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17th ASSEMBLY
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Assembly Standing Committee meets for first time in 2025

The ASC met in Sydney over the weekend of 14-16 March to continue its governance and oversight of the Uniting Church Assembly

March 31, 2025

written by Andrew Johnson, Assembly General Secretary

On the weekend of 14-16 March the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) met together at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.

The ASC is the governance body for the National Assembly. Elected at each Assembly meeting, the ASC is in place for a triennium and meets every three months to give oversight of the life, ministry and mission of the Assembly. It is attended by its 18 elected members, Assembly Officers and some staff, representatives of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and by the Synod General Secretaries who contribute to the discussion but do not take part in decisions.

The work of the ASC is shaped by worship and community building, with worship opening each day, and the Committee praying for presenters of reports and for the work of the Assembly and Uniting Church.

"The ASC spent significant time considering the strategic priorities for the Assembly."

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The ASC spent significant time considering the strategic priorities for the Assembly. It was clear from the discussions that there remains a deep commitment to the Assembly, reflecting our core identity as a Church. Our commitment to the Covenant and to being a multicultural Church continues to be foundational, along with our commitment to give public voice to our commitments in an unstable and uncertain world.

The ASC also dedicated time to considering the financial sustainability of the Assembly. This is a long standing issue on the agenda of the ASC. The Assembly continues to collaborate with Synods on sustaining the core responsibilities of the Assembly and implementing the decisions of the 17th Assembly, particularly in relation to the Act2 Project.

Each year, the three Assembly agencies join the ASC to report on their work and be accountable for their governance. UnitingCare Australia reported to the March ASC, detailing their work with the UnitingCare network on being a voice for a stronger, fairer Australia for all. They also discussed with the ASC how to continue to evolve the governance arrangements of UnitingCare Australia so it is fit for the future.

The ASC continues to progress the significant work of the Act2 Project including approving the Terms of Reference for both the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership and the Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration. Appointments for the Commissions will be occurring shortly as they commence their work on these two important areas of reform and renewal in our life.

On Saturday evening Rev Dr Seforosa Carroll from United Theological College and Rev Dr Mikie Roberts from the World Council of Churches reflected on the 1,700 anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and outlined the ecumenical movement's plans to commemorate this significant anniversary.

The ASC also finalised the final changes to the Regulations with a 2025 edition of the Regulations due out shortly in an online and print-on-demand format. Keep an eye out for announcement of publication dates shortly.

The discernment community of the ASC continues to grow and has agreed to return to meeting face to face three times per year in March, July and November along with online meetings in May and September.

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