As we mark National Reconciliation Week, we also approach the 30th anniversary of the Covenant between the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and the Uniting Church in Australia.

In the video below, "What does the Covenant mean to me", hear from Congress and Church leaders as they explore the significance of the Covenant and why justice for First Peoples is needed now more than ever.

The second video, "Living the Covenant into the future" outlines the thoughts, hopes and dreams of church leaders in regards  to implementing justice for First Peoples in the context of the church and beyond. We thank Grace Williams for the amazing artwork. Stay tuned for more information on this. 

Reflection questions

You may like to play these videos with your community, then reflect together on the following questions:

• what was the significance of the covenanting statement in 1994?
• what does it mean to share in a covenant?
• in what ways can we live the covenant locally in our community?

Now more than ever - Reconciliation 30 years on from the Covenant

National Reconciliation Week begins on 27 May, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and concludes on 3 June, the day in 1992 that Eddie (Koiki) Mabo won and the lie of terra nullius was laid bare in the Australian High Court. This was not a land without people, and the sovereignty of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples was never ceded, they were never conquered, the lie now exposed. The week is preceded by National Sorry Day, on 26 May.

Nathan Tyson, Anaiwon and Gomeroi man and Head of First Peoples Strategy and Engagement with Synod of NSW & ACT speaks about National Sorry Day 2024

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme is ‘Now more than ever’. Indeed, now more than ever, is a time for us to recommit to living in Covenant as we mark 30 years of this abiding commitment and relationship. As Psalm 118:24 states, 'This is the day that the Lord has made.' Let us not only 'rejoice and be glad in it', but work to ensure that Australia's First Peoples can too rejoice in living flourishing lives free from injustice and discrimination.

The Uniting Church is committed to truth-telling about our shared history, acknowledging the trauma and grief that endures as a result of deeply unjust, colonial policies such as the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their culture and communities. In the wake of the majority 'No' result of the Voice to Parliament referendum last year, we continue to bear witness to the feelings of grief and disillusionment experienced by many First Nations people.

We walk together as First and Second Peoples on the continuing road to justice and healing.

Rev Aunty Roberta Stanley, Chairperson of the UAICC Regional Council Qld, reflects on reconcilitation under God here.

One way for your local church, congregation, school or agency to answer the call to reconciliation and justice is to commit to Living the Covenant Locally. As an expression of our covenant relationship with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), this is an opportunity to grow understanding, deepen relationship and commit to action for a more just Church and nation.

The resources provided for listening and learning, going deeper and taking action, through liturgy, advocacy and partnering facilitate communities to engage faithfully.

Recently, the Assembly released a video interview between Rev. Tim Matton-Johnson and Raul Sugunananthan, sharing First Nations wisdom about caring for Country. Aireys Inlet UC accepted the call to listen and prepared a liturgy to include the video as the teaching within a recent worship service. This could be a model for your community! You can read their Order of Service here.

Coming up