Uniting Church in Australia - UnitingCare Australia's new ND starts | LentEvent enters Week 2 | Uniting Chaplain meets G-G and more in National Update 25 February

25 February 2026 National Update Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story UNITINGCARE AUSTRALIA Introducing the new National Director of UnitingCare Australia Tamara Thomas has commenced as the new National Director of UnitingCare Australia, bringing with her a wealth of international leadership, advocacy and social justice experience. Joining the organisation last week, Tamara returns to Australia after an accomplished career overseas, including senior roles with global organisations such as the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), where she led resource mobilisation and strategic partnership efforts. Originally from Noosa Heads, Tamara grew up deeply embedded in the values of the Uniting Church, shaping her lifelong commitment to equity, human rights and community impact. Her return to Australia marks both a personal homecoming and a professional pivot towards national leadership in one of Australia’s most significant social services networks. UnitingCare Australia plays a critical role in advocating for social justice and strengthening a nationwide network of care providers that support vulnerable individuals and communities. Tamara’s appointment brings a new chapter of advocacy, collaboration and policy influence, as she seeks to elevate voices from the community and service delivery into meaningful change at national levels. National Update spoke with Tamara at the close of her first week at UnitingCare Australia, reflecting on her early impressions and priorities for the road ahead. Read more UNITINGWORLD Join UnitingWorld’s Lent Event! The season of Lent may be entering its second week, but it’s not too late to join UnitingWorld’s Lent Event! Individuals, congregations and community groups can journey through 40 for the Future, use the Lent resources to inspire, and give generously to stand with families facing poverty and climate change. PEOPLE OF OUR CHURCH Walking through life with our ADF personnel Rev Kaye Ronalds, a Uniting Church Chaplain in the Australian Defence Force, recently found herself in a room steeped in history and meaning. She was among multifaith leaders welcomed to Admiralty House by the Governor-General of Australia. The occasion was a meeting of the ADF’s Religious Advisory Committee to the Services, a group that nurtures the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of Defence personnel and their families. EASTER President’s 2026 Easter Message: Register to receive it first All are warmly invited to register to receive a special Easter video message from President Rev Charissa Suli. Delivered to your inbox ahead of Holy Week, her reflection delves into the Peace of Christ in anxious times and the gift of his Holy Spirit. World Day of Prayer is on Friday 6 March and will be celebrated by more than 170 countries. Links to commemorative services and resources are available here. The Synod of Western Australia has appointed David Beards as its new General Secretary. When accommodation was needed to house a refugee family, Diamond Valley Uniting Church in Victoria came to the rescue with an offer of its manse. General Secretary of the Synod of NSW & the ACT Rev Dr Peter Walker recently spoke with Insights magazine about his new position and his hopes for the Church’s future mission. Progressive Christianity Forum is presenting an interactive facilitated panel discussion on Thursday 5 March. Discover more about this in-person and online event. ICYMI: Ahead of International Women’s Day, President Rev Suli is inviting nominations of inspiring Uniting Church women shaping their communities. Share their stories by close of business tomorrow (26 February) for our IWD celebration. February 18  Lent begins (until 2 April) March 6  World Day of Prayer 8  International Women's Day 19 Close the Gap Day 17-23  Harmony Week (including 21 March - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination) 29  Palm Sunday April 3-5  Easter weekend 24  Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide 25  ANZAC Day May 17-24  Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 24  Pentecost 26  Sorry Day 27  National Reconciliation Week (until 3 June) 31  Trinity Sunday Click here for the Uniting Church Assembly 2026 calendar. ACT: Educator - Uniting Bunyarra Early Learning NSW: Ministry Team Leader - Manning Uniting Church NSW: National Director - Frontier Services NT: Chaplain - ARRCS Nhulunbuy QLD: Student Tutor - Raymont Residential College QLD: Director - Uniting Early Learning Riverview SA: Mission Resourcing Publications Coordinator - Synod of SA SA: Program Coordinator - Venues SA Victor Harbor VIC: Workforce Integration Developer - Uniting AgeWell TAS: Lead Educator (OSHC) - Uniting Glenorchy Early Learning WA: Disability Support Worker - Uniting WA Join us in prayer for... Our journey through Lent. Lord, renew our hearts, deepen our compassion and strengthen our commitment to follow You, reflecting Your light, humility and selfless love in all we do. UnitingCare Australia. May God guide new National Director Tamara Thomas, staff and volunteers with wisdom, compassion and courage as they serve communities with love and justice. The invaluable work of Uniting Church chaplains in the Australian Defence Force. May their words heal, their presence reassure and their ministry shine light in times of struggle. France, Monaco, Belgium and Luxembourg as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

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