sex marriage, we hold two equal and distinct statements of belief, allowing ministers and celebrants authorised by the Uniting Church the freedom to conduct or refuse such services.

 

Our history

The UCA was formed in 1977, when three congregations – the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Congregational Union of Australia – came together to create the first church in and of Australia.

Our founding document, which states our core beliefs and structure, is called the Basis of Union.

In 2010, the Uniting Church became the first church in Australia to constitutionally acknowledge Aboriginal and Islander people as the First Peoples of Australia. We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and remain deeply committed to removing systems and structures of discrimination.

 

Our calling

As a people journeying together we affirm our calling under God:

  • to preach Christ the crucified and risen one and confess him as Lord.
  • to bear witness to the unity of faith and life in Christ, rising above cultural, economic, national and racial boundaries.
  • to engage in fearless prophetic ministry in relation to social evils which deny God’s active will for justice and peace.
  • to act with God alongside the oppressed, hurt and poor.
  • to accept responsibility for the wise use and conservation of the finite resources of this earth for the benefit of all.
  • to live a creative, adventurous life of faith, characterised by openness, flexibility, hope and joy.

 

Community service

Through Uniting, the UCA is the largest non-government provider of community services in Australia, employing more than 70,000 Australians.

We have a strong sense of social justice and, through our advocacy arm JustAct, actively campaign on a range of issues, including the environment, asylum seekers, fair work and gambling.

 

Reaching out

We have formal partnerships with 32 churches in Asia and the Pacific and have also been instrumental in pioneering interfaith relationships, including other Christian denominations (Ecumenism).

 

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