This is my Uniting Church

Could you share a little bit about your church community?

We are two worshipping communities with one heart and purpose - a life-giving community sharing God’s abundant love. We value strong friendship, warm welcome, and being known by name. People talk about finding belonging through morning tea conversations, practical care in times of need, and being encouraged to use their gifts. We are intentionally intergenerational and increasingly intercultural, with growing links to our neighbours through playgroup, community groups, and special events.

What does worship look like at your church? Are there any creative or distinctive elements in your services?

Worship is relaxed, participatory, and grounded in Scripture. Preaching and thoughtful sermon series are valued as a key source of spiritual growth, including reflections from First Nations voices and a sermon series on women in the Bible. Seasonal creativity matters to us, with art-inspired Lent and Advent.
A distinctive feature is our intergenerational music discipleship. Our Sunday band includes young people as early as 12 alongside elders over 70, with young leaders also serving on the AV desk. We blend Together in Song hymns with contemporary songs, and we run Supper Church, which began for youth and now gathers all ages around worship, conversation, and supper. The monthly midweek Wednesday Communion and monthly Evensong at our Northbridge site offer simple, reflective services that many appreciate.

What one thing makes your church unique?

The way we are growing faith through intergenerational discipleship. Musicians, worship leaders, tech teams, and welcomers learn side by side across generations. That shared practice forms character, builds skills, and quietly teaches what Christian community looks like.

What are some of the things happening there that are really exciting for people?

• #CreativeKids - our annual school holiday program - widely named as a joyful whole-church outreach that brings Jesus’ love to many primary school children.
• Playgroup - thriving hospitality for young families.
• Supper Church - a genuinely intergenerational service that fosters honest conversation.
• Nurturing young musicians and leaders, youth group, quarterly men’s and women’s dinners, the Spring Fair, community craft and garden groups, election day barbecues, and consistent welcome for newcomers.
  People also named our growing community engagement focus and partnerships with Frontier Services and StreetWork.

What energises the faith of this community?

• Preaching and teaching - strong, Bible-centred sermons that challenge and encourage.
• Community and friendship - morning tea, being listened to, practical care, seeing faith lived out.
• Worship and music - singing, participation, and the Sunday 10 am format.
  Others mentioned Bible studies and home groups, hearing people’s stories, online groups when needed, reflective prayer, and being encouraged to use personal gifts.

How does your church engage with the local community, and what partnerships or outreach programs are you most proud of?

• Playgroup
• #CreativeKids
• Spring Fair
• Mahjong and craft groups
• Gunyah Garden and garden club
• StreetWork and Help Street Foundation
• Election day stalls and community morning teas
  We are also proud of our connections with Uniting World, support for Frontier Services, and being a welcoming venue for community users. Our buildings are busy throughout the week, and people consistently affirm the value of sharing our spaces.

Where do you see God currently at work?

We see God in the courage to try new things, in the patience to keep serving, and in the joy of hospitality. People point to young and older musicians learning together, newcomers feeling at home, pastoral care support, and a steady sense of renewal in worship.

How do you include intercultural and intergenerational aspects into the life of your church?

Intergenerational ministry is embedded in our worship, teams, and leadership. From 12 to 70 plus, people serve together in music and tech, lead prayers, read Scripture, and share testimonies. Interculturally, we are learning from First Nations voices in worship and deepening our engagement with people of diverse backgrounds through community groups and partnerships. Our aspiration is that every generation and culture finds genuine belonging and a place to contribute.

Can you share a story that reflects how your congregation has supported people during challenging times?

During COVID, members formed care networks to phone, shop, and pray for one another and for neighbours. That impulse has continued in practical ways, like welcoming refugees at church, listening to their stories, and connecting people with support. Many spoke of pastoral care arriving at just the right moment, and of being encouraged to use their talents when life felt fragile.

Are there any challenges your church is facing?

People named real challenges with grace and honesty:

• Capacity and rosters - too few doing too much, administrative load, and the need for more lay leaders.
• Children’s ministry gap - limited regular engagement for ages 3 to 11 and a desire for a weekly primary group.
• Bridging generations - a lingering sense of separation between younger and older members, even as Supper Church helps.
• Communication and publicity - lifting our external visibility and clearer pathways from midweek programs into worship.
• Music balance and worship preferences - occasional desire for simpler musical texture or more familiar hymns.
• Sustainability - reducing waste and improving reuse at events.
• Two-site resourcing - can stretch the team.

What can the rest of the Uniting Church be praying for, for you and your community?

Please pray for:

• Wise stewardship of capacity - aligning what we can do with what God is calling us to do.
• Children, youth, and families - especially developing regular ministry for primary-aged children.
• Lay leaders - more people equipped to coordinate and lead.
• Our community engagement appointment - clarity, resourcing, and fruitfulness.
• Deepening prayer and faith-sharing across the church.
• Ongoing grace to remain a life-giving community sharing God’s abundant love