National Update

Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story

JUSTICE

Season of Creation 2025 has begun!

Spring is here, marking the start of the Season of Creation 2025 – a time when Christians around the world are invited to pray, reflect and act in care for the Earth.

This ecumenical celebration – which runs until 4 October – calls us to renew our connection with God’s creation. This year’s theme ‘Peace with Creation’ and symbol ‘the Garden of Peace’ draw inspiration from Isaiah 32:14-18 and invite personal and collective transformation. It pictures a devastated, desolate Earth transformed into fertile, thriving land through reconciliation and renewal.

In a time of ecological crisis, this call to Peace with Creation is urgent. Creation is God’s sacred gift, entrusted to our care. True peace requires justice and reconciliation not just among people, but with all living beings.

The Assembly has collated a range of resources to guide and encourage you and your church through this season.

Discover resources here

THE GLOBAL CHURCH

MCIF Conference: Shared mission across oceans

President Charissa Suli's recent journey to the 190th Conference of Methodist Church in Fiji provided an opportunity for the Uniting Church to strengthen ties across the Pacific through worship and prayer, as well as dialogue on faith, justice and discipleship.

OUTBACK MINISTRY

Frontier Services Sunday celebrated

Last week, congregations across the country gathered to celebrate Frontier Services Sunday, with staff attending numerous churches on the day and in the lead-up, including Burwood Heights Uniting (VIC) and Nightcliff Uniting (NT). If your congregation missed out, it’s not too late. Book a guest speaker and Order of Service booklets here.

ACT2 PROJECT

Join our new Commissions team!

The Uniting Church in Australia is entering a bold era of renewal through the Act2 Project. We’re looking for a talented Administration & Communications Officer to support the two key Commissions driving this transformation. If you're passionate about purpose-driven work and suitably qualified, we'd love to hear from you.

JUSTICE

Faith leaders unite for a stronger, more generous Australian aid program

Last week, Dr Sureka Goringe, National Director of the UCA's international aid and partnership agency UnitingWorld, joined the Micah Australia Women Leaders Delegation in Canberra. Over three days, the delegation held meetings with Members of Parliament from all sides of politics, calling for a stronger Australian aid program.

JUSTICE

Take part in this creative action for the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel

Gather your community to take part in this creative action being coordinated by the Palestine and Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN). For the past two years PIEN has produced a video showing Christians holding signs calling for an end to injustice in the Holy Land. Clergy and churches are invited to take part in this simple action again this year, during the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel (20-26 September).

It's your last chance to register for the Creeds, Confessions & Contexts Conference, taking place from 11–13 September at UTC in Sydney.
The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania recently held its 2025 meeting. A comprehensive recap can be found here.
Barry Higgins from UnitingWorld recently discussed ethical mission on the Filthy Hope podcast. Take a listen here.
Uniting NSW.ACT recently featured on ABC's 7.30 calling for the release of more Home Care Packages for older Australians. Since the story aired, the Government has released 20,000 more packages.
A Memorial Service for the late Rev Dr Peter Cruchley – Director of the WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism – will be livestreamed on Tuesday 9 September at 10pm AEST.
The Assembly has joined with more than 60 organisations in calling for greater accountability in Australia's military trade.
UnitingWorld's partners in northern India are seeking donations to support communities ravaged by flooding in the Punjab region.
Renew, organised by the Synod of South Australia, is on this October. An event to refresh and reimagine church life through worship, workshops and conversation.
Limited spaces remain for the President's Conference in Tonga this November. Find out more.

Next edition of National Update

Please note that National Update is back as a weekly mailing. 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 Uniting Church in Western Australia as it gathers for its 49th Annual Synod meeting this weekend.
Organisers and youth attending the South Australia Synod's State Youth Conference '25 on 13 September.
The people of eastern Afghanistan, where a powerful earthquake last Sunday killed over 800 people and left a further 2,500 injured.
The nations of Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Benin as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

Centre Manager - Victor Harbor (Synod of SA)
Oversee operations, staff and facilities at the iconic Adare Camp and Caravan Park. An opportunity to make a meaningful impact daily.

Jobs: Bush Chaplaincy - Carpentaria Region (QLD Synod)
A full-time position working in remote north-west QLD, offering pastoral care, religious services and community support.

Jobs: Lead Minister - Billabong UC, Canning Vale (Synod of WA)
A full-time pastor to champion the mission, preach, disciple and oversee a vibrant evangelical ministry across two campuses.

Jobs: Community Engagement Worker, Hamilton Wesley UC (Synod of NSW-ACT)
Engage, research and identify the needs, characteristics and aspirations of the local community.