National Update

Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

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TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

"Banning nuclear weapons will require love to triumph over fear"

Australia joining the majority of nations and signing the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons would build trust with our Asia-Pacific neighbours and strengthen our nation's credibility as a peace-builder, writes Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli.

The President was published earlier this week in public policy journal Pearls and Irritations, giving voice to the Uniting Church's long-time call that Australia must join the majority of nations and sign the Treaty - the first legally binding international agreement to comprehensively ban nuclear weapons.

"Those who place their faith in the devastating power of nuclear weapons argue that reliance on US extended nuclear deterrence is essential for national defence," writes the President.

"Yet, as the World Council of Churches reminds us, “nuclear faith is a faith that secures death. We want to pursue a faith that leads to life."

Read it here

REGULATIONS

2025 edition of the Uniting Church Constitution and Regulations out now

The 2025 edition of the complete Uniting Church Constitution and Regulations is now available - an essential resource for leaders in the councils of the Uniting Church. Download the PDF from uHub, the Assembly's central resource hub, or order a printed book from Wayzgoose.

PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE

Brand new pics from the President's Conference

We've compiled some of the best photos from the 2025 President's Conference, held in early November in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Hosted by President Rev Charissa Suli in partnership with the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, the Conference gathered people from all over Australia, the Pacific and New Zealand. See the photo album here on Flickr, and explore the wonderful photo galleries and videos on our Facebook page.

REDRESS SCHEME

Reminder: deadline for applications to the National Redress Scheme

UCA Redress wishes to remind the Uniting Church and wider community of the deadline for applications to the National Redress Scheme: 30 June 2027. The Uniting Church has affirmed its commitment to justice for survivors and is committed to proactively participating in the Scheme in a trauma informed way. People who may be eligible are encouraged to apply.

GLOBAL CHURCH

Applications open for WCRC 2026 Internship Programme

The World Communion of Reformed Churches is inviting young leaders from member churches to apply for the 2026 Internship Programme, a 12-month placement at the WCRC offices in Germany, beginning in February 2026. Designed for people aged 30 or younger, the programme is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in theology, mission, justice and communications in an ecumenical setting.

PALESTINE

Kairos Palestine issues anniversary plea

This month, Kairos Palestine held its 16th international conference in Bethlehem. The conference not only commemorated the 2009 launch of the Kairos Palestine Document: A Moment of Truth: Faith in the Time of Genocide, but also presented a new Kairos document and call, a renewed theological and moral plea to the global church.

The Uniting Climate Action Network will be hosting a prayer vigil focussed on COP30 and the challenge of climate change, tomorrow night 20 November at 7pm. More information and register here.
This coming Sunday, the Pacific Conference of Churches will mark its annual Break the Silence Sunday, a reminder of the power of working together to end violence against women and girls in the Pacific. You can download the worship liturgy here - this could be a resource for your community if you are marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence from 25 Nov-10 Dec.
ICYMI: check out our collection of resources for your Advent preparation. This week we've added new resources from Intergen for the four weeks of Advent, and an ecumenical collection from the National Council of Churches in Australia.
A toolkit of resources for the Act for Peace Christmas Bowl Appeal are available now.

November
23 Reign of Christ Sunday
25 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence begins (ends 10 Dec)
30 Advent begins (ends 24 Dec)
December
25 Christmas Day
January
25 Uniting Church Day of Mourning
26 Australia/Survival Day

Click here for the Uniting Church Assembly 2026 calendar.

Have a story to share?

National Update is sent every Wednesday. 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 Assembly Standing Committee, meeting this weekend in Sydney.
All working for a world free of the existential threat that is nuclear weapons.
How we embody power and leadership as a Church. May we follow the example of Christ the King, serving the world in self-giving love.
Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

Administrative Assistant - Koonung Heights Uniting Church (Melbourne)
A great opportunity in a friendly local congregational setting for someone with general administration or office management experience.

Legal Officer - Uniting Church Queensland Synod
The purpose of this role is to investigate, provide legal services, and manage complaints and discipline matters.