National Update

Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

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MULTICULTURAL CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

Marking 40 years of our declaration: "The Uniting Church is a Multicultural Church"

In 1985, during its fourth national Assembly meeting, the Uniting Church proudly declared: 'The Uniting Church is a Multicultural Church'.

As the 40th anniversary approaches, the Uniting Church Assembly is inviting Uniting Church communities to mark 15 June 2025 as the date to commemorate, celebrate and reflect on this commitment to diversity, which is God's gracious gift.

To mark this significant occasion, a three-day National Theological Consultation will be held from 10-12 June, co-hosted by the Assembly and United Theological College, with local hubs streaming in around the country.

The Assembly will soon release a resource for local communities to mark the anniversary in worship, along with an anniversary edition poster of the 'We Are A Multicultural Church' statement. You'll be able to find them both on this page in early June. Find all the information for the three-day event here.

For enquiries about the anniversary and its events, contact the organising team.

Celebrate with us

PEACEMAKING

'Even the stones will cry out': Assembly statement on Palestine

With a humanitarian crisis at a critical level in Gaza, and as a needless famine unfolds, President of the Uniting Church Rev Charissa Suli has released a public statement affirming the solidarity of the Uniting Church with the suffering people of Palestine. We encourage people to read the FAQ provided alongside the statement, and to draw upon a liturgy of Lament for Gaza, written by the President, in local worship.

EVENTS

Sydney stands in solidarity with Palestine and Israel

On Sunday 4 May, Sydney Friends of Standing Together rallied near the Sydney Town Hall for a just peace in Palestine and Israel. It was one of more than 20 cities around the world which held events in solidarity with major peace summit It’s Time, held in Jerusalem on 8-9 May. Rev Lindsay Cullen spoke on behalf of the Uniting Church and reports back.

AROUND THE UNITING CHURCH

'Renewal': Queensland Synod meets

The Assembly was delighted to have a strong presence at the Queensland Synod meeting over the weekend, which included among its highlights the re-election of Rev Bruce Moore as Moderator. President Rev Charissa Suli and General Secretary Andrew Johnson gave the Assembly report, while teams from the Assembly Resourcing Unit, Frontier Services and UnitingWorld were busy engaging with Synod members, sharing resources and building connections. See the Synod's daily summaries and photo galleries.

ASSEMBLY CIRCLES

New Assembly Pride Circle: Call for Expressions of Interest

The Assembly Standing Committee has resolved to form an Assembly Circle of Interest for LGBTIQA+ members of the Uniting Church and allies, to work together to help the Church live out the call of Christ to love and welcome all with dignity and respect. Tasked with pursuing dignity and justice for LGBTIQA+ members of the UCA, deepening understanding and building relationships, the Assembly is now calling for Expressions of Interest for Advocate of the Circle and members of the Panel.

RESOURCES

Aboriginal Spirituality and Culture: a new video series with Rev Dr Garry Deverell

An exciting new video series Aboriginal Spirituality & Culture featuring Aboriginal theologian Rev Dr Garry Deverell is now available. Three short movies and a discussion guide explore Living on Country, The Dreaming, and Country & Colonisation. The resources are inviting, informative and provocative - and free to download! Produced by Dr Craig Mitchell for the Port Phillip East Presbytery of the UCA with the support of the former School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity.

EVENTS

Golden Chain of Mercy screening postponed

Please note the screening of documentary The Golden Chain of Mercy, scheduled to be shown at Pitt St Uniting Church this Saturday 24 May, has been postponed. A new date will be available shortly. To express interest in attending a future screening, contact enquiries@nat.uca.org.au.

Read the statement from the Rev David Fotheringham, Moderator of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) last Saturday.
This report by Jon O'Brien, Social Justice Advocate with the Uniting Climate team (Synod of NSW/ACT), reports back on the online Energy Forum held in partnership with the Assembly prior to the federal election.
UnitingWorld, with the Assembly, are calling on UCA members to pray for peace as tensions rise dramatically between India and Pakistan.
Are you the next Act2 Project Lead? The Assembly invites applications for this full time role.
ICYMI: Read the Assembly's statement upon the election of Pope Leo XIV.

Next edition of National Update

Please note that National Update is no longer delivered on a weekly basis. Our next regular edition will be on 28 May. Shorter editions are often sent in between. We gladly welcome contributions of stories, news and events from across the Uniting Church. Email comms@nat.uca.org.au

Join us in prayer for...

The full and immediate flow of food and aid to suffering, starving Palestinians. Our hearts cry out for an end to violent assault and for peace rooted in justice.
The cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, and safety for border communities close to the conflict.
Safety, shelter and support as heavy rain and major flooding hits NSW.
God to continue to move powerfully in the mission and ministry of the Queensland Synod.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.