Uniting Church in the City, Perth

04/09/2026

𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘶𝘱-𝘵𝘰-𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬'𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳.

𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀

𝘚𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩.
- Colossians 3:2 (NRSV)

Slavery. Patriarchy. Parental supremacy. Obedience, ingrown and toxic. These are a few reasons to take issue with Paul’s (or someone’s) letter to the Christians in Colossae.

Growing up in the so-called Bible Belt, I have seen Colossians justify true horrors: blatant racism, domestic abuse, folks told to endure harm because “scripture says to.”

Why, then, am I so hung up on Colossians 3:2? Well, at the risk of seeming like some out-of-touch quibbler, it’s the adverb modifying the first “are.” It’s “above."

As we make the turn from spring into summer, we are surrounded by vivid reminders of the earth’s ability to literally do what theology calls us to imagine: transform death into life. As flowers and trees and shrubs explode with new vivacity, resurrection is on full display. Rather than “above,” the things on earth seem to be where Christ most evidently is, right?

Given all the emphasis on the “above” - the heads of households and other hierarchies - could that be at least part of what gets us into trouble, into pain, into systemic harm?

I vote we change the adverb, if not in scripture, then in theology. Let’s take it upon ourselves to seek the things that are “deep down”: the roots that revive creation, sunk into the same humus from which, according to Genesis, we ourselves are made. Let Christians seek those who are downcast, downtrodden, and downright tired - not to “help,” but to listen, learn, and maybe even obey the truths such a turn might reveal.

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿:

God who knelt down alongside those who had been pushed down, help us to see You on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

𝘙𝘦𝘷 𝘛𝘰𝘯𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯

𝘛𝘰𝘯𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘜𝘊𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘛𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘦.

Angry about Adverbs Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.  - Colossians 3:2 (NRSV) Slavery. Patriarchy. Parental supremacy. Obedience, ingrown and toxic. These are a few reasons to take issue with Paul’s (or someone’s) letter to the Christians in Colo...

28/08/2026

We invite you to join us for our free Wesley at One recital featuring beautiful music from Holly Broadbent (organ).

Join us from 1pm on Friday 4 September at Wesley Uniting Church, on the corner of William and Hay Street, Perth.

Bring along your lunch and enjoy some beautiful music in a peaceful sanctuary.
📅Friday 4 September ⏰1pm

⛪ Wesley Church, corner William & Hay Streets, Perth

28/08/2026

𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘶𝘱-𝘵𝘰-𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬'𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳.

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗖𝗖

As we conclude our Season of Mission, we welcome representatives from ARRCC – the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. ARRCC is a multi-faith network that brings together people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Indigenous, and other faith traditions who share a common commitment to caring for God's creation and pursuing climate justice.

At first glance, climate change may seem like a scientific, political, or economic issue. Yet for people of faith, it is also a spiritual and moral issue. It raises questions about how we care for the earth, how we love our neighbours, and how we respond to those who are most vulnerable.

Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that the earth belongs to God: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." (Psalm 24:1)

The opening chapters of Genesis portray humanity as caretakers of God's creation, entrusted with the responsibility to nurture and protect what has been placed in our hands. Climate change challenges us to consider how faithfully we are exercising that responsibility.

ARRCC encourages faith communities to reflect on the connection between spirituality, justice, and environmental stewardship. Their work includes education, advocacy, prayer, and practical action, helping faith communities respond thoughtfully and faithfully to environmental challenges. They seek to unite people of diverse beliefs around a shared moral commitment to care for creation and future generations.

One of the strengths of ARRCC is its conviction that hope and action belong together. Faced with enormous global challenges, it can be tempting to feel overwhelmed or powerless. Yet faith teaches us that even small acts of care, when offered in love, can become part of God's transforming work in the world.

As we bring our Season of Mission to a close, ARRCC reminds us that mission extends beyond the walls of the church. Caring for people and caring for creation are not separate tasks. Both arise from love for the God who made the world and all who live within it.

As we hear from our guest, may we be encouraged to embrace our calling as stewards of God's good earth and partners in God's work of renewal.

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿:

Creator God,

We thank You for the beauty and abundance of Your creation and for the work of ARRCC in helping people of faith care for our common home.

Teach us to be wise and faithful stewards of the earth You have entrusted to us. Open our eyes to the needs of our neighbours and future generations, and guide us to act with courage, compassion, and hope.

Bless all who work for the protection of creation and the flourishing of all life. May we honour You in the way we live, serve, and care for the world around us.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

𝘙𝘦𝘷 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘴 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘴𝘰𝘯

Caring for Creation with ARRCC As we conclude our Season of Mission, we welcome representatives from ARRCC – the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. ARRCC is a multi-faith network that brings together people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Indigenous, and other faith ...

21/08/2026

𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘶𝘱-𝘵𝘰-𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬'𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳.

𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀

Throughout our August Season of Mission, we are exploring organisations that reflect God's love in practical and transformative ways. This week we turn our attention to Uniting WA, an agency of the Uniting Church that serves thousands of Western Australians through a wide range of community services. Uniting WA's vision is simple yet profound: to inspire people, enliven communities, and confront injustice.

Uniting WA works alongside people experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, financial hardship, disability, family difficulties, and social isolation. Through housing support, community services, advocacy, and practical care, they help people find stability, dignity, and hope.

At the heart of their ministry is a conviction that every person matters. In a society where people can often feel invisible or forgotten, Uniting WA seeks to ensure that individuals are treated with respect, compassion, and dignity. Their work reminds us that mission is not only about what we say, but also about how we accompany people through life's challenges.

The prophet Micah reminds us of God's call:
"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"�(Micah 6:8)

The phrase "walk humbly" is particularly significant. Mission is not about rescuing others from a distance; it is about walking alongside them. This is the approach embodied by Uniting WA. Whether supporting someone experiencing homelessness, providing mental health services, or helping families navigate difficult circumstances, their ministry is grounded in relationship, compassion, and hope.

Mission begins when we recognise Christ in the people we meet and respond with love. Through the ministry of Uniting WA, we see a living expression of the Gospel—good news shared not only through words, but through practical acts of care, justice, and compassion.

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿:

Loving God,

We thank You for the ministry of Uniting WA and for all who serve our community with compassion and hope.

Help us to see Christ in those who are struggling, lonely, or in need. Open our hearts to walk alongside others with kindness, dignity, and grace.

Bless the staff, volunteers, and all who are supported through Uniting WA's ministries. Strengthen them in their work and guide us all to be faithful servants of Your love.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

𝘙𝘦𝘷 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘴 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘴𝘰𝘯

Walking Alongside Our Neighbours  Throughout our August Season of Mission, we are exploring organisations that reflect God's love in practical and transformative ways. This week we turn our attention to Uniting WA, an agency of the Uniting Church that serves thousands of Western Australians through...

16/08/2026

15/08/2026

Morning worship 16/8/26, 10am Perth Wesley Church, feat. Rev Hollis Wilson with music by June Nixon, Howard Goodall, & John Rutter from Tranby Chorale & 2026 Wesley Scholar Joscelyn Leahy (guitar) directed by Angela Currie (Director of Music/Organist). Uniting Church in the City

14/08/2026

We invite you to join us for our free Wesley at One recital featuring beautiful music from Nire Nire Trio.

Join us from 1pm on Friday 21 August at Wesley Uniting Church, on the corner of William and Hay Street, Perth.

Bring along your lunch and enjoy some beautiful music in a peaceful sanctuary.

📅Friday 21 August ⏰1pm
⛪ Wesley Church, corner William & Hay Streets, Perth