2026 Assembly Calendar of Dates

Welcome to the 2026 Assembly Calendar

On this page you will find the 2026 dates for the key days we mark together as a national Uniting Church, events held around the Uniting Church that are open to all, key liturgical dates, key ecumenical dates and events, and various dates that are marked socially/culturally that you may like to mark in your local community.

This calendar is intended as a resource to help Uniting Church communities consider the shape of the year and help their planning. Further dates will be added as we become aware of them.

Could this calendar be more helpful, or have we missed an event the national Uniting Church should know about? Email us to let us know.

*dates with an asterisk indicate an official commemoration of the Uniting Church, adopted by the Assembly or Assembly Standing Committee. These dates are included on the 2025-2026 Uniting Church Lectionary calendar, as congregations are encouraged to mark these celebrations, commemorations and anniversaries in their worship.

January

25 Uniting Church Day of Mourning*

Since 2019 the Uniting Church has marked a Day of Mourning on the Sunday before 26 January to reflect on the dispossession and ongoing injustices faced by Australia’s First Peoples, acknowledge our shared history and renew our commitment to justice and healing. Worship and other resources are made available.

26 Australia/Survival Day

February

13 Anniversary of the Apology to Stolen Generations

18 Ash Wednesday

18 Lent begins (until 2 April)

March

6 World Day of Prayer

8 International Women's Day

19 Close the Gap Day

17-23 Harmony Week (including 21 March - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination)

29 Palm Sunday

April

3-5 Easter weekend

24 Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

25 ANZAC Day - resource from the Uniting Church Defence Force Chaplains Committee

May

17-24 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

24 Pentecost

26 Sorry Day

31 Trinity Sunday

27 May-3 June National Reconciliation Week

June

14-20 Refugee Week

22 Uniting Church Anniversary*

Celebrating the 49th Anniversary of the inauguration of the Uniting Church in Australia. The President will release a video message for the anniversary.

28 UnitingWorld Sunday* - resources from UnitingWorld

The Uniting Church in Australia is connected in partnership with churches across the Pacific, Asia and Africa. They are vibrant, inspiring and dedicated people of God who are transforming lives and communities for the better. UnitingWorld is the agency that manages these partnerships for the wider UCA. UnitingWorld Sunday is a chance to hear the wisdom of our partners and learn more about our work together.

July

5-12 NAIDOC Week

10 Anniversary of the UCA-UAICC Covenant

19 Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday* - resources to come from the Assembly

Emerging from a decision of the 16th Assembly meeting, this day is an opportunity to celebrate the cultural diversity in our DNA and to explore ways to build intercultural relationships in our own neighbourhoods.

August

4 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

September

1 Sep-4 Oct Season of Creation*

Throughout the month of September each year, Christians across the world celebrate the Season of Creation, an annual invitation to pray and reflect on our shared call to care for the earth – our common home and the blessed, beloved creation of God. It takes place from 1 September (World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) to 4 October (Feast of St. Francis of Assisi).

October

4 Older Persons Sunday* - resource to come from UnitingCare Australia

Established by the Uniting Church Assembly in 2022, Older Persons Sunday is a time to celebrate the contributions and human rights of older people, confront ageism, and consider how we can build communities that honour dignity and nurture hope across all generations.

20 Anniversary - National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse*

October 22 marks the anniversary of the National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. On this date, the Uniting Church in Australia remembers and acknowledges the harm done, the terrible breach of trust and laments its role in causing the harm. A worship resource from UCA Redress and a statement from the President is released.