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.”
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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.
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