At the Table: Lutheran–Uniting dialogue meets in Melbourne

Leaders of the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) and the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) met in Melbourne on 11 February 2026 as part of the ongoing LCA–UCA ecumenical dialogue, which has been bringing the two churches together since 1977 to explore areas of common ground and difference.

LCA Bishop Paul Smith and UCA Assembly President Rev Charissa Suli joined dialogue members to reflect on their recent work, share reports and consider their next steps in the journey towards deeper fellowship.

A key focus of the meeting was the At the Table statement on the Eucharist, which has now been received and affirmed by both churches. Alongside the statement, the dialogue has released an integrated study guide to help people engage with shared learning about the Lord’s Supper. The guide is particularly suited for group use or inter-church study and is freely available to download, share or print as a booklet at www.lca.org.au/dialogues-lutheran-uniting

In speaking to the dialogue, Bishop Paul challenged members to consider how we might now understand ‘church membership’ and how we might continue learning from one another about living with theological differences. He also spoke about the importance of both churches’ intercultural context and engaging with the history of missions with Indigenous communities.

Rev Suli affirmed the importance of the dialogue. She stated that our churches should celebrate and acknowledge the fact that the dialogue continues to exist despite complexity over time. She also spoke about the need to consider who might form the next generation of dialogue members.

The dialogue continues its work, shaped by the principle of ‘Receptive Ecumenism’, which encourages robust theological exchange and appreciative listening.

– With thanks to Rev Greg Pietsch, the dialogue’s LCA co-chair, and Rev Paul Stephens, the UCA co-chair