On the road to the 17th Assembly
The 17th triennial meeting of the Assembly of the Uniting Church will take place from 11-16 July, 2024, in Sydney
November 28, 2023
Preparations have begun for the 17th Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia which will take place in Sydney from 11-16 July in 2024.
Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer said it was an exciting time as Presbyteries and Synods finalise their members and planning begins in earnest for the triennial decision-making meeting of the Church’s national council.
“We are officially on the road to the 17th Assembly!” said Ms Geyer. “National assemblies are always a significant event in the life of the Church as members gather together in worship, form community and discern together the movement of the Spirit in the life of the Church.”
President-elect Rev Charissa Suli is delighted to announce the theme for the 17th Assembly and the next triennium, “Threads of Love, Weaving Christ's Love Across Cultures and Boundaries".
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.
Inspired by the honoured Tongan tradition of weaving the fala (mat), the theme speaks to our God-given call to weave Christ’s love into the world by building bridges across social and cultural divides.
“Each strand of the fala is important to each other in the same way that the Holy Spirit gifts and empowers all members of the Church to confess Jesus Christ and serve him,” said Rev Suli.
The phrase “Threads of Love” is a reference to Paul's Letter to the Colossians (3:14) and spotlights the transformative power of Christ’s love as it overcomes cultural boundaries and unites us in God’s service.
The President-elect said she was further inspired by the story of the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus at the well in which Jesus traverses cultural and religious divides to engage in deep theological dialogue with the woman, who in turn is transformed by and becomes a beacon of Christ’s love.
“My hope is that the theme inspires us to acknowledge and honour our shared humanity in God our creator, and to act upon our common duty to shape a world that mirrors the love and unity Christ has for us all.”
Nominations for President-elect will be received in the lead up to the Assembly meeting.
More news
President's Message for NAIDOC week and the anniversary of the UAICC Covenant
Today, 10 July, marks the 32nd anniversary of the Convenant between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. With today’s anniversary and the approaching NAIDOC Week, the President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Charissa Suli, gives thanks for the gift of Covenant and the importance of reconciliation.…
Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday 2026
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. On Sunday 19 July, communities across the Uniting Church are invited to join in the fourth annual national celebration of Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday. Emerging…
Act2's CTFL advances key priorities
Theology, Formation and Leadership Commission update At a recent meeting, the Commission progressed plans for a common theological education provider, developed new governance structures and strengthened its commitment to learning alongside Congress leadership Subscribe to our newsletter If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe…
President concludes visit to Tonga
President concludes Tonga visit with strengthened Pacific partnerships Following a week of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of Christianity in Tonga, Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Charissa Suli has concluded her visit with high-level meetings that strengthened the Church’s enduring commitment to partnership across the Pacific. The week-long bicentenary celebrations brought together thousands…
Roundtable highlights practical steps to Net Zero by 2040
Latest roundtable highlights practical steps to Net Zero From emissions tracking to local renewable energy projects, the Uniting Church’s second Climate Action Roundtable showcased practical, collaborative action towards achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040Subscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly…
New Secretariat Leadership Announced
The Assembly is pleased to announce two new appointments to the Executive Team, both commencing their roles on 1 July. 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…
Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2026
Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2026NAIDOC Week 2026 (5–12 July) marks 50 years of honouring the voices, cultures and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Uniting Church, together with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), gives thanks for this significant milestone and celebrates the enduring strength and leadership of First Nations peoples.…
Act2's CGRA enters key phase
Governance, Resourcing and Administration Commission update Executive Officer Dr Paul Minty writes how the Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration continues to advance the Act2 vision, with nationwide consultations and key workstreams shaping a more connected, sustainable and mission-focused Uniting ChurchBy Dr Paul Minty, Executive Officer of the Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration. The…