National Update

Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story

FIRST NATIONS

Welcome to Country: a sacred ritual inviting us into relationship with this ancient land

On Friday last week, we witnessed two deeply painful events: the disrespectful interruption of Bunurong Elder Uncle Mark Brown’s Welcome to Country at the Melbourne ANZAC Day Dawn Service, and the abrupt cancellation of Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy’s Welcome to Country at an NRL match.

These events ignited a heated and hurtful debate surrounding the role of Welcome to Country ceremonies in public life.

On Tuesday, Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli released a statement expressing the solidarity of the Uniting Church with First Nations peoples and with Elders who continue to offer Welcome to their ancestral Country with extraordinary generosity. She writes:

"Welcome to Country is not a courtesy or a formality. It is a sacred act that affirms the sovereignty, cultures, and dignity of First Peoples. With roots in the ancient customs of First Peoples who welcomed visitors onto their lands to ensure safe passage and peaceful relationship, today it remains a gift that invites all who gather to walk humbly and respectfully."

Read it here

FEDERAL ELECTION

What's your vision for a just Australia?

On the eve of the Federal Election, here's one more chance to explore Our Vision for a Just Australia before heading to the voting booth. As Australia goes to the polls, please uphold in prayer our leaders and decision makers, those who have offered themselves for election, and all who will vote. Let compassion, vision and courage be our guide.

Tip: we've added eight new graphics to our election resources! Post them to your social media to share what matters to you this election.

FEDERAL ELECTION

"These people are not threats to be feared"

Last week the Uniting Church Assembly released a statement strongly opposing a proposal by the Opposition Leader that under a Coalition government, the visas of Palestinians from Gaza would be re-assessed. We reject any implication that people fleeing the horrors of war inherently pose a national security risk.

EVENTS

Exclusive screening: The Golden Chain of Mercy

All are invited to an exclusive screening of ground-breaking documentary 'The Golden Chain of Mercy', which reveals the untold story of the Australian and New Zealand connection to the Armenian genocide. Hosted in partnership with the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia, the screening will be held from 2:30pm on Saturday 24 May at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney. Please RSVP for catering.

PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE 2025

Save the Date! President's Conference 2025 goes Pacific

We're delighted that President Rev Charissa Suli has announced her President's Conference will be held from 6-9 November 2025 at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel, Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Program and registration information will be ready at the start of June - for now, you can sign up to get the information as soon as it's available.

POSITION AVAILABLE

Position available: Act2 Project Lead

Are you a strong project and change manager, relationship builder and understand the Uniting Church in Australia? You could be the next Act2 Project Lead. The Uniting Church Assembly is hiring for a full-time Act2 Project Lead who will lead and manage the work of the Act2 Project in a new phase.

Read UnitingWorld's response to news that the Coalition would propose an $813 million cut to Australia’s aid program, announced in its election costings yesterday.
The Assembly is deeply saddened at the death of Rev Richard (Dick) Wootton A.M., who passed away last Thursday. Read our tribute on Facebook.
The Assembly has released a 2025 edition of the Uniting Church Constitution and Regulations. Find them in the Church Government hub on Illuminate, the Assembly's resource centre. The complete 2025 Constitution and Regulations will shortly be available to print-on-demand.

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 14 May. Shorter, supplementary editions are 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 Federal Election. For our leaders and decision makers, those who have offered themselves for election, and all who vote. May compassion, justice and mercy be our guide.
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

Jobs: Property and Facilities Coordinator - Banyule Network of Uniting Churches, Melbourne
Support the mission of the Banyule Network through this property and project management role.

Jobs: Administration Officer - Uniting Church WA Synod
Play an important role in the Synod's property team assisting with a diverse property portfolio across Perth and regional WA.