2026 Uniting Church Anniversary message
UCA President marks Uniting Church’s 49th Anniversary with message of hope and Jubilee
June 19, 2026
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.
Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has released a special video message to mark the 49th anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia on 22 June, reflecting on the Church’s journey and inviting members to look ahead with hope toward its Jubilee year in 2027.
Drawing on the image of a fala (Tongan woven mat) shared at her installation, Rev Suli describes the Church as a community still being woven together through the love of Christ. “A mat still on the loom is not a lack, but a promise that there is more love still to weave,” she says.
In her message, Rev Suli gives thanks for the faith, courage and vision of those who formed the Uniting Church in 1977 and acknowledges the enduring Covenant relationship with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. She also recognises the challenges many congregations and leaders are facing, encouraging the Church to remain grounded in prayer, worship and service.
Reflecting on the recent season of Uniting in Prayer, Rev Suli says the Spirit is calling the Church “back to depth, back to prayer, and back to a people shaped not by fear or scarcity, but by trust in the abundance of God.”
Looking toward the Church’s 50th anniversary next year, she invites members to embrace the biblical vision of Jubilee as a time of renewal, reconciliation and justice.
“The threads of God’s love are still being woven through our life together,” Rev Suli says. “May God weave us together in love.”
The anniversary video message is now available to download and share in worship services, along with a PDF transcript.
More news from the Assembly
Korean Conference gathers
Korean National Conference 2026 The Korean National Conference recently gathered for a time of worship, fellowship and discernment, celebrating the vibrant contribution of our Korean members.By Rev Dr Kevin Kim, Minister, Trinity UCA Brighton and Chairperson, Korean National ConferenceThe 2026 Korean National Conference took place from 20–22 July in Belgrave, Victoria, and brought together nearly…
Satara’s story: listening for justice
Satara’s story: listening for justice Meet Satara Uthayakumaran, whose lifelong faith journey in the Uniting Church has shaped her commitment to justice, service and amplifying young people’s voicesFor Satara Uthayakumaran, advocacy has never been about having the loudest voice in the room. It has always begun with listening. At just 24, the lifelong member of…
Meet Hannah Jackson
The National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia is delighted to welcome Hannah Jackson as Director, Advocacy & Justice. Hannah brings to the role almost two decades of experience across advocacy, public policy, communications and government affairs, alongside a lifelong commitment to the Uniting Church. Throughout her career she has sought to build coalitions,…
Vale Rev Dr John Brown AM
Vale Rev Dr John Brown AM: a faithful pioneer of the Uniting ChurchIt is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Rev Dr John Brown AM, one of the Uniting Church in Australia’s most influential leaders, who died last Friday, 17 July, at the age of 92. A faithful servant…
Assembly Standing Committee charts a hopeful path for the Uniting Church
The Assembly Standing Committee met in Sydney from 17–19 July, bringing together members from across the country to guide the national work of the Uniting Church and continue implementing the priorities adopted by the 17th Assembly. Across three days, the Standing Committee focused on its governance responsibilities including hearing the annual report from Frontier Services,…
New leaders inducted and commissioned in Sydney
New leaders inducted and commissioned at Sydney ceremonySubscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.Last Friday, the National Assembly celebrated the Induction and Commissioning of recently appointed Directors in a ceremony presided by the Uniting Church…
Tuvalu’s call: A partnership of faith, hope and action
Tuvalu’s call: A partnership of faith, hope and action The Uniting Church in Australia has renewed its partnership with the Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) this week, reaffirming a shared commitment to faith, solidarity and climate justice as Tuvalu faces an increasingly uncertain future. On the low-lying islands of Tuvalu, climate change is not a…
Broome UC: Celebrating 100 years and more in the Kimberley
Broome Uniting: Celebrating 100 years and more in the Kimberley Next month the Broome Uniting Church celebrates a centenary of worship in its current church building. Wendy Hendry from the Synod of WA recently travelled to the neighbouring Northern Synod to learn more about the church and its people This article was first published…