O’Connor Uniting Church
corner of Brigalow St and Scrivener St, O’Connor, ACT

History

In 1953 the neighbouring Reid Methodist Church quite literally "planted" this church in the (then) new suburb of O'Connor, its members and the minister digging with pick and shovel, and laying the foundations of what is now the hall, by hand.

The love and commitment which marked these beginnings must have been planted into O'Connor along with the bricks and mortar, to be shaped and moulded over the years in such a way that the United Theological College now uses O'Connor's history as a case study! (Susan Emilsen and William W Emilsen: Testing the Spirit: a brief history of O’Connor Uniting Church Parish).

However more important to the present members of O'Connor is the reality that Jesus is alive, that Christ is still committed to living and working in their midst as His Spirit is permitted to guide, heal, deliver and release people into His ministry and service.

The booklet, "O'Connor Uniting Church: ministerial reflections on the last 50 years" was produced in 2004 to mark the church's 50th anniversary. It provides a penetrating and honest look at one church's life prior to, and following, charismatic renewal.

O'Connor Uniting Church Vision/mission Statement

Description

We are a congregation who meets in O'Connor ACT

• founded on the Word of God
• led and empowered by the Holy Spirit
• functioning within the Basis of Union of the Uniting Church in Australia
• Our mission is to know, serve and proclaim Christ.

Vision
We are called to be a Christian community that learns to live in love.

• When Jesus looked at his disciples he gave them a new commandment: To love one another.
• As Christians we are Jesus' disciples and this commandment is our foundation. Love one another as Jesus has loved us. This is the model; it's what God keeps bringing us back to.
• The apostle Paul said to the Church at Corinth that if you do not have love you have nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
• It's out of love that the Kingdom grows.

Mission
Here at O'Connor we are to build each other up in love. That means:

• encouraging one another
• offering grace to each other in our attitudes and conversations
• supporting one another through difficulties
• praying with and for each other.

As God loves us through Jesus, we are to grow in the practice of love for one another and for our neighbours.

Uniting Church in Australia

NSW Synod