12 November 2025

National Update

Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story

THIS IS MY UNITING CHURCH

A life-giving community sharing God's abundant love: meet Willoughby and Northbridge Uniting Church

At Willoughby and Northbridge Uniting Church, two congregations are discovering afresh what it means to be a life-giving community sharing God’s abundant love. Rooted on the lands of the Cammeraygal and Wallumedegal peoples, read how these two communities in partnership are offering God's welcome, intergenerational community and a place of belonging where all are known by name.

What one thing makes your church unique?

"The way we are growing faith through intergenerational discipleship," writes minister Rev Ingrid Robertson. "Musicians, worship leaders, tech teams, and welcomers learn side by side across generations. That shared practice forms character, builds skills, and quietly teaches what Christian community looks like."

In the latest story in our This is my Uniting Church series, these communities share what's energising their faith, how they're engaging with the community, and what the rest of us can pray for.

Meet the communities here

NATIONAL ADVOCACY

Teardrops on the marble: time to ban nuclear weapons forever

Last Monday and Tuesday, the Uniting Church joined with ICAN Australia and the Public Health Association of Australia for two days of advocacy meetings calling for the Government to urgently deliver on its long-held party platform to sign and ratify the UN Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Policy Advisor Ron Johnson, who participated on behalf of the Assembly, reflects on his experience.

PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE

President's Conference wraps after four inspirational days

The 2025 President's Conference closed on Sunday after four rich and inspirational days 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 for worship, fellowship, theological reflection and cultural immersion. Stay tuned for our story, and in the meantime explore the wonderful daily photo galleries and videos on our Facebook page.

ECUMENISM

UCA-Lutheran Dialogue meets in Melbourne

Dialogue Co-Chairs Rev Paul Stephens and Bishop Emeritus Greg Pietsch report on the recent meeting of the UCA-Lutheran Dialogue. The recent recognition by the Lutheran Church that both women and men may be ordained has given renewed energy to the Dialogue's work on ministry and formed the basis for most of the discussion at the recent gathering.
Image: The ordination of Maria Rudolph in April, one of the first following the decision.

CLIMATE

WCC calls COP30 a "kairos moment" for climate transformation

As the world's largest climate gathering opened in the Amazon on 10 November, the World Council of Churches called attention to how this location creates an unprecedented "kairos moment" - a decisive time demanding a response. Also watch: WCC moderator Heinrich Bedford-Strohm reflects on Jesus' golden rule from the global meeting in Belém.

ADVENT

Resources for your advent worship planning

It's hard to believe Advent is just two and a half weeks away! Whether your preparation is just beginning or well underway, we’ve gathered a range of links to resource your worship planning and mark this season with your community and family. We've got resources from the Synod of Queensland, With Love to the World, Intergen, Common Grace and more, plus a massive list of intergenerational resources and some great music sites.

UNITINGWORLD

UnitingWorld appeal for the Philippines

More than one million people have been forced from their homes in the Philippines as two powerful typhoons, Kalmaegi and Fung-Wong, have swept across the country within days of each other. 224 people have died and hundreds are missing. Please consider donating to UnitingWorld's emergency appeal and keep the people of the Philippines in your prayers. Read this prayer by Rev Dr Apwee Ting.

Join this Advent webinar hosted by the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network - a conversation between Mercy Aiken, Program Director - Middle East with Peace Catalyst International, and Cole Martin, photo-video journalist and Anglican from Aotearoa NZ.
‘Witness’, the new album from Uniting Creative, is available now! See photos from the launch event and get the music resources here.
Recordings of all the keynotes from Uniting Church preaching event Preachfest are now available.
ICYMI: The seventh national Uniting Church Day of Mourning will take place on Sunday 25 January 2026. Sign up now to receive forthcoming resources.
ICYMI: the National Governance, Resourcing and Administration Commission gives this video update.

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 back as a weekly mailing 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 vibrant, intergenerational and loving ministry and mission of Willoughby and Northbridge Uniting Church.
Ongoing relationship and deepening of shared ministry and witness between the Uniting and Lutheran Churches in Australia.
The people of the Philippines in time of such terrible destruction and disaster.
All those at COP30 calling attention to the urgency of acting for climate justice and transformation.
Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Kanaky, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

Jobs: National Manager - Media and Communications (The Assembly)
Seeking an experienced leader to deliver media and communications strategy for the UCA, supporting leadership in governance, pastoral presence, and public representation.

Jobs: Internal Auditor - Melbourne (Synod of Vic-Tas)
Deliver end-to-end internal audits while promoting continuous improvement, compliance, efficiency and risk management practices.

Jobs: Family & Young People’s Ministry Facilitator - Gungahlin UC (Synod of NSW-ACT)
Help grow a vibrant and sustainable youth and family ministry within this energetic multigenerational and multicultural congregation.

Jobs: Minister - Living Water UC (Northern Synod)
A relational, part-time pastor is sought to build faith, lead relevant worship and support the community of a prayerful church.