News, Notices & Prayer points - 17 June 2025

Posted Jun 17, 2025 in News

News & Notices – 17 June 2025

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 17 June 2025 edition of UC e-News

Prayer Points

We pray:

For the ongoing conflict in the Middle East – We pray for peace in the midst of violence and suffering. May those caught in the conflict between Israel and Iran find protection and hope. We pray for leaders to choose dialogue over destruction, and for wisdom, restraint, and compassion to guide every decision. May healing come to wounded lands and broken hearts
For the 48th Anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia – We give thanks for the faithful witness of the Uniting Church over 48 years. We pray for continued courage, unity, and vision as it seeks to follow Christ, serve the community, and work for justice. May its members be strengthened in love and mission, and may the Spirit continue to guide its path forward
For global financial and political uncertainty – We pray for stability, integrity, and wisdom in global economic and political systems. In the face of rising costs, inequality, and conflict, may leaders act with justice and compassion. We lift up those most impacted by financial strain and political unrest, that they may find security, dignity, and hope

Uniting Church’s 48^th Birthday

This Sunday 22 June will be the 48^th anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia. In 2025, we’re also celebrating 40 years of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), and 40 years since we declared ourselves a multicultural church.

UCA President Rev Charissa Suli has shared a message to mark our 48th birthday, which you can watch and share with your communities here: UCA President's 48th anniversary message – Uniting Church Australia.

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Open Now - 2025 Uniting Foundation grants

Please go to the website (https://sa.uca.org.au/uniting-foundation/grants) to view the grant guidelines and application forms.

This year there is $250,000 for Category A (Enduring) grants and $500,000 for Category B (UC Invest Springboard) grants.

If you have any questions, please contact Alice Hammer on (08)8236 4206 or Turn on Javascript!.

Grant applications are due by 5pm on Thursday, 31 July 2025.

2025-26 Expand Together Round 2

Grant funding is now available through the 2025–26 Expand Together Round 2 program, supporting multicultural communities across South Australia. These grants help multicultural organisations upgrade community facilities or purchase equipment to better serve culturally and linguistically diverse groups. Grants of up to $100,000 are available for projects to be delivered over 12 months, starting February 2026. Applications close at 11pm on Wednesday, 30 July 2025.

Guidelines and application forms are available at www.multicultural.sa.gov.au. As this is a highly competitive round, applicants are encouraged to access the Multicultural Grants Program’s online tutorials for guidance.

Please contact Grants Team via email Turn on Javascript! or 1300 239 468 for more information.

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Copyright Reminders

This is a reminder to all congregations to ensure you have permission to use any content such as photos, artwork, poems, worship songs, etc.... before you use them in worship, on brochures or posters or in any publication.

We have had some cases recently of churches being fined by organisations who are searching the internet for infringements on behalf of copyright owners. Please be aware that if you livestream your worship, anything you put in your presentation is recorded. This appears to be an avenue that is being used to identify copyright infringements.

If you are unsure if you have breached copyright, here are some helpful links with more information:

UCA SA - Content Guidelines

PicRights: How to Deal with a Letter Alleging Copyright Infringement

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Re-kindling partnership with Philippines church

The Mission Resourcing team is discerning how we might re-kindle our partnership with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). They have had a long connection with North Luzon and more recently the Middle Luzon jurisdictions of the UCCP. These partnerships have been multi-dimensional and at times creative and life giving. They are wondering what a renewal of our connections with the UCCP might look like.
Interested in being involved or have ideas to share?
Please contact Scott Litchfield: Turn on Javascript!

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AED Purchasing Update

The Synod will be emailing AED ordering and purchasing information to all AED Grant Funding eligible church locations (only) later this week. To help ensure no eligible location is missed, the purchasing information emails will be forwarded to key church/responsible officers council officers currently listed with the Synod (Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Ministry agents and Presbytery leaders will also be cc’d in). It is important to the ordering and grant acquittal process however, that only one online order is placed for each eligible location and so we encourage you consult at council level before placing your order. AED orders need to submitted using the online order form link contained in the email. Whilst we have endeavoured to make the ordering process as simple as possible, we encourage those who may be more technologically minded, to support those who may find this more challenging. Councils and other church bodies responsible for more than one eligible location need to a submit separate order for each location. All orders must be received by the Synod by 31 July 2025, and we encourage congregations to submit their order as soon as possible.

An AED Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document will also be included in the ordering email, and we ask that you read this first prior to contacting the Synod directly with any questions.

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Save the Date – Resourcing Day!

The Resourcing Day will take place on Friday evening, 17 October, continuing Saturday, 18 October.
If you’re interested, please save the date! More details will be available soon.

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Aboriginal Spirituality & Culture – Video Series

A new video series featuring Aboriginal theologian Rev Dr Garry Deverell is now available. The series, Aboriginal Spirituality & Culture, includes three short films and a discussion guide exploring key themes: Living on Country, The Dreaming, and Country & Colonisation. These thought-provoking and accessible resources are ideal for church groups seeking to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal spirituality and history.

Produced by Dr Craig Mitchell for Port Phillip East Presbytery (UCA), with support from the former School of Indigenous Studies, University of Divinity.

Free to download at: https://craigmitchell.com.au/aboriginal-culture

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Army Reserve Chaplaincy – Are You Being Called?

Could God be calling you to serve as a part-time Army Reserve chaplain? Vacancies are available in South Australia. Service is flexible, tax-free, and locally based—no postings outside your home area. The work is deeply rewarding. To learn more or speak with a current chaplain, contact Rev John Dansie on 0437 057 968.

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Volunteers Needed – The Corner Uniting Church Op Shop

The Corner Uniting Church is looking for additional volunteers to join the team at our Op Shop. This is a great opportunity to meet people, support the local community, and be part of a welcoming environment.

Whether you have a few hours a week or more time to offer, your help would be greatly appreciated. Training and support are provided.

Please contact Amy Russell on 08 8350 5400 for more information.

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Volunteers Needed – Pilgrim Uniting Church

Pilgrim Uniting Church is looking for more volunteers to support its Sunday Night Tea.

Sunday Night Tea at Pilgrim Uniting Church (Adelaide) provides a weekly meal for people experiencing homelessness or isolation. Long-time co-ordinators Carol and Peter will step down at the end of July 2025, creating an opportunity for new leadership.

The role suits someone with strong people and organisational skills, a heart for social justice, and about two days a week to contribute. Ideal for retirees or those building experience. Supportive teams and systems are in place. A driver’s licence and vehicle are required.

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Volunteers Needed – UnitingCare Glenelg

UnitingCare Glenelg is calling for more volunteers to support its vital community programs, including food assistance, hospitality services, and food preparation for Mary’s Kitchen, a free Tuesday evening meal initiative.

Volunteers are especially needed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 10 am and 2 pm. A minimum commitment of three hours on any of these days is appreciated, and volunteers are welcome to choose the day(s) that best suit their availability.

If you’re interested in making a meaningful difference in the local community, please contact Yelena, the UnitingCare Glenelg Coordinator, at Turn on Javascript!, or reach the office at Turn on Javascript!.

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Clinical Pastoral Education at St Andrew’s Hospital

St Andrew’s Hospital is offering a new unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), beginning Tuesday, July 15. CPE is a specialised training program for those involved in spiritual or pastoral care across various settings—such as hospitals, prisons, schools, aged care, the Defence Force, and faith communities.

The program helps participants develop greater self-awareness and learn how to offer compassionate, informed care to people experiencing distress.

For more information, including costs, please contact Rev Leanne Jenski (Chaplain at St Andrew’s Hospital) at Turn on Javascript! or 0409 516 857.

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ERC Fund Appeal – Supporting Food Security

Cost of Living Pressure and Food Security

The rising cost of living, particularly for food, is a major factor contributing to food insecurity and anxiety in Australia. Many households are forced to prioritise basic needs like housing and utilities, often reducing their spending on food. This can lead to increased stress, relationship problems, and a sense of being overwhelmed.

UnitingCare SA has a network of 11 relief centres across South Australia, providing food relief to those in need. Visitors to our centres find compassion, kindness, and non-judgment from tireless volunteers as they interact with those in need. Some centres provide meals such as morning tea and lunch creating a caring community of people who meet regularly while enjoying a hot beverage, meal, and chat. It takes the anxiety and isolation out of their day, while they wait to receive essential food items, vouchers, pharmaceutical discount vouchers, supermarket vouchers, metro tickets and clothing via the centre’s op shops when available.

You can help.
Your donations ensure that no one in our community is left hungry and alone this winter. Together, we can offer dignity and hope to those who need it most.

Donations over $2 to the UnitingCare Emergency Relief Centre Appeal are tax deductible. Please Click Here to make your donation. You can direct your donation to a specific UnitingCare Relief Centre by mentioning the centre in the donation description, or your donation will be shared across the UnitingCare SA centres.

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Lowitja O'Donoghue’s Story – Event Recording Now Available

On Sunday 18 May, around 120 people attended an event featuring Stuart Rintoul, the authorised biographer of Lowitja O’Donoghue, as part of South Australia’s History Festival. The audience heard insights into how the biography came to be and reflections on Lowitja’s extraordinary life. A panel discussion followed with Stuart Rintoul, Allen Edwards and Michael Court.

The event was hosted and recorded by Unley Allies with First Nations People and Unley Uniting Church. The recording is now available online: https://unleyallies.org/index.php/past-events

For those inspired to learn more, the biography Lowitja by Stuart Rintoul is available at Dymocks and other bookstores: https://www.dymocks.com.au/lowitja-by-stuart-rintoul-and-lowitja-odonoghue-9781760875602

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CMLA Winter Warmers – Journalling with Paint and Poetry

On Saturday 19 July 2025, from 10am to 4pm at The Corner Uniting Church, the Centre for Music, Liturgy, and the Arts (CMLA) invites you to a day of creative “time out” in winter. This reflective retreat offers space to explore the connections between life, creativity, and spirituality through art or writing. Suitable for all experience levels, with full-day and half-day options available. The day will be led by Karan Hudson and Paul Turley. For more information and bookings, visit www.cmla.org.au or trybooking.

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Lowitja – A Life of Leadership and Legacy

With National Reconciliation Week now concluded and NAIDOC Week approaching in early July, those looking to continue engaging with themes of reconciliation may be interested in a current exhibition at the Kerry Packer Gallery, attached to the Hawke Centre.

Running from June 4 to July 25 (weekdays, 9 am. – 6 pm), the free exhibition is presented by the Lowitja Foundation, Lowitja Institute, and the Hawke Centre. It highlights the life and legacy of Dr O’Donoghue – one of Australia’s most respected and prominent Aboriginal leaders.

This exhibition offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect and learn and may be of interest to those continuing their reconciliation journey.

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Western Link Uniting Church – 20th Anniversary

The Western Link Congregation will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its redeveloped worship centre on Sunday 31 August 2025 at 10 am., with guest speaker Rev Peter Morel (Moderator), followed by lunch.

Former members, ministers, and anyone connected to the former West Hindmarsh, Kidman Park, Allenby Gardens, Flinders Park, or Findon congregations are warmly invited.

RSVP by 17 August for catering purposes via Turn on Javascript! or (08) 8445 2332. All are welcome for the service, lunch, or both.

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Effective Living Centre – Wilks Oration

The 2025 Wilks Oration, "Why Is Modern Slavery Relevant in Australia and How Can We Help Combat It?", will take place on Thursday, July 3 at the Effective Living Centre, Wayville. Carolyn and Fuzz Kitto, National Co-Directors of Be Slavery Free, will draw on over 20 years of experience in social justice to explore how Australia’s $28 billion in imports link us to modern slavery—and how government, business, and the public can work together to prevent it. The event starts at 7:00pm with music, drinks, and nibbles. Donations can be made at Donate — Be Slavery Free

RSVP: PC Forum - Wilks Oration 2025

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2025 Bethany Hall SALA Art Exhibition - Season’s Bounty

Announcing the 2025 Bethany Hall SALA Art Exhibition – Season’s Bounty, officially opening on Saturday, 2 August at 2 pm at Bethany Hall, Willunga. Generously sponsored by Willunga Farmers Market and the City of Onkaparinga, this exhibition invites visitors to celebrate nature’s abundance through works inspired by the rich harvests of the Fleurieu Peninsula and beyond.

The exhibition will be open on weekends from 2–24 August, 10 am to 4 pm. Visitors can vote for their favourite artwork, with prizes awarded to the artists. Don’t miss this creative tribute to South Australia’s landscapes, produce, and culinary heritage.

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