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
President concludes visit to Tonga
President concludes Tonga visit with strengthened Pacific partnerships Following a week of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of Christianity in Tonga, Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Charissa Suli has concluded her visit with high-level meetings that strengthened the Church’s enduring commitment to partnership across the Pacific. The week-long bicentenary celebrations brought together thousands…
New Secretariat Leadership Announced
The Assembly is pleased to announce two new appointments to the Executive Team, both commencing their roles on 1 July. Subscribe 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.Catherine PepperAssociate General Secretary, Strategy & GovernanceCatherine joins the Assembly…
Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2026
Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2026NAIDOC Week 2026 (5–12 July) marks 50 years of honouring the voices, cultures and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Uniting Church, together with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), gives thanks for this significant milestone and celebrates the enduring strength and leadership of First Nations peoples.…
Act2's CGRA enters key phase
Governance, Resourcing and Administration Commission update Executive Officer Dr Paul Minty writes how the Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration continues to advance the Act2 vision, with nationwide consultations and key workstreams shaping a more connected, sustainable and mission-focused Uniting ChurchBy Dr Paul Minty, Executive Officer of the Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration. The…
200 years of Christianity in Tonga
Uniting Church joins Tonga in celebrating 200 years of Christianity UCA President Rev Charissa Suli, alongside Moderators, former missionaries, ministers, young people and members from across Australia joined the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in celebrating the bicentenary of the Christian Church in Tonga Representatives of the Uniting Church in Australia today joined the…
Words, witness and the future
Words, witness and the future As the Uniting Church enters its 50th year, Assembly General Secretary Andrew Johnson reflects on the statements that shape us – and challenges us to live them out.Subscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter…
President's 49th anniversary message
2026 Uniting Church Anniversary message UCA President marks Uniting Church’s 49th Anniversary with message of hope and Jubilee 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. Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has…
Let our faith speak
Let our faith speak By Dr Sureka Goringe, National Director, UnitingWorld I recently spent two days at the Christian Conference of Asia, sitting with church leaders who between them carry the hopes of 50 million Christians across this region. I asked them what keeps them awake. One challenge they spoke about most often was…