The Assembly Standing Committee meets in November

General Secretary Andrew Johnson reported on significant work that has taken place to progress a new Assembly Strategy and Assembly budget. Alongside the President and a Uniting Church delegation, the General Secretary also attended the World Communion of Reformed Churches General Council, an opportunity to witness the global Reformed family in action and to deepen relationships with ecumenical partners.

During the course of the meeting the General Secretary presented a final draft of the Assembly Strategy (2026–2031), following feedback from the July and October meetings of the ASC. The ASC approved the strategy, which is shaped around the three-fold vision: ‘Uniting in Christ – Flourishing Faith, Thriving Communities, Liberating Justice’. See a one-page summary of the Strategy here.

Interim National Co-Chairs Rev Will Pickett and Rev Ken Sumner provided a wide-ranging update on the work of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. They shared about their own ministry and travel including participation in Synod meetings, the President’s Conference, the Tongan National Conference and gatherings with remote area ministries.

Speakers from Congress regional committees shared local updates, including a wonderful celebration of the 40^th anniversary of Congress held in Tasmania, Victoria’s participation in the Walk for Treaty and engagement with the Yoorrook Justice Commission, and commissionings and ordinations held or forthcoming in the Northern Regional Council of Congress.

The ASC heard reports from all three streams of the Act2 Project.

Associate General Secretary Rev Lindsay Cullen reported on Stream A of the Act2 Project (Communities of Faith) which is being carried forward by the Assembly Resourcing Unit and a reference committee. Good progress is being made in considering the scope and nature of new regulations encompassing ‘fit for purpose governance’ proposals for local communities of faith as well as beginning to outline possible changes to the regulations regarding membership. The ASC’s direction was sought on some specific questions and areas identified.

Rev Dr Cathie Lambert and Dr Damian Palmer, Chair and Executive Officer of the Theology, Formation and Leadership Commission gave a report on the Commission which has met on three occasions: 11 August 2025 and 23 September 2025 (via Zoom) and on 10-11 November in person. The areas of focus include the transition of the responsibilities of the Standards for Ministries Committee, exploration of a Single Higher Education Provider and National Theological College, theological guidance on mission, evangelism, discipleship and diaconal communities, and the purpose and vision of the Commission. The Commission is to assume responsibilities previously held by the Standards for Ministries Committee and is working to incorporate this into its mandate.

Rev David Fotheringham and Dr Paul Minty, Chair and Executive Officer of the Governance, Resourcing and Administration Commission reported that all leadership roles have been filled and the work of this Commission is well underway. A draft project plan has been developed with an intensive consultation phase planned to begin in early 2026. Draft findings from this process are expected to come to the ASC in March 2027, ahead of the 18^th Assembly in July 2027.

The ASC received a report from Matthew Julius, Advocate of the Transforming Worship Circle, and National Consultant Rev Kath Behan, on a proposed Liturgy Renewal Project. The ASC reaffirmed ‘ordered liberty’ as the Uniting Church’s core liturgical principle, to commission a refreshed Directory of Worship for development over the current triennium, and to support further liturgical-theological work on the Church’s commitments to covenanting, intercultural life and diversity in theology and worship.

Rev Dr Paul Goh and Rev Alimoni Taumoepeau presented a proposal for a major intercultural initiative leading toward the 50th anniversary of the 1985 ‘The Uniting Church is a Multicultural Church’ statement. The ASC strongly affirmed the importance of this work and agreed to focus particularly on anti-racism until after the 18^th Assembly and to ask both National Commissions to consider the significant work of being an intercultural Church within their work.

Over the course of the weekend the ASC heard and engaged with other reports from the Assembly Audit, Finance and Risk Committee, the Assembly Resourcing Unit, the Ecumenical Relationships Review Task Group and Assembly relief and development agency UnitingWorld. The Assembly agencies report to the ASC on a rotating basis.

The ASC also made the following decisions:

• Determined the dates and location of the 18th Assembly, which will be held from 8-13 July 2027 at Adelaide Town Hall.
• Approved renewed Terms of Reference for the Net Zero Emissions Steering Group.
• Approved an updated Style Guide for the governance of the Uniting Church logo.
• Appointed Rev John Dansie, Rev Andrew Delbridge, Rev Andrea Follett, Rev Andrew Morris, Rev Matthew Stuart, Rev Andrew Watters and Rev Alan Williams to the newly named Defence Force and Defence Veterans Chaplaincy Committee.
• Appointed Rev Sharon Hollis (Convenor), Rev Rachel Kronberger, Richard La’Brooy and Rev Felicity Amery to the President-Elect Nomination Committee.
• Noted the resignation of Rev Dr Peter Walker from the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership and appointed Rev Ben Gilmore.
• Appointed Mr Peter Folliot and Rev Samantha McDonell to the Frontier Services Board.
• Noted the resignation of Rev Dr Neil Pembroke from the Continuing Witness Task Group and appointed Dr Anthony Rees.

The Assembly Standing Committee will meet again from 13–15 March 2026.