Marking 53 Years of Ministry: A Gathering of Faith, Friendship and Grace

On Friday the 2^nd of May a group of long-serving Uniting Church ministers gathered at the home of John Weston in Carlingford North to mark a profound milestone; 53 years since their ordination to the ministry of Word and Sacrament.

Those present included Arthur and Joan Pearce, Ross and Valmai Kingham, Vernon Prowse, John Weston, Eric Drury, and the Moderator, Faaimata Hiliau who joined the group for a time of spiritual reflection, sharing communion, and fellowship.

The day began with morning tea and heartfelt reunions, followed by a time of reflective devotion led by Ross Kingham. The Moderator then offered insights into the current life of the Uniting Church, sharing stories of challenge, hope, and renewal across congregations and ministries. A moving celebration of Holy Communion followed, led by the Moderator, marking not only the sacrament itself but the enduring faith and call that has shaped each person’s journey for over five decades.

As the group shared lunch and lingered into the afternoon, memories flowed easily, stories of ministry, community, change and God’s unwavering grace. Though informal in tone, the gathering became a sacred pause; a reminder that ministry is not simply a role once held, but a lifelong offering.

Reflecting on the day, the Moderator shared: “I was honoured to be invited. To sit among these faithful people, hear their stories, and share in their companionship was deeply special. It was a gathering I will always carry with me”

In marking 53 years, these faithful ministers showed us something deeper: that the Church is held not just in structures or strategies, but in the lives and friendships of those who have given themselves to it again and again.