The 17th National Assembly wrapped up this week, with a new President and General Secretary ready to guide the Uniting Church in Australia into an exciting future.
The meeting featured the installation of Rev Charissa Suli as President, Andrew Johnson as General Secretary, and Rev Dr Paul Dongwon Goh as President-elect.
One of the main topics for discussion was the Act2 Project, which is shaping how the Church will look in the future.
The Assembly meeting also included a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Covenant between the UCA and Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, and also recognised the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Manual of Meetings.
A proposal was also passed that seeks to affirm, welcome and honour the life and faith of transgender, intersex and gender diverse people in the Uniting Church.
The work of the Assembly’s Net Zero Emissions Steering Group was recognised, and a decision made to continue its mandate to support and encourage the whole Church to move towards zero emissions by 2040.
A number of Uniting Church members from within the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania were appointed to roles, with Moderator Rev David Fotheringham, Sandy Boyce, Rachel Kronberger, Alison Overeem and Jong Soo Park to serve on the Assembly Standing Committee for the next three years.
Victoria and Tasmania Synod members were also appointed to the Assembly Circles of Interest, with Virginia Lavaki the Discipling the Next Generation Circle Advocate, Matthew Julius the Transforming Worship Circle Advocate, Alex Sangster the Working for Justice Circle Advocate, and Alison Overeem the Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle Advocate.
Rev Heather Den Houting was appointed Frontier Services Chairperson.
A full wrap up of the Assembly meeting, with various links, can be found here