Happy 48th Birthday UCA
The Uniting Church turned 48 on 22nd June. Paragraph 18 of the Basis of Union guides our future.
Welcome to Issue 50 of Dove Tales! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to it, and special thanks to Danielle who has used her creativity and wisdom to make it such a success.
Last Sunday I said that the Uniting Church’s 48th birthday was on Tuesday 24th June, so we would be celebrating it on Sunday 29th at our Combined service. I was wrong. The birthday was actually 22nd June! No-one else noticed, so I don’t feel bad. Come to Umina this Sunday for a 10am Combined Service followed by our Annual General Meeting and then Lunch. Our guest preacher will be Rev. Punam Bent, one of our two Presbytery Ministers. She will help us to celebrate our birthday together.
Please note that I will be on holidays in July. The four other members of the Executive – Doug, Doreen, Margaret Gregory and Margaret Read – will write one of the July Reflections. You will hear from me again for our Sunday 3rd August Dove Tales. My Supply Ministry will then continue until the end of November.
When I went to United Theological College in February 1989 as a Candidate for Minister of the Word, I was frequently asked what Church I had been in before Union: Methodist, Presbyterian or Congregation. Having come to faith at Easter 1985 at Tuggeranong UCA in Canberra, I could happily respond: “Neither. I am Uniting Church”! That has proved helpful over many decades, because I was not tied to any the traditions of any of the three Churches. Instead, I was trying to be true to the Basis of Union of the UCA. On our 48th birthday I believe that this is well worth re-reading, so those who receive Dove Tales by email will also receive the 1992 version in their mailout.
The Basis of Union has 18 paragraphs which define our Church. Paragraph 18 is entitled “THE PEOPLE OF GOD ON THE WAY”. It is deliberately future-focused, it speaks about discipleship, it is Pentecostal (in the original meaning of that term), and it gives glory to God. Read Paragraph 18 slowly, and read it again. Pray about it. Can you truly call it your own?
18. THE PEOPLE OF GOD ON THE WAY. The Uniting Church affirms that it belongs to the people of God on the way to the promised end. The Uniting Church prays that, through the gift of the Spirit, God will constantly correct that which is erroneous in its life, will bring it into deeper unity with other Churches, and will use its worship, witness and service to God’s eternal glory through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
May we celebrate well this Sunday.
With hope and joy,
Rev. Frank (Van Der Korput), Supply Minister