Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of New South Wales and the ACT facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW & ACT |
|
|---|---|
| Classification | Protestantism |
| Orientation | Calvinism and Methodism |
| Polity | Presbyterianism, Connexionalism and Congregationalism |
| Moderator | Rev. Faaimata Havea Hiliau |
| Distinct fellowships | Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress |
| Origin | 1977 |
| Merger of | Methodist Church of Australasia, Presbyterian Church of Australia, Congregational Union of Australia |
| Congregations | 500 |
| Members | 50,000 |
| Official website | nswact.uca.org.au |
The Synod of New South Wales and the ACT is like a main office for the Uniting Church in Australia in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. It helps guide and support all the local churches and groups in these areas. It was created in 1977. For many years, it was simply called the Synod of New South Wales.
The person leading the Synod right now is called the Moderator. The current Moderator is Rev. Faaimata (Mata) Havea Hiliau. She started this important role in September 2023.
Contents
What is the Synod?
The Synod of New South Wales and the ACT is a big part of the Uniting Church in Australia. Think of it as a regional council. This means it helps manage and support the church's activities across a large area. It makes sure all the churches work together.
The Synod helps with many things. It supports local churches and their leaders. It also helps with community projects. The Synod aims to make a positive difference.
How the Synod Works
The Uniting Church has different levels of organization. The Synod is one of these levels. It connects the smaller local church groups with the bigger national church. This helps everyone stay connected and work towards common goals.
The Synod also helps make important decisions. These decisions guide the church's work. They ensure the church stays true to its beliefs.
What are Presbyteries?
Within the Synod, there are smaller groups called presbyteries. These are like local councils. They look after the churches in their specific region. There are 13 presbyteries in New South Wales and the ACT.
Each presbytery helps local churches. They offer support and guidance. They also help churches work together on local projects. One special group is the Korean Presbytery. It supports Korean-speaking congregations.
Local Church Groups
The presbyteries include many different local churches. These churches are where people gather for worship. They also do community work. The presbyteries help these churches grow and serve their communities.
The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) also has a group. It works like a presbytery. It supports Aboriginal and Islander Christian communities. This helps ensure their unique needs are met.
Who is the Moderator?
The Moderator is the leader of the Synod. It's a very important role. The Moderator helps guide the church's work. They also represent the Synod to the wider community.
The Moderator serves for a specific period. Rev. Faaimata (Mata) Havea Hiliau is the current Moderator. She is the 29th person to hold this position. She started her role in 2023.
Past Leaders
Many people have served as Moderator since 1977. Each Moderator brings their own skills. They help lead the church forward. They work to support the church's mission.
The Moderator's job is to inspire and guide. They help the church stay strong. They also encourage people to get involved. This leadership helps the church serve its members and the community.
