44 years ago the Uniting Church in Australia was formed. Three existing denominations came together, the Methodists, the Presbyterians and the Congregationalist had been working for some time to create this new church. We are the Uniting Church because we believe that the opportunities to become one church are still there and we continue to work with this in mind. Today Leighmoor, Coatesville and Murrumbeena Uniting Churches (LCM) join together to celebration the anniversary of the Uniting Church. We have the privilege of having the Moderator, Rev Denise Liersch joining us and preaching for us. From time to time I get asked just what the logo of the Uniting Church means so I thought I would take a moment to tell you. Here is what the Assembly website says: “The logo of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) shows the cross of Jesus Christ, in its light and love, standing over a darkened world — redeeming it through grace and truth. By that cross people are bound to Christ and each other. The Holy Spirit, symbolised by the dove with the wings of flame, empowers and guides us to be witnesses to Jesus Christ. The wide U at the bottom points to the fact that we are uniting; as a semicircle it also reminds us that the renewing of both church and world are as yet incomplete. The logo symbolises something of the vision we have glimpsed and the hopes we hold for the future. In particular it reminds us: • that the gospel message is central in all that we seek to do; • of the need for constant reform and renewal; • of our commitment to worship, witness and service.” As we gather to worship today we remember those who gathered at that first worship in Sydney, and all who worked tireless for many years to see the Uniting Church in Australia come into being. Jay Robinson
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