17th Assembly meeting opens
Gathering welcomed to Burramattagal lands as Rev Sharon Hollis chairs her final business session as President
July 11, 2024
The 17th Assembly has officially begun with a Spirit-filled opening day, kicking off this afternoon on Burramattagal land with joyful reunions, Welcome to Country, the Assembly’s first business session and opening worship which centred the gathering in Christ’s love.
More than 200 members of the Uniting Church in Australia have gathered from across the country, converging on the Novotel in Parramatta for the beginning of a five-day meeting.
Chairing her final business session as President, Rev Sharon Hollis led Assembly members in a time of worship and prayer.
Chaplain to the retiring President Rev Reuben Edmonds read 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 – the same reading that was used three years ago as the Assembly embraced the 16th Assembly theme, Dwelling in Love – before Rev Hollis closed with a blessing.
“May Blessed Trinity be with us all: may the Source of all be upholding you, may radiant Christ be infusing you, may Spirit Holy be encircling you, every step that you take in this stormy world. In the name of Christ. Amen.”
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.
Shane Laws from Merana Aboriginal Community Association for the Hawkesbury INC gave a Welcome to Country.
“Spare a thought for the traditional custodians of the waters, lands and skies wherever you may travel across this beautiful country of ours, and especially where we meet today, Burramattagal country.”
“So warami mittigar: welcome friends to Dharug lands.”
Members took part in a smoking ceremony before returning to business, with an orientation to meeting procedures and a number of procedural proposals.
These proposals included joyfully confirming by ballot and acclamation the election of Rev Charissa Suli as the 17th President of the Uniting Church in Australia, ahead of her installation this evening.
Members then travelled to St Stephen’s Uniting Church in Sydney’s CBD for the Assembly’s opening worship and the installation of the President which took place during a service filled with joy, music and proclamation of the gospel. Read our story and see all the photos here.
The Assembly will meet for the next five days and you can follow all the news on the 17th Assembly website, sign up to the daily email and follow us on Facebook.
Read more 17th Assembly news
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 journey by Rev Charissa Suli, President, Uniting Church in Australia I continue to reflect…
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…
Assembly's new strategy for 2026–31: Third Strategic Goal explained
The 2026-31 Strategy: Third Strategic Goal explained In this third article on the Assembly’s 2026–31 Strategy, Andrew Johnson reflects on Liberating Justice – renewing the Church’s long-held commitment to confronting injustice through faithful witness, collective action and hope-filled engagement in Australia and the world by Andrew Johnson, Assembly General Secretary This year, the National…
Rob Floyd stepping down as National Director of Frontier Services
Rob Floyd to step down from Frontier Services The head of the bush ministry agency will retire from the role in late MarchAfter almost three years as National Director of Frontier Services, Rob Floyd has announced he will step down from the role following the next Board meeting on 31 March. Over the past month,…
Assembly's new strategy for 2026–31: Second Strategic Goal explained
The 2026-31 Strategy: Second Strategic Goal explained As the Assembly launches its new five-year strategy, General Secretary Andrew Johnson introduces the Strategic Goals – in this article, the second called Thriving Communities by Andrew Johnson, Assembly General Secretary In 2026, the National Assembly has commenced its new strategy for the period 2026–31, centred on…
President's Conference 2025 in review
President’s Conference 2025 in review Gathering as pilgrims and partners in Tonga, Uniting Church delegates reflect on faith, friendship and renewal from the 2025 UCA President’s ConferenceWhen members of the Uniting Church gathered for the 2025 UCA President’s Conference last November, they did so as pilgrims and partners. Hosted by President Rev Charissa Suli, the…
Assembly's new strategy for 2026–31: First Strategic Goal explained
The 2026-31 Strategy: First Strategic Goal explained As the Assembly launches its new five-year strategy, General Secretary Andrew Johnson introduces the first of the Strategic Goals – Flourishing Faith by Andrew Johnson, Assembly General Secretary In 2026, the National Assembly commences its new strategy for the period 2026–31, centred on the vision Uniting in Christ:…
Day of Mourning 2026
#UCADayofMourningSunday 25 January Since 1994, the Uniting Church has been in Covenant with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC). Entered into with honesty about our past and hope for the future, this Covenant commits us to working together for a just Church and a just nation.…