Youthful members gather ahead of 17th Assembly

Youthful delegates gathered today ahead of the 17th Assembly meeting at Leigh Memorial Church in Parramatta, part of Parramatta City Uniting Church (PCUC). They met with incoming President Rev Charissa Suli, learned more about the procedures involved with the Assembly in session and enjoyed lunch together. 

“No matter what council of the church we come from,” Rev Suli shared, “our common ground is our humanity. My vision for the Uniting Church is that we will be a place of more generous welcome, that we will be proud of our diversity.” 

The day was facilitated by the Pulse team in the NSW/ACT Synod. In a Communion liturgy led by Pulse team's Rev James Aaron, Young Adult Ministry Faciliator, he prayed, “May we weave these threads of thanksgiving and of sorry. May they weave a beautiful tapestry . . . of God’s story for all of us, of the saints of old and of the saints into the future.” 

Rev Aaron also offered a blessing to the youthful delegates:

Bringing together the youthful members on the eve of the 17th Assembly provides an opportunity for relationships to grow among young people in the church from across the country. All Synods are represented by at least one youthful member. 

Emelia Haskey, from Brougham Place Uniting Church in Adelaide, relished the chance to build connections as part of the Assembly experience: “I’ve really never met people from the Uniting Church outside of the South Australia and the youth gathering especially [is an opportunity for that]. Sometimes as a young Christian it can feel a little isolating to not know many other young Christians or other young people in your denomination. It’s great to see there are other young people in the Uniting Church and to see they have a strong passion for the Uniting Church, which is cool.” 

The day finished with a trip to the Novotel Parramatta for a preview of the space to be used for the meeting’s proceedings. While many of the youthful delegates have previously participated in leadership and decision-making within other councils of the church, such as Synod meetings, for most this is their first time at the Assembly in session.  

Peihan Bu, a member of the ministry team at Hobart North Uniting Church, is looking forward to participating in the Assembly in session. 

“Yeah, I think [I’m looking forward to] everything. I definitely enjoyed the Synod meeting [I participated in]. I’m really honoured to be nominated [for the Assembly] by the Presbytery [of Tasmania] as a young person, I’m really happy about that.” 

The youthful members are hopeful that the Uniting Church will, in keeping with the Assembly theme, continue to weave threads of Christ’s love across cultures and boundaries. 

“My hope for the 17th Assembly is that we would prayerfully and humbly discern how we can be a people known by our love,” shared Pastor Ella Evans, Youth & Young Adults Pastor at Glenbrook Uniting Church on Dharug and Gundungurra Country, for the Meet the Members series. 

For the President-Elect, youthful members have a key role to play at the 17th Assembly and emboldened them to raise their voices and share Christ’s love throughout the gathering: “I pray that you will have courage to speak, especially if speaking into the microphone is scary for you," said Rev Suli.

"Turn to each other so you can support each other. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to turn to the leaders, the ministers and other facilitators. I’m really hoping that this Assembly will be an opportunity to change culture, to change the culture to one where we’ll be unafraid and unapologetic to ask questions, to look out for each other, that it will be an intentionally mutual and respectful place for all people, regardless of colour or sexual orientation, because I truly believe there’s enough space for all people at the Lord’s table.” 

Watch the video created by Signal Box at the event below.