"A fleet of canoes at sea"
Insights from our international church partners over lunch with UnitingWorld
July 13, 2024
UnitingWorld hosted an insightful lunchtime panel discussion with visiting partner church leaders from India, Indonesia and Tonga. UCA members heard leaders speak on issues including faith and climate change, ecumenism, ending poverty and unity in multifaith contexts.
General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Rev James Bhagwan, likened the coalition of churches to “a fleet of canoes at sea”, all working together to navigate and advocate for social changes on social issues like climate change.
Rev Bhagwan said:
“We need to lead the way for climate change within our communities, and also encourage informed decisions at an individual and constituent level.”
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.
Rev Dr Tevita Havea, President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, spoke about the devastation of the tsunami and volcanic eruption in Tonga, reflecting on the very intimate stories of trauma relayed to him by families. He recalled one little girl relaying her anguish to him over not being able to find her school backpack in the midst of the rubble and natural destruction.
Rt Rev Sameer Khimla reflected on what God is doing in the expansive and populous diocese of Durgapur in Northern India. A focus of their work is social empowerment, education, hygiene initiatives and anti-human trafficking, specifically in the northern regions bordering Bangladesh.
Rev Dr Demianus Ice, Moderator of the Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera (Indonesia), reflected on the entrenched legacy of socio-political trauma in the country. He highlighted the need to focus on interfaith and intercultural dialogue to soothe these tensions.
The presence of international church partners at Assembly meetings is a long tradition and brings breadth to the discussions by fostering a deeper understanding of global issues facing the church (such as poverty, climate change and gender equality) and how the Uniting Church is playing a part in that work. Earlier in the day the Church Parnters brought a greeting to the Assembly meeting.
A delegation of leaders from the Presbyterian Church of Korea, including the Moderator and General Secretary, also attended the installation of President Rev Charissa Suli on Thursday evening.
Read more 17th Assembly news
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…
Nextgen leaders head to the bush for new pilot program
Nextgen leaders head to the bush to engage in new pilot program A group of our young church leaders recently journeyed into the NSW Riverina, offering hands-on support to a farming family while discovering the power of service, community, and faith in actionwritten by Justin Ackland, Communications Manager at Frontier Services In late November, twelve…
National History Society Conference held
National History Society Conference meets Big questions were at the heart of the Uniting Church National History Society’s biennial conference held in Canberra earlier this monthby Margaret Reeson, member of the UC National History Society and former Moderator of Synod of NSW and ACT The fifth biennial conference of the Uniting Church National History Society…