UCA Tasmania

04/09/2026

Statement from the Presbytery Standing Committee, Presbytery of Tasmania, Uniting Church in Australia:

The Uniting Church stands with people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds. We affirm the dignity of every person and reject all forms of racial and religious abuse.

We are particularly concerned by recent expressions of Islamophobia in Tasmania, including online threats and damage to Islamic community and worship spaces. We stand in solidarity with Muslim communities who have been affected.

At the same time, we reject all forms of racial and religious hatred, including antisemitism, wherever they occur.

These harm individuals and communities and have no place in our society. These actions are contrary to the values of love, justice and respect that faith in God calls us to uphold.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan in the Bible, Jesus chose a Samaritan as the example of the neighbour who showed compassion, reminding us that neighbourliness crosses boundaries of ethnicity, religion and social identity. In a time when divisions exist between different religious and cultural groups, kindness and mercy are values that will encourage harmony and respect in communities. The Samaritan saw a person in need and responded with care, generosity and courage: Jesus invited his followers to do the same.

As Christians, Jesus calls us to be good neighbours to all. We are called to stand alongside those who experience racism or religious vilification and to help build communities where everyone is safe, valued and respected. In doing so, we reflect God’s love for all people.

Picture: Islamic Association and Uniting Church friends at a recent gathering.

North-West Open Table: “A partnership between Tasmania Northwest Islamic Association and the Cradle Coast Cluster of Uniting Church and brings Islamic and Christian communities together through shared meals and conversations to build understanding and cohesion, a rights-focused roadshow and digital storytelling initiative to address racism and share community experiences.” Source: https://www.service.tas.gov.au/community-grants/social-cohesion-grants-program

01/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19Y4Xhx5MB/

You can help bring immediate aid and long-term support for people affected by the flash floods in Nepal.

01/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EhyNTBYnq/

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

28/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1P7m939ooR/

𝗔 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 waiting for news, and all who are working to bring rescue, care and hope.

God of compassion and mercy,

We hold before you the people of Nepal following the devastating flash floods in the Bhote Koshi River area.

We grieve with those who have lost loved ones. We pray for the many who are still missing, local people and visitors alike, for families waiting anxiously for news, for those who have been injured or displaced, and for communities facing such immense loss.

Draw near, O God.

Where there is grief, bring comfort.
Where there is fear, bring courage.
Where there is exhaustion, bring strength.
And in these difficult hours of searching and waiting, sustain hope.

We pray for all involved in search and rescue, evacuation, medical care and relief. Protect and strengthen them. Give wisdom to those coordinating the response, and may help reach those who need it most.

Jesus Christ, you entered into the suffering of our world and showed us a love that draws near. Draw near now to the people of Nepal in their suffering.

By your Spirit, weave together communities of care and compassion. Strengthen neighbours supporting one another, families holding one another close, and all who are offering shelter, comfort and hope.

God of life, we entrust to your mercy all who have died. Hold those who mourn. Be near to those still waiting for news. Strengthen all whose lives and livelihoods have been devastated by this disaster, and sustain them through the long journey of recovery.

Hold the people of Nepal in your love —
the love of the crucified and risen Christ,
a love that crosses every boundary,
a love that will not let us go.

Amen.

– 𝙒𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙮 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙫 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙖 𝙎𝙪𝙡𝙞

20/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GAZCyRHWd/

📖Congregations are helping provide warmth, food and safety for people sleeping rough through winter, while recognising that emergency shelter is only one response to a much larger housing crisis.

🔗👇
https://crosslight.org.au/2026/08/19/a-simple-bed-for-the-night/

20/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19PXfLVn84/

20/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EaC8bXcF6/

📖Paola Rojas outlines what a busy week looks like as she undertakes her Faithful Futures and schools engagement roles.

🔗👇
https://crosslight.org.au/2026/08/18/week-in-the-life-of/

20/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1NwTfbXcf9/

📖Crosslight spoke with Faithful Futures Steering Committee members, Rev Tanya Walker, Chris Barnett and Rev Duncan Macleod, to learn about their aspirations for the project.

🔗👇
https://crosslight.org.au/2026/08/17/stepping-in-with-purpose/

20/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18rxj6gqJf/

What if one of the Church’s most important gifts to Australia is the ability to bring people together across difference?

During a recent visit to Eastwood Uniting Church, President Rev Charissa Suli encountered a congregation putting this calling into practice.

Guided by its theme, 𝗧𝗢𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥, Eastwood’s intercultural community brings people from different cultures, languages and generations together to worship, serve and grow.

At a time when social cohesion can feel increasingly fragile, our churches have an opportunity to be communities where welcome, dignity and belonging are experienced.

“Perhaps one of the prophetic gifts the Church can offer Australia right now is not simply to speak about social cohesion, but to become communities where reconciliation can be seen and practised,” Rev Suli reflects.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: tinyurl.com/weaving-belonging

18/08/2026

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📖As University of Melbourne chaplains, Brendan Byrne and Thomas Grayden have a wealth of lived experience to bring to their roles.

🔗👇
https://crosslight.org.au/2026/08/13/chaplains-and-connection/