News from Uniting Church SA
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Tuesday 4 November 2025
2026 Uniting Church Calendar – coming soon!
The 2026 UCASA Calendar is currently nearing completion and will soon be on its way to the printers. It provides congregations and individuals with lectionary readings and important dates related to the life of the church.
This year's theme is Open doors, open hearts, and we will be showcasing just a few of the many examples of hospitality, generosity, and caring service happening throughout the SA Uniting Church, its schools, communities and agencies.
On-line ordering will be available next week, and as usual there will be an ‘Early Bird’ discount. Watch this space!
Join UC Invest to support the work of the Uniting Church
UC Invest serves the wider mission of the Uniting Church by helping communities flourish through responsible financial stewardship. UC Invest’s profits go back to the community through the good work of the SA Synod and the Uniting Foundation Grants program which support projects that reflect the Uniting Church’s call to justice, compassion and inclusion.
Uniting Foundation and Renew Grants are only possible because of the many investors who invest with UC Invest, knowing that their money is doing good, for them and for others. Have you considered joining them?
To learn more, book a call with the UC Invest Customer Relations Team or read some of our investor’s stories on our website.
Renew – Survey and grants
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.
Renew Grant – Applications 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.
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.
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
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, 793 Torrens Rd, Alberton
Cost: $95
What in our faith is indispensable and what isn't?
The Progressive Christianity Forum asks, ‘What in faith really matters?’ Join Rev Michael Dowling as he explores the parts of Christianity that are essential and the parts that may not be. Drawing on his journey from science to ministry, Michael offers fresh insights into faith, life, and what truly matters.
When: 7 pm, Thursday 6 November
Where: Effective Living Centre, 26 King William Rd, Wayville
Tickets: $15 | Concession $12 | Live stream $5
Organ Recital to celebrate organ’s 100th birthday
Celebrate 100 years of the church organ with an afternoon of music featuring Ray Booth and Steven Kaesler. This is a free event.
When: 2 pm, Sunday 8 November
Where: Transform Uniting Church, 10 Tod St, Gawler
For more information, please contact Melanie Matz on 0400 381 640 or mel.metz82@gmail.com
Evensong at Newland with Pilgrim Choir
What a joy to have the renowned Pilgrim Uniting Church choir and organists offer another very special choral Evensong at the Newland Uniting Church, Victor Harbor, after their visit last year.
The Pilgrim Choir is currently preparing for a UK tour in which they will sing at various UK cathedrals.
When: 5 pm, Sunday 8 November
Where: Newland Uniting Church, 28 Victoria St, Victor Harbor
For more information, please contact Wayne Colebatch on 0431 663 560 or email wayne.colebatch@gmail.com.
Through Their Eyes – Full day training
Learn how to create safe environments for children and young people and understand legal obligations for reporting concerns.
This course is the full day, 7-module package developed by Dept for Human Services and the Child Protection Unit, not the Department for Education RHAN EC course.
When: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, Sunday 15 November
Where: Malvern Uniting Church, 44 Marlborough Street, Malvern
Tickets: $30 per person (including booking fee)
Upcoming events
November
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
24 – Poets' Corner with Bob Magor
28 – World Community for Christian Meditation Australia national gathering
News from the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia this week includes:
Reflection of the week
A Veil of Light and Love
I invite you to imagine that you are sitting alone in the middle of a well-lit room. There are no windows and no furniture in the room other than the chair you are sitting in … As you sit there alone in silence, the light in the room slowly begins to dim. As the room dims, a light on the other side of the wall you are facing slowly becomes brighter and brighter. You begin to realize that the wall you are facing is not really a solid wall, as you had imagined, but is rather a gossamer veil that is becoming increasingly translucent in the light that is shining through it, filling the darkness of your room with an unfamiliar light.
Father Richard Rohr
From Psalm 145
The Lord is just in all his ways;
and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him; to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
Prayer points
This week we hold in our hearts all those impacted by major flooding in Queensland and Bali, and the deadly earthquake in Afghanistan that has killed more than 800 people.
Loving God,
We remember all who suffer because of storms, floods, fires, earthquakes, and other forces of nature.
Hold close those who have lost homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. Surround them with Your comfort and the peace that surpasses understanding.
In the midst of chaos, remind us that Your presence is steadfast and Your mercy never fails. May hope rise even in the darkest valleys, and may Your light guide us toward healing and renewal.
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
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.
