43-722: The Wayside Chapel is a charity and parish mission of the Uniting Church in Australia in the Potts Point area of Sydney , Australia. Situated near Sydney's most prominent red-light district in Kings Cross , the Wayside Chapel offers programs and services which attempt to ensure access to health, welfare, social and recreation services. The centre assists homeless people and others on the margins of society. The Wayside Chapel's mission
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
172-417: A block of flats at 29 Hughes Street, Potts Point . Within twelve months of his arrival, Noffs had transformed it into a chapel, coffee shop drop-in and community resource centre. The expectations of the church hierarchy—that Noffs's experiment would fail and become obscure and irrelevant—were not realised. The centre grew until it occupied the entire building at No. 29. Later it grew still further and occupied
215-437: A community service centre, café, dedicated program space for The Aboriginal Project and Day-to-Day Living (a program for people with long-term mental health issues), community hall, offices and meeting spaces for groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous . The new building also includes a rooftop garden with over 50 varieties of vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs, along with a bee hive , worm farm and compost . Ted Noffs intended
258-484: 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
301-525: 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
344-502: 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
387-522: 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
430-409: A person that I can meet. And I think if we meet you’ll change and so will I. You’ll move towards health and so will I. That’s how it works." The Wayside Chapel was established in the Kings Cross area of Sydney in 1964. Ted Noffs was the founder of the Wayside Chapel, which was at the time a Methodist ministry ( Uniting Church from 1977). At that time, it was only a single room with a dozen chairs in
473-919: 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) ,
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#1732844373347516-660: 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",
559-615: 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
602-425: 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
645-548: 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
688-477: Is described as "creating a community with no 'us' and 'them'". Its motto, developed during the leadership of the Rev. Graham Long is "Love Over Hate". Graham Long described the Wayside Chapel's approach in a 2014 interview as not having "any interest at all in solving problems". Rather, the Wayside Chapel characterises its approach in the following way: "I don’t want you to be a problem that I have to fix. I want you to be
731-456: 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
774-555: 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
817-527: The 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours in recognition of his community work. The current pastor and CEO of Wayside Chapel is Jon Owen, who has served in the position since July 2018. In July 2009, the Wayside Chapel received a grant of $ 2 million from the state government for the purpose of rebuilding its physical facilities. An additional grant from the federal government for $ 3 million was received in late 2009. The balance of funds were raised by private donation. Graham Long said that rainwater had been penetrating
860-803: 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,
903-600: 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
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#1732844373347946-617: 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 the 2021 census . In the 2011 census , that figure was 1,065,796. The UCA is Australia's third-largest Christian denomination, behind
989-642: 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
1032-524: 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) ,
1075-582: 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
1118-598: 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
1161-400: The Wayside Chapel to be a place where action came before preaching and engagement with the community was more important than going to church on Sunday. Successive ministers have endeavored to uphold this tradition. Noffs pioneered a number of far-reaching and innovative developments in social welfare at The Wayside Chapel: Raymond Richmond was responsible for: Graham Long attempted to develop
1204-405: The block of flats adjacent to the first block. A crisis centre was established in 1971 to handle crises which might arise at any time of day or night, including drug overdoses and possible suicides. More conventional church activities such as weddings were also carried out and the Wayside Chapel became one of the most popular wedding venues in Sydney, along with St Mark's Church, Darling Point . In
1247-569: 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
1290-445: The brick walls and causing bricks to fall out. Forty per cent of the existing buildings had already been condemned, but moves were afoot to start a renovation and rebuilding worth $ 7.5 million. On 19 May 2012 Wayside held the grand opening of its newly redeveloped building, designed by Environa Studio, the product of an A$ 8.2 million investment, five years of fundraising and 22 months of construction. The purpose-built facility features
1333-600: 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
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1376-507: 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
1419-464: 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
1462-434: 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
1505-520: The late 1990s, Pastor Ray Richmond and others established a "tolerance room" where people who inject drugs were able to do so in a supervised environment , as an act of civil disobedience . This eventually led to the creation of the legal Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Kings Cross. From 2004–2017 the pastor of Wayside Chapel was Graham Long. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in
1548-581: 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
1591-565: The mission of "creating community with no 'us and them'". He described his approach as telling people they are not problems to be solved but rather people to be met. Under Long's leadership the following programs have been implemented: Uniting Church in Australia The Uniting Church in Australia ( UCA ) was founded on 22 June 1977, when most congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia , about two-thirds of
1634-474: 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
1677-526: 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
1720-479: 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
1763-522: 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
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1806-499: 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,
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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