News from Uniting Church SA
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Tuesday 28 October 2025
Renew – Survey Reminder!
Don't forget your Renew survey
Thank you to all those attendees at Renew who have already completed the post-event survey. If you haven't got to it yet, we'd really appreciate it if you could take just a few minutes to give us some feedback so we know what we did well, and what we can improve in the future.
Photo highlights
We apologise of the broken link to the Renew photo gallery last week. We've tested the link below (even more thoroughly) and it's passed all our tests.
Recordings of the keynotes will also be available soon.
Renew Grant – Applications now open
Funding for innovative projects and ideas flowing from the Renew event is available to anyone who attended the event through the Renew Grant, thanks to the support of UCInvest.
If you have an idea inspired by the event, we encourage you to apply. Simply fill in the form below to submit your proposal. Applications close November 30 and the grants will be awarded on December 14.
Uniting World – Gifts that fight poverty and build hope!
UnitingWorld's new Everything in Common Gift Catalogue has arrived for Christmas and it’s full of gifts that fight poverty and build hope through the power of shared generosity.
Every card represents a real, practical way to help families overcome poverty and create a more secure future. Goats that grow into herds, seeds that become food gardens, small business support, clean water and more.
When you choose a gift for a loved one, you’re not just giving a card, you’re sharing love in action and helping our global neighbours build livelihoods, access clean water, and adapt to the changing climate.
UnitingCare SA – John Lodge Trust Fund
Emergency Support for Individuals and Households
Emergency Support for individuals and families that are unable to obtain significant aid from any other readily available source is available through the John Lodge Trust Fund – Stream 2.
- A simple application form needs to be completed and returned to the John Lodge Trust Fund Committee for consideration
- Applications must be supported by two Uniting Church leaders
- The timeline to process applications is approximately two weeks.
Criteria for the types of support being offered to individuals and households are available for UnitingCare SA upon request.
For more information, please contact UnitingCare SA
Mark Waters – mwaters@sa.uca.org.au
Johanne Manning – unitingcare@sa.uca.org.au
Got questions about retirement?
Whether your retirement is a long way off or just around the corner, it’s never too early or too late to get started with planning. A little time and some small actions today could make a big difference to your tomorrow.
Come along to the ‘Your path to retirement’ session where they will cover the most popular questions our members ask on this topic and share simple steps you can consider helping you stay on track for a great retirement.
Your path to retirement Webinar (45 minutes)
A session for Uniting Church employees covering:
- How much super you might need to live a comfortable life in retirement
- What you can consider seeing if you’re on track for the future and whether your super will last the distance
- What you can consider boosting your super
- What guidance and advice Mercer Super can offer now and in retirement.
When: Wednesday, 12 November, 2pm AEST
Where: Virtual Zoom
Super Check Appointment (20 minutes)
Meet one-on-one with a Mercer Super specialist to answer your questions on a range of topics including your employer super plan benefits, online account access and tools, super contributions, combining super accounts, investments, and insurance.
When: Every Monday
Where: Virtual Appointment
South Australian Church History Network 2026 Conference – Call for papers
The South Australian Church History Network is group of historians from several Christian denominations, which seeks to promote awareness of the Christian presence in and contribution to South Australian life and history since 1836
After successful conferences in 2024 and 2025, the group is planning a one-day conference during South Australia’s History Festival on 23 May 2026 to explore the changing shape of Christianity in South Australia.
Call for papers
For this conference, papers of up to 20 minutes in length (about 2,000–2,500 words) are invited on any topic related to the religious history of South Australia between 1945 and 2000.
If you're interested in submitting a paper, email sachurchhistory@outlook.com for more information, or click on the link below.
Westbourne Park UC featured on Assembly website
The UCA Assembly website has a new regular feature called This is my Uniting Church which delves into the stories and faces of different local congregations and communities of faith.
This week they're featuring our own Westbourne Park Uniting Church!
If you know of a community with a great story to tell, email the Assembly Communications Team and suggest them to be featured.
SA Youth Week 2026 grants closing 7 November
Less than two weeks remain for SA Youth Week 2026 grants!
The State Government is inviting applications for grants to help community groups, non-government organisations and local councils run events and activities for SA Youth Week (SAYW) 2026.
SA Youth Week is the largest annual celebration of young people and youth culture in South Australia. In 2026, SA Youth Week will be held from Thursday 9 April to Friday 17 April.
Key dates
- Applications close: 7 November 2025 at 3:00 pm
- Recipients announced: January 2026
- SA Youth Week 2026: 9–17 April 2026
Events
Loss and hope – Naming the reality and moving into the future – 1 November
All Uniting Church members are warmly invited to the morning session of the Presbytery of Southern SA AGM on Saturday 1 November, 9.00 am–1.00 pm at The Corner Uniting Church.
Guest preacher and presenter Professor Liz Boase, a Hebrew Bible scholar and Dean of Graduate Research at the University of Divinity, will speak on the themes of trauma, lament, anger, judgement, and hope through the lens of the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations, and their relevance for the Church today.
Enquiries: Beth Seaman – southern.prc@sa.uca.org.au
WHEN: Saturday 1 November 2025 | 9 am to 1 pm
WHERE: The Corner UC, 93 Oaklands Road (Cnr Oaklands & Diagonal Road), Warradale SA 5046
Palestrina 500 All Souls choral evensong
Come and celebrate All Souls' Day at a choral evening service at St John's Anglican Church this Sunday evening.
It's Palestrina's 500th birthday in 2025, so the Lumina Vocal Ensemble directed by Clive Conway will be presenting his most famous mass Missa Papa Marcelli along with the popular anthems O Magnum Mysterium, and O Domine Jesu Christe as well as the beloved Russian Kontakion of the Departed.
When: Sunday, 2 November 2025, 7.00 pm
Where: St John’s Anglican Church, 379 Halifax St, Adelaide SA 5000
Cost: Free!
Music that's Good for the Soul – Ministry in Music Choir
MiniM (Ministry in Music) Choir shares Music that’s Good for the Soul - a concert of sacred and secular music to lift your spirits.
When: Sunday November 2 | 3 pm
Where: Rosefield Uniting Church, 2 Carlton Street, Highgate.
Tickets: $25 ($20 concession, kids free)
Living the Story – Being Intergenerational
What happens when all ages truly connect in community? Join a transformative day exploring the power of hearing and living the story of God’s people together.
Hear real stories of impact – from churches and leaders across Australia and New Zealand, discover what’s possible when generations are woven together in local faith communities.
Dive deep into Scripture – Explore the biblical narrative that calls all ages into life together. Learn how stories shape memory, identity, and participation in God’s unfolding work.
Be inspired to action – Whether you’re a senior leader, children’s or youth leader, or simply passionate about community, this event is for you.
Inspiring input by three guest speakers via video – Tim Beilharz (Australia), Miriam Jessie (NZ) and Trevecca Okholm (USA) – plus local leaders sharing their stories.
RSVP to be in the room, to live the story together.
For more information, please contact Simon Story:
contact@villagechurchalberton.com.au or 0431 400 700
When: 6 November, 9 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Village Church Alberton
Cost: $95
Come and Sing Messiah – Call for singers – 23 November
Singers are wanted for the fourth annual Come and Sing Messiah. With conductor Kim Worley and organist Stephan van de Hoek, you will be joining a choir of 80 backed by eight singers from State Opera of SA.
Your Chorus Registration Fee of $40 includes a rehearsal from 2:45 pm and afternoon tea at 4 pm. It also includes access to a downloadable score and learning resources. There are limited places available for each voice part – register early to avoid missing out.
Not a singer? Come and enjoy a Christmas version of Handel's majestic Messiah in the stunning acoustics and beauty of Clayton Wesley Uniting Church.
For more information, click here.
WHEN: Sunday 23 November 2025 | 2.45 pm – Rehearsal | 5 pm – Concert
WHERE: Clayton Wesley UC, 280 Portrush Road, Beulah Park SA 5067.
Upcoming events
November
1 – Bridgewater UC Community Fair
1 – Loss and Hope – Naming the reality and moving into the future
2 – Music that’s Good for the Soul at Rosefield UC
2 – All Souls choral evensong at St Johns, Halifax Street
2 – Yeelanna Uniting Church 70th Anniversary
2 – Parafield Gardens Building 40th Celebration
6 – What in our faith is indispensable and what isn't?
6 – Living the Story – Being Intergenerational
8 – Evensong at Newland – Victor Harbor by Pilgrim Choir
8 – Organ Recital to celebrate our organ's 100th birthday
14 – Kunyi – Truth Telling in Paint
15 – Through Their Eyes: Reporting concerns of children and young people
16 – Live Arts at Newland – Victor Harbor
16 – Sunday Evenings – Worship through Discussion November
22 – Merry Magill Market
23 – Come and Sing Messiah at Clayton Wesley UC
28 – World Community for Christian Meditation Australia national gathering
December
News from the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia this week includes:
Reflection of the week
Can we be prophets Like Jesus?
What did Jesus the prophet do? As a prophet, Jesus performed miracles, exercised authority over nature and spiritual entities, walked on water, and turned water into wine. As a prophet, Jesus healed. As a prophet, Jesus fed the hungry. As a prophet, Jesus taught prophetically … He sat at the feet of elders, but he also taught with his heart: he heard the whispers of the Holy Spirit and allowed it to speak through him. If teaching is not anointed by the Spirit, it is just the ego strutting and repeating information. Teaching prophetically goes beyond facts and material. It reaches into the unutterable and allows silence and Spirit to do the teaching.
Father Richard Rohr
Prayer for the week
For All Saints and All Souls Days
God of memory and mystery,
When so many are focused on costumes and sweets,
We pause to remember the deeper story – the lives of all your Saints past and present,
And the souls who rest in your eternal care.
In a season obsessed with shadows and spectacle,
Help us reclaim the light as we
honour those who came before us, and all who walk your path today –
The quiet faithful, the bold prophets,
The everyday saints whose lives shape our own.
Let their memory stir us to compassion, to justice, to hope.
May we live not in fear of death,
But in trust of your promise
That love endures, and life is never lost in you.
As we approach these sacred days,
Open our hearts to the communion of Saints – the community of all believers Both past and present, who together form the universal Body of Christ,
And remind us that we are part of a story far greater than ourselves.
Amen.
Resources to help people worship and pray together as a gathered community or at home. These resources are generously prepared by Rev Cheryl Wilson.
Positions and placements
Activity Facilitator – Beyond Limits Outdoor Education – Open now
Content and Social Media Officer – Closes 29 October
UC eNews is the weekly email newsletter of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of South Australia. If you’d like to include content in UC eNews or on the Synod of South Australia website, please submit it by COB Mondays.
