We acknowledge the sovereign and unceded land and waters of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the work of younger Indigenous leaders in the community.

We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart. There is no reconciliation without justice and the telling of truths hard to hear. There is much good work to do.

congregation

We are an ecumenical (open to many Christian traditions) and affirming congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia. The Eucharist is at the heart of our life together.

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community

We offer opportunities for community participation and service via the South Sydney Herald newspaper, the Orchard Gallery for artists, and partnership with local organisations.

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garden

We grow flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables in Mirrung Garden, a safe place for refreshment, sustainable practice, education and contemplation – a collaborative work.

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un/mission

We are a welcoming and diverse group of people from South Sydney and beyond.

We are open to God at work in the world. We seek to be a community of peace, justice, compassion and faithfulness.

We look for the Holy Spirit in all things and we strive to care for all creation.

With Christ/a, we dare to be honest in our lives and to explore difficult questions together. We are open to different points of view.

We share love, friendship, hospitality and hope with each other and with our neighbours, regardless of faith or sexuality.

We seek to overcome both exclusion and abuse.

homily

Ordinary Sunday 29B | October 20, 2024
Acts 16:11-15; Psalm 100; Luke 15:8-10
‘Feast Day of St Lydia’

Today our readings mark a celebration of the life, faith and legacy of St Lydia. Although there is only minimal reference to her in the bible, seven verses in Acts all up, she is a woman who has inspired a tradition connected to her open-hearted, responsive, courageous and generous faith, who crosses cultural boundaries and forges new relationships.

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news

What’s on this week

NEWS: See what’s happening at SSUC this week ...
October 29, 2024/by Andrew Collis

‘Your faith has healed you’

HOMILY: The key theme in today’s lectionary readings is that of passage or transformation. Passage from a place – variously described – of ignorance, fear or blindness to a place of repentance, trust and the enlightened following of Christ.
October 27, 2024/by Andrew Collis

‘Feast Day of St Lydia’

HOMILY: Today our readings mark a celebration of the life, faith and legacy of St Lydia. Although there is only minimal reference to her in the bible, seven verses in Acts all up, she is a woman who has inspired a tradition connected to her open-hearted, responsive, courageous and generous faith, who crosses cultural boundaries and forges new relationships.
October 20, 2024/by Andrew Collis

October – roses, vegetables, wildflowers

GARDEN TIPS: October. What to plant at this time of year.
October 16, 2024/by Andrew Collis

‘Let go the rope, pick up the thread’

HOMILY: William Blake’s etching of Job, his wife and his friends (1825) tells the story. Job seeks a God of goodness/justice. His friends try to help but can’t help blaming Job, the victim. Their theologies are rigid, their images of God fixed in place.
October 13, 2024/by Andrew Collis

‘Rest for your souls’

HOMILY: After a vision at the ruined San Damiano Church, Francis began physically repairing the building, interpreting God’s command to “rebuild my Church” literally at first, before realising it also referred to spiritual renewal.

Where in this story do you rest (what appeals to you most)? How might it offer you deep or soulful rest?
October 6, 2024/by Andrew Collis