What's next for the Act2 Project?

written by Acting Act2 Project Lead, Rev Erik Lennestål

The work of the Act2 Project is by no means over. Rather, it is in a time of transition after the 17th Assembly.

Excitingly, the 17^th Assembly passed substantive parts of the proposals arising from the Act2 Project. In many ways, this affirmed what the Project had discerned in engaging with the Uniting Church: that in order for us to fully enter into God’s mission, both significant cultural, structural and systemic changes and reforms will be needed.

This mandate from the Assembly honours what we had heard and come to understand from countless voices from every part of the Church throughout the Act2 Project. The process and efforts to engage in deep listening and discernment with every part of the Church remain the most ambitious ever undertaken by the Assembly. These same principles will continue to underpin the work moving forward.

In concrete terms, the Assembly decided to establish a Commission for Theology, Formation & Leadership as well as a Commission for Governance, Resourcing & Administration. Additionally, the Assembly Standing Committee meeting in August approved Act2 proposals to provide encouragement and resourcing related to “fit-for-purpose” local governance arrangements, and to bring proposals to the 18^th Assembly regarding a simplified form of church membership.

Not since the Joint Commission for Church Union has there been a time where our Church has more actively positioned itself for more transformative change.

The ongoing work will continue to scale up as the Commissions, along with any support functions or task groups are staffed. Interested parties will soon have an opportunity to submit Expressions of Interest to contribute their particular skills and expertise to the work of the Commissions.

Over the coming weeks, we will continue to highlight the focus areas and the type of work which will be undertaken under the direction of each of the Commissions and the Task Groups.

Some of you may remember my affinity for icons. Above my desk at home hangs a beautiful Coptic icon I sourced from a monastery in Egypt (below). It depicts Jesus turning water into wine at the Cana wedding. It is a joyous occasion. The setting is one of a wedding banquet in the company of close family and friends.

The particularities of the Coptic Orthodox iconography style help to portray Jesus as particularly cheerful and unencumbered. His gaze is clear and kind, looking up at us, his arm is outstretched in our direction. To the side, the unexpected, freely flowing new wine, is being poured from a wineskin into jars, ready to be enjoyed.

As we now move beyond the Act2 Project into a new phase, I cannot help but pause and remind myself that this, all of this, every day, has been in service of God and the Church. I, along with you I am sure, yearn that we may celebrate and discover that God is doing something new among us. That all of us may grab a hold of Christ’s outstretched hand and not be passive bystanders.

That we may sew and tend new wineskins from where new wine may flow. And discover and rediscover the generous blend of tannins, body and character with which the Uniting Church in Australia is infused.

God of revelation,
You made your son known at a wedding, a public celebration of love.
Celebrate Love with us by revealing Jesus among each and everyone of us.
And as we join with you in celebration, help us to set aside what no longer serves us,
grant that we may shape new wineskins so that new wine may flow freely
and without impediment.

Help us to see you and meet you in unexpected places and ways.  

Amen.