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.
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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.
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