Day One Wrap: Listening in prayer: A Synod begins the work before it

Day One Wrap: Friday 231026

Listening in prayer: A Synod begins the work before it

39th Synod - Daily Summary: Friday 23 October | Listening in prayer: A Synod begins the work before it

Synod began by celebrating ministry on Thursday 22 October at Albert Street Uniting Church, then the work of the 39th Synod in Session meeting began on Friday with a call from the Moderator to listen: to one another, to the communities the Church serves and to where God might be leading the Church.

Gathering under the daily theme Renewal with a focus on Listening in Prayer, members opened the day with worship, prayer, an Acknowledgement of Country and a welcome presented by Zoe Korbe who presented an artwork for the gathering. This set the tone for a Synod focused on discerning the Church’s future and the decisions needed to support its life and mission.

In the morning information session, the Moderator Rev. Bruce reiterated that: “We are here as members of a council of church, and it's called the 39th Synod. And so, in one sense, informed by our stories and all that we might bring, we come together as one council to discern what the Spirit might be saying to us and who God wants us to become as God's church.”

“Our task is to listen deeply and prayerfully and discern God's will together. That's our task as this council.”

The morning included reports from the Synod Standing Committee and General Secretary Adam McIntosh, alongside the introduction of four general proposals addressing presbytery capacity, presbytery resourcing, appointments and elections, and the use of artificial intelligence in ministry and mission.

Members have been asked to consider one of the most significant changes to the Church’s structure in recent years – replacing seven presbyteries with three, while creating a new model for sharing and growing the resources available to them.

The two proposals, Presbytery Capacity and Resourcing Flourishing Presbyteries, are separate but designed in theory to work together. They’re formally separate and aren’t dependent on each other, but both are aimed at the same goal: giving presbyteries greater capacity to support congregations, faith communities and ministry leaders as the Queensland Church seeks renewal and growth.

The fourth proposal bought to the meeting by UAICC representatives Austin Mann and seconder Josh Lane about AI and its acceptable use is significant in the life of the Synod. The proposal asks that the Synod form a diverse task group that will develop guidance covering some of the most sensitive areas of Church life, including worship and preaching, pastoral care, discipleship, education and formation, communication, administration, governance and mission.

These proposals put some significant questions before Synod members. How can the Church strengthen its support for congregations and presbyteries? What structures and resources will best serve its mission? And how should emerging technologies be approached in a way that reflects the Church’s values and responsibilities?

The General Secretary said of the responsibilities of the Church that, “we belong to something much larger than ourselves. We share a faith, a story, and a mission that is always beyond the spaces that we find ourselves in. That includes our local space, our regional space, our state space, and our national space. So we will not always agree.”

Rather than moving straight from presentations to decisions, the afternoon was devoted to Yarning Circles. Members gathered to build understanding, listen to different perspectives and discuss the four proposals. The conversations provided an opportunity to consider not only what might change, but how change could affect the people and communities at the heart of the Church.

The day concluded with a worship celebration at C3 Powerhouse, including a Welcome to Country and music from the Tongan Park Church Choir, bringing members and guests together beyond the formal business of Synod.

As the first day drew to a close, the invitation to listen remained central to the work ahead: making space for different experiences, asking difficult questions and approaching the Church’s future with openness.

Watch the Livestream from Friday here.

See the Facebook Photo Gallery here.

Tomorrow: Saturday’s theme is Perceiving in Prayer, with presbytery reports, a focus on younger people, continued discussion of the general proposals and the Norman and Mary Millar Lecture.

Watch all the sessions here: https://ucaqld.com.au/.../39th-synod-in-session-livestream/