ASC July 2023 Update

The Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) met in Sydney from 21-23 July. Read the Update from the meeting below. 

UnitingWorld Reported

Chair of the UnitingWorld Board, Steve Bevis and National Director Dr Sureka Goringe attended the ASC and brought the annual report from UnitingWorld. It was wonderful to hear about the activities of UnitingWorld and its connections with Uniting Church partner churches in various parts of the world. You can read the UnitingWorld Annual Report here.

Act2 Collective Discernment

Act2 Project Lead Andrew Johnson reported to the ASC on the progress of the Act2 project. In particular, the production of the Act2 Report: In Response to God’s Call, and the participation of many congregations, councils and members of the Uniting Church in Uniting in Prayer. The project is now in the Collective Discernment phase where councils and members can respond to the Directions and Options included in the report. Read the report and see how you can contribute here.

17^th Assembly

ASC noted the dates for the 17^th Assembly, 11-16 July 2024, and determined that for the 17^th Assembly that the youthful age as per Regulation 3.3.8(a)(iii)(3) is 30 years at the time of the Assembly.

One of the important privileges and opportunities that are open to the UAICC, Presbyteries, Synods and Assembly members is to identify persons who are available for election as President-Elect of the Assembly. These nominations arise from prayerful consideration and through conversations among members of the church, often over an extended period.

 In considering nominations for the role of President-Elect, the Regulations require that the Assembly Standing Committee provide some guidance to the church, at least ten months before the Assembly meets, on the issues and challenges that lie before the church in the forthcoming period. The ASC identified issues, challenges and opportunities for the Uniting Church which will be considered by nominees for President-elect.

ASC also approved the President-elect’s theme for the 17^th Assembly and the following triennium: “Threads of Love: Weaving Christ’s love across cultures and boundaries”.

President-elect Nomination Committee

The ASC approved the establishment of a President-elect Nomination Committee to encourage, receive and process nominations of UCA leaders to undertake the role of President of the Assembly and to ensure all nominees are in good standing with the UCA and able to undertake the role of President.

Assembly General Secretary

ASC approved the Position Description for the recruitment of the next Assembly General Secretary which will commence towards the end of 2023.

 Reports to the ASC

The ASC received reports from the Assembly Archivist, Christine Gordon, the Defence Force Chaplaincy Committee, the Christian Conference of Asia outgoing Executive member, Terence Corkin, and the Uniting Church National History Society. All of these reports indicated the richness of the national work of the Uniting Church. The ASC also resolved to thank Rev Dr Glen O’Brien for his work as Chair of the Uniting Church National History Society. The National History Society will hold its fourth biennial conference in Darwin from 24-27 August. Find more information here.

At a dinner at the meeting, Assembly Archivist Christine Gordon provided a wonderful presentation, The History of the Uniting Church in Five Artefacts. Read the story of what was included.

Nominations Approved

ASC approved the following nominations to the Assembly Finance Audit and Risk Committee – Brendan Flynn, Barry Honey and Alice McCleary and noted that Sonia Milner has been co-opted as a member.

ASC approved the following nominations to the Standards for Ministries Committee – Rev Dr Cathie Lambert and Rev Scott Litchfield (Deacon).