43-484: St Michael's Uniting Church is a Uniting church located on Collins Street in central Melbourne , Victoria , Australia. Originally the Collins Street Independent Church , a Congregational Union of Australia church, St Michael's has become well-known as a centre of liberal theology and political radicalism under its recent Minister , Dr Francis Macnab (1971–2016). In 2020, the church appointed
86-486: A Methodist local preacher ). Lay preachers are required to participate in training and examinations conducted by each synod, and must be approved by the presbytery. The UCA was one of the first Australian churches to grant self-determination to its indigenous members through the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. Partnerships exist with South Pacific and Asian churches, especially those which share
129-536: A Congregational, Presbyterian or Methodist heritage. An increasing number of ethnic churches worship in their own languages as well as in English. Five to seven per cent of the membership worship in languages other than English, including Aboriginal languages . The UCA advocates for social justice . It has taken stances on issues such as native title for indigenous people; the environment; apartheid ; refugee status, and safe injection facilities for drug users. The church
172-484: A dozen to hundreds of members. They are the local church, the setting for regular worship (generally on Sundays). Many churches also conduct worship services at other times, such as a monthly weekday service, a late-night service for day-shift workers, a "cafe church", or Friday- or Saturday-evening services. A Meeting of the Congregation must be held at least twice each year. The meetings typically consider and approve
215-525: A formal meeting of a university See also [ edit ] Congregate (disambiguation) Congregational church , Protestant churches in the Reformed (Calvinist) tradition Qahal , an Israelite organizational structure often translated as 'congregation' Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Congregation . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
258-502: A major town or city, and the local synod is normally their organisational and funding body. The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC, sometimes known simply as the Congress), is constitutionally recognised as having responsibility for oversight of church ministry to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people : A Synod may at the request of a Regional Committee of
301-625: A new Minister, Rev Dr Margaret Mayman. The first church on this site was built in 1839–41, one of the first Churches in the Port Phillip District (now the state of Victoria ). That Church was demolished in 1863 to make way for the present building, completed in 1866. It was designed by noted and successful architect Joseph Reed , who had also designed the Melbourne Town Hall , and later the Royal Exhibition Building . It
344-522: A number of presbyteries. Western Australia has a unitary presbytery-synod model. South Australia also had a single presbytery and synod for 15 years, until 2019. These large presbyteries enable groups of congregations to work together, based on geographic location or similar interests or characteristics. Selection of ministerial candidates and the placement of ministers are decided at the presbytery level. There are about 2,000 UCA congregations, with 243,000 members and adherents. Congregations range in size from
387-919: A religious organization that meets in a particular location Congregation (Roman Curia) , an administrative body of the Catholic Church Religious congregation , a type of religious institute in the Catholic Church Congregation (group of houses) , in some religious orders of the Catholic Church Music [ edit ] The Congregation (band) , an English pop group Congregation (The Afghan Whigs album) , 1992, and its title song Congregation (Kerbdog album) , 2014 The Congregation (Johnny Griffin album) , 1957 The Congregation (Leprous album) , 2015 "Congregation" (song) , by Foo Fighters, 2014 Other uses [ edit ] Congregation (university) ,
430-660: Is a national UCA activity during school and university holidays, every two or three years in a different city. NCYC 2007, "Agents of Change", was held in Perth. The 2009 "Converge" was held in Melbourne . NCYC 2011 was held from 29 December 2010 to 4 January 2011 at the Southport School on Queensland 's Gold Coast . Yuróra NCYC 2014 was held in North Parramatta, Sydney from 7 to 10 January 2014. Yuróra NCYC 2017, "Uniting Culture",
473-615: Is a non- episcopal church, with no bishops . Leadership and pastoral roles are nominally performed by presbyteries , but in reality by individuals. The UCA assembly meets every three years, and is chaired by the president. The 14th Assembly met in Perth from 12 to 18 July 2015. The 15th Assembly, hosted by the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania in Box Hill , met in July 2018. Assembly business between meetings
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#1733092703457516-425: Is broad, reflecting its Methodist , Presbyterian and Congregational origins and its commitment to ecumenism. Its theology may be described as mainline Protestantism , with a commitment to social justice . The church's perspectives are evangelical , left (or progressive), and liberal . Morality, faith, and (in particular) sexuality have been debated. Concerns focus on biblical understanding and accommodation to
559-476: Is classified by the National Trust of Australia and listed by Heritage Victoria. In 1978 the interior underwent a major restoration, refurbishment and modification of the church was undertaken, raising the communion table, replacing the lectern, the choir and organ console moved, and the timber pews replaced with padded metal ones. Two candelabras flank the communion table representing the ‘Divine presence’ and
602-548: Is conducted by the Assembly Standing Committee, which meets three times per year (usually in March, July and November). Membership is drawn from throughout Australia, with 18 members elected at each assembly. The current president is Reverend Charissa Suli since she was installed as president in the meeting of the 17th Assembly on 11 July 2024. She replaced Reverend Sharon Hollis , who had succeeded Dr Deidre Palmer at
645-456: Is similar to other united and uniting churches , which maintain a cultural identity in their own country and practise ecumenical fellowship with other Christian denominations worldwide. Between 1991 and 2013, UCA attendance declined by 41 per cent. In 2013, about 97,200 people attended weekly worship services throughout Australia. The church is liturgically varied. Practices range from experimental liturgies, informal worship reminiscent of
688-555: Is worn, it most commonly consists of a white alb and a stole (for ministers and deacons) or scarf (for lay preachers). The colour of the scarf or stole is often related to the liturgical calendar, such as purple for Lent or red for Pentecost . Since 1997, most councils and agencies have used the consensus decision-making procedures outlined in the church's Manual for Meetings . The procedures may use orange ("support") and blue ("do not support") cards, which may also be displayed times other than voting. The UCA's theological range
731-942: The 2021 census . In the 2011 census , that figure was 1,065,796. The UCA is Australia's third-largest Christian denomination, behind the Catholic and the Anglican Churches . There are around 2,000 UCA congregations, and 2001 National Church Life Survey (NCLS) research indicated that average weekly attendance was about 10 per cent of census figures. The UCA is one of Australia's largest non-government providers of community and health services. Its service network consists of over 400 agencies, institutions, and parish missions, with its areas of service including aged care, hospitals, children, youth and family, disability, employment, emergency relief, drug and alcohol abuse, youth homelessness and suicide. Affiliated agencies include UCA's community and health-service provider network, affiliated schools,
774-600: The Jesus movement to conventional Reformed services. Music also varies from traditional and contemporary hymns in the Australian Hymn Book and Together in Song , through Hillsong and contemporary Christian music to hard alternative and metal . Liturgical dress in the UCA is generally lenient, and is optional for ministers and other leaders of worship. When liturgical dress
817-642: The Baptist Union and the Churches of Christ , in some locations. There are also cooperative arrangements where supplying ministry to congregations is impossible, particularly in remote areas. This includes arrangements with the Anglican Church , where ministry and (sometimes) property resources are shared. Faith communities are less structured than congregations. They are groups of people who gather together for worship, witness or service and choose to be recognised by
860-679: The Minister at Pitt Street Uniting Church. Under Mayman's leadership, St Michael's has embraced an open & affirming message, where the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities , first nations people are all encouraged to join the congregation. Mayman, a key figure in the Same-Sex Marriage plebiscite in Australia, has seen St Michael's "provide a sanctuary for LGBTQ people hurt by religious institutions". Dr Francis Macnab AM , OM
903-623: The Quiet Place" is a contemplative space at St Michael's opened in 1999. Mingary-Cairnmillar Counselling Service also offers low-cost counselling. Mingary is run in conjunction with the Cairnmillar Institute, founded by previous minister Francis Macnab. [REDACTED] Media related to St Michael's Uniting Church, Melbourne at Wikimedia Commons Uniting Church in Australia The Uniting Church in Australia ( UCA )
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#1733092703457946-524: The UCA became the first mainstream Australian church to induct a transgender minister, when Jo Inkpin was installed at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney. congregation [REDACTED] Look up congregation or kehilla in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Congregation may refer to: Religion [ edit ] Church (congregation) ,
989-582: The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress prescribe that the Regional Committee may have and exercise all or specific rights, powers, duties and responsibilities of a Presbytery under this Constitution and the Regulations (including ordination and other rights, powers and responsibilities relating to Ministers) for the purpose of fulfilling any responsibility of the Regional Committee for Uniting Church work with Aboriginal and Islander people within
1032-598: The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Frontier Services and UnitingWorld . The UCA is a national, unincorporated association of councils, each of which has responsibility for functions in the church. The councils are congregations (local), presbyteries (regional), synods (state) and an assembly (national). The membership of each council is established by the constitution. Each council includes Women and Men, lay and ordained. The offices of president of assembly, moderator of synod (who chair these councils) and other offices are open to all UCA members. The UCA
1075-687: The University of Aberdeen. He has honorary doctorates from the University of Melbourne and RMIT in psychology and applied science. Through Cairnmillar and St Michael's, Macnab developed a healthy ageing program called Successful Ageing, Growth and Enjoyment (S.A.G.E.) for people aged between 55–105. He also recognised a need for The Big Tent Project, aimed at supporting kindergarten aged children suffering from mental health issues. Since 1 January 2017 there have been supply ministers such as Reverend David Dawes, Rev Ric Holland, Reverend John Smith, and Reverend Peter Burnham and others visiting ministers. "Mingary –
1118-569: The bounds of the Synod. UnitingCare Australia , one of the country's largest providers of social care, is its largest operator of aged-care facilities. Other activities include shelters and emergency housing for men, women and children; family-relationships support; disability services, and food kitchens. The UCA provides theological training through a number of theological colleges: Training generally takes five years, and includes supervised practical experience. The National Christian Youth Convention
1161-600: The broad culture. Uniting Network Australia is "the national network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and transgender people, their families, friends and supporters within the Uniting Church in Australia." The establishment of Evangelical Members within the Uniting Church in Australia (EMU), the Reforming Alliance and their merger with the Assembly of Confessing Congregations (ACC) illustrate conservative opposition to
1204-507: The budget, local policy matters, property matters (ratified by the presbytery and synod) and the "call" (employment) of a new minister or other staff. Congregations manage themselves through a council. All elders are members, as are ministers with pastoral responsibility for the congregation; there may also be other members. The council meets regularly, and is responsible for approving worship times and other matters. Some united congregations exist. The UCA has joined with other churches, such as
1247-464: The denomination appointing its next minister. They are known as union churches in some places, with several denominations using the building at different times. A Frontier Services ministry is available to residents of the outback , with ministers and pastors visiting families by air or four-wheel drive vehicles. Visits are normally arranged in advance so adjacent families can travel for significant events, such as baptisms . These "padres" are based in
1290-434: The laity is valued in the UCA, which recognises that ministry is a function of the entire church. However, "specified ministries" are defined. Of these, the roles of elder and pastor are open to lay members . The church has two orders of ordained ministry : minister and deacon . When it is not possible (or desirable) to have an ordained minister, a lay preacher or lay ministry team may act in their place (similar to
1333-581: The local option to marriage; a minister may bless a same-sex marriage. The fairly broad consensus has been that a person's sexual orientation should not be a bar to attendance, membership or participation in the church. More controversial has been the issue of sexual activity by gay and lesbian people and the sexual behaviour of ordination candidates. In 2003, the church voted to allow local presbyteries to decide whether to ordain gay and lesbian people as ministers. Ministers were permitted to bless same-sex couples entering civil unions even before same-sex marriage
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1376-526: The office tower development 120 Collins Street that surrounds the church was completed, built in part on church owned land. The building is described as Lombardic Romanesque in style, and is considered the first example of polychrome brickwork in Victoria, a style that became very popular for all manner of buildings by the 1880s. It features a tall square bell tower marking the important street corner, and round Romanesque arches around doors and windows and
1419-497: The open cloisters in each side. The interior was designed in the form of a theatre auditorium, in accordance with the principles of the Congregationalist Church, as a place where all members of the congregation could both hear and see the preacher. It features a sloping floor with tiered seating, and a steep gallery behind a ring of high aches on slender cast iron columns, ensuring good sight lines. Rev Dr Margaret Mayman
1462-474: The ordination of gay and lesbian candidates and the influence of the Confessing Movement (not to be confused with the anti- Nazi Confessing Church ). Issues debated since early in UCA history are the role of gay and lesbian people in the church, their possibility of being ordained and the blessing of same-sex unions. The church permits local presbyteries to ordain gay and lesbian ministers, and extends
1505-526: The presbytery. Local churches are sometimes also used by congregations of other denominations; for example, a Tongan Seventh-day Adventist congregation may make arrangements to meet in the building on a Saturday. The UCA is committed to inclusivity, and there are a number of multicultural ministry (MCM) arrangements in which Korean , Tongan and other groups form congregations of the church. Co-operating congregations, typically in rural areas, have several denominations worshiping as one congregation and rotate
1548-479: The start of the 16th Assembly in July 2021. Palmer was the second woman in the role, following Jill Tabart (1994-1997). Palmer was the moderator of the Presbytery and Synod of South Australia from November 2013 to November 2016. Hollis was moderator of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania at the time of her election in 2018 as the president-elect and became president at the beginning of the sixteenth assembly, which
1591-668: The “Light of the World’. As part of Australia's Bicentennial in 1988, new stained glass windows by artist Klaus Zimmer were installed in the ground floor. The windows tell of the journey of humanity from the experience of aloneness and questioning towards the symbolic gateway of the New Jerusalem. It was variously known as the Independent Church and the Congregational Church before it was given its present name in 1990. In 1991,
1634-522: Was also held in Sydney in January 2017. UnitingWorld is the church's international-aid agency. It receives funding from the government of Australia to implement development and poverty-alleviation programs in the Pacific, Asia and Africa. UnitingWorld works in partnership with 18 overseas denominations to support over 180,000 people annually through sustainable community development projects. The role of
1677-654: Was founded on 22 June 1977, when most congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia , about two-thirds of the Presbyterian Church of Australia and almost all the churches of the Congregational Union of Australia united under the Basis of Union . According to the church, it had 243,000 members in 2018. In the 2016 census , 870,183 Australians identified with the church, but that figure fell to 673,260 in
1720-715: Was inducted as minister with St Michael's Uniting Church in February 2020. Margaret was born in New Zealand , and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1983. She holds a PhD in Christian social ethics from Union Theological Seminary in New York, where she lived, studied and taught for 12 years. She was a parish minister in New Zealand for 18 years before moving to Sydney in December 2013 to be
1763-499: Was legalised in Australia in late 2017. In July 2018, the national assembly approved the creation of marriage rites for same-sex couples. Since 1997, some ministers living in same-sex relationships have come out without their ordination (or ministry) being challenged. In 2011, the church approved the blessing of same-sex unions . Seven years later it allowed local congregations and ministers to decide whether to perform same-sex marriages, and ministers may now do so. In March 2021,
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1806-464: Was the Executive Minister of St Michael's from February 1971 to December 2016. In addition to his duties as a minister, Macnab was also the founder and previous executive director of The Cairnmillar Institute, a non-for-profit clinic for counselling available to the general public and a postgraduate school of psychology, counselling and psychotherapy. Dr Macnab holds a Doctor of Divinity degree from
1849-620: Was to be held in Queensland in 2021. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic , the meeting was moved to a shorter, online form. Synods are UCA councils which roughly correspond to state boundaries. Each synod meets about once per year, with a standing committee to represent it between sessions. Synod responsibilities include the promotion and encouragement of the church's mission, theological and ministerial education, and overseeing property matters. There are six synods: Each synod generally consists of
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