Day 2 of the 17th Assembly opens with worship
Day 2 of the 17th Assembly opened with heartfelt worship, teaching and talanoa and communion
July 12, 2024
Opening worship on day two of the 17th Assembly continued the joy experienced at Rev Charissa Suli’s installation service last night.
Rev’s Ellie Elia, Pablo Nunez and Heewon Chang led members in the singing of ‘Into My Heart,’ explaining that each day this song would be sung in both English and other languages. Today it was sung in Korean.
‘How are you going to weave yourself into this land, not just walk upon it?’
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.
Dr Denise Wood drew on the 17th Assembly theme in her Acknowledgement of Country, acknowledging other First Peoples in the room and paying respect to them, as they too gather and weave with their lands, sky and waterways.
A reading of Psalm 139:13-15 by Rev Mosese Taufa led into a time of teaching and talanoa by Rev Ken Sumner who first spoke in his native language of the Ngarrindjeri people. Rev Sumner invited his ancestors to be present and for the ancestors of all gathered to be present.
He emphasised the themes of identity, especially in understanding this from the Indigenous perspective, that although dispossession of First Peoples has been experienced for generations, reconciliation and renewal for the whole of creation is imperative; and that First Nations people”still want to offer you our gifts.”
Rev Sumner referred to the work of Robin Wall Kimmerer, a native American, who speaks of becoming one with the land. He posed the question: ‘How are you going to weave yourself into this land, not just walk upon it?’
Psalm 139 speaks of knitting together and Rev Sumner finished by asking all to contemplate two questions: What gifts are you giving to this land; and What responsibilities are you meeting in this land?
President Rev Charissa Suli and National Chairperson of the UAICC Rev Mark Kickett led communion.
The choir of the Park Church Tongan Congregation who travelled from Brisbane to support the meeting brought opening worship to a stunning close with their joyful song (and full brass band!)
Read more 17th Assembly news
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.…
Church responds to Bondi attack
Church responds to Bondi attack As the Uniting Church, we express our grief and call for solidarity and peaceThe Uniting Church in Australia expresses its deep sorrow following the attack at Bondi Beach, which NSW Police have identified as a terrorist act. The violence occurred while families and children were gathered to celebrate the start…
Bondi tragedy: Pastoral message from President Rev Suli
Bondi tragedy: Pastoral message from President President Rev Charissa Suli offers this pastoral mesage and prayer following the tragic events at Bondi Beach written by Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia This morning, we wake with heavy hearts following the tragic events at Bondi. As the Uniting Church in Australia,…
President's Christmas Message 2025
This Christmas season, President Rev Charissa Suli offers two messages for our community – because the incarnation meets us wherever we are. A Christmas Message of Light and Action In her main Christmas message, President Rev Charissa reminds us of the profound mystery at the heart of our faith: God chose to draw near, entering…
President's reflection: Threads of love across our outback
President’s Reflection: Threads of Love in Griffith and Across the Outback Rev Charissa Suli recently travelled to the NSW Riverina town of Griffith to see first-hand the launch of a new pilot progam for Frontier Services by Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia In late November I travelled to NSW…
Update from the Theology, Formation & Leadership Commission
Commission meets in person for first time It was yet another milestone moment for the Commission for Theology, Formation & Leadership written by Rev Dr Cathie Lambert, Chair for the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership On 10–11 November the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership met for the first time in person in…