December 6, 2023
UAICC National Leadership announcement
The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) has elected Rev Mark Kickett as its National Chair.
Rev Kickett has led Congress as the Interim Chair for the past three years and prior to this was serving with UAICC in South Australia. Rev Kickett said he was looking forward to the journey ahead for Congress and the UCA.
“I am looking forward to consolidating a new journey for the whole of Congress."
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
“I am looking forward to consolidating a new journey for the whole of Congress and to strengthening our ongoing relationship and commitment as part of who we are in the Uniting Church," said Rev Kickett.
“Thank you to all those who have been great supporters of me and of Congress in the places we work and serve across the country.”
Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis welcomed the news of Rev Kickett’s appointment.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Mark in the ways we seek to live out our covenanting relationship with Congress, particularly in its aspirations for self-determination and how we continue to stand with Congress in advocating for truth-telling, reconciliation and healing.”
As Interim Chair, Rev Kickett played a significant role in fostering relationships and providing pastoral support for regional councils of Congress. This year he provided leadership from Congress to the whole Church in its engagement in the Voice referendum.
Rev Kickett has also worked closely with the Church in its advocacy and response to the Black Lives Matter movement, racism and Aboriginal deaths in custody. In 2021, Rev Kickett was formally admitted as a minister in the Uniting Church. Earlier this year, he led the first national gathering of Congress after many years due to Covid, bringing together members from different parts of the country. Mark says it was “a reminder of the journey we have together as one Congress family.”
Related news
UAICC national leadership
UAICC National Leadership announcementThe Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) has elected Rev Mark Kickett as its National Chair. Rev Kickett has led Congress as the Interim Chair for the past three years and prior to this was serving with UAICC in South Australia. Rev Kickett said he was looking forward…
Paels 2023
Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Summit 2023 Emerging leaders meet with the nation’s decision-makers to advocate for justiceBy Raúl SugunananthanLast week, the Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Summit (PAELS) met for a second year running. The Summit gathered 68 young people from the Pacific Islands, the Pacific diaspora living in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander communities,…
Raise the Age week of action
Raise the Age Support the campaign to Raise the Age of criminal responsibility to keep children in schools and communitiesAustralia imprisons children as young as 10, one of the youngest ages of criminal responsibility in the world. Yet overwhelming evidence from health experts, social workers, Indigenous leaders, legal experts and human rights organisations show that…
Walk for Yes
This weekend thousands of supporters for a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum will “Walk for Yes” in events across the country to show there is wide and deep support for a First Nations Voice. The Uniting Church supports the Voice as an opportunity to celebrate the First Peoples of Australia in our…
National weekend of prayer, reflection and meditation
Communities of faith all over the country are invited to participate in a National Weekend of Prayer, Reflection and Meditation from 8-10 September to reflect on and pray for unity and hope in the lead-up to the Voice referendum.“This is an opportunity for us to open your hearts again to what is…
Referendum date announced
Referendum date announced Now is the time to join others in actions to support a Yes to healing and hope. The Uniting Church in Australia welcomes the announcement of 14 October as the date for the referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress National Interim Chair…
Taking action for the Voice
Taking action for the Voice Four ways you can support a Yes vote in the Referendum In the Meanjin oration delivered on Monday night, Indigenous leader Noel Pearson spoke about the long and arduous pathway toward recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that has led to the referendum. But at this critical…
NATSI Children's Day 2023
This Friday 4 August is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day – a celebration of the strengths and culture of First Nations children. This year’s theme “Little Voices, Loud Futures”, acknowledges that a First Nations Voice would amplify the work being done to ensure First Nations children…