Part A - Glebe Road Uniting Church

The first church I attended was the Glebe Road Uniting Church located in Ipswich, where my grandparents go to church. We attended the early service (8:15 am) which tends to attract retirees and a few young families who enjoy a blended style of worship with traditional hymns accompanied by an organ and piano. The interior appeared quite elegant and inviting due to its many large windows, flowers and warm temperature. The church was also complimented by its five large stain glass windows positioned behind the small stage .Many parts of the service had set words. The service began with a welcome, followed by a call to worship. The words said in the call to worship, on May 16, are as follows: “Beverley Wildung Harrison reminds us that connections and relationships have to do with more than threads and cloths. We are connected to each other because of who we are and who God is. Our knowledge of God is in and through each other. Our knowledge of each other is in and through God. We act together and find our good in each other and in God, and our power grows together, or we deny our relationship and reproduce a violent world, where no one experiences holy.” (Edwardson, Rob. Email Interview, 27 May, 2010). To me this did not make much sense but I suppose those who have attended the Uniting Church for some time would be able to understand. Following this was the lighting of a candle. This was to remind us what a wonderful thing it is when sisters and brothers can live together in unity. The song, TIS 152 - Joyful, we adore you (Tune: Ode to Joy) was sung by all. The words were projected onto a screen on the right hand side of the room. The screen was very helpful for most of the songs sung that morning I did not know. Following the song a prayer of confession was said. The minister would say a few lines and then the congregation would repeat a set statement/word, like” forgive us” or “Loving God, forgive us”. The words for the congregation to say were projected onto the screen so all the members would know what to say. This part was very different to what I was use to so it was quite interesting. The Prayer of confession was fairly long but interesting, and it was seen that this was a usual event within this service. The Assurance and the “Passing of Peace” followed. This is when the members of the congregation go around and shake hands saying something like “Peace be with you.” It was strange but made me feel quite welcome for many members came round and said hello. When everyone had taken their seats another song was sung, Res 728 - Teach me to dance. The Bible readings for the day were from John 17:21 and John 17:22-26. When these had been read out another song was sung, TIS 473 Community of Christ.

The sermon was given. The minister used photos on the screen and other aids which did help me understand the message which was based on the Gospel reading. Next came the offering message which was short and quick, only about five set sentences. This was very different to what I was use to and quite surprised me. It was still very effective and gave across the desired message. Whilst the offering was being taken up a song was played. Next came the weekly announcements. These included prayers of the people, which had been posted onto the ‘prayer wall.’ The minister then prayed for all the concerns/prayers etc. that members of the congregation had.

The concluding prayer was said by two people, each taking turns in saying a line or two. Within the concluding prayer the Lord’s Prayer was said. I noticed that the Lord’s Prayer was different from that said at school but still meant the same. The service ended with two more songs and a blessing. The last song was only the last verse of the previous sung song. Overall the experience was very interesting and the structure of the service completely different to what I was used to. It was incredible to see the differences between my home church and my grandparents’ Uniting Church.

The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) began in 1977 and claims to be the nation’s only truly indigenous mainstream Christian Movement. The UCA resulted from the coming together of the Congregational Union of Australia, the Methodist Church of Australasia and the Presbyterian Church of Australia. (Assembly Communications Unit, 2002. “What is the Uniting Church?”)

The theological understandings and core beliefs of the Uniting Church are as follows:
1. The church is built upon the one Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.
2. It preaches Christ the risen crucified one and confesses him as Lord to the glorified father. In love for the world, God gave the son to take away the world’s sin.
3. Sacraments. Christ has commanded his Church to proclaim the Gospel both in words and in the two visible acts of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. A. the Uniting Church will baptise those who will confess the Christian faith and children who are presented for baptism. B. the UCA acknowledges that the continuing presence of Christ with his people is signified and sealed by Christ in holy communion, constantly repeated in the life of the church.
4. The biblical witnesses. The Church has received the books of the old and new testaments, as you need unique, prophetic and apostolic testimony in which it hears the Word of God and by which its faith and obedience are nourished and regulated.
5. Creeds. The UCA enters into unity with the Church throughout the ages by its use of the confessions known as the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.
6. The UCA believes in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the witness of the early Reformers, in the Grace which justifies them through faith. (Henderson, G, 1992:8-9)

The liturgy of the Uniting Church is mostly that followed by the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches in their original forms – called “free” worship. In other words, it does not have to follow a set form of words as in the Anglican or Catholic Churches, although, of course, there are set liturgies for Baptism, the Uterchrist, funeral services etc. (Foott, Trevor. Personal interview. 20 May, 2010.)

The UCA acknowledges that Christ alone is supreme in his church. Over each congregation there is the Elder’s council which consists of the minister and elders who share in the oversight, there is a Presbytery council of ministers, elders and church members who are appointed to oversee the life and mission of the church in that district. Over that is the Synod or Regional council which has responsibility of the general oversight of the churches worship, witness and service in a region. There is also the Assembly or National council who oversees the church in the nation and decides on the tasks and authorities of the other councils. (Henderson, G, 1992:13-15

Glebe Road UC is a community of Christian disciples committed to discovering Christ already present in our midst. Church is not what we do on Sundays; church is who we become as the Holy Spirit continues to transform us into a community of grace. Our hope and our prayer is that we would have the imagination to see the world the way Christ does – in order to bring Good News to the poor, release for the captives, recovery of sight for the blind, freedom for the oppressed, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour (Luke 4: 18-19). That we would have the courage to dare to believe that God’s dream for the world could actually become a reality in our lives, and to live as though it has already begun (Mark 1:15). And that we would have faithfulness to endure as disciples of Jesus no matter what the cost, and to practice the disciplines of faith as an act of worship to God (Romans 12:1-2). (‘Glebe Road Uniting Church’ (brochure))

The UC have no restrictions on the use of music and can use anything they use. The Glebe Road UC tends to use a variety of different music throughout their range of church services. The first service contains a ‘blended’ style of worship with traditional hymns alongside more contemporary choruses, accompanied by an organ and piano. The second service is a more contemporary-style family service being led by an amazing team of sings and musicians. The Grace Church is a more relaxed and informal worship service. And the Evening Service is catering primarily for young adults and teenagers, with ‘high octane’ worship with a great worship band. (http://www.gleberd.com.au/Services.html) and (‘Glebe Road Uniting Church’ (brochure))