Worship Services

We are a welcoming and inclusive community that celebrates the gifts of human diversity, including people of all ages, racial backgrounds, married, divorced, single and diverse gender identities.

Adamstown Uniting Church offers a variety of worship services throughout the month to suit different ages and interests.

Morning Services

9am every Sunday
A traditional but relaxed service mixing music and innovation held in the Church Auditorium.
10.30am Second and Fourth Sundays – Messy Church
A fun and messy event where kids come first. Lots of singing, dancing, craft, stories and snacks, held in the Memorial Hall.
10.30am Third Sunday – Messy Church PLUS
A playful all age worship event followed by a shared lunch.

Evening Services

6pm First Sunday – FEAST – A table of food, story & nourishment!
Shared food and stories around a communion table, held in the church foyer. Members of the community and special guests will share an aspect of their life journey. This is a family friendly and inclusive space where everyone is welcome to the table.
6pm on selected Saturdays – Expresso – Exploring music, art, faith and community, with guest performers, held in the Dungeon under the Church.
6pm other Sundays
Shared snacks from 6pm, 6.30pm contemporary worship, held in the church auditorium.

If you’d like to know more about about any of these services please contact the office. You can watch videos and listen to audio from some of our services below.

Feast – 1st Sundays of the month

1st Sundays of the month
6pm in the Church foyer

FEAST is a shared meal around a big table – for stories, conversation and a shared Communion. Please bring a simple plate of food to share. All welcome.

Feast – 1st Sundays of the month

1st Sundays of the month
6pm in the Church foyer

FEAST is a shared meal around a big table – for stories, conversation and a shared Communion. Please bring a simple plate of food to share. All welcome.

Messy November & December – Celebrating a Green Christmas

Sunday 11, 18 & 25 Nov + 9 & 16 Dec 2018
10.30am in the Memorial Hall

Join us at Messy Church for the month of November and December as we celebrate an eco-friendly Christmas by recycling and reusing things around us.

Messy November & December – Celebrating a Green Christmas

Sunday 11, 18 & 25 Nov + 9 & 16 Dec 2018
10.30am in the Memorial Hall

Join us at Messy Church for the month of November and December as we celebrate an eco-friendly Christmas by recycling and reusing things around us.

Expresso at Inspiracy

Saturday 19 May 2018
7 – 10.30pm in the Dungeon
$10/5 concession entry. Food & drink available to purchase.

The first Expresso of 2018 will be part of the Inspiracy Festival, featuring a brilliant lineup of performers responding passionately to justice and climate change. Continue Reading

Expresso at Inspiracy

Saturday 19 May 2018
7 – 10.30pm in the Dungeon
$10/5 concession entry. Food & drink available to purchase.

The first Expresso of 2018 will be part of the Inspiracy Festival, featuring a brilliant lineup of performers responding passionately to justice and climate change. Continue Reading

Church Life

Adamstown Uniting Church runs many programs and activities that people can connect with beyond Sunday services. Justice and the arts is at the heart of many of these activities, and the church is a hub for creative events in the community. Blessed with many musically-gifted members of the congregation, concerts are held throughout the year. Check out Expresso and Adamstown Arts for upcoming events, and the Altar/d Art Series page for current art installations in the church.

As well as large events we offer smaller group gatherings and opportunities for reflection.

Study and Reflection

Study groups including a book club are held on a regular basis.

Spiritual Direction

The Church offers an active ministry in spiritual direction, which is designed to enable individuals to deepen their relationship with God and to support the integration of grace in their lives. Sessions are usually offered over a one hour duration in a private setting with an average cost of $50 or by negotiation.

The four people available for spiritual direction can be contacted below.

Rev Nerida Drake
Certificate in Spiritual Direction (SCRD)
Email Nerida
Rev Malcolm Drake
Certificate in Spiritual Direction (SCRD)
Email Malcolm
Gloria Carter
Emmanuel Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Email Gloria
Jenny Moylan
Emmanuel Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Email Jenny

Adamstown Church is supporting the development of a four year training program – Emmanuel Spiritual Direction Formation, starting in 2019, to train appropriate people for the ministry of Spiritual Direction. This program will be of interest to people who feel called to accompany others on a spiritual journey to a deeper relationship with God, especially those involved in pastoral ministry including Priests, Religious, Ministers, Pastors, Chaplains and Lay people whose ministry is in visitation. Learn more about the training program.

Workshops

Health and well being, creativity and personal development events and workshops are offered on an ongoing basis. Check out Adamstown Arts for any upcoming workshops.

Community Activities

The Church supports a variety of groups exploring health, well being and creative development such as Heartmoves, Move to Vitality, meditation and gentle exercise.

Information about hiring one of our spaces for your next community event is available on our contact page.

Ministry Team

Rev Dr Rod Pattenden

Rev Dr Rod Pattenden has been minister at Adamstown since June 2012 and brings a strong background working in the arts and community development.

Rod is interested in the links between faith and creativity and the call to live a full life. He maintains an approach to life and faith that values curiosity, wonder and gratefulness.

His leadership has deepened the Church’s involvement in the arts in a way that celebrates life and engages in justice making. He has a playful sense of humour and a hopeful passion for life.

Watch the ‘Putting the Arts in Adamstown Arts’ video by John Cliff below, to hear more about Rod’s involvement with the Arts.

Change the Heart Prayer Service

Wednesday 23 Jan 2019 // 7–9pm

This January, Aunty Jean Phillips, in partnership with Common Grace, invites Australian Churches to hold services of acknowledgement, lament and prayer as we approach January 26th – a day of mourning for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters. Continue Reading

Workshops with John Bell

29 – 30 May 2019
Adamstown Uniting Church

The inspiring Scottish composer and liturgist John Bell from the Iona Community will be holding workshops in Newcastle in May.

Taize Vocal Music Workshop

Sunday 10 Feb 2019 // 2 – 4.30pm

Vocal workshop exploring the music of Taize encouraging listening through chant and silence, led by inspiring vocalist Trish Watts. Bring your voice or musical instrument as we deepen our engagement with deep silence and listening.

Followed by a service of prayers and chant in the tradition of Taize at 6pm. Continue Reading