"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
Korean Conference gathers
Korean National Conference 2026 The Korean National Conference recently gathered for a time of worship, fellowship and discernment, celebrating the vibrant contribution of our Korean members.By Rev Dr Kevin Kim, Minister, Trinity UCA Brighton and Chairperson, Korean National ConferenceThe 2026 Korean National Conference took place from 20–22 July in Belgrave, Victoria, and brought together nearly…
Satara’s story: listening for justice
Satara’s story: listening for justice Meet Satara Uthayakumaran, whose lifelong faith journey in the Uniting Church has shaped her commitment to justice, service and amplifying young people’s voicesFor Satara Uthayakumaran, advocacy has never been about having the loudest voice in the room. It has always begun with listening. At just 24, the lifelong member of…
Meet Hannah Jackson
The National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia is delighted to welcome Hannah Jackson as Director, Advocacy & Justice. Hannah brings to the role almost two decades of experience across advocacy, public policy, communications and government affairs, alongside a lifelong commitment to the Uniting Church. Throughout her career she has sought to build coalitions,…
Becoming an Anti-racist Church: Building Thriving Communities Through Truth Telling
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. Becoming an Anti-racist Church: Building Thriving Communities Through Truth Telling The Assembly Standing Committee meeting in Sydney held in Sydney last weekend placed the…
Assembly Standing Committee charts a hopeful path for the Uniting Church
The Assembly Standing Committee met in Sydney from 17–19 July, bringing together members from across the country to guide the national work of the Uniting Church and continue implementing the priorities adopted by the 17th Assembly. Across three days, the Standing Committee focused on its governance responsibilities including hearing the annual report from Frontier Services,…
New leaders inducted and commissioned in Sydney
New leaders inducted and commissioned at Sydney ceremonySubscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.Last Friday, the National Assembly celebrated the Induction and Commissioning of recently appointed Directors in a ceremony presided by the Uniting Church…
Tuvalu’s call: A partnership of faith, hope and action
Tuvalu’s call: A partnership of faith, hope and action The Uniting Church in Australia has renewed its partnership with the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) this week, reaffirming a shared commitment to faith, solidarity and climate justice as Tuvalu faces an increasingly uncertain future. On the low-lying islands of Tuvalu, climate change is not a…
Broome UC: Celebrating 100 years and more in the Kimberley
Broome Uniting: Celebrating 100 years and more in the Kimberley Next month the Broome Uniting Church celebrates a centenary of worship in its current church building. Wendy Hendry from the Synod of WA recently travelled to the neighbouring Northern Synod to learn more about the church and its people This article was first published…