Come, Taste and See: Feast of Faith 2026
Young adults and emerging leaders gathered for this year's Feast of Faith, discovering God’s goodness through worship, fellowship, storytelling and shared cultural experiences
September 17, 2026
Earlier this month, second-generation young adults and emerging leaders from intercultural communities across the Uniting Church gathered in Merricks, Victoria for Feast of Faith 2026.
Hosted by the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, this year’s retreat also welcomed participants from the Queensland and NSW/ACT Synods, creating space for emerging leaders from across the Church to connect, share stories and encourage one another in faith.
The theme, “Come, Taste and See”, drew on Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
The weekend invited participants to step away from the busyness of everyday life and make space for worship, Bible reflection, prayer, leadership development and honest conversation about faith and calling.
“Feast of Faith was more than simply attending a retreat,” VIC/TAS Synod’s Younger Generations Multicultural Coordinator Pastor Nia Lavaki said.
“It was a space where young adults and emerging leaders could come as they are, share their stories and explore what it means to live faithfully within their cultures, families, churches and communities.”
Through talanoa and storytelling, participants reflected on their experiences of faith and leadership, including challenges they had encountered and moments when they had experienced God’s goodness.
“A highlight of the weekend was the Q&A panel, ‘Where Have You Tasted God’s Goodness?’” Pastor Nia added. “Leaders shared honestly about their journeys of faith and leadership, the challenges they had faced and the ways God had been present throughout their experiences.”
“Their stories reminded participants that God’s goodness can be experienced not only in moments of celebration, but also through seasons of difficulty, change and uncertainty,” Pastor Nia said.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Leadership development was another important part of the retreat. Participants took part in Safe Church training with Candice Coles and Joyce Tangi, strengthening their understanding of how to create safe, respectful and welcoming communities.
The session highlighted that Christian leadership is not simply about responsibility or influence, but also about caring for others and contributing to healthy church communities.
Throughout the weekend, food, worship, laughter and cultural sharing helped celebrate the richness of the Uniting Church’s intercultural life. Participants shared their traditions, cultures and stories, building friendships across communities, generations and Synods.
As the retreat moved towards Sunday, the invitation changed from “Come, Taste and See” to “Go and Share.”
Participants were encouraged to carry home what they had received – renewed faith, encouragement, learning, friendships and a deeper awareness of God’s goodness – and share these gifts within their congregations and communities.
For Pastor Nia, this was at the heart of the gathering.
“Feast of Faith provided a space for emerging leaders to be enriched, empowered and equipped as disciples of Christ,” she said.
As participants returned home, the message of the weekend remained: come, taste and see that the Lord is good – and go and share what you have tasted.
More news from the Assembly
A confident nation does not fear diversity - President's statement on immigration policty
7 October, 2026 Immigration policy sits at the core of who we are as a country, and the kind of Australia we want to be. This week’s Coalition policy announcement advocating significantly reduced net overseas migration is deeply concerning because of its implications for our cultural diversity and our identity as a nation. As Australians…
Three years on: A message and prayer for peace
Three years on: A message and prayer for peace Image: Church of the Ascension, seen from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Photo by Albin Hillert/WCC A pastoral message from Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, on the third anniversary of the 7 October attacks in Israel…
Uniting Church urges Australia to stand with Pacific on fossil fuels
Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to turn Australia’s commitment to its Pacific neighbours into action by backing a global treaty to phase out fossil fuels. Rev Suli is among 80 senior Australian faith leaders who have signed an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to support a…
Kulini… Are you listening?
Kulini… Are you listening?Northern Synod gathers for four days of worship, deep listening and discernment By Micheal ZewdieThe 48th Northern Synod brought members of the Uniting Church together in Darwin for four days of worship, conversation, discernment and celebration, with the invitation “Kulini… are you listening?” providing a thread through the gathering.“The invitation at the heart…
Faith, culture and hope celebrated as Fijian National Conference concludes
More than 700 people celebrated four joyful days of worship, learning, fellowship and faith as the 2026 UCA Fijian National Conference drew to a close in Fremantle/Walyalup. Bringing together Fijian communities from across the Uniting Church, the Conference strengthened relationships, created space to share stories and celebrated the faith, culture and gifts Fijian communities bring…
'Resilience is no longer enough': Pacific churches issue powerful call for climate justice
Pacific Church leaders have issued an urgent and deeply faith-filled call for climate justice, declaring that communities on the frontline of climate change need more than praise for their resilience. They need justice and decisive action. Gathering in Nadi, Fiji, for an Ecumenical Service marking the beginning of Pre-COP31, Pacific faith leaders brought the lived…
700 Fijian voices unite for climate justice in Fremantle
More than 700 members of the Uniting Church’s Fijian National Conference have joined their voices in a powerful call for climate justice from Fremantle. At the conclusion of the four-day conference, delegates unfurled a huge“Climate Justice Now” banner, standing in solidarity with Pacific churches and communities and calling on Australia to listen to Pacific leadership…
Faith, culture and hope fill Fremantle with the Fijian National Conference
Fijian communities from across the Uniting Church gathered in Fremantle/Walyalup for the 2026 Uniting Church in Australia Fijian National Conference, celebrating faith, culture, fellowship and hope. The Conference opened on Thursday evening with a Welcome to Country from Rev Mitchell Garlett of UAICC WA, followed by worship led by Rev William Lucas. Rev Dr Paul…