Uniting Church Assembly Statement
“The Uniting Church has long taken a role in the political arena, encouraging moral, social and ethical integrity. The Uniting Church has been at the forefront of Aboriginal rights issues including the Native Title debate and reconciliation. It has taken a stand on environmental issues and supports the equality and dignity of marginalised people such as ethnic minorities, disabled people and homosexual people. It is a multicultural church, striving to treat people on an equal basis, and seeking to give a voice to the poor, outcast and needy”. Read more here
Social. Justice. Church
Supported by the Social Justice Commission WA, Social Justice Church is a monthly service held at Wesley Uniting Church in the City. These services ensure an open, welcoming and affirming community, focusing on a different key theme each month. For more information go to the Social Justice Church Facebook Page.
LGBTQIA+ Groups:
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. It’s members proudly participate in helping the Church wrestle with issues of faith, sexuality and membership and work for greater inclusivity within the Church.
Equal Voices Is a group of LGBTIQA+ people with allies connecting, collaborating and advocating across Australia on matters of inclusion
Christians from a number of denominations regularly take part in the Pride Parade in Perth. Members of the Uniting Church will be found among the number marching. For more go to facebook
Marriage
The 15th Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia agreed to recognise two statements of belief concerning marriage, in order to honour the diversity of religious belief and ethical understanding among its members.
The Assembly resolution gives Uniting Church ministers and authorised celebrants the freedom to conduct or to refuse to conduct marriages for same-gender couples.
This decision follows many years of reflection, prayer and discernment.
Dig deeper on the discussion on marriage equality in the Uniting Church here
Resources
Uniting Network Australia – Open and Affirming Project
“The Open and Affirming Project is an invitation to live out the mission of the Church as a welcoming community with specific recognition of the gifts brought by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people, same-sex relationships and rainbow families.” Resources and Information HERE
You will also find information on Where to Worship, and a wide range of resources for individuals.
Rev Dr Bill Loader has written a paper “Understanding the Gay Marriage Debate” . Bill has also contributed to a book pictured below. Neither the book nor Bill’s paper are official Uniting Church documents.
Australian Marriage Equality has some fact sheets on marriage equality and religion here . Please note that the opinions represented here are not official Uniting Church statements.
Equal Voices has some video and written resources.
More information and resources are available from the following resources:
Uniting for Human Rights WA 