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
Open doors and open hearts on Iona
Open doors and open hearts on the holy island of Iona Uniting Church minister Rev David MacGregor writes about the blessing of a lifetime spending nine weeks with the ecumenical Christian community on Iona, Scotlandwritten by Rev David MacGregor For nine immense weeks from mid-August this year, I served as a full-time volunteer on Iona,…
UCA represented at gathering of Methodist and Uniting Church women
UCA represented at gathering of Methodist and Uniting Church women Rev Carmel Ieraci and Margaret Pedler attended the South Pacific Area Seminar of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church womenwritten by Abbey Sim, Worship, Creative and Performing Arts Pastor at Wesley Castle Hill Uniting Church The World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church…
'A means of grace': Reflecting on the WMC
‘A means of grace’: reflecting on the World Methodist Conference UCA delegate Rev Prof Glen O’Brien reflects on the WMC which took place in Sweden from 13-18 Augustwritten by Rev Prof Glen O’Brien Glen O’Brien attended the World Methodist Conference as a UCA delegate. He is a Uniting Church minister in the Synod of Victoria…
22nd WMC set to kick off
The 22nd World Methodist Conference is set to begin The five-yearly gathering brings together the global family of Wesleyan, Methodist and Uniting ChurchesThe 22nd World Methodist Conference is set to begin later today, 13 August, in the beautiful Swedish city of Gothenburg. The Uniting Church in Australia will have a strong presence at the Conference…
Jews and Judaism
Jews and JudaismAt the 12th Assembly in 2009, the Uniting Church Assembly adopted the statement Jews and Judaism which continues to guide the life of the Church and its understanding of the unique relationship of Judaism and Christianity and the ongoing need for dialogue and relationship between the two faiths. JEWS AND JUDAISM: A STATEMENT BY…
President at Church of Scotland General Assembly
President at Church of Scotland General Assembly Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis is in Edinburgh this week for the General Assembly and was invited to bring a greetingUniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis is in Edinburgh this week at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The annual gathering brings together 500 church…
Breaking Bread, Forging Friendships
Breaking bread, forging friendships Rebecca Beisler shares the experience of attending an Iftar meal at the home of a Muslim family on Easter SundayBy Rebecca Beisler On Easter Day I attended an Iftar meal at the home of a Muslim family, a significant gesture of hospitality and friendship which enriched my experience and understanding of…
UCA-Jewish Dialogue February 2024
Uniting Church-Jewish Dialogue A meeting of endings and beginningsThe 53rd meeting of the interfaith dialogue between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry was held on 27 February with 11 representatives joining online from NSW and Victoria.”For the first time in its 30-year history the dialogue met without the presence…