Meet Rev Dr Cathie Lambert
An introduction to the new Chair of the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership
May 29, 2025
Cathie Lambert has been a member of the Uniting Church since emigrating to Australia with her family in 1981. She has grown up in the Church taking on various roles throughout her youth and young adulthood. Cathie, a Minister of the Word, completed placements as a school chaplain and minister with two rural congregations before taking a leave of absence to complete her PhD.
Cathie is currently the Formation and Learning Culture Coordinator for the Uniting Centre for Education and Formation for the Presbytery of Western Australia. This role involves overseeing Phase 2 formation, Phase 3 ministry support, education for Admission of Ministers and Pastor roles, as well as promoting a life-long learning culture throughout the Uniting Church in Western Australia. Part of Cathie’s role has been to collaborate widely with other Synods and Theological Colleges. This has given her a breadth of understanding of the joys and challenges in theological education and formation throughout the Uniting Church.
Cathie completed her doctorate in practical theology in 2022 and has been involved in teaching theology at a tertiary level in various colleges since. She also works for as the Program Director for the Dayspring Community training spiritual directors. She brings to this role her love of education and formation and a creative approach to working together as a team. Cathie has been a member of the Standards for Ministry Committee for the last two years.
Cathie was very keen to be involved in the work of the Commission for Theological Education, Formation and Leadership and initially did not want to be considered for the role of Chair. After much consideration and conversation, she was willing to trust the discernment of the Interim team in being put forward for the role. Cathie believes that her experience in Western Australia and already developing relationships with other Synods and Colleges will bring a different perspective to the task. She also hopes that her contemplative and creative approach will allow the members of the Commission to deeply listen to one another and collaborate well.
Cathie hopes that the Commission will be able to step aside from the agendas of their various contexts to take a broad view of the needs of the Uniting Church moving forward. To work together and develop processes that are equitable, use our resources wisely and look towards the needs of the future Church will require creativity and openness. Cathie hopes the members of the Commission and those who are consulted will approach this task with prayerful and open hearts allowing space for God to surprise us with new possibilities.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Read more Assembly news
Introducing the new National Director of UnitingCare Australia
Introducing UnitingCare Australia’s new National Director Tamara Thomas brings international experience and a passion for justice to her new role leading UnitingCare AustraliaLast week, UnitingCare Australia welcomed a leader whose career has taken her from Noosa Heads to Geneva and from grassroots advocacy to the corridors of the United Nations. Tamara Thomas steps into the…
Walking through life with our ADF personnel
Walking through life with our ADF personnel In a room rich with history at Admiralty House, Rev Kaye Ronalds reflected on faith, service and the vital pastoral care chaplains offer Defence personnel and familiesLast week, Rev Kaye Ronalds, a Uniting Church Chaplain in the Australian Defence Force, found herself in a room steeped in history…
A Lenten Invitation from the President
by Rev Charissa Suli, President Uniting Church in Australia Beloved Church, The Lenten season is not about giving up chocolate. It is not about surviving forty days without coffee. If that is all we do, we have missed the invitation. We begin this season in a world that feels tense and fragile. There…
Fairness, not just Growth, is the key to Productivity
Fairness, not just growth, is the key to productivity As the Federal Government sharpens its focus on productivity, President Rev Charissa Suli contends that it must be grounded in fairness, justice and human dignity to truly strengthen Australia’s economySubscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia…
A Reflection on the 5th Global Peace Summit
From Bangkok to a New Calling Attending the 5th Global Peace Summit in Bangkok last month, Emelia Haskey discovered that peacebuilding is deeply personal – and that justice begins within our own circle of influence. by Emelia Haskey, Global Peace Ambassador The opportunity to attend the 5th Global Peace Summit at the United Nations…
Uniting and Lutheran Churches hold first Dialogue meeting of 2026
Uniting and Lutheran Churches meet for DialogueSubscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.Statement following LCA-UCA Dialogue meeting on Wednesday 11 February 2026 The Uniting Church, as a part of its commitment to the unity of the…
Repairers of the Breach, Bearers of the Light: President reflection
Repairers of the Breach, Bearers of the Light: President Reflections on her Ormond Uniting Church visit Rev Charissa Suli attended Ormond Uniting in Melbourne’s south-east to celebrate the dedication and reopening of their church bulding after a long and trying journeyby Rev Charissa Suli, President, Uniting Church in Australia I continue to reflect on my…
Calling for nominations: Women of the Uniting Church
Calling for nominations: Celebrating women of the Uniting Church Help us honour the remarkable women of the Uniting Church this International Women’s Day Celebrating Uniting Church Women for International Women’s Day 2026 Every day, in every place across the Uniting Church, women are leading, empowering and inspiring in our church communities and beyond. To mark…