17th Assembly recognises significant ministry across the Church

Today the 17th Assembly recognised the significant leadership and work of people involved in the life and ministry of the Assembly including those in its committees and agencies. The Minutes of Appreciation were received with applause. 

President Rev Charissa Suli specifically mentioned and prayed for Rev Loni Vaitohi, Advocate Working for Justice Circle, who passed away in June 2023.

Appreciation of Ms Colleen Geyer

Since her appointment as Assembly General Secretary at the end of 2015, Ms Geyer has been a creative, highly collaborative and steadfast leader for the Assembly. As well as leaving a significant legacy, Ms Geyer has led two triennial Assembly meetings, in particular, through the pandemic as well as navigating the Church through the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse.

Ms Geyer provided leadership as the Church discerned its position on same-gender marriage and communicated its decision to the rest of the Church at its 15th Assembly. In 2017 appeared on behalf of the Church at the at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse and led the Church’s response to its recommendations, which included the establishment of UCA Redress Ltd and the National Safe Church Unit, a result of significant national collaboration between the Assembly and the Synods.

During Ms Geyer’s tenure, the Act2 Project was identified by the Assembly Standing Committee and continues to be one of the most comprehensive and ambitious consultation processes the Assembly has undertaken.

Colleen has exhibited and nurtured the values adopted by the Assembly during her leadership – hope, justice, compassion, respect, integrity and innovation - shown deep commitment to work of the Assembly through the development of its first strategic plan and in the wider Church, has brought to the role a faithfulness to Christ as we seek to join God’s mission in the world.

Colleen has begun her new role as Director of Mission at Wesley Mission Queensland. The Assembly gave thanks to God for her leadership of the Assembly as General Secretary.

Appreciation of Mr Geoff Batkin, Chair of UnitingCare Australia Board

The Assembly recorded its thanks to God and its deep appreciation for the ministry of Geoff Batkin. A member of the Gap Uniting Church, an associate member of Albert Street Uniting Church and a member of the Queensland Synod Standing Committee.

Geoff Batkin AM was appointed as Chair of UnitingCare Australia in July 2021. He will retire from this position when his term on the Board concludes at the 17th Triennial Assembly in July 2024.

At his last Board meeting in May, Geoff said in his final report as Chair: “For me, my work within our extensive UnitingCare service network has always been part of my Christian faith journey. A passage of Scripture that I always reflect on is from Micah 6:8"

‘What is it that the Lord requires of you/us … to act justly, and to love mercy and compassion and to walk humbly with God’. This is evident every day in and through the work of our 50,000+ staff and volunteers as we reach across the length and breadth of Australia in our 1600+ service centres. I feel that we do this as an expression of God’s mission in the world."

Appreciation of Ms Lisa Sampson, Chair, Frontier Services Board

Lisa Sampson joined the Board of Frontier Services in 2016 and in 2018 was appointed Board Chair, a role she filled with distinction. Lisa brought years of experience in business development, fundraising, media relations, strategy and development in the non-profit sector, along with experience working at board and senior executive level for several charitable organisations.

Her time as Chair involved her in the significant improvement in the financial position of the organisation and the transition to the current National Director.

Lisa also brought important Uniting Church understanding and experience from her consultant role to the Uniting Church in Australia Synod of NSW and the ACT as Media Advisor.

Appreciation of Mr Warwick van Ede, Chair, Assembly Legal Reference Committee

The Assembly recorded its appreciation of the service of Mr Warwick Van Ede as chairperson of the Assembly Legal Reference Committee from his appointment by the 13th Assembly in 2012 to 2024.

He brought to the Committee his expertise and wide experience in legal practice as well as his experience in the Church and his understanding of its purpose and mission.

Appreciation of Mr Stuart Woodward, Chair, Assembly Finance, Audit and Risk Committee

The Assembly recognises and thanks Mr Stuart Woodward for his tenure and significant contribution to the work of the Assembly Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (AFARC).

The Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) has greatly appreciated the resourcing of the ASC through AFARC under Stuart’s watch, combining both technical, governance and financial expertise with a clear understanding of, and commitment to the life and mission of the Uniting Church.

Appreciation of the UnitingWorld Board

As we come to end of the 2021-24 triennium, UnitingWorld celebrates some significant milestones, which has required visionary leadership from our Board.

The journey of the past three years has seen UnitingWorld weather the storms of a global pandemic, but also saw the global church step up be the hands and voice of God in the midst of the pain.

This Minute of Appreciation acknowledges the contributions made by those who served the UnitingWorld Board during this challenging time:

Lin Hatfied Dodds (Bsc (Hons), MPsych, MAICD)

Lin’s frank and open style of engagement, and enthusiasm for new and different ways of working added fresh energy to the work of the Board. Her deep compassion and commitment to the mission of UnitingWorld was greatly appreciated by both staff and Board members.

The Agency is deeply grateful for Lin’s willingness to step into the role of Chair, and for the support and guidance that she offered to both the Board members and the staff during her tenure.

James Batley

James has served on the UnitingWorld board for nine years and retires in July 2024.

The Board and senior staff are deeply grateful for James’s time on the Board, noting that it has been an absolute pleasure working with him, and that he will be greatly missed by all.

Colleen Geyer

Colleen served on the Board of UnitingWorld in an ex-officio role during her term as the Assembly General Secretary. Colleen’s insights into how the work of UnitingWorld fitted into the wider national church was a significant guiding light for the work of the Board.

Andrew Johnson and Warren Tapp

Andrew and Warren concluded their service on the UnitingWorld Board over the past triennium. Both these Board members served only two years on the Board, but they had a profound impact on our work.

Recognition of Serving Board members

UnitingWorld has been extraordinarily fortunate to have the commitment, energy and wisdom of the members of the Board and this minute also recognized the recognition of current serving Board members.

Assembly Resourcing Unit

That the Assembly recorded its Appreciation for the following Circle of Interest Advocates who have completed their term this triennium:

Rev Jon Humphries, Advocate Transforming Worship Circle

Jon has been passionate about challenging the church to think about how worship itself is a transformative act and cannot be separated from the ordinary daily lives of living as disciples. Jon has also been a prolific supporter within the Growing in Faith circle panel, and will continue to participate in both circle panels as part of his commitment to supporting the wider church.

Rev Dr Matagi Vilitama, Advocate Being a Multicultural Church Circle

The BMC Circle under Matagi’s guidance was especially active during the pandemic, organising a number of very well attended webinars where multicultural congregations could share and learn from one another about how they were responding to the crisis.

Rev Dr Vilitama has returned to Niue, necessitating him laying down this responsibility, but the Assembly wishes to record its thanks for his commitment and work in this area of ministry.

Rev Liam Miller, Advocate Growing in Faith Circle

Rev Liam Miller served as the Advocate for the Growing in Faith Circle this triennium. Liam’s enthusiasm for theology and for sharing the joy of theology widely – not only through academic publications but also through blogging and podcasts – made him a good fit for the Growing in Faith Circle.

Rev Dr Matthew Wilson, Advocate Seeking Common Ground Circle

At a time in the Church’s life when ecumenism and interfaith work can sometimes take ‘second fiddle’ to internal concerns, Matt has been a constant voice reminding us of the centrality of ecumenical commitment in the life of the Uniting Church, and of the importance of the interfaith relationships which underpin commitments to justice and peacemaking. The Assembly wishes to express its sincere thanks for the service that Matt has undertaken in his role as Advocate.

Rev Loni Vaitohi, Advocate Working for Justice

Loni stepped down from the role of Advocate shortly before his passing in June 2023, and the Assembly wishes to record its gratefulness for the wise and gentle leadership Rev Vaitohi brought to his time as Advocate. We honour his life and ministry and give thanks for his commitment to the justice that is at the heart of the gospel.

Church Polity Reference Committee

Rev Dr Chris Budden, Chair of Church Polity Reference Committee

The Assembly recorded its thankfulness for the work of Rev Dr Chris Budden in membership and then chairing of the Church Polity Reference Committee. 

Chris served as a member of the Church Polity Reference Committee from August of 2018, and was appointed as the chair at the 16th Assembly. His willingness to utilise his deep knowledge of the Church, its structures and processes, and to help enable the Church’s faithfulness to its core ‘ways of being’ has been a gift which is greatly appreciated by the Assembly.

Read the Minutes of Appreciation in full