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
'Resilience is no longer enough': Pacific churches issue powerful call for climate justice
Pacific Church leaders have issued an urgent and deeply faith-filled call for climate justice, declaring that communities on the frontline of climate change need more than praise for their resilience. They need justice and decisive action. Gathering in Nadi, Fiji, for an Ecumenical Service marking the beginning of Pre-COP31, Pacific faith leaders brought the lived…
700 Fijian voices unite for climate justice in Fremantle
More than 700 members of the Uniting Church’s Fijian National Conference have joined their voices in a powerful call for climate justice from Fremantle. At the conclusion of the four-day conference, delegates unfurled a huge“Climate Justice Now” banner, standing in solidarity with Pacific churches and communities and calling on Australia to listen to Pacific leadership…
Faith, culture and hope fill Fremantle with the Fijian National Conference
Fijian communities from across the Uniting Church gathered in Fremantle/Walyalup for the 2026 Uniting Church in Australia Fijian National Conference, celebrating faith, culture, fellowship and hope. The Conference opened on Thursday evening with a Welcome to Country from Rev Mitchell Garlett of UAICC WA, followed by worship led by Rev William Lucas. Rev Dr Paul…
Waves of Hope: weaving new stories across Oceania
President Rev Charissa Suli has joined theologians, church leaders and practitioners from across Oceania in Fiji for the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania (APTO) Conference last week. Gathered around the theme “Waves of Hope: Storied Theology for the Whole of Life,” the Presidnet delivered an international keynote, “Building Community; Creating a New Story in…
Held Together begins with listening
Held Together begins with listening President Rev Charissa Suli and leaders of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress gathered on Ngarrindjeri Country to commission an artwork that will speak to the heart of the upcoming conference.“May it be a blessing. May it tell a story. May it build relationship. And may it help…
Call for nominations for President-elect and 18th Assembly representatives
The Uniting Church in Australia is beginning an important process of discernment to identify the next President-elect of the Assembly. Ahead of the 18th Assembly, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), Presbyteries and Synods have the privilege and opportunity to identify people who may be nominated for election as President-elect (Reg. 3.6.4.1). Nominations…
Celebrations and stories of healing in Alice Springs
Stories of Healing: Alice Springs marks 100 years of Adelaide House and 70 years of the John Flynn Memorial ChurchIn the red centre of Australia, members of the Uniting Church community gathered on 12–13 September to honour two milestones of faith, care and resilience: the centenary of Adelaide House and 70 years of the John…
Pacific women call for climate action that begins with their communities
Pacific women call for climate action that begins with their communities From Tuvalu, Pacific women are calling on world leaders to listen deeply, strengthen community leadership and pursue climate action grounded in local experience and wisdom.For the women who gathered in Tuvalu this September, climate justice reaches into the everyday work of keeping communities safe.…