Christ has called us into a community of justice where all are free to contribute and to share one another’s burdens. The Uniting Church respects the rights and dignity of our first people.
A Covenant Relationship
A leading-edge in our justice work is the Uniting Church’s efforts to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians together and to support First Peoples, primarily through our covenant relationship with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC).
At its 7th Assembly the Uniting Church formally entered into a relationship of Covenant with its Indigenous members, recognising and repenting for the Church’s complicity in the injustices perpetrated on Australia’s Indigenous community, and pledging to move forward with a shared future. Congress’ generous response to this statement, among other messages, called upon the broader Church to take up the mission of reconciliation.
The ongoing and continually renewing nature of the Covenant calls the Uniting Church to continually act to remove the systems and structures of discrimination and oppression in Australia.
(UnitingJustice: About Justice for Indigenous Australians)
The Covenanting Commission
The Social Justice Unit supports the Covenanting Commission, a joint body between the Synod and the WA Regional Committee of UAICC.
Any matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are discussed with members of Congress, including the following:
- The implementation of the recommendations of the Bringing Them Home Report through support for Bringing Them Home WA.
- Social Reinvestment WA to eliminate the over-representation of First Peoples in the justice system in Western Australia. Listen to our podcasts here.
- Policies which respect self-determination and the ability and desire of First Peoples to achieve their own changes and solutions.
- Adoption of the Statement from the Heart, the establishment of a Voice to Parliament, and a Makarrata (agreement-making) Commission.
- The Boab Network, a sub-committee of the Creative Living Centre, a registered not-for-profit charity with its own constitution and board which answers to the Council of the Floreat Uniting Church.
Resources
Uniting Church Western Australia
Congregation Covenanting Guide 2021
Uniting Church in Australia, Assembly
Walking Together is a set of resources designed to help Uniting Church members explore the Covenant between the UCA and Aboriginal and Islander peoples. The resources include a study guide, videos and worship resources.
Media Releases
Visit our Media Releases to find out about the prominent issues we are actively involved in.
