Uniting Learning Units
Courses designed for discipleship and leadership development
Uniting Learning units are Synod-accredited units designed to provide formation and learning for anyone in the Uniting Church wishing to grow in their understanding and skills around the Bible, theology, preaching and worship. The units offer education pathways for all people, including those engaged with the Ministry of Lay Preacher and Ministry of Pastor. They provide a low intensity entry into theology and ministry education for anyone wanting to learn more without the commitment of a longer tertiary education award.
In 2026, Pilgrim will be expanding these offerings with new units designed to support people in pastoral care, and organisation and administration roles. These units are taught remotely via Zoom, with written material, videos and interactive activities provided on the online Uniting Learning platform.
Pilgrim provides certificates of participation (for audit) and certificates of completion (for assessment). We work collaboratively and consultatively with Presbyteries and congregations across the Synod, as well as working closely with the Synod’s Lay Preacher Association.
- ULVT1 – Orientation to Uniting Learning
- ULVT2 – Understanding the UCA
- ULVT3 – Exploring New Testament
- ULVT4 – Exploring the Old Testament
- ULVT5 – Exploring Theology with the UCA
- ULVT6 – Exploring Christology
- ULVT7 – Exploring Worship in the UCA
- ULVT8 – Exploring Preaching in the UCA
- ULVT9A – Code of Ethics for Lay Preachers
- ULVT9B – Code of Ethics for Ministry Practice
- ULVT10 – Sacraments
- ULVT11 – Pastoral Care
- ULVT12 – Making Decisions in the UCA
ULVT1
Introduction to Uniting Learning
Dates
Monday February 23
Monday July 27
(Orientation to Uniting Learning platform, Dalton McCaughey Library)
Cost
Free
This session is a free introduction to the online learning environment.
ULVT2
Understanding the UCA
Lay Preacher · Ministry of Pastor · Continuing Education · Worship Leaders · Period of Discernment · Ministers and staff new to the UCA
Dates
Tuesday nights, February 24, March 17, April 21, May 19
Tuesday nights, July 28, August 18, September 15, October 20
Time
7 - 9 pm via Zoom, with access to learning materials on Uniting Learning.
Cost
$50
This Uniting Learning unit addresses the core competency “Work within the doctrine, ethos and polity of the Uniting Church” from the Assembly Standards and Competencies for the specified ministries of Lay Preacher and Ministry of Pastor, and is a useful introduction to ministers new to the Uniting Church. It covers history of the formation of the UCA, theological foundations of the Basis of Union, the place and role of key aspects of the Church’s life and witness, understanding the councils and ministries of the UCA, understanding the UCA’s commitment to First Nations people and intercultural ministry.
ULVT3
Exploring the New Testament
Lay Preacher · Deepening Your Faith · General Interest · Worship Leaders · Period of Discernment
Dates
Monday nights, March 2, 9, 16, 23, April 13, 20, 27, May 4
Time
7 - 9 pm via Zoom, with access to learning materials on Uniting Learning.
Cost
$50
This Uniting Learning unit is an invitation to participants to deepen their response to and faith in God as Trinity. Participants are introduced to the various witnesses to Jesus and more generally to the writings of the New Testament. It also acts as a foundation for subsequent study of the New Testament and the exegesis of Scripture. The Unit is closely integrated with the study of the life the early Christian community of faith as well as historical and contemporary scholarship.
ULVT4
Exploring the Old Testament
Lay Preacher · Deepening Your Faith · General Interest · Worship Leaders · Period of Discernment
Dates
Monday nights, August 3, 10, 17, 24, September 14, 21, 28, October 5
Time
7 - 9 pm via Zoom, with access to learning materials on Uniting Learning.
Cost
$50
This Uniting Learning unit is an invitation to participants to deepen their response to and faith in God as Trinity.
The Old Testament describes God and how God acts in history and creation. Major themes that impact on Christianity find their beginning in the words of the Old Testament scripture. The unit is closely integrated with the study of the life of Israel as a community of faith as well as historical and contemporary scholarship.
ULVT9A
Code of Ethics and Ministry for Lay Preachers
Lay Preacher · Worship Leaders · Period of Discernment
Dates
Tuesday June 9, 16, 23
Time
7 - 9 pm via Zoom, with access to learning materials on Uniting Learning.
Cost
$50
This Uniting Learning online course covers the scope of the UCA understanding of gifts, ministry and service, the behavioural and boundary issues involved in ministry conduct and accountability in both personal discipleship and professional ministry.
ULVT7
Exploring Worship in the UCA
Lay Preacher · Deepening Your Faith · General Interest · Synod staff · Period of Discernment
Dates
Mondays October 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time
7 - 9 pm via Zoom, with access to learning materials on Uniting Learning.
Cost
$50
This Uniting Learning unit introduces participants to an understanding of worship and its biblical and theological warrant, patterns of worship in the church and in the Reformed and evangelical tradition (Uniting Church). Participants will look at elements of worship in constructing a service, exploring and choosing resources for worship (Uniting in Worship 2, video, book and online resources). The unit includes approaches and contexts for worship including multi-sensory and multi-intelligence, communicating effectively, and ethics and knowing yourself as a worship leader.