Being in relationship with others is instrumental to how the Uniting Church seeks to witness to Christ in the world. The Seeking Common Ground Circle invites people to learn about and participate in the ways the Uniting Church is in relationship with other Churches, other faiths, and those of no institutional faith, as together we seek to find common ground for the good of all.
Circle members will be informed about and invited to contribute to the Church’s witness through ecumenical relationships. This includes the ways that we seek to witness to the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, with churches across Australia and overseas Partner Churches.
The Circle will invite members to explore the importance of interfaith relationships as a means to witness to God in a world of many faiths. Circle members will engage with theological reflection discerning God’s openness to the world, be invited into mutually respectful interfaith dialogue and promote opportunities for friendship with other faiths.
Additionally, the circle will explore how the Church witnesses to the reconciliation and renewal of the whole creation as it engages with the search for spirituality and meaning in wider society, including with people who do not identify with any institutional faith.
Meet our Advocate and get to know our panel members.
LATEST STORIES
Ecumenical Reps Connect
Uniting Church people engaged in ecumenical work gathered via video teleconference for a time of sharing and looking at how we can work together across the Church.
May they be one
Rev Dr Ji Zhang reflects on the historic agreement between the Vatican and the People’s Republic of China on the mutual recognition of bishops appointed both by the Catholic Church in China and Vatican. In the 17th century, Matteo Ricci was one of the founding figures of the Jesuit China mission. He studied Chinese, read
Meet our Advocate Amelia
Get to know our Advocate Rev. Dr Amelia Koh ButlerThe Advocate for the Seeking Common Ground Circle is Rev. Dr Amelia Koh-Butler. We asked Amelia to share a bit about herself. What I’m doing now:Parramatta Mission’s Multifaith Chaplain to Western Sydney University (the most multicultural uni in the Southern Hemisphere) My greatest achievement has been keeping
Hearts Ignite
By Tasha Crumpler This story was first published in New Times, the Synod of SA publication. When Laura, Adam and Dave spoke to each other about what God was pressing on their hearts four years ago at SAYCO, (an annual camp for high school students to explore faith) they didn’t realise how quickly things were
G20 Interfaith Forum
Rev. Dr Ji Zhang was among other faith representatives, Senators and MPs to attend a panel on the role of religion at the G20 Summit in Canberra.Labor MP Dr Anne Aly who was the first Muslim woman elected to the federal parliament, joined Pat Dodson, Australia’s first indigenous Catholic priest, and Liberal MP Julian Leeser who is prominent in Australia’s Jewish
What we learn from each other
By Rev. Christine Sheppard OAM Uniting Church Minister Chair – Ecumenical and Interfaith Council Catholic Diocese of Maitland–Newcastle When I was at United Theological College in Sydney in the mid 1980s, I was introduced by a Lecturer as a “Passionate Ecumaniac” – which I took as a compliment. I have lived always in the context
WMC Seoul 2018
Rev. Dr Amelia Koh-Butler reports from the World Methodist Council Meeting in Seoul 2018. A year ago, in Rome, the Steering Committee wondered if it would be safe enough to visit Seoul for the World Methodist Council meeting this year. We prayed for peace in the midst of daily reports of nuclear arms developments and escalating