News from Uniting Church SA
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Tuesday 21 October 2025
Renew – Thanks for being part of it!
From the General Secretary
I want to say a big thank you to all who helped make the Renew Event such a great success. Members of the Engagement Team, Secretariat, and Uniting Care did great work behind the scenes. We were blessed again by the support of Uniting Technology. And we are thankful for the significant effort from the Mission Resourcing Team and great input from the Mission Catalysts from the NSW/ACT Synod. Once again Adelaide West and Yartu Apinthi proved a great venue, with the Adelaide West Team once more being great hosts.
Particular thanks to the people who attended from across our Synod. It was exciting to experience meeting with people from other churches, as well as the value of coming as a team from their congregation. There was strong affirmation of the keynote addresses. Now the challenge of continuing the work begins, as we commit to participating in God’s mission of the renewing and reconciliation of all creation.
Grace and Peace,
Philip Gardner
General Secretary
Synod of South Australia
Feedback and photo highlights
There’s been great feedback to last weekend’s Renew event, as well as some extremely helpful ideas for future events. Here are some of the enthusiastic comments we’ve received so far:
“Inspirational speakers, great sharing of their expertise, new ideas, practical examples.”
“The event was run very well – probably the best I have been to”
“Excellent speakers – they were very thought-provoking”
“Many interesting and exciting ideas and stories”
“Karina's sessions were inspirational and challenging”
“The NSW speakers had authority and integrity. They earnt my respect because they are genuine and authentic”.
We’ve uploaded a selection of photos for you to enjoy. Just scan the QR code to view the gallery.
Renew Grant – Applications now open
The Renew Grant was launched on Saturday afternoon at the Renew event. Anyone who attended the event can apply for funding for innovative projects and ideas flowing from the Renew event, 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.
Uniting World needs your help this Christmas!
In the lead-up to Christmas, Uniting Churches across Australia host gift stalls to promote poverty-fighting gifts from Uniting World’s Everything in Common catalogue. It’s a powerful way to turn generosity into practical support for people working hard to overcome poverty, injustice and the impacts of climate change.
Every card sold represents a life-changing gift: goats, clean water, solar lights, food gardens, seedlings, small business support and more!
Register for a stall and Uniting World will send you everything you need.
Letter writing campaign against online racism and hate
The Synod of South Australia has joined the Victoria/Tasmania and Queensland Synods to promote a letter-writing action calling for stronger measures to address online racism and hate.
The Australian eSafety Commissioner has published two reports that have highlighted the disturbing growth of online hate. This letter-writing campaign urges the Commonwealth Government to ensure that online platforms and services respond effectively to reports of online abuse and take meaningful steps to prevent it.
At its October 2024 meeting, the Synod of South Australia reaffirmed its commitment to standing against racism in all its forms. We see this advocacy as a vital step in living out that commitment.
We invite you to join the letter-writing action. All the information you need is in the document below.
Statement on Israel-Hamas ceasefire and peace agreement – Rev Charissa Suli
Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, has released a statement expressing deep relief and cautious hope following the reaching of a peace agreement last week and the commencement of hostage release on Monday.
"We strongly urge all parties to fully abide by the terms of the agreement and to hold fast to maintaining the ceasefire and building peace." – Rev Charissa Suli
Sally Stamp
Thank you for the response to my request for stamps – churches have responded. 2025 has been successful and we have donated as follows:
- Frontier Services (outback pastors) – $2,000.00
- South Pacific School Aid Inc (freight) – $2,851.00
- The Grove U/c (Kids Craft Club) – $1,000.00
- Container for Packing Day goods – $1,000.00
Collection of stamps in the metro area can be arranged.
Maxine Haines, Convenor, UCA Stamp Group
Ph: 0427 972 417
Email: jimmax.haines@bigpond.com
New L3 Resources for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany
Liturgy, Learning, and (Purposeful) Life (L3) – a ministry of the UCA Synod of South Australia – is now offering its Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany resources for the upcoming church year, Year A.
L3 is a creative, intergenerational resource based on the Revised Common Lectionary, designed to support congregations in worship, learning, and faith-filled living. Flexible and adaptable, it provides tools for leaders and communities, including:
- Worship resources: liturgies, sermon seeds, and visual/text aids.
- Faith formation: discussion prompts, group study ideas, and embodied practices.
- Intergenerational engagement: activities and reflections for all ages.
- Collaborative, diverse authorship: contributions from writers and practitioners across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, bringing a wide range of experiences in lay and ordained ministry.
Quarterly editions include Advent–Christmas–Epiphany, Lent–Easter, Pentecost 1 and Pentecost 2, plus a complementary Season of Creation resource.
Subscribers can choose their preferred format – Digital or Print + Digital – with each edition automatically delivered quarterly.
L3 helps congregations worship creatively, nurture faith, and engage meaningfully with the world – all while being practical, flexible, and inspiring.
Light It Purple Australia – Raising awareness for pancreatic cancer
Throughout November, World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, locations across the country will glow purple for pancreatic cancer as part of the #LightItPurpleAus campaign. From major city skylines to iconic landmarks and local neighbourhoods, these light-ups will shine a spotlight on pancreatic cancer and the people it affects every day.
Lighting the nation purple is not about spectacle. It’s about solidarity. Each light is a tribute to those we’ve lost, a sign of support for people living with the disease, and a reminder of the urgent need for earlier detection and better outcomes.
Donations and fundraising are eagerly welcomed and anyone with connections to potential lighting sites or digital displays is invited to get involved or help spread the word.
WHEN: 17–24 November 2025 (focusing on 20 November)
WHY: To raise awareness and honour those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
AED order update
Thank you again to all congregations who placed and paid for their AED orders promptly.
This is an update to confirm the Synod is still experiencing significant delays with the processing and delivery of our AEDs orders. This is due to unexpected manufacturer import delays beyond the Synod’s or our supplier’s control.
We are pleased to confirm that our first batch of 50 AEDs have been delivered to congregations, and we are continuing to work hard with our supplier to ensure all orders are fulfilled as soon as possible.
We apologise for the unexpected inconvenience and thank you again for your ongoing patience.
Events
Spring Concert at Wesley Uniting Church Kent Town – 26 October
Enjoy a delightful afternoon of music in the wonderful acoustic of Wesley Uniting Church, Kent Town.
The program includes organ works performed by Andrew Georg (organ) and sacred songs spanning four centuries sung by Sarah Downs (soprano), who will be accompanied by Graham Bell (organ).
WHEN: 2:00 pm, Sunday, 26 October 2025
WHERE: Cnr. Fullarton Rd and Grenfell St, Kent Town.
TICKETS: $10 at the door (cash only).
Final Research Seminar for 2025 – University of Divinity – 27 October
The final combined University of Divinity Research Seminar for 2025 will be held on Monday 27 October, 11 am–1 pm at the new Australian Lutheran College Library, Level 1, 22 Pulteney Street.
The seminar will feature presentations from three New Testament scholars: Dr Anna Nuernberger (ALC), Prof Bart Bruehler (UCLT), and Dr Damian Szepessy (St Barnabas).
Those unable to attend in person can join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 813 4712 5024, Passcode: 861126).
WHEN: Monday 27 October 2025 | 11 am to 1 pm
WHERE: Australian Lutheran College Library, Level 1, 22 Pulteney Street.
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)
Intergenerational Ministry Conference – Village Church Alberton
Intergenerate is coming to Adelaide for one day only. An interactive, practical and yet deeply spiritual walk through God's big story and how the generations have been connecting since the very beginning of time.
RSVP to be in the room, to live the story together.
Please contact: contact@villagechurchalberton.com.au or 0431 400 700
WHEN: 6 November, 9 am to 4:30 pm
WHERE: Village Church Alberton
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
October
November
1 – Bridgewater UC Community Fair
1 – Loss and Hope – Naming the reality and moving into the future
2 – Yeelanna Uniting Church 70th Anniversary
6 – What in our faith is indispensable and what isn't?
8 – Evensong at Newland – Victor Harbor by Pilgrim Choir
8 – Organ Recital to celebrate our organ's 100th birthday
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
23 – Come and Sing Messiah at Clayton Wesley UC
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
Welcoming change
Christianity isn’t done growing and changing. Jesus himself invites us to take things out of our faith-filled ‘storage room’ and discern what is essential, saying, ‘Every disciple of the kingdom is like a householder who draws out from his storage room, things both old and new’ (Matthew 13:52).
We don’t want the church or the Christian tradition to become an antique shop just preserving old things. We want to build on old things and allow them to be useful in different ages, vocabularies, and cultures. We want our faith to be ever new, so that it can speak to souls alive and in need right now! Otherwise, the faith we cherish so much stops working and it can’t do its job of turning our hearts toward God and toward one another.
Father Richard Rohr
Prayer for the week
A prayer for the United Nations
God of compassion, we pray for the United Nations and all who work for a more just and peaceful world.
Grant leaders the wisdom and humility to act with urgency and to find peaceful resolutions to today's challenges.
Remind us that we are one human family, transcending borders and differences, and inspire us to care for the poor and stand up for the oppressed.
Help us to overcome greed, division, and conflict, and to promote compassion, kindness, and hope across the globe.
Bless the work of the UN and its agencies as they pursue justice, equity, and peace, so that the welfare of each may be the concern of all.
May the dignity and worth of every person be upheld, and may all people be able to live in freedom, now and for generations to come.
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
Lead Activity Facilitator - Beyond Limits Outdoor Education – Closes 22 October
Property Administration Assistant – Closes 27 October
Minister of Public Theology, Uniting Communities – Closes 26 October
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.
