Assembly '97 Home page Documents News		UCA 8th Assembly message Warm greetings to all members of the Uniting Church in Australia, from those of us privileged to participate in the Eighth Assembly in Perth from 5-12 July 1997! The Noongar Aboriginal people, on whose land we gathered, welcomed us at the start of the creative opening worship service in which John Mavor was installed as President in Perth's packed Concert Hall. Worship was a vital part of the Assembly, as was the refreshing style of the Bible studies led by Dr. Vicky Balabanski; and the Cato Visitor Fr. Gabriel Daly (Irish Roman Catholic scholar) challenged and captivated us. Daily prayers and Holy Communion drew on the prayers and songs sent in by people from every Synod, and the closing service of Holy Communion affirmed how we had waited on the leading of the Holy Spirit throughout the work of that long, long week. Our prayers were joined with those of the church Australia wide; we were very conscious of the unifying power of Jesus Christ. Together we learnt of the breadth of the work of the UCA nationally and internationally, listened to each other's stories, laughed together and at times wept together. We found the consensus process helpful as the 260 voting members from all over Australia worked hard to discern God's will for the way forward in the many issues facing the church at this time. Small group work was at the heart of what we were able to achieve: sharing, praying, struggling with different understandings and experience, we were able to affirm each other as worthy children of God. The graciousness of those prepared to vary the wording of original proposals to encompass insights gained from others was deeply moving. In his installation sermon, John Mavor said that rather than resolve tension as quickly as possible by making decisions, it could be better for the church to live in paradox and tension, which make way for grace and mystery. In paradox people can allow opposite points of view to exist with equal dignity and worth. "We can use the energy of paradox to be open to each other and to the Holy Spirit," he said. "If we are willing to live and work in paradox in this Assembly and in the life of the church, the Holy Spirit will bring revelation and we shall have discernment." With the theme Forward Together: Moving with God's Spirit, we were enriched by the participation of more than 30 guests from overseas churches, broadening our understanding of the worldwide fellowship of the Christian church. The stirring of the Spirit is engaging churches in other countries with very similar challenges to ours in Australia. An interactive KUCA-A'97 programme enabled us to be challenged by the crisp insight and honest enthusiasm of children from each Synod, as well as being led in worship by them each day. A concurrent Visitors' Programme allowed others to share in the life of the Assembly in a more relaxed fashion. The Assembly chose as its President-Elect Rev. Professor James Haire, lecturer in New Testament and Principal at Trinity Theological College in Brisbane. Some of the important new directions set in place by this Assembly include: a commitment to work for reconciliation in follow up to the report on the Stolen Generation; a call to the Federal Government to respect co-existence in response to Wik; approval of an Interim Code of Ethics for all engaged in professional ministry; adoption of more flexible structures to meet the needs of a diverse church; a decision to have one Church Council integrating the work of Parish and Elders Councils; recognition of Uniting Education as the new body placing JBCE — aiming to recover the educational ministry and mission of the church in changing times through innovative measures; identification of new models for initial and continuing education for those in specified ministries; integration of a renewed vision for stewardship into the regular rhythms of congregational life, emphasizing generosity and risk-taking; support for changing the date of our National Day, seeking a date with greater power to unite than 26 January; approval of a congregational study programme on the Basis of Union; an Invitation to the Nation and its leaders to build a nation based on high principles of justice, truth and integrity. We were aware of widespread interest from the whole church — and from other churches — in decisions the Assembly would make on the report, Uniting Sexuality and Faith. It was clear there are strong feelings and significant differences in experience, in understanding Biblical teaching, and in the cultural appropriateness of even discussing some of the topics. In wrestling with these hard issues, we discovered little more about what it means to be a multicultural and a covenanting church. Our hearts went out to those prepared to share something of their personal stories in an atmosphere of trust and compassion, and in the process we gained greater insight into the heavy cost on the Sexuality Task Group in their careful work over the past five years. The work of the Facilitation Group, in collating responses from the groups and negotiating agreed wording of proposals, was awesome; and we were moved by the openness, humility and vulnerability of all who contributed. After many, many hours of work, it was recognized with sadness (and for some, deep personal pain) that the Assembly would be unable to reach further agreement, and we committed the church to continuing dialogue in a spirit of openness and compassion. Three former Presidents Ron Wilson, D'Arcy Wood and Jill Tabart have been asked to advise the Assembly Standing Committee on how the Assembly might deal with the outstanding issues not resolved. Decisions reached before that point included: affirmation of the joys and responsibilities of God's good gift of sexuality; recognition of the importance of responsible sexual behaviour, and that all exploitative and demeaning practices contradict God's purposes; approval of a statement on marriage, and one on separation, divorce and re-marriage; encouragement for marriage preparation. enrichment and support. We acknowledge some will find the decisions of the Assembly difficult, as they were even for those privileged to be part of the community and the process that decided them under the guidance of the Spirit. But we celebrate the power of Jesus Christ to hold us together in our continuing journey, as we follow him faithfully. As retiring President Jill Tabart said in her address to the Assembly: "Pray God we may find the courage to look each other in the eye and be honest about what we are struggling with, or enduring. Pray God we may not falter in our determination that we are all in this church together, and that together we must find a reconciling way forward for the health and sanity and wholeness of all within his church. Pray God we may hold on to the deep underlying conviction that the healing and reconciliation, the true unity of the Spirit for which we yearn, is to be found only in God's hands." And so we: Go boldly into the future which God has claimed Know that the God who holds all things will be there, that Christ who calls us friend will walk beside us, and that the Spirit who makes all things new will mark our way with light and hope. Amen. [Murray Lund. Alice Springs] Official message to members of the Uniting Church from the Eighth Assembly.