November 2024 UCA-LCA Dialogue meeting
The Lutheran-Uniting Church Dialogue met in early November at the Uniting Church Centre for Theology and Ministry in Melbourne
November 27, 2024
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.
By Greg Pietsch, Lutheran co-chair and Paul Stephens, UCA co-chair
The Lutheran-Uniting Church Dialogue met in early November at the Uniting Church Centre for Theology and Ministry in Melbourne (pictured).
The Dialogue, comprising theologians appointed by each church, has been underway for more than forty years, working through our respective confession of the faith. Much has been learned and done along the way, including coming to a Declaration of Mutual Recognition with its commitment to work toward formal altar and pulpit fellowship, and in the meantime preparing resources for local cooperating congregations.
November’s meeting shared details of each church’s rapid change in local congregations (decreasing size and viability) and in the supply of minsters/pastors (also rapid reduction in numbers) as well as changes in ministry itself, with more lay people taking significant roles. All this is in the context of the large-scale secularisation of society. The Dialogue remarked on the similarity of our situation and grappling over responses.
There is a clear correspondence in our understandings of ordained ministry and the centrality of God’s word and sacraments for our communities.
Of significant note, the Lutheran Church in Australia has recently resolved that both women and men can be ordained. The Dialogue received a formal briefing about this development at its meeting. This decision means that a significant barrier to developing shared ministries in our two traditions has been removed, recognising it will take time to implement. It is also a major step forward toward reaching one of the ongoing goals of the Dialogue of full "altar and pulpit fellowship" between our two churches.
We are also excited to soon release a study guide on At the Table, the two churches’ agreed statement on Holy Communion. This will be made available online so watch for further details. Perhaps consider it for your Lenten study next year – and why not organise to use the material in partnership with the local Lutheran church in your area?
The Dialogue is asking not just how we face each other, but how we face the wider world and not just alone but potentially together. Resourcing and encouraging local engagement and cooperation is an important part of this, as is learning from each other’s service and witness in the public domain. This work will continue as the Dialogue serves our common life in Christ.
More ecumenical news
Uniting Church welcomes Archbishop of Canterbury appointment
The Uniting Church celebrates with joy the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli extends warmest congratulations to the Church of England and the The Rt Rev Sarah Mullally, announced today the newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury A Statement on the appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate Rev…
Celebration of friendship, faith and an enduring bond
A Celebration of Friendship, Faith and an Enduring Bond A historic service last Sunday united Tonga and Australia in a celebration that went beyond diplomatic ties Last Sunday, the walls of St Stephen’s Uniting Church in Sydney resonated with music, a sense of shared history and gratitude to God, as more than 600 people…
MCIF Conference: shared mission across oceans
Shared mission across oceans The 190th MCIF Conference provided an opportunity to strengthen ties across the Pacific through worship and prayer, as well as dialogue on faith, justice and discipleshipLast week, the 190th annual conference of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma (MCIF) was held in Suva, where President Rev Charissa Suli represented the…
Faith leaders call for generosity in overseas aid
Faith leaders call for generosity in overseas aid UCA’s UnitingWorld among delegation to lobby Federal parliamentariansby Marcus Campbell, Communications Manager at UnitingWorld Last week, Dr Sureka Goringe, National Director of the UCA agency UnitingWorld, joined the Micah Australia Women Leaders Delegation in Canberra for three days of advocacy meetings with Members of Parliament from across…
A Tribute to Joan Stott: A Woman of Unwavering Faith and Action
A tribute to Joan Stott, a woman of unwavering faith and action The Assembly, with others around Australia and the world, pay tribute to Joan Stott whose hugely impactful life bore fruit in the Uniting Church and in global networks alikeThe Uniting Church Assembly joins with many across Australia and around the world in mourning…
Young adults pilgrimage for peace
A reflection on the Young Adult Pilgrimage of Peace in South Korea Uniting Church Pastor Joyce Tangi writes about her experience attending the World Methodist Council Young Adult Pilgrimage of Peace in South Korea earlier this year written by Pastor Siosiana (Joyce) Tangi After attending the World Methodist Council in Gothenburg, Sweden, 2024 I…
Online prayer for peace on the Korean Peninsula
Online prayer for peace on the Korean Peninsula Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli will be hosting an online time of prayer in honour of the World Council of Churches Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula “God,Lift us from despair.Grant us the strength to answer your callto live…
WCC Central Committee meets in South Africa
WCC Central Committee meets in South Africa The World Council of Churches Central Committee has met in South Africa over the past week for the second timeThe World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee closed its meeting on Tuesday after six days discerning together in Johannesburg, South Africa. Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli attended…