Our Featured StoryPRESIDENT'S EASTER MESSAGE |
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The 2025 Easter message from President Rev Charissa Suli is out now to give hope and inspiration to you and your community this Easter season! Inspired by the women who faithfully came to the tomb in the early morning and had their sorrow transformed into joy, the President calls to us to rise from our tombs and live as Easter people. "The tomb – once a symbol of defeat – became the birthplace of courage. They came grieving and afraid and were called from their sorrow. They rose up. They ran and they proclaimed. Fear gave way to faith. Despair gave way to purpose." "We must rise now and speak words of healing into a world torn apart. Act with courage where the vulnerable are forgotten. Love without limits. Serve without fear. Hope without hesitation." We invite Uniting Church communities to download, watch together and share the message on or around Easter Day. You can download it from Vimeo or watch it on our website. |
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The Uniting Church Assembly has released a 2025 update to the national Uniting Church resource Our Vision for a Just Australia, expressing our hopes to be a just, compassionate and inclusive nation. Inspired by our faith, the resource is here to help you engage with the issues that matter this Federal Election. Each section explores Uniting Church commitments, the state of the nation and discussion starters on key topics like First Peoples justice, climate change, refugees, housing, rural Australia and peacemaking. |
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AROUND THE UNITING CHURCH |
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The Uniting Church Northern Synod met over the weekend in Darwin, gathering for a rich time which included the installation of Acting Moderator Rev Felicity Amery, the closure of ministry for ex-Moderator Rev Tony Goodluck, and grief and thanksgiving for the late Rev Dr Michelle Cook. See the photo galleries from the opening worship, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4, with a full wrap coming soon. |
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This year marks 110 years since the beginning of the Armenian Genocide, which led to 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. All are invited to share in a national service of commemoration, hosted by the Uniting Church Assembly and the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia, this Sunday 13 April. |
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In the coming weeks, the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand will celebrate two historic occasions as it ordains its first ever women Pastors. This week, President Rev Charissa Suli has written to the Bishop of the LCANZ, Pastor Paul Smith, to express the prayerful solidarity and support of the Uniting Church in Australia.
Image: Maria Rudolph (left) and Sue Westhorp (right) are set to become the LCANZ's first women Pastors on 13 and 27 April. |
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Right now, families in towns like Thargomindah and Adavale are watching their homes and livelihoods disappear under floodwaters. While emergency services work tirelessly, we know the real challenge begins after the waters recede. Frontier Services Bush Chaplain Jennie Feldmeier is on the ground offering support and our Outback Links volunteers are preparing to step in. The need grows every day, and here's how you can help: - Volunteer: if you're able to assist with disaster recovery and have self-sufficient accommodation, please register your interest.
- Donate to the President's appeal through the Uniting Church National Disaster Recovery Fund and help provide vital support where it's needed most.
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The Uniting Church National History Society will hold its next National Conference from 3-5 October 2025. The Society is calling for 20-minute papers addressing the conference theme, 'The Church as a Prophetic Voice in Australian Society - Past, Present and Future.' Papers may cover the period of the Uniting Church's life so far (1977-2025) and can also explore the history of its founding denominations or other denominations. |
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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. You can also take part in events over three days being held at United Theological College in Sydney, with hubs around the country. |
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 | - President Rev Charissa Suli was on Nesia Daily (ABC Pacific) recently to share what she's giving up this Lent in support of UnitingWorld's 40 for the Future challenge.
- Last week, proud Palawa woman Aunty Alison Overeem and Rev Alex Sangster held a vigil on Country among the threatened Giant Styx trees in lutruwita for 'lament in lent'. See some great photos from the event, as they led a group to stand in solidarity with creation and our native forests.
- All the intergenerational resources you need this Easter, from Intergen.
- Donate to UnitingWorld's appeal for Myanmar, devastated by the recent earthquake, and read the President's statement.
- President Rev Charissa Suli shared a statement and prayer for South Korea after news broke that the Constitutional Court of Korea had upheld the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
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Next edition of National Update
Please note that National Update is no longer delivered on a weekly basis. There will be a short edition next Wednesday 16 April, with the next regular edition on 30 April. We gladly welcome contributions of stories, news and events from across the Uniting Church. Email comms@nat.uca.org.au |
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Join us in prayer for... - Uniting Church communities as we enter through the gates and into Holy Week this Sunday. Let us turn our backs on the powers that grasp and control, and open our hearts to the son of God riding on a donkey.
- The Northern Synod, that the Spirit would continue to move powerfully as our people bring the love of Jesus and ministry of the Uniting Church to some of the most rural and remote places in our nation.
- Communities in western outback Queensland, inundated by record flooding.
- The Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.
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