Living Values in the UCA
here are two related courses:
LIVING VALUES: Polity and Ethos for Pastors and Other Leaders
2-day Course
- covers the Identity, Values and Organisation of the Uniting Church in Australia, as articulated in the Basis of Union and the Regulations of the Church...
- who are we?
- how are we organised?
- what are our values?
LIVING VALUES plus SMAT: Polity and Ethos for Pastors and Other Leaders
3-day Course
Includes the 2-day material PLUS
- covers accountability and behaviour, as articulated in the Code of Ethics
- how do we understand appropriate ministry behaviour?
- how do we put in place support for 'best practice' behaviour?
- what are the procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints?
This satisfies requirements for Pastors needing to undertake SMaT - Sexual Misconduct Awareness Training for Lay Leaders.
Approx. 10 hours of Pre-reading and Task Preparation is required to participate in the two or three day courses which will cover some of the Core Competency* areas required for Pastors and people in employed or designated Lay Leadership positions in the Uniting Church in Australia. Pre–reading materials will be available to download after you register.
The Course Content in a bit more detail...
Some of the areas we will look at are:
· Why does the church behave as it does?
· What does the ‘Basis of Union’ have to say about God and what we believe?
· How is the church organised? Why do we have ‘Councils’?
· What are the values we seek to live by as Christians?
· Where do we draw the line between right conduct and misconduct?
· How do we ensure safe practices?
* Core Competencies are those areas determined by the UCA Assembly as essential minimum requirements for an appointment for the Ministry of Pastor. These Core Competencies address The Basis of Union and UCA Ethos, and the UCA Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice. Competencies include knowledge, skills and other abilities. Applicants for Ministry of Pastor will have to show evidence of their understanding and ability in these areas. This may be provided in a range of ways including an interview, written statement, or a record of assessment and training.
Course Information
The cost of the 2-day or 3-day course is $100 per person.
This covers all materials and light refreshments.
Course costs are often subsidised or covered by your Congregation, Presbytery or Church Organisation. Some self-funded students may find that if this course assists in their employment, it is worth checking if this can be counted for Tax Deductability. When the course is required as part of your employment, the costs are normally borne by the employer. Please check with your Congregation, Agency or Presbytery to find our what assistance is available. ELM scholarships may also be applied for. Please go to our Administrative downloads page for an application form.
Please bring: a Bible, a copy of the Regulations, a copy of the Code of Ethics, a copy of the Basis of Union. You will receive additional materials at the course OR you can download them from our Resources Downloads page.
The full list of resources for this course is as follows:
- 'Introducing the Uniting Church in Australia' by Andrew Dutney (a small, easily accessibly booklet, introducing the Uniting Church and explaining the mission emphasis of the Basis of Union). This booklet is provided as part of the 'Living Values' course. Additional copies may be useful for your Congregation.See picture and purchasing details below.
- The Basis of Union (please note, this document has been translated into numerous languages, please contact us if you require a translation.)
- 'Living Values' Course Notes
This course is held approx. 8-10 times per year across the Synod... if you can't find a time that suits you on the scheduled events pages, please send us an email and we will let you know when we can work you into one!
Polity and Ethos - Short Course
An Orientation for Church Councils, Chairpersons and Secretaries
Held on demand in Presbyteries, this is a one-day course designed for Lay People in positions of responsibility in local Church Councils (Congregation, Presbytery, Synod, Regional Boards, etc...)
Participants are introduced to
ETHOS (Values)
- The Basis of Union (and important documents of the Uniting Church in Australia)
- Codes of Ethics
POLITY (how we organise ourselves)
- understanding local structures and responsibilities
- developing commonly understood ways of working together
- clarifying standard operating procedures, including discernment and decision-making processes
Costs of the short course are normally carried by the local Presbytery. Resource booklets are available for congregations to print off OR can be purchaed pre-printed at $10 per copy.
Living Values in Uniting Church Agencies - Polity and Ethos - Orientation and Induction
Introducing the Uniting Church in Australia
1, 2 or 3-day courses available
(Note: This course was developed for UnitingCare, but is also used in other settings)
Held on demand in agencies of the Church (schools, child care, aged care facilities) or with groups that operate in or with the Uniting Church. This is also used with volunteer and support groups and chaplaincy or mission teams.
This is a one-day course designed for people who may be asked to work 'withing the ethos' of the Uniting Church in Australia OR who may be seeking to understand how the organisation works and why ot focuses on what it does!
Participants are introduced to:
MISSION statements and themes in the local context...
(this normally includes reading and discussing the theological underpinning of the work the Uniting Church is involved in locally)
ETHOS (Values)
- The Basis of Union (and important documents of the Uniting Church in Australia)
- Codes of Ethics
POLITY (how we organise ourselves)
- understanding local structures and responsibilities
- developing commonly understood ways of working together
- clarifying standard operating procedures, including discernment and decision-making processes
Costs of the short course are normally carried by the local Agency or group.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Living Values Summary Information (for Bulletins)
LIVING VALUES: Understanding the Uniting Church (Polity, Ethos & Code of Ethics)
2-day Course
LIVING VALUES: Understanding the Uniting Church (Polity, Ethos & Code of Ethics) plus SMAT
3-day Course Includes the 2-day material PLUS Code of Ethics appropriate behaviours training. This satisfies requirements for Pastors needing to undertake SMaT - Sexual Misconduct Awareness Training for Lay Leaders.
Cost per person: $100 for either course, includes all materials.
Refreshments provided.
If you enrol to do this course you MUST download and read the DOWNLOADABLE PRE-READING prior to the start of the first session.
Please Note: Students will not be deemed to have attended the course until they can demonstrate that they have read and understood the Pre-reading. Participation in several of the sessions is dependent on having completed the pre-reading.
___________________________________________________________________________________
| Introducing the Uniting Church in Australia (Dutney 2008) |  |
|
Printed in 2008, the book is available to buy from MediaCom Education. Also, you are encouraged to participate in an online discussion using the questions Andrew has posed in the resource. |
President Elect, Rev Dr Andrew Dutney gives us the benefit of his wide knowledge of The Uniting Church in Introducing the Uniting Church in Australia. Ideally suited for both confirmation classes and individuals desiring background to the history and mission of these pilgrim people. Questions for thought and discussion make it also suitable for small group study.