Celebrating Older Persons Sunday 2025
2025 is the fourth year the Uniting Church will mark an annual occasion to celebrate and reflect on the human rights and contributions of older people
October 1, 2025
Uniting Church communities across Australia are invited to mark the fourth annual Older Persons Sunday during October.
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.
While the suggested date to observe the day is the first Sunday in October – closely aligned with the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) – congregations are encouraged to choose any Sunday in October, or another suitable date that works best for their context.
“In many cultures, including my own Tongan heritage, elders are seen as ‘pillars of wisdom’ ... They carry stories of sacrifice, perseverance, and faith that shape our lives today.”
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Produced by the Assembly in 2024, a comprehensive and flexible worship resource is available for use. It includes a full service outline, intergenerational activities, suggested scripture readings, music, prayers and reflections.
“In many cultures, including my own Tongan heritage, elders are seen as ‘pillars of wisdom,’” says Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli. “From a young age, we’re taught to honour and learn from our grandparents and elders. They carry stories of sacrifice, perseverance and faith that continue to shape us.”
“In the Uniting Church, we believe in the inherent dignity of every person. That belief guides how we care for our older members.”
Older Persons Sunday offers churches a meaningful way to recognise and celebrate the invaluable roles older people play – as individuals, family members, community leaders and advocates for justice. It also aligns with broader efforts to reform attitudes and systems that marginalise older people.
The United Nations created the International Day of Older Persons in 1990 to spotlight the impact of ageism and promote respect and dignity for older adults worldwide. The 2025 theme highlights the essential role of older people in building resilient, inclusive societies through their lived experience in health, finance, community life and human rights.
Congregations may choose to dedicate an entire service to the occasion or incorporate elements such as themed prayers, songs or personal reflections.
More news from the Assembly
Webinar consultation: Decade of Intercultural Transformation Proposal
Consultation on a proposal for a Uniting Decade of Intercultural Transformation Co-hosted by the Assembly Being a Multicultural Church Circle and the Assembly Resourcing Unit, join this webinar exploring an exciting possibilityYou’re invited! Consultation on a proposal for a Uniting Decade of Intercultural Transformation Following a joyful celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Uniting…
Film screening: The Golden Chain of Mercy
Exclusive film screenings: The Golden Chain of Mercy Presented by the Uniting Church in Australia in partnership with the Armenian Missionary Association of Australia and co-hosted with United Theological College and Pitt Street Uniting ChurchA ground-breaking documentary reveals the untold story of the Australian and New Zealand connection to the Armenian genocide All are invited…
Marking 40 years of being a Multicultural Church
Marking 40 years of being a Multicultural Church Four decades after declaring itself a Multicultural Church, members of the Uniting Church gathered to celebrate, reflect and reimagineOn 15 June 1985, a Spirit-led declaration was made at the Uniting Church in Australia’s 4th National Assembly: “The Uniting Church is a Multicultural Church”. These seven words have…
First Korean Women's Conference
First National Korean Women’s Conference celebrates leadership and calling The inaugural Korean Women’s Conference brought together lay and ordained women leaders from around the countryby Rev Myung Hwa Park, Chair of the Korean National ConferenceThis year marks the 40th anniversary of the Uniting Church’s declaration as a multicultural church, an ongoing journey of embracing diversity…
Yarta Wandatha: The land is speaking
Yarta Wandatha: the land is speaking, the people are speaking Walking with Elders, learning from their ancient wisdom and wrestling with the lessons that creation – ‘God’s oldest voice’ – has to teach us todayThis article was first published in VOX, the bulletin of the University of Divinity. It is republished with permission. By Dr…
Hubs: We are a Multicultural Church Anniversary
40 years on from ‘We are a Multicultural Church’: National Theological Consultation A three-day National Theological Consultation with hubs around the country will kick off national celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the 1985 statement40th Anniversary of the 1985 ‘The Uniting Church is a Multicultural Church’ Statement National Theological Consultation: 10-12 June 2025 2025 marks…
Constitutional Court ruling in South Korea
President’s statement on Constitutional Court of Korea ruling Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has shared a statement and prayer after the Constitutional Court of Korea upheld the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol A Pastoral Statement on the Constitutional Court’s Ruling in South Korea Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in…
Commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Assembly to host national service of commemoration for the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide mm Members of the Uniting Church are invited to join with the Assembly, the Armenian Missionary Association Of Australia (AMAA) and the wider Armenian community in marking the Armenian Genocide this April. This year marks 110 years since the Genocide…