About us
The Northern Rivers Cluster of Uniting Churches is comprised of four congregations of farming and associated people, some with long connections to this area. Congruent with most of Rural Australia, our towns and districts have felt the recent pain of this wide brown land, and we try to love her and her people with God’s healing love.
This group of small, rural congregations, banded together for mutual support, is seeking to find new ways to be church in a rapidly changing time. We are excited by the love and grace of God, which we believe is given freely to all who will receive it, and we seek to be “a stream of life-giving water in a dry land”, without question or reserve. Many memorable years are behind us, our buildings are showing their age, our numbers have declined and grown older, nonetheless we are excitedly discovering hidden resources within our wonderful members, so we believe that “some of our best years are still ahead of us”!
Do not be misled! We are not perfect churches, but we do seek to grow in faithfulness to the will of God, as we are able to discern it. Read on and we’ll show you more!
Ministry & Worship
Normally we gather for Worship and Fellowship on SUNDAYS AT 10am.
Our Ministry Leaders move around our towns to lead worship face to face, at each place in turn through the weeks, and the service is ZOOMED to the other congregations and homes.
On the fifth Sunday of the month there is a combined service at 10am, bringing together Bamawm, Elmore, Rochester and Tongala Uniting Churches, with each church taking their turn to host the other three congregations. Congregations do not meet face to face when COVID19 restrictions prohibit it. CALENDAR
Our Ministry Team is led by The Rev Brian and Desri Morgan. Formerly working as an Electrical Fitter and a Soft Furnishings Shop Assistant, they bring many years of ministry experience and broad skills, with a deep love for God and for people. They are approachable, humble, encouraging, team people. Their worship and group leadership is varied and lively and their pastoral care, deeply compassionate.
Each congregation has a team of Elders and dedicated Lay Leaders, who all offer their Skills and Spiritual Gifts gladly. None of us are perfect, but we try, and we are always open to doing better as Disciples of the Lord Jesus.
Get in touch
Rochester
Elaine Boyd - 0427 366 341
Kerry Gibson - 0419 354 319
nriversuca@gmail.com
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Bamawm
Graeme Haines - 0427 862 355
Ray Wakefield - 0491 340 427
nriversuca@gmail.com
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Elmore
Lorna Wilson - 0427 326 240
Judy Weeks - 03 5432 6180
nriversuca@gmail.com
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Tongala
Ian Taylor - 0407 094 269
Beryl Anderson - 0408 137 635
nriversuca@gmail.com
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Find us
Rochester and Elmore are on the Northern Highway between Bendigo and Echuca, in Silo Trail country.
Bamawm and Tongala are easily accessible from either.
A beautiful, free, riverside camping site is Ayson’s Reserve, located on Burnewang Road, between Rochester and Elmore.