WA Synod 2026 – Saturday 12 September Highlights
Lay and ordained members elected from our Uniting Church WA congregations and faith communities of the Presbytery of Western Australia, schools, colleges, agencies and reporting bodies came together for fellowship, to discern, and to discuss issues of importance in the life of the Uniting Church in Australia, Western Australia, and the wider community.
They gathered for the 50th Annual Meeting of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Western Australia, for the Opening Worship and Celebration of Ministry service on Friday 11 September at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church, and for two days of listening, discussion and prayerful discernment as a community of faith on Saturday 12 September to Sunday 13 September 2026 at The Hub, Technology Park in Bentley, WA.
Saturday Morning Highlights of the 50th Synod of WA
“We are called together by God, and look forward together in hope.”
Uniting Church WA Moderator Rev David Jackson greets the gathered people to our 50th Annual Meeting of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Western Australia at Bentley Technology Park, WA.
After an Acknowledgement of Country by Rev Mervyn Anderson, and welcome greetings by the General Secretary David Beards and the Moderator, the business session of the Synod was underway.
The Moderator Rev David Jackson shared his report to the Synod. Reflecting on his theme, ‘We are a Pilgrim People’ and asking “where is the spirit leading us now?”
David Beards presented the General Secretary report, acknowledging a year of transition, noting there has been significant change across the life of the Church. He shared that he was encouraged by the energy, resilience and generosity across the church. David expressed that one of his hopes “has been to help strengthen a culture in which the Synod is experienced not simply as a head office concerned with governance and compliance, but as a partner in mission, here to help. A culture of service.”
Rev Ken Devereux, Chair of the Presbytery of WA presented the Presbytery report which included an overview of the work of the Presbytery and its associated committees and networks.
Then followed a closed session for the report from the General Secretary Selection Committee presented by Rev David Jackson and Alison Xamon. After discussion on the proposal by the Committee and a formal ballot process, it was announced that David Beards has been appointed as General Secretary of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Western Australia, for an initial period of two years. Congratulations David!
Uniting Church in Australia Assembly President Rev Charissa Suli and General Secretary Andrew Johnson presented an engaging Assembly report. Rev Charissa Suli shared insights from her national and international participation with our church and partners. Andrew Johnson shared updates on the Assembly team, national agencies and the three strategic goals of the Assembly – Flourishing Faith, Thriving Communities and Liberating Justice.
Following the Assembly report, Andrew Johnson went on to lead a presentation on the developments with Act2 in preparation for the 18th Assembly in Adelaide next year, and facilitated table discussions on ‘Stream A’ regarding proposed UCA constitution changes.
Minutes of Appreciation were given by the General Secretary for Rev Lorraine Stokes and Rev Steve Francis. Thank you to Lorraine and Steve for your service to our church!
To conclude the morning Laitia Vuniwaqa on behalf of the WA organising committee of the UCA Fijian National Conference which is taking part in Fremantle from 1 to 4 October next month, presented an update on the progress of the conference. With more than 800 delegates from across Australia to attend this significant gathering of worship, fellowship, learning and celebration, this will be one of the biggest Uniting Church events hosted in WA in more than 15 years!
Laitia Vuniwaqa introduced the conference theme ‘Winds of change and hope in the wilderness’ and shared that faith, culture and unity will be celebrated and strengthened. A Fijian choir then performed for the gathered meeting in glorious song, and with a cultural dance from the young people.
Saturday Afternoon Highlights of the 50th Synod of WA
Our Saturday afternoon session began with a panel discussion involving students from Scotch College, St Stephen’s School, Tranby College and Penrhos College facilitated by Rebecca Clarke, Principal of MLC and Ross Barron, Principal of Wesley College. The students answered a series of questions from the facilitiator. When asked ‘What do you think the church can learn from young people?’ the answers included curiosity, open-mindedness; always stay a child at heart; be flexible, connect; have a child-like joy, and to recognise the innate goodness in young people.
Ian Smith, Head of Trinity Residential College then gave a presentation, sharing about their person-centred approach to student life.
John Berger, Executive Officer: Caring Agencies, introduced the presentations from our Uniting Church WA Agencies with a presentation from Good Sammy CEO Kane Blackman, Juniper CEO Russell Bricknell, and Uniting WA co-CEO’s Jen Park and Michael Chester. Each gave an update on the work and direction of the agencies since we last met as a Synod.
There were Minutes of Appreciation for Chris Walker and Tasmin Eldridge-Good from Good Sammy Enterprises, for Rev David de Kock from Juniper, and for Kynan Johnston from Tranby College. Thank you for your service to our church and community.
Dr Ali Robinson, from United Theological College in Sydney where she is a Lecturer in the New Testament, after preaching at our opening worship service, lead us in an engaging Bible Study on the topic ‘We are God’s Church’ focusing on the Bible passage from Ephesians 2: 19-22, and encouraged table discussions on the concepts raised in her study.
The International Partnerships and Development Commission report was presented by current Chairperson of the IPDC Lee-Anne Burnett. Lee-Anne outlined developments in our unique Synod International partnerships with Lafaek Diak in East Timor, West Timor University and the Papuan Provinces through the Black Pearl Network.
The Social Justice Commission report followed, presented by Chairperson Rev Dr Elaine Ledgerwood and Timothy Snobar, Social Justice Officer. Elaine presented a Minute of Appreciation for past co-Chair Dr Alison Atkinson-Phillips on behalf of the Social Justice Commission and the Synod for her many years of social justice advocacy and contribution to the church and community.
A proposal was passed by consensus regarding Voluntary Assisted Dying, “acknowledging that Voluntary Assisted Dying has become a recognised and widely accepted option for the end of life under certain specific guidelines within Western Australian law, calls upon the federal Attorney General and Parliament to amend legislation to the effect that Telehealth can be used as part of the medical consultation process for eligibility and provision of Voluntary Assisted Dying care at the close of life.”
A second Social Justice proposal was passed focusing on climate action and care for creation, building on the Climate Care decisions of the 49th Synod and other commitments by the Synod and Assembly, strengthening positions of the church, and calling on State and Federal governments to take stronger actions in regards to climate action.
Saturday Evening – a focus on Covenanting and Congress
After our evening meal we heard the Covenanting Commission report presented by the Moderator Rev David Jackson in his role as, co-chair of the Commission. Rev Bev Fabb as Secretary of the Covenanting Commission challenged all congregations to go deeper in their covenanting journey, and emphasised the importance of establishing relationships between First and Second Peoples, and learn more about First Peoples culture and experience.
We ended the evening with a thoughtful panel discussion hearing from members Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress in WA. We are thankful for Marilyn Garlett and Len Yarran for giving their time to share so generously with us, and to Rev Bev Fabb for facilitating alongside Rev Mervyn Anderson and Alison Xamon.
Read more 50th Synod of WA news on our Sunday Highlights story and our Opening Worship and Celebration of Ministry story.
Article by Wendy Hendry. Photos by Silesa Leaaetoa and Wendy Hendry.