Day 4 Wrap - Commissioned in prayer: Taking renewal back into our communities

Day 4 Wrap - Monday 261026

39th Synod - Daily Summary: Monday 26th October | Commissioned in prayer: Taking renewal back into our communities

 After four days of worship, discussion and discernment, the 39th Synod concluded on Monday with a focus on what comes next.

In his call to worship Ps Netani Bolatolu encouraged members to go out from the meeting with life and light and to recognise the call to climate action.

The final day’s theme, Renewal – Commissioned in Prayer, turned attention towards the work that continues beyond the Synod gathering: serving local communities, supporting congregations and putting the Church’s shared commitments into practice.

The Moderator’s Prayer of Lament

The Moderator, Rev. Bruce Moore, continued to pray for the posture of lament in his morning message:

“As a synod, God, we've heard the pain of the bush, of rural and remote communities who've carried the weight of distance, diminishing resources, changing communities, and the loss of a familiar expression of church.”

“We've heard the heart cry and the pain of our First Nations peoples, the wounds of dispossession, the injustice, the broken trust, the promises yet to be fulfilled. God, how long?”

“Teach us to listen, to walk humbly, and to honour the wisdom, the faith, and the enduring witness of our First peoples.

“God, give us courage to hold the honesty of what it means to lament.

“The grace to hold one another gently, and the wisdom to recognize what must be laid down and what must never be lost.

“It's my prayer that in this season of renewal, may we never become so focused on what comes next that we will fail to care for those who are hurting now.”

Bible Study Day Four

Renewal is not a moment to celebrate and leave behind. It is a way of life sustained through prayer, shared community and a willingness to trust God beyond what we can achieve on our own.

That was the message from Ps Sono Weatherall as she led the Day Four Bible study reflecting on Acts 2:42–47 and the life of the early Christian community.

General Business

Members then heard a report from Uniting Education Schools and Colleges, followed by an update on church planting and revitalisation, with opportunities for table-group discussion.

Church Planting and Revitalisation Update

Ps. Scott Guyatt, Rev. Ralph Mayhew and Ps. Adam Legge brought the Church Planting and Revitalisation report to members which was adopted at the previous Synod in Session and is now moving from strategy to action, with six new churches planted and another 10 in development, Rev. Ralph Mayhew told members during a presentation on church planting and revitalisation.

Presenters outlined the work underway to support congregations, equip leaders and create new faith communities across Queensland. They emphasised that the task belongs to the whole Church, not just the Synod or its mission accompanying team.

“This is not the work of the Synod,” Ps. Scott Guyatt said. “This is the work of all of us.”

Presentations

The programme also included a presentation on Australian Defence Force Chaplaincy and the announcement of 14 recipients of the Moderator’s Medal, recognising people whose contributions to the life and mission of the Church will be acknowledged through presentations at a later time.

Members continued with reports and general business, including a presentation from the Finance Investment Property Board. These discussions brought attention to the practical resources, responsibilities and decisions that support the Church’s work.

Across the four days, Synod members have considered questions about presbytery capacity and resourcing, appointments and elections, and the place of artificial intelligence in ministry and mission.

General Proposals

After much thoughtful discussion and prayerful discernment, in the afternoon Synod approved two general proposals: on presbytery capacity and the use of AI in the life of the church. (A general proposal on presbytery resourcing was approved on Day 3).

The heart’s cry of the people of Tuvalu in relation to impact of rising waters in the Pacific Islands was also heard. This was mentioned in both the Moderator's report and the report of the President of the Assembly. A proposal was passed which called on the 39th Synod to raise awareness of the climate impacts facing Tuvalu and Torres Strait communities and advocate for governments to work with First Nations peoples and draw on their knowledge of caring for Country in responding to ocean warming, sea-level rise and bushfire risk.

Words of appreciation

Before closing, the Moderator and Synod extended thanks and courtesies to government representatives, volunteers, event staff, the worship team and others who contributed to the gathering.

Closing worship included a Farewell to Country, and a moving prayer and communion, which featured the handmade paper clay chalices that were used as part of the table centrepieces.

Formal proceedings came to an end at 4.30 pm.

Members leave Synod with the task of carrying its conversations, decisions and commitments into the places where the Church lives out its calling every day.

Looking ahead: The work of renewal continues in congregations, presbyteries, schools, community services and ministries across Queensland. The energy and commitment expressed at Synod now provides a strong platform for the next chapter, as these decisions are communicated, resourced and put into practice.

 

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