News from Uniting Church SA
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Tuesday 25 November 2025
2026 Calendar – Order now!
The 2026 UCASA Calendar is now available to order and as usual there is an ‘Early Bird’ discount for pre-orders until December 7.
The calendar 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.
Christmas worship times
Please email your Christmas Worship times to engagement@sa.uca.org.au so they can be featured on the Synod website at: UCA SA – Christmas Services 2025.
For all other Christmas events, please list them in the usual way via our Events submission form at UCA SA – Submit an event.
Christmas 2025 Resources – Now available!
To support our congregations, a Christmas PowerPoint template and other resources are now available on our website.
Uniting World – Philippines typhoon appeal
Help bring urgent aid to families in the Philippines
Two powerful typhoons, Kalmaegi and Fung-Wong, have forced over a million people from their homes, leaving hundreds dead and communities devastated. Our partner, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), is providing emergency food, clean water, temporary shelter, hygiene kits, and solar power to isolated areas.
The need is overwhelming, and resources are stretched. You can help bring hope and life-saving support to those affected.
Support the Christmas Bowl
For 76 years, Australians have given to the Christmas Bowl as an act of faith, generosity, and hope. Born in the aftermath of World War II, it began as a simple idea: churches across the country joining together at Christmas to share what they could so that others, far away, could have food, shelter, and safety.
Today, the Christmas Bowl continues to carry the prayers, gifts, and compassion of Christians across generations. It is a tradition that has quietly reshaped lives in places most of us will never see.
Your gifts have supported refugees, rebuilt homes after disaster, and reminded people in crisis that they are not forgotten. From Gaza to Ethiopia, from remote Pacific islands to communities recovering from natural disasters, the Christmas Bowl is more than an appeal. It is the wider church’s legacy of love in action.
Please join us in praying and acting for peace in the world. Because everyone deserves a safe place to belong.
Emerging Leaders Retreat Jan 16–18
Are there people in your congregation between the ages of 18 and 30 who are already showing leadership? Please encourage them to apply for the Emerging Leaders Retreat.
This retreat aims to develop life-long leadership, supercharge leadership skills, activate spiritual gifts and fire up a faith that lasts in the future moderators, chairpersons, coordinators, ministers, missionaries, theologians, chaplains and church planters in our Church – whether that's in vocational ministry or not.
When: 16 to 18 January 2026
Where: Adare Camp, 20 Wattle Drive, McCracken SA 5211
Cost: $65 per person
Disability access and inclusion reading list
Our Graduate Disability and Advocacy Officer, Anna Wilson, has worked with Anna Witty, Head Librarian at Adelaide Theological Library, to put together an excellent reading list of disability-related books to assist congregations to be communities “where all are welcome, all are valued, and all are loved – not in spite of their differences, but because of the richness they bring” (Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli).
The list contains brief descriptions of all the resources, links to the on-line materials, and library references to the locations of books so you’ll be able to find them easily in the Adelaide Theological Library at UCLT.
Renew Grant – Closing this week!
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.
Products added to children’s sand recall – SafeWork SA
You may have heard in the news over the last few days about the recall of some popular children’s play sand products, which may contain asbestos.
Whilst the risks are considered low, due to the potential for these products to be used as part of children’s ministry activities, it is important that congregations identify, remove from use and dispose of any such products safely. Further information relating to the specific products can be found on the following sites:
UPDATED: Products added to children’s sand recall | SafeWork SA
Recall_notice_Assorted+sand_(Kmart+&+Target+AU) +Nov+2025.pdf
If you have any specific questions relating to this matter, church council members may contact the Synod on 1300 766 956 or email the Synod WHS Coordinator whs@sa.uca.org.au.
Events
Awaken Adelaide – Learning Plenary for Intercultural Leadership
The next Awaken Adelaide event is held this Thursday!
The plenary will explore “Toward an Intercultural Transformation: Becoming an Intercultural Church”. The keynote will be delivered by Rev Dr Paul Goh, Mission Activator and President-elect of the Uniting Church of Australia, and the workshop will be facilitated by Dr Rosemary Dewerse, Academic Dean and Research Coordinator at UCLT. Uncle Rev Ken Sumner, Moderator Rev Peter Morel and Emelia Haskey will also share reflections from their recent intercultural immersion in Tonga.
When: 5.30 pm–8.00 pm, Thursday 27 November 2025
Where: Yarthu-Apinthi (Uniting College of Leadership and Theology) | 312 Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Brooklyn Park
Please RSVP to mr@sa.uca.org.au by Wednesday 26 November (that's tomorrow!) for catering purposes.
The Story of Bethlehem –Contextualising life in Palestine
Join Mercy Aiken and Cole Martin for a Zoom webinar exploring life in Palestine and peacebuilding in the Holy Land. Hear firsthand stories, insights, and reflections, followed by a Q&A.
When: 1:30 Adelaide | Sunday 30 Nov 2025
Where: Zoom Webinar with Q&A.
Learn more about the people, culture, and challenges of Bethlehem this Advent.
‘At The Still Point’: Mystery, Misery and Ministry in Fraught Times – Professor Mark Burrows
A morning with Professor Mark Burrows
Writer, retreat leader, poet, and scholar
Explore the voices of poets and mystics who show that, even in challenging times, the ‘unknowing’ of wonder is the beginning of wisdom. Inspired by T. S. Eliot’s words, “At the still point, there the dance is”, this session offers reflection and insight.
Professor Mark Burrows is an internationally recognized theologian, poet, and translator, author of bestselling books on Meister Eckhart and a leading interpreter of Rainer Rilke’s writings.
When: 9.30 am–12.30 pm, Monday 1 December
Where: Yarthu-Apinthi (Uniting College) | 312 Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Brooklyn Park
Online Morning Tea with Anna Wilson
Hello! It's Anna Wilson, the Graduate Disability and Advocacy Officer!
I am hosting another morning tea for anyone who would like to get to know me more and ask questions about my role. There were some excellent questions asked at the last morning tea held back in August, so I thought I'd host another one if people had more questions for me! I want to continue to work with congregations to find the best way for people with disability to be included and be able to participate in and contribute to congregational life.
This will be held online on Monday December 8th at 11:30 am. Please bring a cup of coffee along and find the Zoom meeting link below.
The Shared Table Christmas Market – Sunset Rock Uniting Church
Get into the festive spirit at The Shared Table – Sunset Rock UC as they gear up for a cheerful community morning filled with local creativity and Christmas joy. There’ll be plenty to see, taste, and enjoy, including coffee, BBQ, local crafts, handmade gifts and so on.
Bring your friends, family, and Christmas spirit for a relaxed, fun-filled morning in the Adelaide Hills. Perfect for finding those unique gifts, supporting local makers, and soaking up the holiday atmosphere.
When: 9.00 am–1.00 pm, Saturday 13 December 2025
Where: Sunset Rock Uniting Church, 40 Spencer St, Stirling SA 5152
Minim Choir and Friends – Celebrating music, faith and story
Minim Choir, the choir of the Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts, will sing under the leadership of Rev Jenni Hughes. Minim is an impressive ensemble whose music expresses the joys, sorrows, love and hope of life.
Robin and Dorothy Mann have sung together for decades, including in the band Kindekrist. Robin is a renowned hymn and song writer and co-wrote Outback Christmas with Professor Norm Habel.
Leigh Newton, also a well-known writer of worship music, is loved for his Australian carol collections Christmas in the Scrub and Christmas in the Shed.
When: 3.00 pm,
Sunday 14 December 2025
Where: Bridgewater Arts Centre / Bridgewater Uniting Church, 407 Mount Barker Road, Bridgewater
Upcoming events
November
December
3 – International Day of People with Disability
7 – Christmas Hymnfest at Spicer
13 – Create @ The Corner – Vinyl Record Wreaths
14 – Spicer Carols in the Amphitheatre, Stepney
News from the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia this week includes:
Brand new pics from the President's Conference
Banning nuclear weapons will require love to triumph over fear
2025 edition of the Uniting Church Constitution and Regulations out now
Reflection of the week
Being less judgmental
I am challenged by my community to claim a new freedom to love and accept others who may have different understandings of how to live a faithful and spiritual life. Rather than blame, judging, or comparing, I can choose to accept, affirm, and celebrate another. Rather than avoiding persons who do not live the way I do or believe what I believe, I can learn to be with them in a personal, compassionate, and creative way. If I am rooted in my own spirit and comfortable in my own body, I will be less judgmental.
Henri Nouwen
from Romans 13:11–12
“... we know the time, that it is already the hour for us to awake from sleep, for our salvation is now nearer than when we became believers. The night has advanced toward dawn; the day is near. So then we must lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the weapons of light.”
Prayer of the week
A prayer for the start of Advent
God of Light and Hope,
In this season of waiting, we turn our hearts toward your promise.
You call us to walk in your way of peace, where spears are beaten into pruning hooks and fear gives way to flourishing.
Awaken us from the slumber of despair,
Clothe us in the armor of light,
that we may live as children of the day
with justice in our hands and compassion in our hearts.
Teach us to watch, not with anxiety,
but with expectation.
For though we do not know the hour,
we trust that your love is already breaking into our world.
Come, Christ Jesus,
into our streets and homes,
into our hearts and souls.
Make us ready for your reign of peace,
and let our lives be a sign of hope for all creation.
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
Kitchen Hand / Housekeeper – Tarooki Campsite – Open now
Customer Service Officer – Tarooki Campsite – Open now
Centre Manager, Tarooki – Robe – Open now
Coordinating Chaplain – Mount Gambier, SA, Australia – Closes 28 November
Administrator Human Resources (Ministry Placements) – Closes 8 December
Ashford Hospital Chaplain – Closes 12 December
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.
