"The Uniting Church can and must do better"

This speech was given by Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna, Narungga man Sean Weetra at the 17th Assembly

Nginti ngruntar nankeri, nganawi mitji Sean Weetra. Ngapi Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna, Narungga korni Raukkan-nendi South Australia-ungai 

(Hello everyone, my name is Sean Weetra. I'm a Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna, Narungga man from Raukkan in South Australia) 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight. I am a young adult leader within the Uniting Church of Australia. I stand before you as a 30-year-old, the same age as the Covenant relationship with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC). This relationship, established in 1994, marked a significant step towards reconciliation, justice, and mutual respect between the Uniting Church and The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.

However, as we gather here in 2024, it's imperative to reflect not only on the milestones we have achieved but also on the distance we still need to cover.

The Covenant relationship is one that calls for ongoing commitment, genuine support, and tangible actions. It’s more than a piece of silverware that’s polished and displayed on special occasions to make the church look good, only to be put back in the cupboard until the next event. This is not the foundation of a strong, sincere relationship. The silverware metaphor underscores how our Covenant is often treated: admired for its appearance but lacking in everyday utility and presence.

Today, I stand here to assert that the Uniting Church can and must do better. Our people deserve more than ceremonial gestures. We deserve reparations, recognition, and real support. This means being open, honest, and transparent about the church's role and responsibilities in supporting Aboriginal ministry.

I speak with deep adoration and respect for my people, who have long been marginalised and overlooked. We need to move beyond symbolic acts to substantive change. The resources to support our ministries exist within the church, yet our people continue to be on the margins. This is not acceptable, and it is not reflective of the values we profess as a church community.

I often reflect on the story of the Canaanite woman from the Gospel of Matthew. She approached Jesus with a desperate plea for the deliverance of her daughter, despite the disciples urging Jesus to send her away. She did not care about the opinions of those around her; she sought Jesus for healing and liberation. Her persistence and faith challenged Jesus and the disciples, ultimately leading to her daughter's healing.

In many ways, we, as Aboriginal people, find ourselves in a similar position. We are here, seeking recognition and support from the church, and we will not be silenced. We will continue to challenge the church, just as the Canaanite woman challenged Jesus and the disciples. Our pleas for justice, equity, and true partnership are not new, but they are urgent.

The church has built and maintained its wealth on stolen land at the expense of our people and we have been displaced off of our traditional lands. Our people have suffered due to colonisation and its impacted our country. Our rivers and waterholes have been polluted and our lands have been destroyed. We have endured dispossession, struggled through immense hardships, and yet, we have survived. We are a marginalised people in our own land. Members of the 17th Assembly, join us as allies in the struggle for justice, freedom, and hope as we continue to navigate the challenges ahead.

The Covenant relationship, if truly honored, can be a beacon of hope and a model of reconciliation for the wider Australian community. But it requires more than words; it demands actions that reflect the spirit of the Covenant every day, not just on special occasions.

So, as we commemorate 30 years of the Covenant, I call upon the Uniting Church to commit to doing better. To move beyond the superficial and engage in the deep, transformative work of reconciliation. To ensure that our ministries are supported, our voices are heard, and our people are seen—not hidden away like silverware, but valued and integrated into the fabric of the church community.

Thank you, and may we all strive together for a future where the Covenant is a living, breathing testament to our commitment to justice, equity, and true partnership.