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 women
September 10, 2024
written by Abbey Sim, Worship, Creative and Performing Arts Pastor at Wesley Castle Hill Uniting Church
The World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women has recently completed its South Pacific Area Seminar, in Samoa from 4-8 September.
The Uniting Church in Australia was represented by Rev Carmel Ieraci, Minister of the Word at Wesley Castle Hill Uniting Church, and Margaret Pedler, final Chairperson of the Uniting Church Adult Fellowship (UCAF) committee.
Delegates were welcomed to the Seminar through a parade which included the flags of participating countries, as well as banners showcasing the culture, creativity and hopes of the Pacific.
Australia chose to highlight with the vivid colour of landscapes, waters and skies, the diverse flora and fauna of the continent and the vital place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as First Peoples of these lands. The banner also featured a nod to the important role UCAF has played in the lives of Uniting Church women.
“...unity as one peoples across one ocean through one Christ...”
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.
Mrs Sipwe Chisvo, President of the World Federation, gave a sermon on the theme “Intertwined in Christ” to the gathering, which included 300 delegates from Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and the Solomon Islands.
The Samoan hosts of the Seminar, who led a ceremonial presentation of gifts, urged “unity as one peoples [across] one ocean [through] one Christ.” Their banners were seed artworks prepared by the Samoa Methodist Women’s Fellowship, encouraging delegates to “go in faith and share God’s healing grace through the Pacific.”
The first woman to be Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, addressed the Seminar and spoke with many of the women in attendance.
The inspiring five-day event concluded with worship and prayers for the participating nations. Her Majesty Nanasipau’u, Queen of Tonga, prayed: “Please remember our sisters in Australia.”
Images below: Rev Carmel Ieraci. See many more photos on the Area Seminar's Facebook Page.
Read more Assembly news
UCA President's 48th anniversary message
2025 Uniting Church Anniversary message UCA President Rev Charissa Suli shares this message marking 48 years of the Uniting Church in AustraliaSubscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.President Rev Charissa Suli has shared a video…
ASC makes a change to UCA Code of Ethics
Change to Code of Ethics for Uniting Church Ministers The Assembly Standing Committee for the UCA has approved a change in the CoE, effective 1 July 2025Subscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.The Assembly Standing…
To God be the glory, great things he hath done
To God be the glory, great things He hath done! Perth Wesley Uniting Church and South Perth Uniting Church recently celebrated 195 years and 185 years of service. Here is a reflection on a memorable weekend of celebrationby Rev Hollis Wilson, Minister at Perth Wesley Uniting Church (known also as Uniting Church in the City)“Wow!”…
First Korean Women's Conference
First National Korean Women’s Conference celebrates leadership and calling The inaugural Korean Women’s Conference brought together lay and ordained women leaders from around the countryby Rev Myung Hwa Park, Chair of the Korean National ConferenceThis year marks the 40th anniversary of the Uniting Church’s declaration as a multicultural church, an ongoing journey of embracing diversity…
Chairs appointed to lead new National Commissions
Chairs appointed to lead new National Commissions The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly is delighted to announce the appointment of Chairs for two new Uniting Church National CommissionsThe Uniting Church in Australia Assembly is delighted to announce the appointment of Chairs to lead two new National Commissions. Established by the 17th Assembly out of a…
Planting Hope: Vision, Volunteers and a Community Revitalised
Planting Hope: Vision, Volunteers and a Community Revitalised A 20-year dream has been fulfilled in the outback terrain of South Australia, bringing the hope of Jesus to a remote communityBy Rob Floyd, National Director of Frontier ServicesIt isn’t often that you embark on an epic journey, through vast expanses of desert, to witness the birth…
Yarta Wandatha: The land is speaking
Yarta Wandatha: the land is speaking, the people are speaking Walking with Elders, learning from their ancient wisdom and wrestling with the lessons that creation – ‘God’s oldest voice’ – has to teach us todayThis article was first published in VOX, the bulletin of the University of Divinity. It is republished with permission. By Dr…
Report: Sydney Friends of Standing Together
Sydney Friends of Standing Together event calls for peace The peace group, aligned with global movement Standing Together, held a rally in Sydney on 4 May in support of Jerusalem peace summitwritten by Rev Lindsay Cullen, Assembly Associate General Secretary Sydney Friends of Standing Together (SFOST) is a group aligned with Standing Together, which describes…