Armidale Uniting Church is a Christian community shaped by worship, friendship and service. We bring together people of different ages, backgrounds, experiences and faith traditions, each contributing to the richness of our life together.
We recognise that people approach faith in different ways. We value open conversation, thoughtful questions and a willingness to listen to and learn from one another. While we may not always agree, we seek to create a community where everyone feels welcomed, respected and valued.
Our life together extends beyond Sunday worship. We enjoy sharing meals, making friendships, supporting one another and contributing to the wider Armidale community.
Rev. Simon Hansford served as Moderator of the Synod of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory of the Uniting Church in Australia from 2017 to 2023. He now serves as Minister of the Word at Armidale Uniting Church.
Simon said of his vision for the Uniting Church:
“Our Church has a vital place in our community, and we have a long experience of seeking to engage our community with the gospel, through advocacy, service, and the ministry of individuals and congregations.
Our lives – and our words – proclaim the hope we have found in Jesus, and this echoes in our worship together, in our challenges for our community and in our service for all those around us.”
Read Simon’s blog, Through a Strained Fence, where he regularly shares reflections on faith, life, theology and culture in rural Australia.
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. … The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt
…one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And
[Jesus said] “Show me the coin used for the tax.” They brought Jesus a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Then [the king] said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was…
“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he
To be a welcoming, inclusive and vibrant Christian community where people grow in faith, build meaningful relationships and share God's love through service to the wider community.
To live out the gospel of Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship, pastoral care and practical service; to promote justice, compassion and inclusion; and to care for God's creation and the wellbeing of the Armidale community.
We believe that faith is expressed not only through worship and prayer, but also through the way we care for one another, support our neighbours and respond to the needs of our community.
Our congregation is involved in a wide range of activities that bring people together, provide practical assistance and create opportunities for friendship and participation. These include the Food Cupboard, Thread Shed Armidale, our Community Garden, EASE Armidale energy advice and support, music and cultural activities, and our annual Community Christmas Day Lunch.
Through these activities, we seek to put our commitment to compassion, social justice, inclusion and care for creation into practice.
We welcome people from across the Armidale community to participate in these activities, whether or not they attend church services.
Armidale Uniting Church is part of the Uniting Church in Australia, within the Northern Presbytery and the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT.
We share in the wider Church's commitment to Christian worship, community service, social justice and care for creation.