News and Notes 4 August 2025

Uniting Church stands with the global church in call for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel

The Uniting Church Assembly Standing Committee has adopted a statement of the World Council of Churches Central Committee on Palestine as the Uniting Church's official position.

Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Charissa Suli said:
"As President of the Uniting Church in Australia, I am deeply grieved by the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Alongside our global ecumenical partners, I believe this is a moment when the Church must speak with clarity, act with courage, and pray with compassion."

The statement, A Call to End Apartheid, Occupation and Impunity in Palestine and Israel, was released at the WCC Central Committee meeting in Johannesburg in June 2025. It reflects two years of consultation with churches in the Middle East including with Palestinian Christian communities.

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Genocide in the Wildflower State Film Screening and Panel

You are invited to a special screening of the documentary Genocide in the Wildflower State, followed by a panel discussion, on Sunday 17 August.

This event is co-hosted by UCIC's Social.Justice.Church, the Uniting Aboriginal & Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), Yokai: Healing our Spirit, West Australian Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation (WASGAC) and the Uniting Church WA Social Justice Commission.

The screening on 17 August will be at Uniting Church in the City’s Tranby Hall, Level 1, 97 William St, Perth, beginning at 12.00pm with light refreshments. The film screening will commence at 12.30pm, followed by a panel discussion with Rev Mitchell Garlett and Dr Jim Morrison.

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Breakfast Blitz

Uniting WA have partnered with 720 ABC Radio Perth for a Breakfast Blitz to support people facing homelessness in Perth!

This community campaign is running from 21 July to 15 August. They are collecting non-perishable breakfast items for Uniting WA's Tranby Engagement Hub, Perth’s only 365-day crisis support centre for people experiencing homelessness.

Go to the ABC website for details on non-perishable items to donate, and a list of collection points including Gosnells Uniting Church, St Stephen's School in Duncraig and many other locations across the Perth metropolitan area. You can also give a financial donation to support the Hub via the Uniting WA website.

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IPDC Quiz Night

The WA Synod International Partnerships and Development Commission (IPDC) invite you to their annual Quiz Night at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church on Saturday 23 August 2025, starting at 6.30pm.

This is an important annual fundraising activity to support the work of our Synod partnership with the Black Pearl Network, Papua Indonesia.

Enjoy a fantastic night filled with great company, lots of laughs and the opportunity to take home the treasured IPDC quiz night perpetual plaque!!

You can make up a table of 8-10 friends or ask us to put you on a table and make some new ones! Get in early as tickets are limited and sold out last year!

Tickets available here. Click below for more information.

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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.

RSVP here or email events@goodsammy.com.au

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UCA, UAICC and UnitingCare Australia welcome First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance (UCA)

The announcement was made on 2 August by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a speech at the Garma Festival in Gulkula. Read Article

Hope Grows in Schools (UnitingWorld)

Across rural Zimbabwe, families are facing long droughts, food insecurity and lack of clean water. Supported by UnitingWorld, the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ) has begun working in schools to transform what is possible for children and families in poverty. Read Article

Warm Clothes Needed: Host a Donation Drive with us (Good Sammy)

As the cold weather lingers across Western Australia, demand for warm, good quality pre-loved clothing is still high in our stores. To help meet that need, Good Sammy has launched a Clothing Donation Drive campaign and we are calling on workplaces, schools, sports clubs and community groups to get involved. Read Article

Juniper’s furniture finds new life through charitable donations (Juniper)

As Juniper refurbishes its aged care homes, it’s not just customers who benefit – local charities and training organisations do too. Read Article

New online store for printed Uniting Church Resources - Following the closure of MediaCom Education in 2024, official printed Uniting Church resources, materials and books can now be found on the online store of printer and publisher, Wayzgoose
Uniting Church Adult Fellowship (UCAF) WA Committee - Due to the declining turnout at the Annual Fellowship Day in recent years, the UCAF WA Committee has decided to discontinue holding the event. They will, however, continue to celebrate milestone birthdays for our community turning 80 and 90 years old. The cut-off date for submitting 80th Birthday Certificate registration forms is 1 September 2025. Forms can be accessed via the UCWA website.
Safe Church Awareness Workshop - There will be a Safe Church Awareness Workshop taking place on Saturday 6 September from 9.00am to 2.00pm at Crossways Uniting Church, 10 Calabrese Ave, Wanneroo, WA. For further information or to register please contact Kerry Shields, Administrative Support Officer, Culture of Safety on 9260 9800 or cultureofsafety@wa.uca.org.au
Committee for Discipline Seeking Expressions of Interest - The Bible and the Code of Ethics set out high standards for its ministers. When matters of concern arise there are various steps to address them. After earlier steps have been taken, Regulation 5.7 establishes a Synod Committee for Discipline (CFD) which has specific procedures to look into a complaint that a minister has wilfully and persistently neglected the duties of a minister. The CFD is seeking expressions of interest from lay and ministerial members of the church to join a small pool of committee members who could be called upon to sit on a panel to investigate and resolve complaints. We seek people who have a passion for promoting healthy discipline and spiritual wellbeing amongst our ministerial leaders. People with special gifts or experience that could contribute to this are sought. For further information, the UCA Regulations can be found here. For enquiries, contact Margaret Johnston, Convenor - margaret.johnston@wa.uca.org.au. Nominations will go to the Synod in September.
The Fire Still Burns: Hiroshima, Disarmament and Resistance -
In August, the world will remember the bombing of Hiroshima 80 years ago - a moment that changed the world forever. To honour the victims and survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and reignite our shared call for a nuclear-free future, ICAN invite you to this special online event with Peter Garrett on Wednesday 6 August, 7.00pm to 8.00pm (AEST).
2025 Variety Musical Concert - Willetton Uniting Church invites you to their winter Variety Concert on Sunday 24 August, 10.45am to 11.45am. The concert will take place after the morning worship service which commences at 9.15am. Admission is by donation. All are welcome!
Access Hope Concert - St Peter and Emmaus Church invite you to enjoy a musical journey on Saturday 16 August, 2.00pm to 4.00pm. The concert includes Carmel Charlton, Sarah O Morgan, Always in Song Choir and the Perth Gospel Choir. Entry is by donation. There will be raffles and a silent auction, as well as a delicious afternoon tea. All proceeds will support the Access Hope Orphanage in Kenya. Enquiries to Leonie gonesailing@Westnet.com.au

August

Saturday 9 August, 9.00am to 12.00pm. Treasure Market at Maylands Mt Lawley Uniting Church, Mt Lawley.
Friday 15 August, 1.00pm to 3.00pm. Uniting Generations Network Meeting at Mount Pleasant Uniting Church, Mt Pleasant.
Friday 15 August, 1.00pm to 1.45pm. Wesley at One Recital: St Stephens School Year 12 Music Students at Uniting Church in the City, Wesley Perth.
Sunday 17 August, 12.00pm. Genocide in the Wildflower State Film Screening and Panel Discussion at Uniting Church in the City, Tranby Hall, Perth.
Saturday 23 August, 9.00am to 12.30pm. Safe Church Refresher Workshop at Willetton Uniting Church, Willetton.
Saturday 23 August, 6.30pm. IPDC Quiz Night at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church, Floreat.
Sunday 24 August, 10.45am to 11.45am. Variety Musical Concert 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.
Saturday 30 August, 2.00pm. Induction of Rev Susan Lord at St Peter & Emmaus Church, Joondanna.