Assembly Standing Committee meets in Canberra

A highlight of the weekend was the Commissioning of Andrew Johnson as Assembly General Secretary which took place on the Saturday afternoon. A joyful time of worship led by President Rev Charissa Suli featured a liturgy prepared by Rev Dr Sarah Agnew, a powerful preaching of the word by Indooroopilly Uniting Church Minister Rev Harlee Cooper and a passionate response by the General Secretary.

The service was attended by Andrew’s family and friends, national Uniting Church leaders, many from across Canberra, the ACT and beyond. It was generously hosted by Gungahlin Uniting Church, Andrew’s home congregation. See some photos here. The service was live-streamed and a recording will soon be available.

Each ASC meeting receives reports from the President, the General Secretary and the National Chairperson of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.

President Rev Charissa Suli reported on an incredibly busy three months which has taken her all over Australia engaging with Uniting Church communities, offering spiritual leadership and representing the UCA in the public space. This time also held three ecumenical engagements in Korea, Indonesia and New Zealand.

Other highlights included media opportunities during the Multifaith Week of Action led by the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, the Uniting Church Week of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East initiated by the President in September, and crucial spiritual leadership following the death of Rev Dr Michelle Cook.

General Secretary Andrew Johnson gave a report after just one month in the role, during which time he had already attended several events and engagements including the opening worship of the Fijian National Conference and the meeting of the Synod of South Australia. The General Secretary noted that work would soon begin on a new Assembly Strategic Plan and gave an update on the Act2 Project.

National Chair of the UAICC Rev Mark Kickett reported on his wide range of meetings and speaking engagements over the past three months, including two Synod meetings two conferences in New Zealand, three funerals, speaking at the Uniting Leaders Forum in Canberra and several trips to Darwin and to remote communities. The Congress community has been observing Sorry Business following the death of Rev Dr Michelle Cook and others in the Congress community. This week the UAICC will have its last National Executive meeting as it continues to pursue plans and strategies for the future.

Rev Felicity Amery presented the report of the Act2 Transition Committee, established to progress the decisions of the 17th Assembly and those further made by the ASC.  The Committee has collaborated on draft Terms of Reference for the two new national commissions established by the 17^th Assembly. These have now been released for feedback, alongside an invitation to express interest in membership of the commissions.

Over the course of the weekend the ASC heard and engaged with other reports from UnitingWorld, the Assembly Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and the UCA-Jewish Dialogue. The Assembly agencies report to the ASC on a rotating basis.

The ASC passed a Minute of Appreciation for Rev Lindsay Cullen, who served in the role of Assembly General Secretary (Interim) for over 10 months following the resignation of previous General Secretary Colleen Geyer. This period included preparations for the 17^th Assembly in July.

“Rev Cullen brought to this task years of experience in the life of the Uniting Church and other churches both in Australia and overseas,” reads the Minute. “He approached the task with humility and pastoral wisdom.”

“He held the Assembly together with a steady hand and we give thanks to God for his and his family’s sacrifice in this important role at this important time for our Church.”

The ASC resolved to express its deep appreciation for Lindsay’s ministry in this role. Lindsay has now returned to his role as Associate General Secretary.

The ASC also made the following decisions:

• To approve Guidelines for the Uniting Church National Conferences which have not been updated since 2011 and were out of step with the current structure of the Assembly. The updated Guidelines will be promoted by the Assembly Resourcing Unit.
• To establish a new General Secretary Oversight Group, developed to support the General Secretary's leadership by fostering accountability, transparency and alignment with Uniting Church mission and values. Members were appointed.
• To establish an Ecumenical Relationships Review Task Group to review the Assembly’s national and international ecumenical relationships and commitments, providing the ASC with a fuller picture and recommendations.
• Made appointments to the Assembly Legal Reference Committee, UCA Assembly Limited and the UnitingCare Australia Board.

Each meeting the ASC examines itself as a governance body, considering the Assembly’s risk register and evaluating its own work. As part of its ongoing development the ASC is engaging with several Uniting Church foundational documents. At this meeting members spent time discussing a resource on the Basis of Union.

The ASC will next meet in March 2025 in Sydney.

Members of the 17^th Assembly Standing Committee

Jordan Sumner
Rachel Kronberger
Sandy Boyce
Alison Overeem
David Fortheringham
Jong Soo Park
Richard La’Brooy
Roberta Stanley
Joanna Palmer
Felicity Amery
Emily Evans
Alimoni Taumoepeau
Kepueli Vaka
Alison Xamon
Emelia Haskey
Justin Greenway
Rachel Hanson
John Berger