Latest News

Connecting kids and nature

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque tristique, nunc non molestie bibendum, nunc dui tempus sem, a porttitor orci augue in eros.

Synod News and Saltbush Combined

Palm Sunday - Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is a proclamation of the Reign of God. A reign of love, mercy, forgiveness, freedom and reconciliation against oppressive corrupted powers that seek to silence all protest.

Resurrection Begins in the Darkness

This Easter, the Moderator, Rev. Faaimata (Mata) Havea Hiliau, invites us into a familiar but often overlooked truth: resurrection doesn't begin with triumph.

Police Forum for Faith Leaders

On Wednesday, March 4 over 100 faith leaders attended a Terrorism Protection Unit Safe Places Forum for Places of Worship

Transition Commission – February Update

February has been a significant and productive month for the Transition Commission, with important steps taken as we continue preparing for our Transition to 3P.

Uniting’s My Aged Care Forum: Bridging Gaps and Empowering Communities

Uniting, in partnership with Mt Colah Uniting Church, hosted a My Aged Care Forum on 17 February, bringing together congregation members and the wider community for a morning designed to empower attendees with practical, accessible information on navigating the aged care system.

Lent 5 - Unbind him and let him go - John 11: 1-45

As we continue in Lent, we comes to John's masterful story of the raising of Lazarus. What a journey this passage takes us on, which holds within it all the reality of human suffering and death and leads us on, towards Jesus' own death on the cross. If we look beyond the obvious, this passage also challenges us in the ways we bind up, rather than liberate for life in its fullness.

Lent 3 Transformational Conversations

The woman at well encountered Jesus. They had a rich and transformational conversation. Her life would never be the same. How are the conversations you have with God or about God going?

Reflections from Canberra Godly Play Training

The Pulse team were so excited to be able to run a 3-day Godly Play Core Training in Canberra last month. 10 curious participants from different congregations, ministries and walks of life gathered at the Godly Play Room at Radford College together with our Trainers Carolyn Handley and Judyth Rogers, assisted by Renee Simpfendorfer and Fr Christopher Lewis.

Easter time for the Young at Heart

Lent starts with ashes and reminding us, that we are God’s children. From dust we came and to dust we shall return. In a world that tells young people to perform, achieve, brand themselves and perform.

Rest and Truth – Retreat Yourself 2026

Fifty two young(ish) people came together to retreat from a world where we consume and are consumed by busyness and our choice was to unravel our identity from the ways we make money, the titles and tribes we engage with in the world.

Lent 2 - Conversations of Life - John 3: 1-17

As we continue in this season of Lent, we come to the remarkable conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.  This conversation and its words through the Gospel writer John, is deep and challenging (of course)!  It's easy to hear and think simplistic answers when we ask "what does Jesus mean when he talks of "being born from above"".  So let us hear the Word and ponder this conversation for our own faith and lives.

Lotu Festival 2026: Climate and Culture

The inaugural Lotu Festival brought 300+ people to St. Stephen’s Uniting Church on 25 Jan 2026, to celebrate minoritized cultures and call for climate justice.

The Transfiguration of Jesus Matthew 17:1- 9

The transfiguration of Jesus was an overwhelming experience for Peter and the disciples. So much so that Peter tried to control the moment by suggesting building booths. How often do we try and control the sacred with our own agenda, especially when we are meant to only listen.

Epiphany 5 – The Salt of the Earth – Matthew 5: 13-20

Let us read this passage, “you are the salt of the earth”, not as individuals, but to reflect on these words of Jesus being for the church; the Christian community. Welcome to Saltbush, Uniting the Scattered Community as we explore life and faith together.

Epiphany 4 Matthew 5: 1-12 Blessed Are the Unimpressive

The Unimpressive- capturing the essence of those who may be overlooked or underestimated by worldly standards. The Beatitudes elevate these individuals, showing that true Blessedness comes not from external achievements or social status, but from inner qualities and a heart aligned with God.

We invite you to explore the Season of Epiphany

No Word Around the Bush for January BUT we invite you to explore the Season of Epiphany Word Around the Bush will have a break in January BUT we invite you to explore what the epiphany of Christ means to you.

Christmas 1 Massacre of the Innocents Matthew 2:13-23

The Christmas story (without the sentimentality) speaks into our human condition.  Our frustrations, fear, joy and anxieties. Sadly it also speaks into the remorseless violence that we have witnessed over thousands of years and continues today.  Into our human frailty God breaks-in, as God is being God, the One who brings love, peace, joy and hope in the form of a baby.

Christmas Day – Luke 2: 1-20

Welcome to the account from the Gospel of Luke of the birth of Jesus. Luke invites us into this story, that like the shepherds, we might be amazed at this “thing that has taken place.” And, to be amazed, is to be transformed. Welcome to Word Around the Bush on this Christmas Day with Saltbush, Uniting the Scattered Community.

Advent 3 Is Jesus the One Matthew 11:2-11

John’s questioning whether Jesus is the one or should he wait for another, reflects the raw honesty of the Gospels. It allows us the freedom to question, explore and discover who this Jesus is in our own lives and the life of the Christian community. As Jesus answers John, he also answers us, ‘see and hear for yourselves’.

Advent 2 – A Voice Crying Out – Matthew 3: 1-12

We continue in Advent as we begin to hear the voice crying out in the wilderness - John the Baptist.  In our Word Around the Bush we think about our expectations and hopes alongside times of uncertainty and searching.  In our liturgy for this week, we also use John's cry as our cry in prayer for others and the world.

Christ the King Sunday (Pentecost 24) An Unexpected King Luke 23:33-34

Christ the King Sunday is difficult to perceive but only if we compare Christ to the rulers of our day. Christ turns everything on its head by being the kind of King whose power is grounded in love, mercy, compassion and grace. Christ the King is an expression of the reign of God in our lives. (The reading is from Luke, not John as is shown on Word Around the Bush title. My apologies for any confusion.)

Pentecost 23 – Stones Like These – Luke 21: 5-19

Set in the Temple, surrounded by the beautiful enormity of the stones and building, Jesus reflects upon what is to come, the world we live in and the things we cling to. Can we hear what Jesus is saying here beyond the stones of the passage? Join us as we explore Luke 21 and the images of the destruction of the temple.

Pentecost 21 Salvation for All Luke 19:1-10

The story of Zachaeus is very familiar to us all. Sometimes, however, we find a shift in the translation, for Zachaeus is not the only one to have received salvation from Jesus.

Pentecost 20 – Righteous Unrighteous – Luke 18: 9-14

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is wonderful in it’s challenge as much today as ever. This parable is not simply a comment on righteousness, which always comes as part of self righteousness, but this parable is an image of embrace and inclusion as the Way of Christ and the longing of God. Welcome to Word Around the Bush with Saltbush as we explore life and faith together.