6 October 2026

National Update

Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Feature

Stand with the Pacific: it’s time for climate action now

With Pacific leaders meeting in Fiji this week, the Uniting Church has been active across Australia calling for climate justice now across the nation and the Pacific.

Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli today urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to turn Australia’s commitment to its Pacific neighbours into action by supporting a global Fossil Fuel Treaty and a fair transition away from coal, oil and gas.

Across the nation, Uniting Church communities joined faith-led actions for climate justice, while more than 700 members of the Fijian National Conference declaring “Climate Justice Now” at their Perth convention on Sunday.

Pacific church leaders added urgency to the call: “We are sinking. We are vulnerable. Resilience is no longer enough” at their meeting in Fiji earlier in the weekend.

Rev Suli said being a good neighbour means listening to Pacific communities and acting on what we hear.

As attention turns to COP31, the Church’s message is clear: stand with the Pacific and act for climate justice now.

Reflecting on Romans 8, President Suli described Christian hope as “the courage to act without knowing that everything will turn out as we hope.”

As COP31 brings global leaders together, Pacific churches offer a clear challenge: move beyond admiration for resilience and respond with courage, solidarity and justice for our common home.

Read more about the Church’s climate justice campaigns and current activities here.

Northern Synod

Kulini… Are you listening?

Rev Dr Andrew Williams was installed as Moderator of the Northern Synod, bringing with him extensive experience in ordained ministry, church administration and ecumenical leadership.

Having served as General Secretary of both the Uniting Church in Western Australia and the Synod of NSW and ACT, he has worked internationally with the Council for World Mission and the World Council of Churches, and holds a Doctor of Theology from the University of Birmingham.

His installation marks a new chapter for the Northern Synod, and he is warmly welcomed into the role. Read more on how the four days at the Northern Synod went.

Fijian National Conference

Fijian National Conference welcomes over 700 delegates

More than 700 people celebrated four days of worship, culture, fellowship and learning as the four-day 2026 Fijian National Conference concluded in Fremantle/Walyalup on Sunday.

Under the theme “Wind of Change and Hope in the Wilderness”, participants explored mission, ministry, wellbeing, migration and climate change while celebrating the gifts Fijian communities bring to the Uniting Church.

Rev Viniana Rokomasi Ravetali was re-elected Chair, while young people played a prominent role in shaping the Conference’s future. Generous giving raised $27,000 to support youth activities and nurture emerging Fijian leaders.

Concluded with a powerful call for climate justice, more than 700 participants unfurled a huge “Climate Justice Now” banner, standing alongside Pacific churches and communities and urging Australia to listen to Pacific leadership ahead of COP31.

The weekend’s wonderful event would not have happened without the great work of the volunteers who kept everyone organised and fed, along with the able support of the WA Synod. We’d like to thank everyone for the conference’s success.

Delegates return home renewed in faith, strengthened in community and ready for mission, carrying a message of hope, justice and care for God’s creation.

Korean Conference

Paddling together, renewed by God’s love

President-elect Rev Paul Goh has called the Church to rediscover God’s love and journey together in faith, hope and service.

Preaching at Perth Woori Korean Uniting Church after attending the Fiji National Conference in Fremantle, Rev Goh reflected on the first Christian community in Acts 2 and the love that shaped its life.

Drawing on the congregation’s five core values, Welcome, Worship, Words, Works and Wow, he invited the Church to welcome one another as God’s family, worship together, be transformed by God’s Word, serve people who are hurting and vulnerable, and live with wonder at God’s work among us.

“We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19), he reminded the congregation.

Using the image of a canoe, Rev Goh encouraged the Uniting Church to journey together across cultures and generations, propelled by the Spirit towards God’s promised future.

“Let’s paddle together, renewed by our first love.”

NCAA

New General Secretary for NCCA

The Uniting Church in Australia warmly congratulates Dr Kate Power on her appointment as the new General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA).

Currently General Secretary of Queensland Churches Together, Kate brings significant ecumenical experience, energy and insight, as well as a strong commitment to listening to and addressing the needs of communities across Australia.

Kate has spoken of her excitement at working with Christian leaders from across Australia to see Jesus’ prayer for unity realised: “that they may all be one” (John 17:21), so that the world may know God’s love and peace for all people.

The Uniting Church looks forward to working alongside Kate, the NCCA and its 18 member churches as we continue to deepen ecumenical relationships and strengthen our shared Christian witness.

We give thanks for Kate’s call to this ministry and pray God’s blessing upon her as she prepares to take up this important leadership role.

Frontier Services

Lee’s Tribute: The friendship this farm made possible

Lee first joined Outback Links as a volunteer in 2020, helping out on Chris and Heather's drought-stricken farm in rural New South Wales. That first visit went so well that he kept coming back, and Chris and Heather welcomed him like family from the start.

What began as practical help became a friendship that lasted the rest of Lee's life. Chris says it was never really about the physical work. When you're in the grip of a drought, a volunteer gives you an opening for the social side of life.

Read Lee's story at the Frontier Services website.

27-day Pacific Paddle for Hope to end single use plastics: As the Pacific prepares to present its collective voice at Pre-COP31, Rev James Bhagwan with Paddle for Hope is highlighting the connection between climate change, ocean health and everyday actions.
National Council of Churches President’s reflection - Our church traditions differ and at times are contrasting, yet we are as one in affirming that it is Jesus who calls us to faith and discipleship.
The Pacific Church leaders’ statement to COP31: We are sinking. We are vulnerable. Resiliance is no longer enough.
Our differences must never become our divisions
World Council of Churches asks, “How are we called to witness together today?” ahead of Chiang Mai conference.
ICYMI: Translated versions of several key Uniting Church foundational and governance documents are now available, helping more people participate fully in the life, leadership and decision-making of the Church. The translated resources include the Basis of Union, Manual for Meetings, Statement to the Nation and Church Council Responsibilities Guide. Download them here.

Join us in prayer for...

Peace across the world, particularly in the conflict-stricken regions of Palestine and Israel.
For Climate Justice, the Earth, and for successful negotiations at COP31.
Colombia, Equador, and Venezuala as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

October
22 Anniversary of National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse
29-30 NSW Synod - One Conference
30 Filipino National Conference (until 1 Nov)

November
1 All Saints Day
22 Reign of Christ Sunday
25 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (until 10 Dec)

Click here for the Uniting Church Assembly 2026 calendar.