UCA Tasmania

13/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C8YSEmWfa/

'A confident nation does not fear diversity'

As Australia debates the future of migration, we must never lose sight of the people behind the numbers.

Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has called for our national conversation to be grounded in human dignity, compassion and confidence in the strength of our cultural diversity.

“Ultimately, immigration policy is about who belongs. A confident nation does not fear diversity. It recognises diversity as a strength in our common life.”

At a time when conflict and instability are forcing millions of people from their homes, Australia must continue to be a place of refuge for people seeking safety, hope and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

As followers of Christ, we are called to welcome the stranger and stand alongside those who are vulnerable and in distress.

People who have made Australia their home are our neighbours, friends, colleagues and members of our communities. Their stories are part of our shared story.

Let us choose welcome over fear, compassion over division, and hope over scarcity.

Let us be confident in the strong and diverse Australia we continue to build together.

https://uniting.church/a-confident-nation-does-not-fear-diversity-presidents-statement-on-immigration-policy/

12/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CF5ZH9EUk/.. there is grace in the middle.

Not the middle as compromise. Not avoiding difficult questions. And certainly not sitting comfortably on the fence while others suffer.

Rather, the middle as a space where we are willing to stay with one another long enough to listen, wrestle, pray and discern.

Acts 15 gives us an interesting picture of this.

The followers of Jesus faced serious disagreement about the inclusion of Gentiles. People held strong convictions about faith, Scripture, tradition and belonging.

There was debate. People spoke from their experience. Scripture was considered. And somehow, they stayed in the conversation.

Eventually came these words: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us …” (Acts 15:28)

They weren’t simply trying to work out who had won. Together they were listening for where the Spirit might be leading.

That feels important for the Church today.

The Uniting Church has been criticised for taking a long time to make decisions.

Our processes are far from perfect. But underneath them is something worth holding onto.

The person who disagrees with us is not necessarily getting in the way. Their voice might help us hear something we have missed.

Of course, grace in the middle does not mean the answer is always halfway between two positions. There is no gracious halfway point between racism and human dignity. Silence can protect injustice rather than peace.

Grace does not ask us to give up our convictions...

Listening for where the Spirit might be leading us feels important for the Church today, writes Moderator Rev Salesi Faupula in his regular Crosslight magazine column.

🔗👇
https://crosslight.org.au/2026/10/08/the-importance-of-listening/

28/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1cXuze2n5V/

Early Bird registrations are now open for the Held Together President's Conference 2027!

From 21 to 24 January 2027, young adults from diverse cultures and communities across Australia will gather at Merroo Christian Centre in Kurrajong, NSW, to share stories, build meaningful connections, and celebrate faith together.

Co-led by the UAICC - Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, this event will encourage deeper learning, stronger relationships, and greater mutual understanding across cultures and communities.

To learn more and register, visit:

https://uniting.church/heldtogether2027/

22/09/2026

A welcome outcome for refugees and people seeking safety.

The Uniting Church in Australia welcomes the federal government's decision to maintain Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program at 20,000 places per year.

Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia was among those who spoke out, adding the Church’s voice to the campaign and calling for Australia to remain a place of welcome and compassion for people seeking safety.

Led by the Refugee Council of Australia, the campaign bought together refugee communities, churches, community organisations and advocates across the country to oppose a proposed reduction in Australia’s humanitarian intake.

We give thanks to the Refugee Council of Australia for its leadership, and to everyone who raised their voice as part of this collective effort.

Together, our voices can make a difference.

The Uniting Church has a longstanding commitment to standing alongside refugees and people seeking asylum. We will continue to advocate for an Australia that responds to people seeking safety with compassion, dignity, justice and a generous welcome.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1737795190608463

18/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DDaXRo1Di/

Sandy Brodine from Messy Church Australia will running training for Messy Churches across Tasmania on the 3rd and 4th October. Training will include Messy Church goes Wild & Intergenerational worship through a Messy Church lens and Godly Play "Sip and Story time" in Davenport on October 3rd, or Starting your Messy Church, "Sip and Story time" and Experience Messy Church in Hobart North on October 4th. You can join us in person or online. The sign up link is below.
https://events.humanitix.com/messy-church-training-2026

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

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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