25th October 2024

Synod Meeting Day 2

Worship and Bible Study

With the theme 'We Gather as One,' worship opened with the song 'Come People of the Risen King.'

Rev Nathan Whillas referred to Colossians 1, and gave a powerful prayer, and as we prayed, we were asked to consider our own particular context, of space, your church, your agency, wherever you serve the church. A reminder that what we do at Synod is one of those spaces as well.

'As we gather today, as we make decisions, and how prayers shape the life of our church, fill us with the knowledge of your will, through all spiritual understanding, and help us today to live in ways worthy of the Lord and to bear fruit in every good work, and to grow in knowledge of you.'

The Bible reading came from 15: 9-25 NRSV. As the father has loved me, so I have loved you. Dr Toar Hutagalung gave the Bible study.

Dr Hutagalung repeated the Bible reading in his native language of Indonesian. He gave a reflection on joy, on friendship and creation. Is it about what we do about joy, or how do we make joy? He referred to theologian Jurgen Moltmann. Moltmann managed to find joy despite his painful memories. Where did he find this joy? His joy came from God. What is the connection between pain, joy and love? Without pain how can we know what it is like to know joy?

Dr Hutagalung asked all: What is joy to you? What did you find in the reading about joy? How do we enjoy God's joy for us?

He finished with: 'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.' Romans 15:13 NIV

General Secretary Report

Rev Philip Gardner presented his first official report as General Secretary.

He thanked the Synod Standing Committee for their service and contribution these past 12 months.

Highlights of his report included:

Changes to the Executive leadership team this past year
Acknowledging the 30th Anniversary of the Covenant, noting that the Assembly resolved to explore how we might together revive and redesign the Covenant
The Act2 work and initiatives going forward
Synod of SA Strategic Direction
Mission and Leadership Development Strategic Framework.

Questions were posed to meeting participants:

What are the critical, life-giving, transformative issues you want to explore for your congregations and /or ministry?
What are the critical, life-giving transformative issues you want to explore for the Synod of SA and Nationally?

He added that he looks forward to the work we will continue to do as we seek to encourage the growth of missionally vibrant congregations, renew the covenant with First Peoples, and live out our mission in ways that bring life and health to our state, our nation and our partners in mission and ministry.

The full report is available at this link: UCA SA - Synod Meeting 2024

Moderator's Report

Moderator Rev Peter Morel, acknowledged the number of Ministers that have passed this last year. He noted their service but also the grief experienced by the church in this loss. Also, he mentioned the recent passing of Rev Brian Phillis just this last week and Pastor Ruth Threapleton.

He urged all to connect in with the pastoral notes, because they detail and acknowledge the contribution and lives of those Ministers that have answered the call of God and faithfully served the church.

The General Secretary and Moderator will undertake a number of road trips next year to visit across the church; and the Moderator will shortly embark with Youth members of the church to visit South Korea, and the PROK missional partnership.

He acknowledged the staff in the Synod office and the rich contribution made by them and the college in the work of the Uniting Church in South Australia.

The full report is available at this link: UCA SA - Synod Meeting 2024

SERC Ecumenical Award

Rev Anne Hewitt, of the Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC), advised that on behalf of the church the committee seeks to work ecumenically across the church. In particular, SERC seeks to share information broadly about ecumenical activities across denominations.

This year the SERC Award goes to Barmera and Berri Uniting Churches.

Extra recognition was also awarded to the Kangaroo Island Uniting Churches.

Robert Iles Book Video

A short video was presented about the books of Rev Dr George Robert Iles. The books are 'Kierkegaard and the Church Today,' and 'The Life and Writings of George Robert Iles.' More information is available at this link.

Celebration of Ministry Service

Rebecca Purling welcomed all to the service and Max Howland and Beth Hancock read the scripture readings: Psalm 126 and Mark 10: 26-52.

President Rev Charissa Suli gave the preaching of the word. She acknowledged all that received acknowledgement today, and spoke of a time of transition, closing one period and perhaps stepping into the next - the joy of new beginnings and the bittersweet of letting go. She called all to trust that God is present weaving together threads of love.

Rev Suli noted that the order of the service brought back memories for her, she was once a Lay Preacher, and once explored discernment, and then became a candidate - becoming ordained, on her journey as a wife and mother of three children at that time, undertaking theological study and placements. She recalled her journey, and the significant of the milestones acknowledged today as significant.

Rev Suli spoke of Psalm 126 'The lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.' The words of Psalm 126 is a song of resurrection, not just a physical return but a spiritual one too. She explained that she stands in awe of what God is doing. Those named today, think about what God is doing in your lives. Through every season, regardless, God's goodness will hold you.

Look to those that have come before you, there is wisdom there, and allow God to transform you, as you feel the wisdom passed on from generation to generation. Rev Suli mentioned Bartimaeus, and what it means to be silenced and ignored.

Consider who do we silence? Are there voices in our communities that we choose to overlook or ignore. As we celebrate these people today - yes Lord we will follow you - what do you want Jesus to do for you? Like Bartimaeus, the challenge for us is to learn from this story, as we are taught humility and to trust in God, so we can see where the Holy Spriit is leading us.

May God's blessing be on you all, may you lead with humility and compassion.

Rev Philip Gardner announced the Synod of South Australia has resolved to induct the following, and Moderator conducted the service of commissioning:

Rev Jennifer Hughes as the Executive Officer Mission Resourcing
Rev Tim Littleford, Mission Activator
Rev Dr Paul Goh, Mission Activator
Rev Cyrus Kung, Mission Activator
Rev Nick Patselis, Mission Activator
Rev Mark Dickens, Professional Standards Officer and
Chaplaincy & Supervision Manager
Pastor Melissa Neumann, Mission Activator

Colleagues in Ministry
The Moderator invited the Mission Resourcing Team: Janet Woodward, Mia Cartledge and Scott Litchfirled to join the others.

He also invited Placements and Safe Church Team: Andrew Robertson, Linda Vinall, Mel Pippos, Wendy Perkins and Gill Morel.

Moderator Peter Morel gave a prayer of thanksgiving for all acknowledged in today's Celebration of Ministry service. He thanked them for their faithful service to God and the church:

Lay Preacher Milestone
Donald Sinnott - 40 years

Introduction of New Candidates
Jethro Buxton
Emelia Haskey
Denis Msema
Susan Plein
Simon Story

Acknowledgement of the Newly Ordained
Rev Rob Cartridge
Rev Leanne Davis
Rev Nola Gibbons
Rev Tim Littleford

Acknowledgement of Retiring Ministers
Rev Cliff Birch
Rev Michael Dowling
Rev Casey Lau
Rev Owen Roberts
Rev Peter Sorenson
Rev Gary Stuckey
Rev Dean Whittaker

Recognition of 20 years of Ordination
Rev Dr Jonathan Davies
Rev Anne Hewitt
Rev Dr Tim Hodgson
Rev Lawrie Linggood
Rev David Wallace

Recognition of 30 years of Ordination
Rev Beth Hancock
Deacon Elaine Hosking
Rev Gladys Moeller
Rev Jana Norman
Rev Christine Ostle
Rev David Prior
Rev Wendy Prior
Rev Steve Thompson
Rev Frank Tuppin
Rev Sandra Webb

Recognition of 40 years of Ordination
Rev Alan Biglow
Rev Dean Brine
Rev David Buxton
Rev Eric Densley
Rev Prof Andrew Dutney
Rev Bernice Elford
Rev Trevor Hancox
Rev Sybil Peacock
Rev John Richardson
Rev Dr Donald Wilson

Recognition of 50 years of Ordination
Rev Geoff Graetz
Rev Trevor O'Brien
Rev Jim Winn

Recognition of 60 years of Ordination
Rev Dr Jonathan Barker
Rev Don Cope
Rev Doug Hosking
Rev Alan Jones
Rev Barry Oakley
Rev Brian Polkinghorne
Rev Baldwin Van der Linden-Dhont

Facilitation Report

Malcolm Wilson reported a high level of participation in Working Groups. Jacob Blackwell, Andrew Telfer and Leanne Davis provided a summary of the results of Working Group feedback.

The Working Groups considered the Strategy & Planning Mission and Property Report in relation to viable congregations and also the Disability and Inclusion Policy.

MLDB Report

Rev Jenni Hughes and Rev Prof Vicky Balabanski presented the Mission and Leadership Development Board Report.

Highlights included:

Missional Review - establishment of Missional Framework
A Covenanting Come Alive
Faith Vitality and Formation
Congregational Renewal
Local Community Mission and Evangelism
Intercultural Capacity
Mission Activators inducted and commissioned.
Other mission centres include Effective Living Centre and Stillpoint.

Rev Professor Vicky Balabanski, reported from the perspective of the Uniting College in relation to the Missional Framework.

Highlights included:

Faculty devote 0.1 of their week, offering thought leadership and resourcing into the 5 areas of the Missional Framework
2 x new Walking on Country initiatives
Preaching by lecturers in intercultural congregations
Life FM radio spots
New initiatives being developed in line with the missional review
Partnership with Arrow Leadership
Bachelor of Ministry (Social Work Pathway)
New Community Ministry Pathways forming a graduate certificate
Graduate Certificate in Leadership
Indigenous units through UCLT

Proposal 7 Disability and Access Inclusion Policy

Additional wording of the Proposal:

UCSA recognises and upholds all outcomes required under the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA), however will endeavour to go above and beyond minimum standards for accessiblity and inclusion subject to congregation/organisational financial capacity.

For decision: Consensus

Proposal 8 Stand Against Racism

This proposal seeks to make a stand against racism, in particular, divisions created upon appearance or assumed characteristics based on race, culture, religion, or ethnicity with the result that they stop treating people with care and respect.

We also seek to strengthen the Covenant with all congregations.

For decision: Consensus

Proposal 9 Cutting the Pastoral Ties

Seeking clarity around the way in which ministers retire or otherwise, who have served in a congregation either as their minister or in supply, when that placement concludes, will cut the pastoral ties not only liturgically, but also seek to worship and serve in a different congregational setting. This is the practice in most other Christian denominations.

It is proposed that the norm should be that those who have formerly been ministers in placement or supply in a congregation at the time of cutting pastoral ties, should intentionally seek another worshipping community of which to be a part.

For decision: Consensus