Report on participation in 2012 Assembly

About two months ago I had the privilege to attend my first UCA Triennial Assembly as a voting member, as elected and nominated by the Victorian and Tasmanian Synod.

My assembly experience began with a two day orientation around Adelaide with the other “Youthful” members of the Assembly. Over these two days as a group of young adults we clicked very quickly as we soon discovered the similar journeys we where on as YA’s in the UCA while we learnt all about the forthcoming Assembly and its operations. Then over the next week I was able to take part in healthy, lively discussions on everything ranging from the UCA’s relationship with other denominations, our Multi-Cultural and Multi-Faith work, the role of Baptism, Confirmation and Membership in the UCA all the way to the discussions and proposals of Same Gender Marriage and everything in between! On top of this I had three highlights throughout the time. One was when the Assembly felt an immediate call to stand with our Indigenous brothers and sisters on the steps of the SA Parliament in a prayer vigil in response to the Federal Governments Stronger Futures legislation. The second was when the National Young Adult Leader Conference (NYALC)’s updated UCA Statement to the Nation “Reconciliation People” was not only accepted by truly welcomed by the Assembly as our statement to the nation. The third highlight was that throughout multiple days and many hours the Assembly discussed and prayed over it’s movement on Same Gender Marriage, this time was the most intense of the Assembly as it was at this point that the spirit was truly stirring amongst us as his people. This whole time was a highlight for regardless of the outcome, it was time when the UCA got to show its true colours of immense diversity and beauty.

I am now a far more knowledgable, proud member of the UCA. I am proud of our achievements and our downfalls, our heart of worship and movement of justice. I appreciate our founding documents such as the Basis of Union and Manual for Meetings and I came back from the 13th Assembly with a passion for the UCA, the mission of God, my call and to continue to develop my faith as a disciple of Jesus. However after two months back here at this community that passion is gone as my flame has been burnt out by some members of this congregation, the power play games they play and their lack of ethics (especially in emails). I came back only to realise just how much a large portion of this congregation lacks a big picture understanding not only of the world we live in, but the denomination we are a part of, what it believes and the way it should act as a living, evolving, uniting pilgrim people.

Aaron Blakemore with concurrence of Kelly Skilton.

Members of the 13th National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia.

AaronKellyAssembly (last edited 2013-11-14 23:48:39 by DavidMorgan)