In about 2011, Rev Jenny Tymms prepared an Affirmation of Faith based on the Revised Preamble to the Constitution of the Uniting Church in Australia. This was done in consultation with First Nations people so that the language would work well in ways that were inclusive of them. For the 2012 Assembly in Adelaide, I put this into a visual presentation using photographs kindly made available for the purpose by several UCA members. With the permission of the UCA Assembly, this resource is now shared here. The resource was originally made available as part of the Walking Together Study Resources which I curated for the Assembly.
DOWNLOAD Affirmation Widescreen (2.7MB Powerpoint file)
We say God created the universe,
and the world we live in,
and every living thing on this earth.
We believe the Creation shows us the power and presence of God,
and makes us want to praise and give thanks to God,
and take good care of the earth God has made.
We are full of joy that across the world
different peoples have their own culture and language,
and that in God we are all united together as one.
We say God is Spirit,
breath of life,
who is always working to bring people to life in God.
We believe the Spirit has been alive and active in every race and culture,
getting hearts and minds ready for the good news:
the good news of God’s love and grace that Jesus Christ revealed.
We are full of joy that from the beginning the Spirit was alive and active,
revealing God through the law, custom and ceremony
of the First Peoples of this ancient land.
We say Jesus is Saviour and Lord,
and that he began the church
and prayed that the church might be together as one.
We believe that in the risen Jesus we are all brothers and sisters
in the one great family of God,
and that God calls us to live in faith, hope and love
for the sake of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
We are full of joy that we can learn, grow and serve together
as a pilgrim people
in the name of Christ.