Music-making, songwriting at United Theological College in Australia brings new expressions for students

Roberts and the students, through lectures and workshops—and of course singing—focused on enlivening ecumenical spirituality and formation through on confessional and inter-confessional worship.

Roberts presented the annual May McLeod lecture in which he explored how local ecumenical music-making and songwriting can be an authentic methodology for expressing and imparting contextual theology. 

Rev. Dr Seforosa Carroll, who served previously on the staff of the WCC and currently as academic dean and lecturer in Cross Cultural Ministry and Theology at United Theological College, welcomed Roberts’ presence at the college, as well as with local congregations. 

“It was wonderful to have Rev. Dr Mikie Roberts with us at these past two weeks,” she said. “While here, Mikie has been engaging with a cross section of Uniting Church communities.”

Carroll added: “His time in Australia has been one of enlivening ecumenical spirituality and formation through exposure on confessional and inter-confessional worship, insights on negotiating the various boundaries of cross/intercultural worship, and the power of lyrical contextual theology. The exchange of talanoa/conversation and learning these past few weeks has been incredibly impactful.”  

Roberts presented a lecture to masters and PhD students as part of a Higher Research Degree Seminar during students were invited to engage with the concept of “Hymnic Performativity.”

Another workshop covered cross/intercultural worship in which attention was given to the process that is part of the creation of intercultural worship encounters. Students were invited to explore some of the boundaries and barriers to be resolved as part of this process of worshipping across various cultures. 

As part of the Vital Leadership Masterclass, an online continuing education, the theme of "Worship as Divine Drama” was explored. Participants were encouraged to consider how they can stir their creative imagination as they prepare and lead in worship.

While in Sydney, Roberts also preached at several local congregations including the Sydney Hindi Uniting Church Faith Community, Carlingford, Leichhardt, and Forest Kirk congregations. Other music-making events included an evening with the Parramatta Mission Fijian Choir and a music workshop at the Centenary congregation. 

Throughout the visits, Roberts taught songs from the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2022.