22nd June, 2023

Synod Meeting Day 1

Acknowledgement of Country

Allen Edwards officially welcomed all to the 2023 Synod Meeting.

We acknowledge this land that we meet on today is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their country.

We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

We also pay respects to the cultural authority of Aboriginal people visiting/attending from other areas of South Australia/Australia.

Celebrating the Anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia

Call to Worship

Welcome and Call to Worship was opened by Rev Liz Dyson with familiar words from Isaiah 40.

Scripture Reading: Corinthians 5:11-21 read by Rev Prof Vicky Balabanski.

Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving and Prayer of Confession, Words of Assurance were read by Rev Olly Ponsonby.

Procedural Proposal

Rev Sue Page, Acting General Secretary summarised the procedures for the Synod meeting.

Proposal 1 - Procedural Proposal (consensus)

In Memoriam

The meeting acknowledged the passing of the following members of the Uniting Church in South Australia this past year and prayed for their family and friends:

Rev John Mauviel
Rev Ian Moulton
Rev Jim Murton
Rev Margaret Polkinghorne
Rev Don Catford
Rev Dr Paul Trudinger

Introduction to the People's Republic of Korea, Iksan Presbytery

Members of the Iksan Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea attended the meeting, and Rev Lawrie Linngood spoke of the international partnership mission which has existed for more than 30 years. Learning and sharing, through support and prayer.

Today they signed another Memorandum of Understanding for the next 5 year period.

Ex-Moderator Report

Ex-Moderator Bronte Wilson provided a report of his time as Moderator. He spoke of the theme that he had adopted during his term as being all about 'connections' which were more important than ever, especially during the challenges of fires, flood and COVID-19 experienced by all these past few years. General Secretary, Rev Philip Gardner provided a vote of thanks to Bronte.

Strategy and Planning Mission and Property Report

Rev Sue Page and David Bailey reported to the Strategy and Planning Mission and Property Working Group report.

Noting that this is the next stage in a long conversation about mission and property which has now spanned more than 15 years. 

Missional viability and building safety were noted as of paramount importance and we, as a church, have reached an urgency around this situation. The Proposal recommends that: conversations continue in 2023/24; structured consultations then ensue; and a plan be created for a missionally viable church going forward.

Voice to Parliament

Rev Jesse Size introduced Proposal 4 about the Voice to Parliament.

Aunty Denise Champion also spoke of the importance of The Voice at this point in time. That it is important to make the right decisions, and to have the right conversations, and that in the past decisions have been made without thinking of the consequences for Aboriginal people and all in our communities. There have been failed policies, after failed policies, and The Voice will allow us to have a say. It won't be a case of making decisions on our behalf but in consultation with us. She urged all to listen to what the spirit is saying to the Church at this time.

Missional Review

Rev Tim Hein introduced members of AngelWings Ltd: Steve Taylor, Kayli Taylor and Lynne Taylor who are the people responsible for the review of the Missional needs and opportunities of the Uniting Church at this time. The review began 2 months ago and will be completed at the end of July 2023. 

A further survey has also been opened today for anyone within the Uniting Church interested in providing their feedback on the missional review. Link here 

Act2

Assembly General Secretary, Rev Colleen Geyer and Andrew Johnson, Project Manager for Act2 spoke to their report: 'Act2: In Response to God's Call.'

At present, the Uniting Church is engaged in a national conversation about its future. The Act2 project is the biggest conversation we are having as the UCA – a whole-of-Church process and approach to discerning the future to which God is calling us. It is a process with many parts. 

In particular Act2 is now entering Phase 2: Collective Discernment. Between June and November 2023 all in the church are invited into an intentional period of discernment; and to begin this time the whole Church has also been invited into a time of intentional prayer: Uniting in Prayer. In this phase we look closely at specific ideas to address our challenges and take up opportunities. The Act2 Report is available on the Synod website at this link.

Working Groups

Synod members were asked to discuss and discern the proposals put to them during the morning session, including:

• Strategy & Planning Mission & Property Report
• Voice to Parliament.

Generate Presbytery Report

As hoped, 2022 brought a more focused and steady year in the life of the Presbytery. This allowed a focus on strategic priorities and managing the ongoing life of the Presbytery. The heart of what they continue to do as congregations, faith communities, ministry agents and leaders, is to serve one another in their shared desire to see people come to faith in Jesus, grow as passionate disciples, raise courageous leaders and plant and renew churches.

With a focus on three main themes:

• Spiritual Renewal
• Emotional Renewal
• Structural Renewal.

This is both rewarding and challenging work. The Presbytery is immensely grateful for the extensive number of people throughout Generate who contribute to the heartbeat of this Presbytery. Who say yes to the opportunities to serve, to meet, to gather, to encourage, to equip, to strengthen, to pray, to discern and to lead. The strength of Generate is in each finding a way to reach out and encourage the mission and ministry of others.

Presbytery of Southern South Australia

The Presbytery reported on an overview of the life and work of the Presbytery of Southern SA including the leadership group, gatherings, committees, administration and relationships with Synod, Congress UAICC and its congregations. New developments included a proposed Presbytery Pool of leaders for ministry. It also included a description of their support for Carolyn and Fuzz Kitto’s anti-slavery ministry which reaches across the world.

Wimala Presbytery

Central to Wimala Presbytery’s ministry is to Gather as the community of Christ, to Connect with God and with each other, and to Go in the power of the Spirit to be witnesses to God’s love, foster discipleship, and engage in acts of outreach and works for justice, peace, reconciliation and the renewal of creation.

A highlight of one Presbytery activity was ‘The Great Debate’ led by Rev Paul Turley. The debate topic being: 'The Uniting Church should divest itself of all its property.' We have around 400 properties owned collectively in the Uniting Church and it is important that we think about how we best steward and utilise our vast number of properties. No-one has all the answers and debates are a good fun way to explore the ins and outs of a particular issue and this is what we hoped to achieve.

United Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress

Ken Sumner spoke to the UAICC Report including reporting that the Congress National Conference was held in Darwin at Nungalinya College in April this year. Due to the effects of COVID-19 numbers this year were limited to seven voting delegates. Overall, nine SA Congress members participated. The theme of the conference was 'Weaving and Awakening: A Renewal of Faith, Community and the UAICC.' In addition to business sessions there were some public evening sessions including opening worship, and a seminar on the Uluru Statement from the Heart, with Nathan Tyson from NSW being the keynote speaker. Uncle Ken Sumner and Aunty Denise Champion also spoke at key sessions. Aunty Denise and two other speakers spoke on what it means to be a First Nations Christian. These speeches and the public events are all available for viewing on the Assembly website.

SA Congress has also been involved in two other significant events this year. The first was a course titled, 'Who is Jesus?' taught by Rev Michelle Cook from Nungalinya College. The second was the Walking on Country program held on Adnyamathanha country in the northern Flinders Ranges on the June long weekend.

Thanks were extended to Pastor Julia Lennon who continues to minister in and from Oodnadatta as part of the Frontier Services and UAICC ministry. It was noted that the contract signing for the building at Oodnadatta is imminent.

For specific detail on reports, proposals and supporting information, please visit the Synod website at this link.

Synod Meeting Day 1

Installation of the Moderator Rev Peter Morel