“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19

Greetings,
From Friday 5 to Tuesday 9 July the Synod meeting will take place. As the VicTas website says, Synod is a time when members get together to “hear reports, proposals and other matters that concern the general oversight, direction and administration of the Church’s life”. While it is a business meeting, there is also place for worship, small group discussion and other activities designed so that all may have a chance to participate.
Close to 300 people attend each Synod with a range of lay, ordained, older and younger people in attendance. All these people have been appointed by their Presbytery and this year Yarra Yarra Presbytery will have 36 lay people and 29 ministers in attendance.
At the opening worship service (Friday 5 July at 7.30pm at St Michael’s Uniting Church, corner Russell & Collins St) our new Moderator, Rev Denise Liersch, will be inducted.
Koonung Heights Congregation is well represented at this Synod. Kathryn D’Alessandro will be taking minutes; David Cousins is present as the Chairperson of U Ethical, Gillian Tonson is the leader of the Hospitality Team, Harriet Ziegler is taking part in the recognitions on Sunday afternoon. Rev Paul Tonson is a Presbytery delegate and will be recognised as a retiring minister, and I am a Working Group Leader and will be recognised as a newly ordained Minister.
One of the important issues that will be discussed at this Synod relates to the way that the Uniting Church will respond to the recently introduced Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation.
I would ask that everyone remembers in prayer those involved in Synod in whatever capacity that takes. Please pray for all those gathered as they discuss, pray, worship and are in community together. May those attending be open to the leading of the Spirit, and the gathered community of the church be able to perceive this new thing that God is about to do.
Blessings – Rev Heather