Choosing a new Moderator

What is a Moderator?

In the Uniting Church in Australia, a Moderator’s is the pastoral and spiritual leadership of a Synod. The focus of their role is to promote the Synod’s vision and mission for the future of the Church; to listen to, guide, and care for all the members and ministers of the UCASA; and to represent the Church in the wider community and the ecumenical and political landscape of SA.

Choosing the next Moderator of the Synod of SA

Nominations are now being sought for our next Moderator and close on 31 October 2025. An election will be held at our June 2026 Synod meeting, and the new Moderator will take up the role at the 2028 Synod meeting.

Nominations must come through the presbyteries. Nominations can be made by individuals or churches (with a nominator and seconder) and then be sent to the presbytery. An office bearer of the presbytery must also sign the nomination form before sending it to the Moderator Nominating Committee. The Moderator Nominating Committee may discern further people to nominate.

You can download a Role and Person Specification for the Moderator, Regulations describing the Moderator’s duties and the By-laws which relate to the roles of the Moderator, Moderator-elect and ex-Moderator, here:

To make a nomination, complete the Nomination Form below and submit it to your presbytery office.

Nomination Form

Note: Please do not contact the person being nominated! This is the role of the Moderator Nominating Committee.

For further information please contact the Moderator Nominating Committee by emailing Sue Page (Convenor) Turn on Javascript!.

Timeline for the selection process

2025
April	Moderator Nominating Committee (MNC) convenes to plan nominating process and review PD, By-laws, nomination form, timeline, etc
June	Draft Moderator Role and Person Description, By-laws, nomination form, timeline and related matters presented to SSC for approval
June	MNC prepares communication with presbyteries and wider church regarding nominating process
1 July	Nominations open – must come through presbyteries
	MNC considers additional nominations
31 Oct	Nominations close
July – Nov	Informal conversations with potential nominees as nominations are received
2026
31 Jan	Paperwork from nominees due
Feb – March	Formal conversations with potential nominees
31 March	List of nominees finalised
April	Nominees invited to gather for prayerful support
May	MNC report and nominee profiles sent to members of Synod
June	Ballot for Moderator-elect held at Synod 2026

The Moderator Nominating Committee

Dr Deidre Palmer (Past Moderator)
Mr Andrew Telfer (Presbytery of Southern Australia)
Rev Elissa Inglis (Generate Presbytery)
Rev Do Young Kim (Wimala Presbytery)
Rev Sue Page (Convenor)