Rev. Henderson said there had been a long history of partnership between the Uniting Church and the Church of South India dating back 100 years and the relationship between the two denominations remains strong. A century ago, the first Australian missionary went to India to pioneer there.
"It has been some 100 years since Australian Presbyterian missionaries first went to India and our relationship with those communities has been maintained ever since," he said.
Similar to the formation of the Uniting Church of Australia, the Church of South India was created in 1947 through the merger of the Anglican, Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches in the area. It has 16 dioceses and in every two years a moderator (presiding bishop) is elected by the Synod.
Rev. Henderson said the formation of the Church of South India, described as a major ecumenical initiative, played a considerable influence in the union of different denominations within the Uniting Church.
"The Church of South India united in 1947 and, as a major ecumenical initiative of the 20th century, the event provided considerable influence in moving us towards union here in Australia," he said.
The theme of the synod is to rejoice in Christ, build communities of hope. Rev. Henderson and Rev. Barr will travel to India from 6-18 January 2008.