7 July 2026

National Update

Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Featured Story

New Assembly Secretariat Leadership Announced

The National Assembly is delighted to welcome Catherine Pepper as Associate General Secretary, Strategy & Governance and congratulate Rev Dr Sunny Chen for his appointment as Director, Faith and Theology.

Catherine also brings a deep commitment to the life and mission of the Uniting Church. A lifelong member of the Church, she served for eight years on the Assembly Standing Committee and has made significant contributions to the Act2 process, the Assembly Net Zero Working Group and other national governance bodies.

Sunny joins the Executive Team after serving as National Consultant with the Assembly, where he has supported the Church’s national work in a broad range of ministry and mission priorities. An ordained Minister of the Word, Sunny has also served as Presbytery Minister in the Presbytery of Yarra Yarra and as the Synod’s equipping Leadership for Mission Presbytery Minister.

Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday resources now available

On Sunday 19 July, communities across the Uniting Church are invited to join in the national celebration of Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday.

Emerging from a decision of the 16th Assembly in 2022, Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday (INS) celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures and languages that make up the body of Christ and encourages us to push deeper into what it means to live our life and faith interculturally in the Uniting Church.

It is also an invitation to go beyond our own communities to make connections with culturally diverse communities around us and join in with what God is already doing in our neighbourhood. Resources for a full worship service, an INS prayer, and ways to get involved are now available. We encourage you to download these as you prepare for this special event.

ACT2

Commission advances key priorities

The Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership (CTFL) has taken important steps in advancing the Act2 vision, progressing work on a common higher education provider, national ministry formation standards and a shared framework for theological education during a meeting at Trinity College Queensland.

LITURGY

Join the conversation on worship renewal

The Assembly’s Liturgical Renewal Project has launched a new Substack to share updates, reflections and resources as the project unfolds. Subscribe to have new posts delivered straight to your inbox and stay connected with this important work.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on questions such as: What worship questions does our Church need to wrestle with? What would make our worship more faithful and life-giving? What does life-giving worship look like to you? Send us your submissions here.

JUSTICE

Roundtable highlights practical steps to Net Zero by 2040

What does the journey to Net Zero by 2040 look like in practice? Read and watch how the Uniting Church’s second Climate Action Roundtable showcased practical solutions, inspiring stories and innovative approaches from across the country.

PRESIDENT

President concludes visit to Tonga

Following a week of celebrations marking 200 years of Christianity in Tonga, Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has concluded her visit with meetings that reaffirmed the Church’s enduring commitment to partnership across the Pacific.

Alongside joining thousands in thanksgiving celebrations with the Tongan royal family and global diaspora, President Rev Suli met with Tongan and Australian leaders to discuss the future of Tonga and the wider Pacific.

FRONTIER SERVICES

Walking together this NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate the strength, culture, and stories of First Nations peoples, and to reflect on the relationships that help communities thrive.

This week, we’re sharing stories from two Frontier Services Bush Chaplains walking alongside First Nations communities. Kirsty Burgu reflects on faith, culture and healing through Country, while Ric Payne speaks of connection, creativity and community with the Nhanda people at the Northampton Old School Community Initiative.

Congregations throughout the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania are taking practical steps to become more accessible and inclusive, ensuring people with disability can fully participate in worship and community life.
Australians lose an estimated $31.5 billion to gambling each year, while gambling advertising continues to saturate TV, computer and mobile screens. Support the call for a comprehensive advertising ban to help protect children and our most vulnerable.
Through the ACT Alliance, Act for Peace has launched an emergency appeal to support victims of the recent Venezuelan earthquakes. Please consider how you may help.
The Christian Conference of Asia’s Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI) 2026 has commenced in Thailand, bringing together 23 young ecumenical leaders for a month of theological formation, leadership development and reflection.
ICYMI: Registrations are still open for the Korean National Conference. The conference will take place from 20-22 July at Belgrave Heights Uniting in Melbourne.

July
5-12 NAIDOC Week
10 Anniversary of the UCA-UAICC Covenant
19 Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday

August

4 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
30 Frontier Services Sunday

September
1 Season of Creation (until 4 Oct)

Click here for the Uniting Church Assembly 2026 calendar.

ACT: Registered Nurse - Uniting Mirinjani

ACT: Newpin Family Worker - Uniting NSW.ACT

NSW: Presbytery Minister - Northern Presbytery

NSW: Young Adults Resource Worker - Eastwood UC

NSW: NDIS Local Area Coordinator - Uniting Taree HNEC

NT: Shop Supervisor - Darwin Memorial UC Op Shop

NT: Minister - Alice Springs UC

NT: Minister - Living Water UC

QLD: Reception & Bookings Admin - Alexandra Park Conference Centre

QLD: Associate Director of Mission (Integration, Formation & Church Partnerships) -UnitingCare QLD

QLD: Resource Minister - Burnett Network of Churches

QLD: Residential Service Manager - Pinangba

SA: Outback Links Volunteer - Frontier Services

SA - Chaplain, Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Synod of SA

SA: Community Connections Coordinator - Clare UC

VIC: Minister/Deacon - Living Faith Church Greensborough

VIC: Minister/Pastor - Echuca Moama UC

VIC: Property Administration Officer - Presbytery of Port Phillip West

TAS: Minister/Pastor - Hobart Scots Memorial UC

TAS: Home Care Worker - Uniting AgeWell

WA: Pilbara Patrol Remote Area Bush Chaplain - Synod of WA

WA: Minister - Wagin Group of Congregations

Have a role you’d like us to advertise? Send us the details!

Join us in prayer for...

Catherine Pepper and Rev Dr Sunny Chen as they begin their new leadership roles within the Assembly. May God grant them wisdom, discernment and strength as they serve the Church’s mission and equip God’s people for faithful ministry.
Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday. We pray that through this event, relationships will be deepened, as we celebrate the cultural diversity of people both in our congregations and across our communities.
the Assembly’s Liturgical Renewal Project and all who contribute to it. May God inspire fresh ideas, faithful reflection and Spirit-led conversations that renew our worship and deepen our discipleship.
Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.