Refugee Week, Strengthening Congregations, Dovetales and more! News and Stories from Uniting Church WA and beyond.
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Refugee Week 2026
Refugee Week 2026 takes place from 14 June through to World Refugee Day on 20 June. The 2026 theme, 'A Million Stories' is an opportunity to reflect on the one million refugees welcomed by Australia since World War II, and the many stories they have carried.
For the Uniting Church in Australia, Refugee Week is more than a celebration; it is a call to discipleship. You can read more about how congregations and individuals can reflect on Refugee Week through articles and resources on the UCA Assembly page here.
This Refugee Week, Act for Peace is inviting Australians and churches to look beyond the headlines and see both the realities and possibilities facing displaced communities around the world. Because displacement does not begin at a border. Often, it begins much earlier. Click below to read the story about Welcoming the Stranger on our website.
UnitingWorld Sunday
UnitingWorld Sunday is your chance to celebrate our global neighbours and the church family we’re part of.
Join churches across Australia on 28 June (or any date that suits your calendar). The 2026 UnitingWorld Sunday theme is Life, Abundantly inspired by John 10:10.
Resources are available for congregations including a complete liturgy and order of service, video sermon from National Director Dr Sureka Goringe, children's talk and everything your congregation or faith community would need for a meaningful service.
Click below to find out more about UnitingWorld Sunday and how you can be involved.
Listening, Learning, and Discerning Together
Across our Presbytery, in diverse settings, congregations and faith communities gather each week – large and small, busy and steady, full of energy and sometimes weary. There is faithful worship, deep care for one another, a commitment to outreach and service, and a strong sense of belonging.
Amid this, honest questions are emerging – some unspoken, others shared in conversation. Questions about leadership capacity and sustainability, connecting with a changing world, and the future of our church.
Rev Claire Pickering, Presbytery Minister: Strategic Priorities, shares insight into the work of the Strategic Priorities Working Group focused on strengthening congregations. At its heart, the work of Strengthening Congregations holds a significant question: "what does it look like to be a faithful and life-giving Christian community in this time and place, and into the future?"
Read Claire's reflection on our website.
Dovetales - June 2026
Dovetales is an eight-page printed news publication capturing a snapshot of stories and news from across our Uniting Church WA community.
Dovetales is posted out in the monthly Congregation mailout to every Uniting Church WA congregation, school and agency on a three-monthly basis with the June edition being sent out last week.
If you’re already connected through News and Notes e-news and our other digital communications you will likely be across the news and stories we've shared in this printed publication, however we hope this will become a helpful resource for reaching out to other members of our UCWA community.
More copies are available from the Uniting Church Centre and can be requested by emailing communications@wa.uca.org.au or you can download and print your own using the link in the article.
Does your church community have a story to share?It's always inspiring to hear ways our congregations are making a difference in their communities of faith and beyond. If your Uniting Church congregation is finding new ways to make a difference within or beyond your communities, or have a story idea you think may be of interest to the wider church, please contact Wendy Hendry, Executive Officer Communications so we can explore further - communications@wa.uca.org.au Please note, selection and publishing of articles is at the discretion of the Communications Executive Officer |
Uniting Church CampsiteThe Uniting Church WA Campsite in Busselton is available for Uniting Church community including employees, and school and agency programs. The campsite features:
The Property Services team have recently updated the online booking system to enable a clearer online booking process. Sites can be booked for single night stays (and more). The updated system also enables group bookings to be made online. |
Refugee Week 2026: A million stories, one shared humanity (UCA)
This year’s Refugee Week theme, “A Million Stories”, marks a significant milestone: since 1947, Australia has issued one million permanent humanitarian visas to people fleeing war, persecution and violence. Read Article
Refugee Week Reflection (UCA QLD)
The second verse of our national anthem always catches in my throat when I sing, “For those who’ve come across the seas we’ve boundless plains to share …” Read More
Deepfakes can cause harm (Crosslight)
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) is creating new words. One of those is “deepfakes”. Read Article
Juniper welcomes push to restore human oversight in aged care assessments (Juniper)
Juniper welcomes renewed attention on the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) and the growing recognition that algorithm-driven aged care assessments are not delivering fair outcomes for older Australians. Read Article
Presbytery of WA Annual Meeting
The 21st Annual Meeting of the Presbytery of WA is on Saturday 20 June 2026. The meeting is being held at Rockingham Uniting Church, commencing at 9.00am. Meeting papers for members are available on the Presbytery Meetings and Minutes page. Please keep the members of the Presbytery of WA, the Presbytery committees and support staff in your prayers as they prepare to gather for this important time.
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRC) WA Meeting
ARRCC WA supporters are invited to join a meeting on Tuesday 23 June, 6.30pm to 8.00pm via Zoom.
Save the Date - IPDC Quiz Night
The fun is on again – the WA Synod’s International Partnerships and Development Commission’s (IPDC) annual Quiz Night at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church is on Saturday 15 August. This is the big annual fundraiser to support the work of our 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 trophy!! It’s always a sell-out so start organising your table now.
June Congregation Mailout
The monthly congregation mailout for June was sent out last week to every congregation and faith community, as well as to our UCWA Schools, Colleges and Agencies. Included in this envelope were the following:
- Dovetales – June 2026
- Mentoring Workshop flyer
- Intercultural Workshop flyer
- NCLS Information flyer
- Building a Discipling Culture workshop flyer
We appreciate this information being shared within your community. If you would like further copies of any of the included information, or if your congregation or faith community have not received your envelope please contact Wendy - communications@wa.uca.org.au
Hymn Books and Bibles Available
Denmark Uniting Church have offered to gift a selection of Song/Hymn books which can be collected from the Presbytery meeting on Saturday 20 June or from the Denmark Uniting Church. Available are the following:
- Sing Alleluia - 42 (words) +1 Harmony edition (music +words)
- Scripture in Song Book One x 20 (words)
- Book Three "Songs of the Nations' x 9 (words) + 1 music copy
- Australian Hymn Book x 17 - Melody +1 Harmony book
- RSV Bibles (Bible Society 'pocket' edition) x 15
For more information contact Judy Wilson - judylindsey48@gmail.com
June
- Sunday 14 June to 20 June. Refugee Week 2026
- Friday 19 June, 1.00pm to 1.45pm. Wesley at One: Michel & Mango at Uniting Church in the City, Wesley Perth.
- Friday 19 June, 2.00pm to 5.30pm. Intercultural Workshop at St Stephen's Uniting Church, Applecross.
- Saturday 20 June, 9.00am to 4.00pm. Presbytery of WA Meeting at Rockingham Uniting Church, Waikiki.
- Monday 22 June. 49th Anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia.
- Saturday 27 June, 9.00am to 2.00pm. Safe Church Awareness Workshop at Noranda Uniting Church, Noranda.
July
- Wednesday 1 July, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Mentoring Workshop at St Peter & Emmaus Church, Joondanna.
- Sunday 5 July to 12 July. NAIDOC Week
August
- Saturday 15 August, 6.30pm to 10.00pm. IPDC Quiz Night at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church, Floreat.
- Tuesday 18 August, 10.00am to 12.00pm. Good Sammy Uniting Church Open Day at Good Sammy HQ, Canning Vale.
Week starting Sunday 21 June 2026:
St Peter and Emmaus Church and Wembley Downs Uniting Church
Uniting Church Archives and the Uniting Church Centre
Northern Synod
Job opportunities in the Uniting Church WA
Expression of Interest - General Secretary, Uniting Church WA
The Uniting Church Western Australia invites Expressions of Interest for the position of General Secretary. Under the Synod By-Laws, the Nominating Committee will discern a candidate to recommend to the WA Synod meeting in September 2026.
Closing date for Expressions of Interest: Friday 26 June 2026
Ministry Opportunities
There are currently a range of ministry opportunities available in the Uniting Church WA.
- Ministry Placement – The Billabong
- Ministry Placement - Wagin Group of Congregations
- Ministry Placement - Lighthouse Geraldton
Go to our website to find out more about these positions.
Do you have an event to share with the wider church?
Email Wendy at newsandnotes@wa.uca.org.au
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