The 14th Synod meeting began on Friday July 5 with a service at St Michael’s in Collins St, the highlight of which was the installation of Reverend Denise Liersch as Moderator.
The theme of Synod sprang from Isiah 43:19, which says: “See I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up. Do you perceive it?”
Then it was down to business. Over the next four days, about 270 members gathered at Box Hill Town Hall to receive various reports and proposals, listen to reflections and thought-provoking Bible studies and participate in a variety of activities.
The most important matter for members to consider was the Synod’s response to Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation.
Members decided to, among other things, give permission within Victoria to UCA institutions and the UCA-affiliated hospital group Epworth HealthCare to make voluntary assisted dying allowable within the context of their facilities and services.
Other highlights included the introduction of the new Disability Action Plan and presentations from Leprena centre manager Alison Overeem and Rev Will Pickett, who spoke in celebration of NAIDOC Week.
