News from Uniting Church SA
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Tuesday 5 August 2025
March for Humanity
The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly officially endorsed the March for Humanity across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday 3 August, a peaceful call for a ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the occupation, and a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.
President Rev Charissa Suli said the decision reflected the Church’s deep commitment to justice, peace, and human dignity. It follows the Assembly’s recent adoption of the World Council of Churches’ statement A Call to End Apartheid, Occupation and Impunity in Palestine and Israel.
“We are called to live out our faith publicly,” Rev Suli said. “If you march under the Uniting Church banner, let it be a banner of justice, love, and hope”.
Members were encouraged to participate peacefully and with integrity. Those who did not attend were also honoured in their commitment to peace in other ways.
National Homelessness Week
More than 120,000 people were turned away from homelessness services in 2023/24 due to lack of capacity, according to Homelessness Australia research.
If you are able, consider supporting Homelessness Australia or the Hutt Street Centre in Adelaide. No one should have to face homelessness alone.
Loneliness Awareness Week Australia
Despite being the most digitally connected generation, many young Australians report feeling socially disconnected and it’s impacting their health and wellbeing.
“A Call for Connection” is a free downloadable report that sheds light on the real experience of loneliness for young people – what it feels like, what contributes to it and what enables connection. This is not a collection of statistics, but a reflection of real voices and real lives.
If you missed it, you might also like to read the article on loneliness in the last edition of New Times here.
First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance
The Uniting Church in Australia, UAICC, and UnitingCare Australia have welcomed the Federal Government’s new First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance, announced by Prime Minister Albanese at the 2025 Garma Festival.
The Alliance is a step toward shared decision-making and economic justice for First Nations peoples, aligning with Closing the Gap targets.
“This reflects our Covenant commitment to justice and self-determination,” said Rev Charissa Suli. Rev Ken Sumner (UAICC) added, “True empowerment begins with respect for First Nations leadership and connection to Country.”
Renew – registrations now OPEN
Registrations are NOW OPEN for Renew Synod Resourcing event – a dynamic event to help you refresh, reimagine and reignite the life of your church. Click on the link below to learn more about the program, keynote addresses and workshops.
The event is being held on Friday evening October 17, and all-day Saturday October 18. On the previous evening, Thursday October 16, the Polkinghorne Oration is being held, also at Adelaide West UC. Why not combine the two events? You'll find a booking link to the Polkinghorne Oration later on in this edition of eNews.
A whole new way of enjoying the Royal Adelaide Show
You are invited to experience a whole new way of enjoying the Royal Adelaide Show – combining volunteering at the Red Dove Café with a deeper experience of reflecting missionally on your observations during the day. This exciting initiative, offered for the first time this year, will be led by Rev Scott Litchfield from Mission Resourcing.
The whole-day event will begin with coffee or breakfast, followed by orientation and a time spent walking around the Show in ‘observation mode’. After doing a shift at the Red Dove Café, you’ll have another period of focused observation in one of the ‘worlds’ at the show, then regather as a group to share your reflections.
The program is entirely FREE, and is being offered on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th of September. Spaces are limited, so book early on the link below
UPDATE: The September 2 session is now booked out!
Suicide Awareness Banners available – Scots Church Adelaide
Scots Church Adelaide have two complete banner sets (Banner, roll of ribbons and ribbon box), available for free to a congregation who would be willing to hang the banner and associated ribbons between 10 September and 10 October 2025 and in coming years. If you would like to take this opportunity, please call Jill on 0409178465. Transport can be arranged.
Digital Donation Program
Department of Treasury and Finance
The Digital Donation Program was created to assist South Australian community based, not-for-profit organisations to access devices from surplus government stocks. By re-using surplus government devices across the State and making them available to not-for–profit organisations in the community, we are able to implement a program that benefits both the community and our planet.
There are specific requirements your organisation must meet to be eligible for the Digital Donation Program.
Events
Embodying God’s mission in a multicultural neighbourhood – an Awaken Adelaide Learning Plenary
The next Awaken Adelaide Learning Plenary for Missional Leadership is coming up on August 21.
Rev. Dr Karina Kreminski, Mission Catalyst from NSW & ACT Synod, will be speaking on the subject of Embodying God’s mission in a multicultural neighbourhood.
When: Thursday, 21 August, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Yarthu-Apinthi / Uniting College for Leadership and Theology, 312 Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Brooklyn Park SA.
RSVP: Please RSVP to mr@sa.uca.org.au for catering purposes.
Community Connections – Weaving Lives Together
On Saturday 23 August, come and be part of an interactive day of learning and discovery focused on how God is working in our communities – and how we can join in! The event will feature small groups, electives, a marketplace of ideas, a ‘clearinghouse’ of community connections theology, sacred space for quiet reflection, and more.
Check out Rev Scott Litchfield's short video introducing the event here.
160th Anniversary Service – Wesley Uniting Church Kent Town
Wesley Uniting Church Kent Town will celebrate its 160th Anniversary on Sunday 17 August 2025 at 10 am. Established in 1865 as the Jubilee Wesleyan Methodist Church, it became part of the Uniting Church in 1977 and has long served as a place of worship and community gathering. The heritage-listed site is recognised by the National Trust for its historical significance. The service will be led by Rev Dr Jonathan Barker, with the Moderator, Rev Peter Morel as guest preacher. A celebratory morning tea will follow.
All are warmly invited. For enquiries, contact Jenny Stewart at doug-jenny-stewart@bigpond.com or 0400 279 684.
20th Anniversary – Western Link Uniting Church
Western Link Uniting Church, formed through the union of five churches from the former West Hindmarsh Parish, will celebrate 20 years of worship at its renovated and refurbished premises at 93 Crittenden Road, Findon, on Sunday 31 August at 10 am. The Moderator, Rev Peter Morel, will be the guest speaker, and lunch will be served following the service. An open invitation is extended to all past and present members, their families, and former ministers.
For enquiries, please contact Marion on 0437 128 365.
Upcoming events
August
4 to 10 – Loneliness Awareness Week 2025
4 to 10 – National Homelessness Week 2025
7 – Do we need to rethink forgiveness? at the Effective Living Centre
8 – Oodnadatta Congress Celebration Weekend
10 – Sunday Evenings – Interactive Worship August
17 – KickStart for Kids Fundraising Concert at Trinity Sessions
17 – An afternoon with Henry Olonga at Newland-Victor Harbor
17 – 160th Anniversary Service – Wesley Uniting Church Kent Town
23 – Community Connections – Weaving Lives Together at UCLT
24 – Sunday Evenings – Worship through Discussion August
News highlights from the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia this week include:
Reflection of the week
Worthiness Is Not the Way
It is in the process of embracing our imperfections that we find our truest gifts: courage, compassion, and connection.
—Brené Brown
Thérèse humbly trusted her own experience and taught the spirituality of imperfection which was so radical in her time (and our own). Thérèse may be one of my favorite saints because I tend to be a perfectionist. In the popular personality typing system known as the Enneagram, I’m a Type One. The trap for the One is the ideal of perfectionism (for which we are responsible). This makes us dissatisfied and disappointed by nearly everything, starting with ourselves.
Father Richard Rohr
Prayer points
Jesus wandered the wilderness for forty days, hungry, vulnerable, and alone, suffering the ache of isolation, the sting of scarcity, the weight of uncertainty.
We pray those who walk their own wilderness today, without shelter, safety, support or connection, longing for dignity and a place to belong.
May we strengthen our resolve to challenge systems of neglect, and to walk in solidarity with those whose wilderness has no end in sight.
May we see God’s image in every person, and act to bring justice, offer warmth, and build community.
Bless the hands that serve, the voices that advocate, and all those who open their doors. Let love be our foundation, and dignity our guide.
From Psalm 50:
Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honour me;
to those who go the right way,
I will show the salvation of God.
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.
