Mid North Coast congregations gather in worship on Trinity Sunday

Members of five Mid North Coast congregations gathered for a combined Trinity Sunday service at Coffs Harbour Uniting Church, welcoming the Moderator, Rev. Faaimata Havea Hiliau.

Worshippers from Sawtell, Nana Glen, Bellingen, Woolgoolga and Nambucca Heads came together in a visible expression of the strength that emerges when congregations unite around a shared faith and purpose.

The gathering highlighted the importance of regional relationships and collaboration across congregations, demonstrating that while each community has its own unique ministry and context, they are stronger when they work together.

Prior to the service, Rev. Havea Hiliau spent time meeting with staff, volunteers and participants involved in two long-running Uniting NSW.ACT initiatives in the region – the CHARM'D Pregnancy Group and the Learner Driver Mentor Program.

Over coffee, she heard stories of young mothers finding support and connection through CHARM'D, and of volunteer mentors helping young people gain the driving experience needed to access education, employment and independence.

"Whether it's a few driving lessons, a casual chat, sharing a meal or offering practical support, communities are transformed when people work together. Small acts become powerful when they are multiplied across a community."

At the worship service, the Moderator acknowledged the ministry of Rev. Fauhiva Lutui and his wife Mele Lutui, who joined the Coffs Harbour congregation earlier this year.

Drawing on readings from Genesis, Corinthians and the Gospel of Matthew, Rev. Havea Hiliau encouraged worshippers to see relationships as central to God's vision for creation and to recognise the strength that comes from building connections across congregations, cultures and communities.

A memorable moment came when worshippers were invited to leave their seats and sit alongside someone they had never met before. The simple exercise became a practical demonstration of the message being preached.

"God's creation is good right now. This is the intention of God in creating the world and creating us in God's image – to build relationship, to get to know each other, to see that there is no division."

The Moderator also welcomed a large group of Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers attending the service and encouraged congregations to recognise them as valued members of both the church and wider community.

Alongside her sermon, Rev. Havea Hiliau addressed members of the Coffs Harbour congregation regarding the temporary pause on the church's redevelopment project.

She explained that the decision reflected a rapidly changing construction environment across New South Wales, where escalating construction costs and a significant increase in builder insolvencies have created heightened risks for major developments.

The pause will allow time to carefully assess those risks and ensure the long-term viability of the project.

The service concluded with a luncheon hosted at the church's much-loved "Soupie", where members of the five congregations, PALM workers and visitors continued conversations and strengthened relationships across the region.

Throughout the day, one message remained clear: when congregations come together, they become more than the sum of their individual parts. Through shared worship, mutual support and a commitment to serving their communities, they embody the unity to which Christ calls the Church.

As Rev. Havea Hiliau reminded worshippers:

"Go out into the world and make disciples of all nations. And know that you are not alone in doing that. God is with you wherever you go."