Moderator, Niall Reid
The Rev. Niall (pronounced Neil) Reid is Moderator of the New South Wales Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia.
During his time as Moderator, from October 2007 to October 2010, Mr Reid will explore how grace — which he believes is central to God’s character — has the power to transform communities.
“The Uniting Church must have the courage, in the way that Jesus had the courage, to challenge the prevailing and dominant expressions of faith, so that ‘the God experience’ is accessible to people who are so often excluded from it,” he said.
Mr Reid has been Minister of Gordon Uniting Church since February, 1997.
During that time he was Chairperson of the Synod’s Board of Education for three years, served on his presbytery’s standing committee, was chairperson of the Ravenswood School for six years and co-leader of four mission trips to build houses for people living in poverty in Tijuana, Mexico.
Born on the Island of Jura, Scotland, Niall Reid and his family (parents, four siblings and au pair) emigrated to Australia in 1966 and settled in Canberra where they became members of St Columba’s Presbyterian (later Uniting) Church where he was confirmed in 1974.
Niall has an LLB from the University of Sydney and after practising law for just over a year decided to commence theological studies at the United Theological College in 1981.
He was ordained in 1984.
Role as Moderator
Niall Reid’s primary responsibility as Moderator is “to hear and articulate a vision for the future of the Church”.
His other roles include:
- Chairperson of the Synod and its Council and the Executive Committee
- Pastor and leader
- Represent the Synod ecumenically
- Encourage the membership, including visiting, preaching and writing.
Church involvement at a glance
Baptised into the church at an early age, Niall Reid was ordained as a Uniting Church minister in 1984.
He has held many other positions in The Uniting Church over more than 20 years, including:
- Serving in congregational ministry at St Paul’s Church of Scotland, Milngavie and at Mortdale, North Belconnen and Wattle Park, Murrumbateman and Gordon Uniting Churches in New South Wales and the ACT.
- Chairperson, Board of Finance and Property
- Chairperson of the Canberra Region Presbytery
- Chairperson of the Synod Board of Education
- Member of Ku-Ring-Gai Presbytery Standing Committee
- Deputy Chairperson of Ku-Ring-Gai Presbytery
- Chairperson of the Ravenswood School
Mr Reid has also been co-leader of four mission trips to build houses for people living in poverty in Tijuana, Mexico.
He is partnered in life and ministry by his wife, Paula who is a solicitor. They have two sons, Jonathan and Robert.
More information from Stephen Webb, Media Officer, 02 8267 4308.
| Media inquiries to Stephen Webb 0423 259 945. |
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