About the UCA emblem

 

Guidelines on the use of the Uniting Church emblem

Download UCA emblems | Powerpoint version

The emblem of the Uniting Church in Australia shows the cross of Jesus Christ, in its light and love, standing over a darkened world — redeeming it through grace and truth.

By that cross people are bound to Christ and each other. The Holy Spirit, symbolised by the dove with the wings of flame, empowers and guides us to be witnesses to Jesus Christ.

The wide U at the bottom points to the fact that we are uniting; as a semicircle it also reminds us that the renewing of both church and world are as yet incomplete.

The emblem symbolises something of the vision we have glimpsed and the hopes we hold for the future. In particular it reminds us:

• that the gospel message is central in all that we seek to do;
• of the need for constant reform and renewal;
• of our commitment to worship, witness and service.

The text above is taken from the public statement by the Joint Constitution Council (JCC) in mid-1975, once the then-new emblem had been decided upon. The working group of paraphernalia and titles, convened by Rev. Frank White, presented the basic design ideas to the JCC, and Brisbane architect Jim Gibson came up with the final design, combining ideas from Bob Evans in Perth and Don Hutton of Queensland. So, the Uniting Church emblem is the product of a committee, a range of people around the country, and the Spirit!