Uniting in Prayer for Tonga

Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Sharon Hollis and Chair of the UCA’s Tongan National Conference Rev Feke Kamitoni have encouraged church members to pray for Tonga after the eruption of underwater volcano Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai triggered a tsunami. Communication lines have been down since the tsunami hit and many in Australia are yet to hear from loved ones.

A prayer service led by the Being a Multicultural Church Circle will be held on Thursday at 7.30pm AEDT. You can join via the Assembly’s Facebook page.

Support our Tongan neighbours

UnitingWorld has launched an appeal to support our neighbours hit by the tsunami. Funds raised will help our partner the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga deliver emergency assistance and supplies to affected communities, and support recovery and rebuilding in the longer term. Please give if you can and spread the word in your networks.

Day of Mourning 2022

This Sunday 23 January, Uniting Church communities across the country are planning to mark a Day of Mourning in worship services that reflect on and lament the effects of invasion and colonisation on Australia’s First Peoples. UCA President Rev Sharon Hollis and UAICC National Interim Chair Rev Mark Kickett have recorded a conversation about what a Day of Mourning means and the survival and resilience of Australia’s First Peoples. We encourage you to watch and share.

Standing with our national aged care network

As the exponential spread of the highly infectious COVID-19 Omicron variant places an enormous burden on aged care services across the country, Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis has written to the UCA’s national aged care network to offer the support and prayers of the church. Uniting Church members are encouraged to reach out to aged care workers or local aged care services to express their own thanks, support and prayer.

UCA appears at Religious Discrimination inquiry

Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Sharon Hollis has told a Joint Parliamentary inquiry examining the latest draft of the Australian Government’s Religious Discrimination Bill that the UCA does not support the legislation in its current form. The Assembly has argued certain provisions in the Bill could embolden discrimination against vulnerable people, rather than building tolerance and harmony.

Last chance to have your say on the Act2 report

Since we began seeking your thoughts on the Act2 report in October, hundreds of people have responded from across the country. Make sure you add your voice before our open survey closes at the end of January. Every single response is helping shape a faithful future for our Church as we seek to follow Jesus in our time and place. Check out the Act2 report and fill in the survey or email us.

Putting First Peoples first

In a series of consultations with the Assembly Circles for Act2, people were invited to share their hopes for the Uniting Church. Nathan Tyson (Manager, First Peoples Strategy and Engagement with the Synod of NSW/ACT) joined the conversation with the Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle. Ahead of the Day of Mourning, he reflects on what it means to place First Peoples and our commitment to the Covenant at the centre of our identity, business and decision-making.

Dwelling Podcast Episode 2 - Heather Watson

Episode 2 of the President’s Podcast Dwelling is out today! Hear Rev Sharon Hollis in conversation with UCA lay leader and legal expert Heather Watson on all things governance and compliance and why they are important part of the Act2 conversation.

JOBS

Community Builder - Emerging Generations, Orange Uniting Church

Orange Uniting Church in the central west of New South Wales has an exciting opportunity for a Community Builder - Emerging Generations to work alongside a growing community of families.

Mid-Week Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Rosefield Uniting Church (SA)

Rosefield Uniting Church in Highgate, Adelaide, seeks a coordinator to oversee two mid-week children's ministry activities and encourage and support connection with families and the regular volunteers who run this ministry.

Join us in prayer for

The people of Tonga and the Pacific who were impacted by the tsunami and the Tongan community in Australia, especially those who are awaiting news from loved ones.
Those working in aged care amid the enormous challenges posed by the spread of Omicron.
Communities who will mark a Day of Mourning in worship this Sunday. We give thanks for the resilience and survival of Australia’s First Peoples and we pray for the work of justice, truth-telling and healing.