Synod Meeting

What is a Synod meeting?

Synod meetings, which occur every two years, are opportunities for members to discern the big-picture matters which make us the Uniting Church.

Chaired by our Moderator, Synod is also a chance to share stories, build community, gain new perspectives, and discover new ways of supporting one another in faithful witness.

Who can attend Synod meetings?

Each Presbytery nominates their attending Synod members. Any confirmed UCA member can be nominated and there must always be at least as many lay people from a Presbytery as there are ordained ministers. Adults of all ages, cultural backgrounds, gender, ability or sexuality are encouraged to attend. Since 2021, Synod Meetings, including Opening Worship, have also been livestreamed.

Typical agenda items at a Synod meeting

• REPORTS from governance committees, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, our institutions (for example, Uniting, AgeWell and U-Ethical), task groups, senior leadership (including the Moderator and General Secretary), and from the Assembly President.
• PROPOSALS from our committees and from some of our working units are put to the meeting seeking guidance on the future of their work. Previous examples include our response to Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation, establishing the Money for Mission Fund, and our social justice priorities.
• ELECTIONS held at a Synod meeting may include Synod Standing Committee, Moderator-elect, members of our Governance Committees (for example, Ministry and Mission), and Assembly representatives.
• WORSHIP forms an important part of Synod meetings and includes opening and closing worship services. Each day usually commences with Bible studies and concludes with a theological reflection on the day's business.
• Each Synod meeting also includes a Tributes Service which honours ministers who, since the previous Synod meeting, have been ordained, retired or been received from other denominations; who have celebrated milestones such as 50, 60, 65 and 70 years since ordination or commissioning; as well as those who have passed.

Synod 2026 Part B

Members of Synod 2025 will join together online for Synod 2026 Part B on Saturday 7 November 2026. This recalling of the Synod will have the purpose of electing the Synod-appointed members of the 2027 National Assembly. Any confirmed member of the Uniting Church in Australia is welcome to nominate to be a member of Assembly; however, the nomination must be submitted by a member of the Synod.
The next in-person Synod meeting will be 11-14 September 2027 at Box Hill Town Hall.

For further information regarding Assembly nominations or the online Synod meeting, email Synod@victas.uca.org.au or contact your Presbytery.