Finding Common Ground in the Desert Heart

By Michael Zewdie

This week, in the heart of Anangu Country, a time-honoured expression of ecumenical partnership is taking place. From 26 to 30 April 2026, the Uniting Church in Australia's Northern Synod is hosting the Trans-Tasman General Secretaries' Gathering at Yulara — bringing together the Assembly and Synod General Secretaries of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA), alongside their counterparts from the Methodist Church of New Zealand (MCNZ) and the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ).

While the institutional demands of these roles are considerable, this gathering is far more than a business meeting. It is a space of spiritual discernment, collaborative strategy, and shared pilgrimage.

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Tradition

The UCA, PCANZ, and MCNZ share deep historical and theological bonds, born from similar Reformed and Methodist traditions. These annual gatherings have given the General Secretaries the freedom to look beyond domestic horizons — to be honest about the real challenges of contemporary church life: the evolution of traditional congregations, the complexities of property and risk management, and the search for fresh, innovative expressions of ministry.

What sets this forum apart is its spirit of mutual vulnerability. These are leaders who do not need to perform for one another. In that honesty, they find renewal.

Meeting on Sacred Ground

The setting of this year's gathering is more than a backdrop — it is part of the agenda itself. Rather than convening in a capital city boardroom, delegates are based at The Lost Camel Hotel and meeting formally at the nearby Sails in the Desert. The program, carefully curated by the Northern Synod, weaves business sessions together with cultural immersion and deep listening — a deliberate reminder that the work of church administration must always be rooted in the land and its First Peoples.

Delegates have been invited to learn key Pitjantjatjara words as part of their journey, engaging with concepts like Tjukurpa (Anangu law and story) and Waru (fire). On their first evening, the General Secretaries shared dinner with leaders from the Northern Regional Council of Congress (NRCC), including Chairperson Jamie Nyaningu, Bush Chaplain Yanima Bryant, Resource Worker Peter Hobson, and Support Worker David Young. This direct engagement grounds the church's administrative strategies in the lived realities of remote Indigenous communities.

Alongside formal sessions, delegates have gathered at the Kata Tjuta and Uluru viewing platforms — moments of contemplative presence that quietly orient the work of governance within something far larger than any agenda item.

Shared Priorities, Common Calling

Three vital themes are shaping the conversations this week.

The first is the journey of covenanting and walking with First Peoples. The UCA's Covenant with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) and the MCNZ's bicultural journey — Te Haerenga Bicultural — share common challenges and graces. Meeting with NRCC leaders in Central Australia, the General Secretaries are sharing insights on how administrative structures can better support Indigenous self-determination and truth-telling within the life of the church.

The second is institutional sustainability and rural ministry. All three denominations face the challenge of resourcing congregations across vast, remote geographies — whether in the Australian Outback or the far reaches of Aotearoa New Zealand. Collaborating across the Tasman, the churches are developing joint strategies to reduce administrative burden and free local communities to focus on mission and pastoral care.

The third is spiritual formation for leadership itself. The role of a General Secretary is uniquely demanding, often bearing the weight of institutional conflict and crisis. The program intentionally makes space for rest and reflection — whether during an early morning walk toward Kata Tjuta, or a shared meal in the town square — allowing these leaders to minister to one another, and to be reminded of why they serve.

Looking Forward

As delegates prepare to conclude their time in Yulara on Thursday, they will carry back far more than minutes from a business meeting. They return to their Synods and Assembly renewed by the deep well of trans-Tasman fellowship, and grounded by the ancient wisdom of this country.

The Uniting Church gives thanks for the enduring partnership with the PCANZ and MCNZ. In an increasingly complex world, this gathering is a reminder that we do not walk alone.

Palya.