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Recent Submissions

The Vā Between the New Zealand Health System, Pasifika Families and the Church: A Qualitative Study
(2026-04-22) Teganahau, Taurere; Anderson, Helen; Dewerse, Rosemary; Uniting College for Leadership and Theology
Research on the health outcomes of Pasifika people in New Zealand has begun to focus on the church’s role as well as that of the Pasifika worldview. This study explores the relationship between the church, Pasifika families and the health system through the concept of vā. Five Pasifika participants, four parishioners and their church minister were interviewed online to facilitate dialogue and gather their voices. Four themes emerged from the interviews and the data analysis: (1) the role of family and close relationships, (2) interactions with healthcare, (3 the role of the church and (4) overarching systemic discussions. It was found that the preconceptions of some medical professionals regarding Pasifika familial, medical or religious values and practices may lead to unfruitful connections with Pasifika. Also, across all contexts, the values of engagement, honesty, respect and accessibility were key contributors to creating healthy relationships. The vā elements can form a framework to help in understanding the complexity of these connections.
When Stories Collide: A Relationship Between Women Centuries Apart
(Routledge, 2025) Lambert, Catherine; Kadmos, Helena; Uniting College for Leadership and Theology
Collisions are often perceived as causing damage and harm, however, when two objects collide there can also be transformation. Direction can change, velocity is altered, and energy is spent and gained. This is what occurred when the stories of three beguine mystics from the thirteenth century collided with the experiences of a group of contemporary Australian women. This chapter explores how both groups of women were transformed by the encounter.
Roger Marston and the Potential for a ‘Pastoral Academic’
(Brill, 2026-09) Beckmann, Matthew; Michael Cusato; Jens Röhrkasten; Yarra Theological Union
Gray, Emma
Covenanting Conversions
(2026-06) Dewerse, Rosemary; Uniting College for Leadership and Theology
I am convinced that if the Uniting Church in Australia is genuinely to make good on our “Covenanting Statement,” signed with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) over thirty years ago, it will never be enough for we who are Second Peoples to revisit our words, and to review and reimagine our actions. We also must open ourselves to conversions in our Christian worldview. Emerging from years of friendship with two Elders from the UAICC in South Australia have been provocations for my theological and missiological assumptions about Emmanuel, the Kingdom of God, and the concept of mission. I reflect on them here in the hope of contributing to our ongoing journey as Covenanting partners.