News and Notes 7 July 2025

Celebrating NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration held across Australia in the first week of July (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC Week 2025 marks 50 years of honouring Indigenous voices, culture and resilience. The Uniting Church, together with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), celebrates this milestone and the enduring strength of First Nations peoples.

The theme for 2025 is 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy'. Learn more about the theme, and the artist Jeremy Morgan Worrall who designed the NAIDOC 2025 poster 'Ancestral Lines' here.

Click on the link to go the the UCA website where you will find links to NAIDOC resources from our church and community.

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Uniting Church National History Conference

All who have an interest in the heritage of our churches are invited to register for the UC National History Conference to be held at Canberra City Church on 3 to 5 October 2025.

The theme, 'The Church as a Prophetic Voice in Australian Society: Past, Present & Future' is about our church offering a ‘prophetic voice’ having spoken up on issues affecting Australia. Speakers will look at the impact of the church’s influence in the past and give a focus to the present and offer inspiration for the future.

Click 'find out more' to visit the UCNHS website for information and registration options.

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Save the Date - Good Sammy Open Day

You're invited to the Good Sammy headquarters for a special open day for our Uniting Church WA community.

Good Sammy Enterprises are hosting an Open Day for Uniting Church WA community at their Canning Vale facility on Thursday 28 August from 10.00am to 12.00pm.

This is a unique experience which includes a presentation from CEO Kane Blackman, a tour of their recycling facilities and a delicious morning tea.

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Formation Focus Week: Friday Gathering

UCEF invites you to Mount Pleasant Uniting Church on Friday 25 July as part of our Formation Focus Week journey.

This is an evening of fellowship and discussion around the Formation Focus Week theme “The Power of Perspective”. Hear stories and reflections by UCA President Rev Charissa Suli and other Past Presidents of the Uniting Church and share our own experiences and perspectives.

Date - Friday 25 July
Time - 7.00pm to 9.00pm
Location - Mount Pleasant Uniting Church, 1 Coomoora Rd, Mt Pleasant
RSVP by 23 July - pa.education@wa.uca.org.au

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Social Justice Hive Gathering

The WA Synod Social Justice Commission invites you to a Social Justice Hive Gathering and Priority Setting morning.

Join us at Uniting WA for an in-person social justice busy bee, gathering with others who have a passion for social justice work, to set priorities in the lead up to WA Synod 2025, share resources and plan shared actions.

This gathering will finish with a shared lunch.

Date - Saturday 26 July
Time - 10.00am to 1.00pm
Location - Djidi Djidi Training Space, Uniting WA (10/5 Aberdeen St, Perth)

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NCCA - Reflection from the President (NCCA)

We are surrounded by so much noise at the moment. It is the noise of war and conflict, the noise of competing political views, the noise of debate over right and wrong, and overwhelmingly the noise of human suffering. Read Article

Cost of Living: How Good Sammy can help families save money (Good Sammy)

With the cost of living rising, families are looking for ways to save money while still choosing quality and sustainability.
Good Sammy makes that easier. Shopping second-hand helps you cut costs, support people with disability and reduce environmental impact, all in one simple choice. Read Article

Past time for national Working with Children Checks system (NCCA)

The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) is supporting the call of Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare, for the urgent implementation of a robust national Working with Children Check system for all sectors engaged with children and young people. Read Article

Loneliness is everyone's business (Insights)

Have you thought about or even experienced loneliness recently? With all the other challenges experienced in our community it can be easy to overlook, but growing evidence indicates that loneliness is a significant public health issue, and we should be paying more attention to it. Read Article

National Redress Scheme Fact Sheets - Uniting Church Australia Redress Limited has published fact sheets relating to the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme) which has been operating since 2018. The closing date for applications is 30 June 2027. After 30 June 2027 people who have experienced sexual abuse as a child in an institution will not be able to apply for redress under the National Redress Scheme.
The fact sheets, which will be sent to congregations in the July monthly mailout, provide information on how to access the scheme for support, to obtain more information, or for assistance to make an application. This information is also available on the Scheme’s website - https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/
The Uniting Church encourages people who may be eligible to apply for redress to contact the Scheme confidentially on1800 737 377 or contact a support service.
Anyone who has received redress and has accepted the offer of a Direct Personal Response from the Uniting Church and is ready to proceed is encouraged to contact Uniting Church Australia Redress Limited on 1800 411 739 or by email info@redress.uca.org.au
Pioneer Ministry in New Housing Areas - Thrive Mission Committee is delighted to welcome Rev Alison Boulton, a leading voice in missional engagement within new housing areas, to Western Australia this July. There are two seminar opportunities available, 22 July in Bunbury and 24 July in Guildford where Alison will lead sessions drawing on her 8-part course for discerning and equipping people and communities called to plant or grow expressions of church in new housing developments. For information or to register, click on the links or contact Rev Greg Ross – minister@bunburyuniting.church
Albany Uniting Church 'The Quiet Space' - Albany Uniting Church offer The Quiet Space on the fourth Saturday of the month @ 2.00 pm. A time of reflective music by different local musicians for anyone who wishes to enjoy the calming interlude in a busy schedule. This is a free opportunity, but contributions are welcome. A wide variety of instruments are played by the musicians, all of whom are highly skilled but love to play in the wonderful acoustics of Albany Wesley. Everyone is welcome.

July

Sunday 6 July to Sunday 13 July - NAIDOC Week 2025 - The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.
Friday 18 July, 1.00pm. Wesley at One: Romantic Contrasts at Uniting Church in the City, Wesley Perth.
Saturday 19 July, 9.00am to 2.00pm. Safe Church Awareness Workshop at St Aidan's Uniting Church, Claremont.
Monday 21 July. No News and Notes.
Tuesday 22 July, 9.30am to 2.00pm. Pioneer Ministry in New Housing Areas - Bunbury Seminar at St Augustine Uniting Church, Bunbury.
Thursday 24 July, 9.30am to 2.00pm. Pioneer Ministry in New Housing Areas - Guildford Seminar at St Matthews Anglican Church, Guildford.
Friday 25 July, 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Formation Focus Week Friday Gathering at Mount Pleasant Uniting Church, Mount Pleasant.
Saturday 26 July, 10.00am to 1.00pm. Social Justice Hive Gathering at Uniting WA, Aberdeen St, Perth.
Monday 28 July. No News and Notes.

August

Saturday 2 August, 2.00pm. Ordination of Susan Lord at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church, Floreat.
Saturday 23 August, 9.00am to 12.30pm. Safe Church Refresher Workshop at Willetton Uniting Church, Willetton.
Thursday 28 August, 10.00am to 12.00pm. Good Sammy Uniting Church Open Day at Good Sammy HQ, 33-35 Bannister Rd, Canning Vale.
Sunday 31 August, 10.00am to 11.00am. Admission of Rev Roy Surjenegara at GKI Uniting Church, Mosman Park.