A little bit about us…

Wimala’s History

Wimala Presbytery is one of three (3) created by a decision of the November 2018 meeting on the Synod of South Australia.

The Presbytery adopted the Adnyamathanha word Wimala (used with the permission of the Elders) as its name to highlight our covenantal relationship with the First Peoples and reflect the Presbytery’s values of gathering and celebrating, nurturing and encouraging, fostering discipleship and acts of outreach and social justice.

The seventy nine (79) inaugural congregations are located within state borders to the north, west and east of South Australia, while the southern edge runs from Gulf St Vincent at Henley Beach through the city and across the hills north of Mannum to meet the Victorian state border.

Central to Wimala Presbytery’s ministry is pastoral oversight of those congregations and all Ministers in the Presbytery, to take an active role in the selection and formation of candidates for ministry, and to promote the wider aspects of the work of the Uniting Church.

For further information about Wimala Presbytery please email wimala@sa.uca.org.au

Our Values

Our name Wimala (Adnyamathanha adopted word) reflects our values of gathering and celebrating, nurturing and encouraging, fostering discipleship and acts of outreach and social justice.

We have developed values that highlight what we do and why we do it.

To GATHER

  • For meaningful worship and prayer
  • To undertake the business of the Presbytery connected with the life and mission of the Church and the Congregations within our bounds
  • For resourcing
    • the sharing of stories, dreams and ideas
    • training and education in areas as needed or requested
  • Understanding all are welcome under the inclusive gospel of grace regardless of social, cultural, economic, racial, gender, sexuality, age or theological boundaries – no-one is left out.
  • As a safe place to belong, recognising in our diversity there may be disagreement, but acting in love and grace regardless.
  • Encouraging the recognition, development and practice of the diverse gifts of every member in response to God’s call on each and every one of us as we enter more fully into mission.
  • As a fellowship of reconciliation and renewal

To CONNECT

  • With God in worship, prayer and discernment for the life and mission of our Presbytery
  • With each other
    • Through effective communication
    • Through gathering together in a variety of ways
    • To support and encourage one another in faith, discipleship and mission
    • Within Congregations, localities, across the Presbytery and with the other Councils of the Church.
  • With the UAICC to strengthen covenantial relationship with the First Peoples of our land.
  • With our communities

To GO

  • As witnesses to God’s glory through Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit
  • Fostering discipleship
  • In acts of outreach
  • Practising social justice – working for justice, peace, reconciliation and the renewal of creation

The Team

Presbytery Leadership

CHAIRPERSON – Rev Dianne Holden chairperson@wimala.org

SECRETARY – Amy Duke secretary@wimala.org

TREASURER – Peter Lane wimala.treasurer@sa.uca.org.au

Standing Committee

The Standing Committee is empowered to act on behalf of the Presbytery between meetings of the Presbytery. Members are elected annually by the Presbytery and the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer are ex-officio members.

Refer to the Presbytery Rules for a full description of the election criteria and process.

Bruce Ind, Rev Leanne Davis, Richard Idzikowski, Rev Dr Peter Trudinger, Dr Joanna Palmer.

Pastoral Relations Comittee (PRC)

CHAIRPERSON – Rev Rebecca Purling | SECRETARY – Rev Leanne Davis

Rev Jeff Dart, Rev Wendy Prior, Rev Geoff Tiller, Rev Ann Phillips, Paul Schmelzkopf, Rev Do Young Kim, Rev Paul Turley.

Property Committee

Malcolm Wilson, John Arthur, Trevor Correll.

Synod Placement Committee Wimala Presbytery Representatives

Rev Rebecca Purling.