Holding the Story, Stepping Forward Together
On April 18, members of congregations across the Riverina met at Pilgrim Uniting Church in Wagga Wagga for a gathering.
On April 18, members of congregations across the Riverina met at Pilgrim Uniting Church in Wagga Wagga for a gathering. Among those who worship in the churches of the Riverina were visitors from across NSW and the ACT – some having travelled significant distance for this historic gathering.
We were greeted by Rev Kyle Moffit on behalf of Rev Andrew Watts and acknowledged the presence of God and the lands upon which we were gathered, hearing a story from the local Wiradjuri people.
Rev. Dr Peter Walker, the General Secretary of NSW & ACT Synod, led us in conversation about the central charism of the Uniting Church – unity. To capture more of the vision offered the General Secretary’s session, you can read it here.
Later in the morning, Rev Dr Rob McFarlane – chair of the Regional Partnership, which oversees the presbytery functions of Riverina Presbytery and the Far North Coast Presbytery, chaired a discussion session.
Rev. Amy Junor provided a general update on how the transition of the 4 southern presbyteries, and the broader 3P transition process was going. A proposal had recently been prepared for both the Southern Joint Standing Committee and the Regional Partnership, offering a way forward for the responsibilities and authorities of the Riverina Presbytery to be delegated in an orderly fashion when the Regional Partnership ceases on June 30 this year.
The Regional Partnership wanted to ensure that those gathered were informed about the next steps and what to expect over the coming few months as the Southern Presbytery is born and comes into operation. There has been strong support across all of the southern Presbyteries, with leaders from every space mindful of the need for geographic justice and committed to working together as a team across the distance.
What will this look like? Nobody’s quite sure yet, and these stories tend to unfold more slowly than we would like...
But for now, the southern Presbyteries are preparing to celebrate the work of Christ in their current spaces, while we look forward to what we might do together as one Presbytery.
Riverina is the first of the southern Presbyteries to celebrate their ministry and mark the ending of an era. The gathering was led in worship drawing from the vast pool of lay leaders that have kept Riverina congregations sustained and nurtured, and a beautiful liturgy prepared by Rev Kyle Moffit.
The service recognised the coming together of the rain waters across the geographic area, Rev. Bronwyn Murphy, Associate General Secretary of the Synod, led us in reflection and the congregation named specific people who have served the Uniting Church for many faithful years into a time of silence.
We give thanks for the legacy of the Riverina Presbytery, the lessons in resilience, strong lay leadership, hospitality and nurture that will be carried by its members into the Southern Presbytery. We give thanks for those who have served and supported, those who will continue to serve and support and those who are being prepared by God for leadership in the next season.
On Sunday April 19 Rev. Kyle Moffit and myself went to Coleambally Uniting Church for worship in the morning. The congregation there is made up of a number of young families – where the children led us in worship by showing us the actions to songs they had learned on a recent camp. The adults shared a bible study together, as the kids did puzzles and colouring; followed by outdoor games after the service.
Riverina Presbytery has a strong history of ministry with young people – and between the vibrant, joyful worship at Coleambally and stories from Wagga Wagga and Griffith; it seems to me that this legacy continues. I got in the car after the service to return home with a full heart and a renewed determination about what we are trying to accomplish in resourcing more fairly across geographic distance and generations.
May the common Presbytery arrangement we are working toward celebrate and empower these unassuming spaces where God is stirring up life!
Rev. Dr Peter Walker addressing the meeting.
Rev. Bronwyn Murphy preaching during the celebration service.
Rev. Kyle Moffitt and Rev Dr Rob McFarlane lead worship.