National Update

Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story

COMMEMORATION

Commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

Members of the Uniting Church are invited to join with the Assembly, the Armenian Missionary Association Of Australia (AMAA) and the wider Armenian community in marking the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

This year marks 110 years since the Genocide began, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 1.5 million lives between 1915 and 1923. It is also a decade since the Uniting Church formally recognised this tragedy as genocide during the 14th Assembly in July 2015.

All are invited to share in the national service of commemoration, hosted by the Uniting Church Assembly and the AMAA, at 3pm on Sunday 13 April at St Stephen's Uniting Church in Sydney. Please RSVP here.

President Rev Charissa Suli has offered a document to support Uniting Church communities with the resources they need to commemorate the anniversary locally. It includes an invitation to participate, historical and theological reflections, prayers, suggested music and other information resources.

More information and RSVP

WORLD EVENTS

Pray and give generously for earthquake recovery in Myanmar

President Rev Charissa Suli has shared a pastoral message and prayer after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake impacted central Myanmar on Friday. The tremor was felt elsewhere, including in Thailand where at least 18 people lost their lives. More than 1,700 people have died and more than 3,400 have been injured. Uniting Church members and communities are encouraged to give generously through UnitingWorld's disaster appeal.

FEDERAL BUDGET

Uniting Church Assembly responds to 2025 Federal Budget

How the vulnerable are cared for is the test of a budget and the measure of a society. We're grateful for efforts in the 2025 Federal Budget to help Australians struggling under crushing cost of living pressures, with a welcome investment in Medicare, energy bill and student debt relief, and an expanded First Home Buyers scheme. But, as always, the poorest in our community need more support. Read more from Uniting Church leaders.

LAMENT IN LENT

On Country, with Country, for Country

Proud Palawa woman Aunty Alison Overeem and Rev Alex Sangster invite you to join them on Country for ‘lament in lent’, as they hold vigil amongst the Giant Styx - the ancient trees of Tasmania under existential threat from logging. To be held in partnership with the Bob Brown Foundation and the 'I Stand with Uncle Jim' movement, the vigil will take place on 3 April, west of Hobart.

You're also invited to show your support through an 'I Stand with Uncle Jim' photo campaign. Take a snap of yourself in front of a tree with a sign!

A SAFER WORLD FOR ALL

"Australian aid transforms lives"

Last week President Rev Charissa Suli added her voice to leaders from politics, security and faith to urge Australia’s MPs to commit to life-saving Australian aid as part of Micah Australia's Safer World for All campaign. The President also released a letter signed by national heads of Christian denominations which was sent to the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and Crossbench MPs. See more from UnitingWorld.

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE

That's a wrap on the March ASC meeting

The Assembly Standing Committee met in Sydney for the first time in 2025 from 14-16 March, with a focus on the strategic plan and priorities of the Assembly. Read the report from Assembly General Secretary Andrew Johnson and see the photo gallery.

OUR MULTICULTURAL CHURCH

40 years of 'We are a multicultural Church': save the date for celebrations

In 1985, during its fourth national Assembly meeting, the Uniting Church proudly declared: 'The Uniting Church is a Multicultural Church'. As the 40th anniversary of this declaration approaches, the Uniting Church Assembly is inviting Uniting Church communities to mark 15 June 2025 as the date to commemorate, celebrate and reflect.

UNITINGWORLD

40 days of change for a fairer future: UnitingWorld's Lent challenge

Our President Rev Charissa Suli was in the media last week sharing about what she's giving up this Lent in support of UnitingWorld's 40 for the Future challenge. The challenge is an invitation to transform the way you eat, shop, travel, or use energy to bring awareness to the global challenge driving poverty, inequality and injustice: climate change. Both the President and Assembly General Secretary Andrew Johnson are taking part - support them and see the leaderboards here!

DISASTER RECOVERY

Support disaster relief in cyclone affected areas

The Assembly continues to call for donations to support disaster recovery in communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, following a national appeal launched by Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli. Donate now to the National Disaster Relief Fund.

Join Uncle Ken Sumner on Country later this year as part of a 12-week Indigenous Studies unit being run through Uniting College in South Australia.
Fantastic Lent resources from the Uniting Church in QLD.
The Uniting Church National History Society is calling for papers for its national conference later this year: 'The Church as a Prophetic Voice in Australian Society'.
President Rev Charissa Suli was invited to speak to an assembly of 1500 at Pymble Ladies College in honour of International Women's Day. See photos.
Uniting Church National Conference leaders gathered in Sydney earlier in March. See photos.

Next edition of National Update

Please note that National Update is no longer delivered on a weekly basis. Our next edition will be on 9 April. We gladly welcome contributions of stories, news and events from across the Uniting Church. For suggestions, or questions to the Assembly communications team, email comms@nat.uca.org.au

Join us in prayer for...

The people of Myanmar in the wake of a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake. We pray for those who grieve, those searching for survivors and for comfort, safety and peace.
Continued safety in Tonga after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast last night.
Palestinians who continue to be besieged by bombings and violence even as Eid al-Fitr begins.
Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.