UCA Anniversary message
Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis shares this message marking 46 years of the Uniting Church in Australia
June 15, 2023
President Rev Sharon Hollis has shared this video message to mark the anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia next week on 22 June.
“At this moment, we must listen anew to the invitation to find ourselves in God's story and speak in fresh ways about who we are and where we are going. "
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.
This year, the anniversary also marks the conclusion of Uniting in Prayer - a time of prayer nationally across the Church as part of the Act2 project, as we consider the future shape of the Uniting Church.
Recalling the courageous journey we embarked on 46 years ago, the President invites us to listen anew to the invitation to find ourselves in God's story, asking...
What is God's new thing for us today?
Are we willing to courageously answer Christ's call in this time and place?
The President considers the particular call this year to support an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. She reflects on the call to be shaped by God's inclusive life and to receive with joy the gifts of the LGBTIQA+ community. She invites us to seek to be allies of those on the margins and to stand against racism and exclusion.
In our own life as a Church, the President asks if we can commit anew to sharing with others what it means to have new life in Christ, and to forge a future of faithful innovation, discipleship and community.
The beginning of the video features Rev Dr Davis McCaughey, inaugural President of the Uniting Church, preaching at the Uniting Church service of inauguration at Sydney Town Hall on 22 June 1977.
The video message is available now to download and play in your worship service or to share with your community.
More news
President’s Season of Creation message
Today, 1 September, marks the beginning of the 2026 Season of Creation, as Christians around the world gather in prayer, reflection and action to celebrate God’s gift of creation and renew their commitment to care for our common home. To mark the beginning of the season, Uniting…
President's reflection: Arise and shine!
President’s reflection: Arise and shine! Last week, President Rev Charissa Suli attended a global gathering of Methodist and Uniting Church women. She carried home stories, wisdom and a renewed call for the Church to shine. The 15th World Assembly of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) brought together Methodist and Uniting Church…
President's Pastoral Prayer for Nepal
President’s Pastoral Prayer for the People of Nepal As we hear of the devastating floods in Nepal, we pause in sorrow and solidarity with all those affected. In the face of lives lost, families separated and communities facing profound uncertainty, we turn to God in prayer. We pray for those who grieve, those still…
Farewell to Rev Lindsay Cullen
The Assembly farewells Rev Lindsay Cullen After almost nine years of faithful presence, imagination and service, Rev Lindsay Cullen is stepping down from the role of Assembly Associate General SecretaryThe Uniting Church community gathered at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney last Thursday to give thanks for the ministry of Rev Lindsay Cullen and formally…
UCA delegation active at WMC meeting
UCA delegation active at global Methodist gathering in El SalvadorA Uniting Church in Australia delegation has joined Methodists and Wesleyans from around the world in El Salvador, for the World Methodist Council gathering, held from 13–17 August. Gathering under the theme “The Kingdom of God is Justice, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans…
Associate General Secretaries gather
UCA Associate General Secretaries gather Associate General Secretaries from across the Uniting Church gathered last week at Campfire in the Heart, Alice Springs, on the traditional lands of the Arrernte people, the Traditional Custodians of Mparntwe. The gathering brought together Linda Hanson (Synod of Queensland), Sue Page and Andrew Robertson (South Australia), Sharon Hollis…
Eastwood UC: Weaving Belonging in a Divided World
Eastwood UC: Weaving Belonging in a Divided WorldThe Uniting Church President, Rev Charissa Suli, recently visited Eastwood Uniting Church in Sydney’s north west, where she preached and shared Holy Communion as the congregation celebrated its 2026 theme, TOGETHER. The theme reflects the congregation’s rich intercultural life, bringing together English, Korean and Chinese-speaking worshippers, alongside people…
When fuel prices rise, who picks up the pieces?
When fuel prices rise, who picks up the pieces? As fuel prices rise again, financial pressure is reaching more Australian households. Tamara Thomas explores the growing demand for support and why stronger safety nets are urgently neededThis article was first published by The Point. It is republished with permission. By Tamara Thomas, National Director of…