The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Dr Deidre Palmer, has today written to the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison MP, seeking assurances that all people currently living in Australia, who have no means to return to home countries and no income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, receive adequate income and healthcare support.

The fast spread of coronavirus COVID-19 and the rapidly changing official responses makes for a challenging communications environment.

Uniting Church Synods have set up web pages for people seeking information or resources in their area. 

Members of Assembly Standing Committee gathered in Sydney from 13-15 March. President Dr Deidre Palmer and Rev Kath Merrifield of Kiama Uniting Church led opening worship, which included a coronavirus-aware sharing of the sacrament of Holy Communion. Dr Palmer preached on John 3:1-17.  

Uniting Churches around the country will either close their doors or hold limited worship this Sunday, as we adapt to life in the global coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Around 30 people who are engaged in justice work across the Uniting Church met via videoconference this week to bring together the work we do and focus on our national priorities.

Here is a pastoral message sent from President Deidre Palmer in regards to the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

It’s been a scary and anxious week in Sydney’s leafy northern districts.

On 3 March, a 95 year-old resident of the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care facility at Macquarie Park became the first person who contracted the virus in Australia to die of the disease.

An 82-year-old man from the same facility has since passed away as well. Both residents tested positive for the COVID-19 virus after coming in contact with an aged care worker.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Each for Equal.” It asks us how we will forge a gender equal world, and urges us to celebrate women’s achievement, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality.

In the face of the novel Coronavirus, the global community is responding rapidly to minimise the spread of the disease and address its impacts.

The former Assembly Associate Secretary for Aboriginal Work and Mission and early supporter of the Uniting Aboriginal and islander Christian Congress Rev. Bernie Clarke passed away in Adelaide on 23 February 2020. Tributes have flowed for an inspiring and prophetic advocate for social justice, particularly in his solidarity with Australia’s First Peoples.