President's Anniversary message
As we mark 44 years of the Uniting Church in Australia on 22 June, President Dr Deidre Palmer has encouraged UCA members to take time to pause, give thanks for what is past, and reflect on where God is calling us into the future.
In her final Anniversary message, Dr Palmer reflects on how the disruption and devastation of COVID-19 has caused us to think in a new way about what it means to be the Uniting Church.
"Over the past year, we have had cause to reflect on who we are as the church, when our regular rituals, ways of being with each other, our advocacy, and our planned events have been disrupted by a wave of devastation caused by the pandemic that has worked its way across the world," said Dr Palmer.
"We have at times felt isolated, and powerless in the face of such suffering and grief. We have also been encouraged by the ways people have acted compassionately toward others."
Dr Palmer said the anniverssary was an opportunity to give thanks for who we are as the Uniting Church , who we've become and where we are going.
In particular, Dr Palmer gives thanks for the journey we are on together as First and Second Peoples, our work towards becoming an intercultural Christian community, the vision and hope of our young people and prophetic voices calling for justice and healing in our nation and for all creation.
"On this anniversary of the Uniting Church, I invite us to move forward in faith, opening our hearts to the actions of the innovative, creative Holy Spirit, forming and transforming the Uniting Church into a community in Christ embodying God’s abundant grace and liberating hope."
Watch and share the full message.