News from Uniting Church SA
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Tuesday 9 September 2025
It’s time to end the waiting! Moderator signs national open letter
The Moderator of the Uniting Church in South Australia, Rev Peter Morel, has added his signature to a national open letter calling for an end to the prolonged waiting faced by refugees and asylum seekers (The letter is available for viewing here). He encourages all members of the Synod to join the #EndTheWaiting campaign with both prayers and action.
For more than a decade, thousands of refugees in Australia have been trapped in legal limbo – living on short-term visas without certainty, stability, or a pathway forward. Many arrived between 2012 and 2014 and were placed into the now-abolished ‘Fast Track’ system, which denied fair hearings and only offered temporary protection. Since then, they have endured years of insecurity: forced to renew visas every 3–6 months, unable to study, unable to secure stable work, and unable to reunite with family.
This is not a legislative issue – it is a moral one. The Albanese Government already has the power to grant permanency, end the cycle of short-term visas, and provide fairness and dignity to those who have already built their lives in Australia.
In 2023, the Synod of South Australia resolved to call all members of the Uniting Church to pray and work for justice for refugees and asylum seekers, and in their long wait for Resolution of Status (RoS) and partner/child visas. As stated in Our Vision for a Just Australia, we join with the wider Church in advocating for a fair, robust, and timely process for assessing the protection claims of those seeking asylum.
The #EndTheWaiting campaign is calling on the government to:
- Provide a pathway to permanency for all refugees failed by Australia’s flawed asylum processes, including those subjected to the Fast Track system
- Guarantee work rights for all asylum seekers while claims are processed.
- Issue one visa that remains valid until claims are processed – ending the bureaucratic nightmare of constant renewals.
Together, through prayer and action, we can add our voices to the growing call for justice and dignity for those who have waited far too long. For campaign resources and information, visit www.endthewaiting.com.
Over 100 days, from August to November, communities throughout the country are invited to hold a peaceful prayer vigil near MPs offices, praying for justice for people seeking asylum and calling to #EndTheWaiting for thousands of people who have sought safety on our shores but still remain in limbo, facing an uncertain future.
Click the button below to find out more about how you can join in prayer, including attending a prayer vigil in your electorate.
Synod Office Closure – Wednesday 10 September (until 1.30 pm)
On Wednesday 10 September, the Uniting Church Synod office will be closed to visitors until 1.30pm while staff attend professional development. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Introducing Rev Dr Cameron Eccleston
Introducing Rev Dr Cameron Eccleston, Team Leader of the Mission, Growth & Innovation Team in NSW/ACT.
Cameron will be delivering the workshop Breathing life into dry bones – helping congregations re-discover their missional call.
He brings a wealth of as Mission Facilitation Consultant in the UCA, Church Relations Manager with Baptist World Aid and in local church placements including as Senior Pastor at Kiama Baptist Church.
Renew 2025 – 5 weeks to go!
Renew 2025 is now only 5 weeks away! Register soon to assist us with planning.
Renew Grant
Exclusive to attendees at Renew, Synod will be offering a new one-off grant for innovative projects flowing from the Renew event, thanks to the support of UC Invest.
Season of Creation
1 September – 4 October
Throughout September and into early October, millions of Christians across the world are marking the Season of Creation, an annual invitation to pray, reflect and act in care for the Earth. The Season of Creation website reminds us that:
“Creation is God’s sacred gift, entrusted to our care. Christians are called to protect and nurture Creation in peace, working in partnership with others and passing this responsibility on to future generations. Its deep interconnectedness makes peace both essential and fragile”.
“The world we have
known, enjoyed and celebrated is changing rapidly. Biodiversity is being lost at a rate not seen since the last mass extinction. The hope of keeping average temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius is fading. The futures of young people are threatened by the cascading impacts of the loss of biodiversity and a changing climate. Industrialization, colonization and the extraction and consumption of resources have created great wealth, unequally distributed.”
“As an ecumenical family, we can engage in these actions and contribute to ensure that the web of life is preserved and cared for. Our prayers, sermons and liturgies must call for justice not only for humans but for all Creation.”
The UCA has a range of resources available for worship and reflection which can be found here: https://uniting.church/season-of-creation-2025-has-begun/
R U OK? A conversation can change a life
R U OK? Inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling. You don't need to be an expert to reach out – just a good friend and a great listener.
Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:
- Ask R U OK?
- Listen
- Encourage action
- Check in.
There’s no business like Royal Show business
The Royal Show is over for another year, and we give a huge thankyou to all the staff and volunteers at the Red Dove Café who travelled from far and wide (Ceduna, for example!) to contribute their time, energy and love to this remarkable ministry, which has been running since 1951.
A number of Synod office staff traded their desks for aprons on a Red Dove shift, as part of a day of missional reflection led by Rev Scott Litchfield. It was great opportunity to serve, connect and reflect as a team.
Calling for Expressions of Interest – Property Trust and Resources Board
The Property Trust and the Resources Board will have a vacancy at the end of the year.
The Property Trust is the legal entity of the Uniting Church in SA and is governed by The Uniting Church in Australia Act, 1976–1977.
The Resources Board is a sub-committee of the Synod’s Standing Committee (refer Synod By-law 18.1). The Board is responsible for maximising property and financial resources across the Synod and allocating them in accordance with the Church’s mission. The Resources Board is skills-based, and requires amongst its membership expertise in:
- Uniting Church Ethos and Polity
- Mission Resourcing
- Corporate Governance
- Financial Management
- Investment
- Law
- Property.
Expressions of interest are sought from suitably qualified persons to join the Trust and Board. In keeping with governance requirements which reflect the breadth of the Church, preference will be given to an ordained applicant. All expressions of interest received will be considered, taking into account the composition requirements of the Resources Board.
The Trust and Board meet at least six times per year, and this role is non-remunerated.
Further details about the role and the Resources Board are available on the UCASA website here or direct queries to Leah Hopton on 8236 4229. Please email expressions of interest to resources@sa.uca.org.au by 14 September 2025.
Events
State Youth Conference (SYC)
Just 4 days to go!
For young people aged 12 to Year 12, join others from across SA for a day of worship, teaching, and community at Hope Valley Uniting Church.
Theme:
"Christian discipleship is not about a set of rules and propositions but about being captivated by a person." – Lucy Peppiatt
The call of Jesus is radical, it causes people, to this day, to leave behind the things to which we cling and to step out onto the water with Him. Throughout history it has called fishermen to leave their nets, cricketers to leave their bats, tax collectors to leave their booths and the nobility to leave their wealth. Over and over again, Jesus calls, “Come, follow me”.
Come explore what it truly means to follow Jesus – through relationship, not just rules.
Adelaide Male Voice Choir
14 September
Come along and enjoy a delightful afternoon of music presented by the ever-popular Adelaide Male Voice Choir, followed by a relaxed afternoon tea.
Bring your friends and enjoy a vibrant mix of musical styles—including show tunes, spirituals, folk songs, and sea shanties. Proceeds from the event will be shared with the choir, so your support makes a real difference.
If each of us brings a friend, it’s sure to be a wonderful success! Mark the date in your diary now!
Where: Morialta Uniting Church
26 Chapel St, Magill South Australia 5072
When: 2–4 pm, Sunday 14 September 2025
Tickets are available through the Morialta UC office or via the link below.
Multifaith Peace Vigil – Pilgrim Uniting Church
In this time of turmoil in the world, you are invited to gather for a time of prayer, candle lighting, and quiet contemplation. Between 4.00 and 6.00 pm on Friday 26 September at Pilgrim Uniting Church (12 Flinders Street, Adelaide), short prayers or reflections will be offered every half hour by a range of people.
This is a space for solidarity, compassion, and shared hope. All are welcome.
For more information, contact (08) 8212 3295 or email cmegaw@pilgrim.org.au.
Guided retreat – Nurturing wisdom: Listening to the still, small voice
Bookings are now open for Stillpoint’s annual guided retreat, led this year by spiritual director Phil Daughtry. With 40+ years of experience, Phil offers a gentle, grace-filled, and creative approach to contemplative practice.
The event will be held on Saturday 18 October from 10 am to 3:30 pm at Christ Church Uniting Church, 26 King William Road, Wayville.
Learn more: Fruitful Mind – Meaningful Conversations.
This retreat invites you to slow down, be still, and tune into the “still, small voice”
(1 Kings 19:12) through:
- Quiet reflection on story, scripture and art
- Small group conversations
- Garden time and optional art practices
- Cost: $50 or $45 concession.
Morning tea provided. BYO lunch. Please book online by 13 October.
Enquiries: Elizabeth Vreugdenhil on 0400 934 778 or elger@adam.com.au
Upcoming events
September
October
11 – Mitcham Village U/C Community Garden Open Day
11 – Connect Women's Conference
11 – Understanding the Israel and Palestine Conflict: A Christian Response with Q & A
12 – Celebrating 150 years of Maitland Uniting Church
12 – The Kym Purling Trio - In Concert
16 – Polkinghorne Oration with Rev Dr Tim Costello
17–18 – Renew Synod Resourcing Event
News from the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia this week includes:
Reflection of the week
Power Within
It is precisely the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones.
– 1 Corinthians 12:22
If we watch the news, work on a committee, or observe some marriages, we see that issues of power have not been well-addressed by most people. When we haven’t experienced or don’t trust our God-given ‘power within’, we are either afraid of power or we exert too much of it over others. Enduring structures of ‘power over’, like patriarchy, white supremacy, and unfettered capitalism, have limited most individuals’ power for so long that it’s difficult to imagine another way. Only very gradually does human consciousness come to a selfless use of power, the sharing of power, or even a benevolent use of power – in church, politics, or families.
Father Richard Rohr
Prayer for the week
For the Season of Creation
O Breath of Life,
who danced over the waters at the dawn of time,
and whispered stars into being –
we praise you for the tapestry of Earth,
woven with wonder, wildness and grace.
In this sacred season,
open our eyes to the glory that surrounds us:
the hush of forests, the song of rivers,
the cry of creatures longing to be heard.
Forgive our careless steps,
our silence in the face of harm,
our comfort in the shadow of crisis.
Kindle in us a holy fire –
a passion for justice,
a courage to change,
a love that labours for healing.
Let our hands sow peace,
our voices rise for the voiceless,
our lives reflect your radiant hope.
Renew the earth, O God,
and renew us too,
that we may walk gently,
live wisely,
and act boldly
in the name of Christ,
who makes all things new.
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
Administrative Services Coordinator – The Spire Community – Closes 17 September
Centre Manager, Adare – Victor Harbor – Closes 30 September
First Third of Life Ministry Leader – Keiraview Uniting Church, Wollongong, NSW – Closes 7 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.
