News and Notes 3 March 2026

A Call to Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

Over the weekend the World Council of Churches expressed grave concern over escalating military attacks in the Middle East.

As part of the global fellowship of churches, the Uniting Church in Australia stands alongside our ecumenical partners in prayerful solidarity.

Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Charissa Suli has invited the Uniting Church community to join together in a Prayer for Peace.

"In a time when rhetoric intensifies and fear spreads quickly, I invite the Uniting Church to be what we are called to be — a praying people. We hold before God all whose lives are endangered, and we pray for communities here in Australia who are watching these events with deep concern for loved ones."

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Reflections on Summer Spirit 2026

Walking Together, Covenanting Together - reflections on Summer Spirit 2026.

In 2024 the Uniting Church celebrated 30 years of the Covenant between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. Summer Spirit 2026, which took place on the weekend of 20 and 21 February, was an opportunity to hear the story of Congress, listen to the joys and challenges of First Peoples, and renew our commitment to the Covenanting process.

Click below to read about Summer Spirit 2026 and view a selection of photos from the event. More photos can also be found on our Facebook page here.

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Share Easter services on UCWA website

Congregations have the opportunity to list their Easter services on the Uniting Church WA Easter events calendar for 2026.

As this will be advertised to the wider community leading up to Easter please include helpful details about your planned services including who will be leading your service, any special features, or themes.

Submit your Easter services and events online here for approval, or send details directly to Wendy at website@wa.uca.org.au

Add Event

SEEDS Newsletter

The February 2026 SEEDS newsletter is out now!

SEEDS is the monthly newsletter of the Uniting Centre for Education and Formation (UCEF). If you would like to subscribe to SEEDS directly you can email pa.education@wa.uca.org.au

You can find past editions of SEEDS and other newsletters on our Newsletters page.

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Introduction to the Basis of Union

The Basis of Union is the main document of the Uniting Church in Australia. It explains what we believe about God, about the Church, and about our mission in the world.

The Uniting Centre for Education and Formation invite you to a workshop – An Introduction to the Basis of Union – on Saturday 14 March. This session is open to everyone — leaders, members, and anyone who wants to understand the Uniting Church better.

Date - Saturday 14 March 2026
Time - 9.00am to 12.30pm
Location - Rockingham Uniting Church
Cost - $10 each

Go to the event page for registration information.

Find Out More

WCC expresses grave concern over military attacks against Iran (WCC)

The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed grave concern and condemned military attacks carried out by Israel against Iran, and the subsequent escalation and retaliatory strikes that are rapidly expanding across the region. Read Article

Introducing UnitingCare Australia’s new National Director (UCA)

Tamara Thomas brings international experience and a passion for justice to her new role leading UnitingCare Australia. Read Article

Juniper move supports affordable rentals for older people in Albany (Juniper)

Juniper will acquire Wollaston Court Retirement Village from Amana Living, assuring continued affordable rental housing for older people in Albany. Read Article

A time for Redress (Crosslight)

In her role as UCA Redress National Director, Sarah Lim hears first-hand the accounts of people whose lives have been impacted by sexual abuse suffered as a child. Read Article

Palm Sunday Prayers for Peace
The Anglican Social Responsibilities Commission (SRC) are hosting an ecumenical Palm Sunday Prayers for Peace gathering - 'Who is my neighbour? Prayers for peace in a fractured world'. All are welcome to join for a peaceful hour of prayer and reflection on the lawns of St Georges Anglican Cathedral in Perth.
The prayer gathering will take place on Palm Sunday, 29 March 2026 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm on the St George's Cathedral lawn. Open to all ages, to people of any faith, or none. This ecumenical event is supported by the Uniting Church WA Social Justice Commission.

'Pilgrim People' Song Available
Pastor Linsday Ginn, Bush Chaplain based in Kalgoorlie, wrote a song ‘Pilgrim People’ for the Installation of the Uniting Church WA Moderator Rev David Jackson. David’s Moderatorial theme is ‘We are a Pilgrim People’. Lindsay has since shared this song at events such as Summer Spirit 2026.
Lindsay has now kindly made the lyrics and music available to download from the Bush Chaplain WA website. Please ensure you attribute the music and lyrics when using this resource in your community.

Moderator's Letter to the Attorney General
Last week the Moderator, Rev David Jackson, sent a letter to the WA Attorney General, Hon Dr Toni Buti MLA to express our support to the State Government’s expected proposal to ban LGBTQA+ Change and Suppression Practices in Western Australia.
At our 45th Annual Synod meeting in September 2021 the Uniting Church WA agreed on a range of decisions regarding harmful ‘conversion therapies’, also referred to as Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts (SOGICE). You can read about these decisions in the media release on our website published at the time. For further resourcing on this issue - following the Uniting Church's 16th Assembly a ministry resource for preventing harm from SOGICE was produced called 'Welcome and Safety for All' which is available on the UCA Assembly website here.

Way of the Cross - Art Exhibition
Margaret River Uniting Church is holding a Way of the Cross art exhibition which will run from 26 March until 6 April. 15 talented artists will bring their creativity and insight to interpret each of the 15 'Stations of the Cross' with relevance for our 2026 context. There will be an official opening night on Friday 27 March starting a 6pm, with a bread and wine supper. The exhibition will then run from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily from 28 March until 6 April.

Intercultural Network Meeting
The next Intercultural Network Meeting is taking place on Thursday 5 March from 10.30am at St Stephen’s Applecross Uniting Church. Anyone interesting in the church becoming intercultural and members of CALD communities are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Induction Service - Rev Chris Crause
All are welcome to attend the Induction Service for Rev Chris Crause as Minister in placement at Noranda Uniting Church on Saturday 7 March starting at 2.00pm.

Busselton Safe Church Awareness Workshop Cancelled
Please note that the Safe Church Awareness Workshops that was scheduled for Saturday 18 April at Bay Life Uniting Church in Busselton has been cancelled due to a scheduling issue. A new date is currently being considered. If you have any questions please contact the Culture of Safety team on 9260 9800 or cultureofsafety@wa.uca.org.au

March

Thursday 5 March, 10.30am. Intercultural Network Meeting at St Stephen's Uniting Church, Applecross.
Friday 6 March, 1.00pm to 1.45pm. Wesley at One at Uniting Church in the City, Wesley Perth.
Saturday 7 March, 9.00am to 2.00pm. Safe Church Awareness Workshop at South Perth Uniting Church, South Perth.
Saturday 7 March, 2.00pm. Induction Service Rev Chris Crause at Noranda Uniting Church, Noranda.
Wednesday 11 March, 6.30pm. Uniting Generations Network Meeting online via Zoom.
Saturday 14 March, 8.00am. West Timor Partnership Breakfast at Nedlands Uniting Church, Nedlands.
Saturday 14 March, 9.00am to 12.30pm. Introduction to the Basis of Union at Rockingham Uniting Church, Rockingham.
Tuesday 17 March, 7.00pm to 8.30pm. Funeral Workshop Online.
Friday 20 March, 2.00pm to 5.30pm. Funeral Workshop at South Perth Uniting Church, South Perth.
Saturday 21 March, 9.00am to 4.00pm. Presbytery of WA Meeting at Maylands-Mt Lawley Uniting Church, Maylands.
Friday 27 March, 6.00pm. Way of the Cross Art Exhibition Opening at Margaret River Uniting Church, Margaret River.
Saturday 28 March, 8.30am to 12.00pm. Lenten Retreat - Creation Spirituality at Crossways Uniting Church, Wanneroo.
Saturday 28 March, 9.30am to 12.00pm. Community Fun Fair at Willetton Uniting Church, Willetton.