By Rob Floyd and Rev. Dr Ji Zhang
The Uniting Church was a participant in the National Council of Churches in Australia 10th Forum in Canberra.
It was a wonderful ecumenical gathering with 65 Church leaders invited from 19 member Churches.
The NCCA Forum is an opportunity for Member Churches to deepen their relationship with each other as a visible expression of the unity we have in Christ. It is a time for sharing common ministries, building ecumenical relationships, and setting directions for the future.
The Uniting Church delegation participated in and contributed to a wide range of discussions, including Reconciliation with First Peoples, Refugee Advocacy, Safe Church and Care for Creation.
The Uniting Church representatives led the conversations drawing together some of these national interests.
The Forum acknowledged the 42nd anniversary of the UCA which fell on Day 2 of the program.
President Dr Deidre Palmer spoke to the Church leaders gathered about the formation of the “uniting” identity and our journey of reconciliation.
The message of liberating hope was shared in this context of the ecumenical movement.
Rt. Rev’d Dr Geevarghese Coorilos, Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese of Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church addressed the forum on the theme, ‘Living and walking in the Holy Spirit: Called to transforming discipleship.’
UCA representative Rev. Dr Morag Logan described his address as challenging and deeply moving. “He is a man of deep spirituality and a very gracious presence.”
In reflecting on the Forum, Assembly Theologian-in-Residence Rv. Dr Ji Zhang said, “Our God of compassion is indeed bringing people together towards the Common Good in this land – in and through life-informing multilateral relationships.
Uniting Church was represented by
- President Dr Deidre Palmer
- President of Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Rev. Garry Dronfield
- Assembly General Secretary Ms Colleen Geyer
- Rev. Dr Morag Logan
- Rev. Dr Ji Zhang
- Ms Emma Parr
- Ms Bethany Broadstock
- Mr Andrew Johnson
- Mr Rob Floyd
Photos by Rev Dr Ji Zhang, Uniting Church in Australia