1800 998 122Contact
DONATE

Author: UnitingWorld

by
Blogs, Social Empowerment for Excluded Castes (India)
November 11, 2025

When Sohadi Soren received a single goat through her local self-help group, she never imagined how much her life could change.

A mother and grandmother from a small rural village in eastern India, Sohadi was struggling to make ends meet after the sudden loss of her husband. Her family survived on a small plot of land, growing rice and vegetables mostly for their own table. Money was always tight.

Then came the goat.

The gift was part of a community development program supported by UnitingWorld through the Church of North India, Diocese of Durgapur. With training and encouragement from her group, Sohadi began to raise and breed goats. One became two, then three, and before long, she had a small herd.

Over time, Sohadi sold goats to pay off her family’s debts and even buy back land that had been mortgaged. The income helped her invest in cows and a threshing machine for her crops. Today, she provides for her grandchildren, pays for their schooling, and helps others in her village do the same.

“With that one goat I was able to change my family’s life,” Sohadi said. “I wish more people could have the same opportunity.”

Her story is just one example of how practical gifts—simple as a goat, a water pump, or a handful of seeds—can grow into lasting hope.

Through Everything in Common, UnitingWorld’s annual gift catalogue, every card and donation represents love in action. Goats that become herds. Seeds that become gardens. Clean water, education, small business support and more — all helping families overcome poverty and build brighter futures.

This Christmas, you can help more families like Sohadi’s turn small gifts into life-changing opportunities.

Choose  that fight poverty and build hope
www.everythingincommon.com.au

, ,

by
Women's Empowerment and Peace Building (Maluku, Indonesia)
October 30, 2025

In Ambon City, Maluku, Linda Narua’s love of gardening began as a quiet hobby. Today, it’s helping her neighbours eat well, earn more and reduce reliance on imported food.

Through training and seeds provided by UnitingWorld’s partner, the Sagu Salempeng Foundation (SSF*), Linda turned her backyard into a thriving kitchen garden. She now grows kale, tomatoes, mustard greens and chillies, building food security in her community and cutting the need for foreign imports, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

When her vegetables started flourishing, Linda began sharing them with neighbours, who praised their freshness and flavour. Encouraged, she attended further training, learned efficient farming techniques, and started selling her produce locally. Her friendly approach and excellent quality soon won loyal customers, and she even began promoting her garden on social media to reach more people.

Now, her once-small hobby is a source of family income and community pride. Linda inspires other women in her village to plant their own gardens, reminding them that even small spaces can feed families and strengthen local resilience.

“I’m proud that my garden helps others,” she says. “We can all make something good grow.”

Supported by UnitingWorld, the Maluku Livelihoods and Peacebuilding helped 577 people like Linda start a kitchen garden in 2024-25. Six village governments were assisted to organise a kitchen garden competition that attracted an additional 120 participants. SSF also worked with villages to plant 2179 trees for disaster mitigation and adaptation. 

*The Sagu Salempeng Foundation is the development agency of our partner, the Protestant Church of Maluku.

by
News
October 16, 2025

Our new Everything in Common Gift Catalogue has arrived for Christmas and it’s full of gifts that fight poverty and build hope through the power of shared generosity.

Every card represents a real, practical way to help families overcome poverty and create a more secure future. Goats that grow into herds, seeds that become food gardens, small business support, clean water and more.

When you choose a gift for a loved one, you’re not just giving a card, you’re sharing love in action and helping our global neighbours build livelihoods, access clean water, and adapt to the changing climate.

Browse the full range and order physical cards, e-cards or print-at-home options today.

And if you’re part of a Uniting Church, you can take generosity even further by hosting an Everything in Common gift stall this Christmas. We’ll send you everything you need to make it simple and inspiring. Register to host a gift stall today!

,

by
News, Partnering Women for Change (Pacific Region)
August 11, 2025

UnitingWorld launches regional initiative to support faith-led collaboration on gender justice

UnitingWorld and its church partners in the Pacific have launched the Oceania Faith Communities Advancing Safety and Equality project, with support from the Pacific Women Lead at the Pacific Community (PWL at SPC) program.

Each of our church partners brings unique strengths to efforts to end gender-based violence and promote equality and, by collaborating more closely, they can build on each other’s progress and create greater impact together.

The project meets the need expressed by the churches for stronger networks and opportunities to learn from one another by establishing a new Community of Practice (CoP) for Pacific churches working to advance gender equality, safeguarding and theological change.

The CoP will serve as a regional hub for collaboration, joint learning and advocacy, connecting women leaders, theologians and safeguarding focal points to share and develop resources, strategies and training. There will also be mentoring by theology experts for key gender leaders in the region.

Women and girls will be the ultimate beneficiaries, as churches deepen their commitment to safety, inclusion and the promotion of women’s leadership.

When theology is life-giving and affirms the dignity of all people, it becomes a powerful force for change, says Reverend Siera Bird, UnitingWorld’s Manager for Gender Equality and Safeguarding:

“Churches are already deeply embedded in their communities. By building their capacity and connection across the region, we’re equipping them to lead efforts for gender equality, social justice and family safety in ways that are culturally grounded and sustainable.”

The project is driven by a steering committee made up of leaders from seven Pacific church denominations* as well as the Pacific Conference of Churches and the Pasifika Communities University. The broad collaboration has the potential to reach more than 989,000 people across the region.

The CoP will co-create theological and practical resources, including a new biblical-theological framework exploring gender, masculinity and femininity, and support joint campaigns for gender equality and social change. It builds on years of UnitingWorld’s partnership with Pacific churches and is one of the first regional initiatives of its kind to bring faith-based actors together around these goals.

The first online event, taking place this August, will explore the intersection of gender and climate. It is an opportunity to explore how climate change affects individuals differently depending on gender, and share experiences and practical solutions, helping build stronger collaboration around gender equality in climate resilience work.

*Denominations: Methodist Church in Fiji (MCiF), Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (PCV), Kiribati Uniting Church (KUC), United Church in the Solomon Islands (UCSI), United Church in PNG (UCPNG), Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) & Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (FWCT).

You can help make a difference for women and girls in the Pacific
through gender justice – donate now!

The Oceania Faith Communities Advancing Safety and Equality project is an initiative of UnitingWorld and its Pacific partner churches, with funding and technical assistance from the Pacific Women Lead at the Pacific Community programme.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government, The Pacific Community (SPC), nor any affiliated organisations.

 

Pacific Women Lead (PWL) aims to promote women’s leadership, women’s rights and increase the effectiveness of regional gender equality efforts. The Pacific Community (SPC) is the key implementing partner of the regional Pacific Women Lead portfolio, through its PWL at SPC program.

 Pacific Women Lead is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

by
News
July 21, 2025

Dr Sureka Goringe, National Director of UnitingWorld, recently joined around 60 civil society leaders from across the Pacific, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand at the Civil Society Climate Summit in Suva, Fiji.

Convened by the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO) and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), with support from WWF, the gathering brought together diverse voices to coordinate regional advocacy ahead of COP30 and COP31— the latter set to be hosted by Australia.

“Everyone agrees on the high-level demands,” said Dr Goringe. “We’re all calling for strong mitigation, an exit from fossil fuels, a just transition and investment in loss and damage, adaptation and climate migration. The real challenge lies in how this advocacy happens, and who gets heard.”

Pacific civil society organisations have long collaborated to raise a united voice on climate justice. Their key call is for a COP31 presidency that ensures real influence and access for Indigenous and grassroots leaders, not symbolic participation.

“What Pacific and Indigenous leaders want is a seat at the table, not the side show,” said Dr Goringe. “They’re seeking a COP process that makes space for civil society to help shape decisions, not just respond to them.”

Meanwhile, Australian civil society acknowledged significant gaps in First Nations representation, raising difficult but necessary questions.

“Many First Nations communities are sensing yet another vital conversation happening without them,” Dr Goringe shared. “Everyone wants to centre First Nations voices, but the path to doing that well is complex. It requires time, trust and tangible support. There’s a real commitment to try, but no easy answers.”

“Justice is about the ‘how’ as much as it is about the ‘what,’” she reflected. “Relationships, trust and good process are what build lasting change.”

Australian delegates made two key commitments:

  1. To support the Pacific’s climate justice agenda through their own advocacy, and

  2. To work actively to remove barriers that prevent Pacific civil society from participating meaningfully in COP31, through lobbying, funding and platform-sharing.

“This is where solidarity becomes real,” said Dr Goringe. “It’s about sharing resources, stepping back, and making space for others to lead.”

,

by
News
May 20, 2025

See possibility in the face of poverty and climate change

UnitingWorld has launched its 2025 End of Financial Year Appeal, inviting supporters to see possibility where the world often sees only poverty.

This year’s appeal supports a bold initiative in Zimbabwe, where our local partner, the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, is transforming rural schools into hubs of resilience. The program tackles hunger, water scarcity and climate change by installing solar-powered water systems, growing school gardens and training families in climate-smart agriculture.

Thirteen-year-old Tanaka Chiza is one of the students already experiencing the change.

“Before, it was hard to concentrate in class when I was hungry,” she said.

“But now we have a garden and food at school. I’m learning how to grow vegetables and I want to teach my mother so we can eat better at home.”

The impact reaches far beyond school gates. Rev. Junior Paradza, a former lawyer turned minister, is helping lead the project.

“Water means everything in these villages,” she said.

“Now, families have enough to grow their own food. We’re seeing real change, and people are full of hope.”

Please give generously before 30 June.

Thanks to UnitingWorld’s partnership with the Australian Government, gifts can go up to six times further to support life-changing work in Zimbabwe and across the Pacific, Asia and Africa.

Visit unitingworld.org.au/possibility to learn more and make a tax-deductible donation.

,

by
Pray
May 12, 2025

UnitingWorld and the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) are calling on UCA members to pray for peace as tensions rise dramatically between India and Pakistan, deeply impacting the lives of people living in border communities.

On May 6, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” a series of airstrikes targeting locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The strikes were in retaliation for a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. Pakistani officials report at least 31 people killed and dozens more injured in the strikes.

Security has been tightened across northern India, particularly in Punjab. Schools have been closed in Amritsar, Ferozepur, and Pathankot districts, and panic is spreading as people stock up on food and fuel. A nationwide civil defence drill has been conducted across 244 districts to prepare for possible escalation.

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire was announced on May 10, bringing a temporary halt to the worst fighting between the two nations in decades. However, sporadic violations have been reported, and many civilians remain displaced, hesitant to return home due to ongoing fears.

UnitingWorld’s partners in the Diocese of Amritsar report that all community development and education activities have been suspended, and staff are staying in close contact with local leaders to assess needs and offer support.

“The primary concern is the safety of communities residing in the border areas,” wrote Samson Ram, Project Officer for the Diocesan Social Empowerment and Education Project. “The prevailing atmosphere of uncertainty and fear has caused panic… people have started stocking up on food items, fuel, and other items of necessity.”

In a powerful display of unity and compassion, the Christian community of Amritsar, led by Bishop Manoj Charan, held a candlelight march to honour the 26 victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and express solidarity with their grieving families (header image and below). Bishop Manoj Charan said at the event,

“Let us unite in prayer, compassion, and solidarity, standing together against all forms of violence and hatred. In this time of grief, may the love and peace of our Lord be our guiding light, and may we emerge stronger and more united in our pursuit of peace and humanity.”

UnitingWorld’s National Director Dr Sureka Goringe is urging all supporters to hold the people of India and Pakistan in prayer, especially our partners in the Church of North India.

“As followers of Christ, we are called to respond to fear with faith and to conflict with compassion. We stand with our partners in prayer and love, believing in God’s peace that surpasses understanding,” said Dr Goringe.

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev. Charissa Suli, has sent this message of solidarity:

“In this time of escalating tension between India and Pakistan, our thoughts and prayers are with our cherished partners in the Diocese of Amritsar and the communities they serve. We know these rural border communities are under immense stress, with schools closed, daily life disrupted, and anxiety rising.

As the Uniting Church in Australia, we stand beside you in faith and compassion. We honour the courageous work of your leaders, who continue to bring light and care even in these difficult days. You are not forgotten. You are held in prayer.”

Please join us in prayer:

A Prayer from Rev. Charissa Suli

God of Peace, draw near to your people in Punjab. Wrap each family in your protection. Calm hearts gripped by fear, and guide leaders with wisdom and care. Strengthen your church to be a witness of peace and hope. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

We walk with you in love, hope, and unwavering solidarity.

A Prayer from Rev. Dr Apwee Ting

God of peace,
God of all peoples and nations,

We lift before You the people of Pakistan and India, especially as tensions rise along their shared borders.

Lord, in Your mercy, bring wisdom and courage to those in leadership.
May efforts for peace prevail over the threats of conflict.

Lead both nations toward a path of reconciliation, justice, and mutual respect.

We remember the communities who live in the shadow of uncertainty—in Kashmir, Punjab, Amritsar, and Gurdaspur.
You know their fears, their hopes, and their daily struggles.
Be near to them, O God.
Protect their homes, sustain their livelihoods, and restore their sense of safety.

We also pray for the Church in North India, especially the Diocese of Amritsar.
Strengthen their ministry, bless their projects, and empower them to be agents of healing, hope, and compassion in their communities.
May their witness be a light in the darkness and a refuge for the weary.

God of comfort, surround all who are anxious and afraid.
In the midst of tension and turmoil,
may Your peace take root.

Where there is despair, sow hope.
Where there is division, build bridges.
Where there is fear, pour out Your love.

We place our trust in You, O God—
Maker of peace,
Bearer of hope,
Giver of life.

In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

by
News
April 17, 2025

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar on Friday, March 28th, the strongest the country has ever recorded. Tremors were felt throughout the region, as far away as Thailand and China. 

As of April 1st, the death toll has risen to over 2,000, with thousands more injured and in urgent need of food, shelter, clean water and medical assistance. 

Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia has shared a pastoral statement in response to the devastating earthquake. 

“We join with the global community in mourning. We lament the loss of life and the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and churches. We are deeply concerned for those who remain buried beneath collapsed buildings, and we give thanks for the courageous search and rescue workers who are risking everything to find survivors. Their persistence is a beacon of hope.

The devastating effects of this earthquake will be felt deeply by this vulnerable part of the world, which continues to suffer from ongoing civil war and is without the resources to respond effectively to disaster. We are encouraged by the rapid response from the international community. Nations including China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Russia, to name a few have sent aid and resources. These signs of solidarity remind us that love and compassion transcend borders.

In this season of Lent, we remember that God is close to the brokenhearted. May we be vessels of that compassion—through our prayers, our offerings, and our care for our neighbours in Myanmar and Thailand. In this spirit, I encourage all Uniting Church communities to hold the people of Myanmar and Thailand in prayer, and to consider giving generously through trusted relief partners.”

Want to help?

UnitingWorld is working through our membership in the ACT Alliance, a global Christian humanitarian coalition, to resource a coordinated response.

Your donations will provide lifesaving aid to those hit hardest by the earthquake and help distribute urgent necessities such as food, water, shelter and medical aid to the people most impacted. 

Donate now! 

Make an online donation here or call 1800 998 122 (9am – 5pm) 

Pray for Myanmar and Thailand

 “Rev Charissa Suli has shared a prayer for those affected by the earthquake.

Loving and faithful God,
You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
Today we lift before you the people of Myanmar and Thailand,
those who mourn, those still waiting for news,
and those working around the clock to save lives in the midst of devastation.

We grieve the lives lost and the homes destroyed.
We pray for the injured, the displaced, and the traumatised.
Be their shelter in the storm, their light in the darkness, and their peace in the chaos.

We give thanks for the hands and hearts offering help—
for the emergency workers, medical teams, neighbours, and leaders
responding with courage and care.

We are grateful for nations who have extended help and support.
Bless their generosity and multiply the impact of every effort.

God of all peoples,
bind us together across oceans and cultures.
As members of your global Church, may we be a witness to your love in action.
Move our hearts to give, to pray, and to stand alongside our neighbours in need.
We pray all this in the name of Christ,
our hope and our healer.
Amen.

,

by
News
March 27, 2025

Budget sends a clear signal: Australia won’t abandon partners in our region 

UnitingWorld welcomes the Australian Government’s Federal Budget announcement to increase aid by $135.8 million, affirming our commitment to partners in the Asia-Pacific region amidst a rapidly shifting global landscape. 

“While traditional donors are scaling back aid, Australia has made it clear that we will not turn our backs on our friends in the region,” said Dr Sureka Goringe, National Director of UnitingWorld.  

“This increase in aid, while very modest as a percentage of the Federal Budget, signals that we are continuing to stand alongside our partners who face escalating challenges from climate change, health crises and economic instability.” 

“In a world that is increasingly dominated by strident voices that seek to sow fear and disunity, I commend the Australian Government for not stepping backwards on vital development assistance,” she said.  

A better balance with defence spending is urgently needed  

Despite the modest aid increase in this budget, Australia currently spends only 0.65% of the total federal budget on aid, the lowest it has ever been. New analysis from the ANU Development Policy Centre shows Australia now spends ten times more on defence than on aid—one of the widest gaps in the developed world. 

“This is an alarming trend,” said Dr Goringe.  

“UnitingWorld calls on all parties to recognise aid and development assistance as more than just an investment in our neighbours, but in our shared future—strengthening peace, stability and resilience across our region.”

“We echo the call of our sector through the Safer World for All campaign, to see aid grow to at least 1% of the Federal Budget, ensuring that we continue to meet the challenges of our time with generosity and vision.” 

Sign the open letter: Australian Christians support Australian Aid!

by
News
March 25, 2025

Australia is now spending ten times more on defence than on foreign aid, which is one of the widest gaps in the developed world according to new data modelling from the Australian National University. 

At a press conference in Parliament House this morning as part of the Safer World for All campaign, Uniting Church in Australia President Rev. Charissa Suli joined key voices from politics, security and faith to urge Australia’s leaders to commit to growing aid, before the gap widens further. 

“Australian Aid transforms lives—and I’ve witnessed that first-hand. After the devastating volcano and tsunami in Tonga in 2022, I travelled there and saw the incredible impact of our aid program—vital supplies, shelter, and long-term recovery support,” said Rev. Suli. 

“Tongan communities still tell the story of those first days of fear and uncertainty. Through the ash and silence, the first humanitarian plane they saw carried the image of a kangaroo. It’s a moment they will never forget.” 

“As a person of faith, I believe love must be shown in action—and our aid program is exactly that: a lifeline, an act of justice, and a reflection of our shared humanity”

Rev. Suli publicly released a letter signed by the heads of every major Christian denomination in Australia. 

“Australia’s aid program is supported by all of Australia’s mainline churches, and we stand together here today. Our support for Australia’s aid program goes far beyond words, we wholeheartedly co-invest in it as partners,” said Rev Suli.  

“We urge our nation’s leaders to affirm their commitment not just to preserve aid, but to let it grow, forging stronger partnerships and transforming more lives together.” 

Independent MP Zali Steggall also spoke about aid’s role in helping Pacific nations adapt to the climate crisis. 

“Aid that supports climate resilience for our Pacific neighbours isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart, strategic move for Australia. By helping communities withstand rising sea levels, extreme weather and displacement, we’re strengthening relationships, promoting regional stability and protecting lives,” she said.

“It’s not enough to invest in defence alone. True security means helping our neighbours prevent crises — by building resilience before disaster strikes.” 

Aid funding has seen significant cuts in the last decade and made up only 0.68% of the Federal Budget in 2024-25. The Safer World for All campaign is calling for aid to make up 1% of the 2025-26 Budget. 

Church leaders and members have conducted over 55 meetings in the past six months with MPs from all parties, organised by Micah Australia. These meetings, led by constituents who care deeply about Australia’s role in the world, have highlighted the strong and widespread support for aid within the Christian community. 

Regardless of the outcome of the 2025-26 Budget, the Australian Church is committed to ongoing support for Australian Aid.

Sign the open letter: Australian Christians support Australian Aid!

UnitingWorld is a member of Micah Australia and supports the Safer World for All campaign. The campaign brings together voices from faith, development, security, and the community to advocate for a stronger, values-driven approach to Australian Aid. 

, ,