The Stonnington Community Uniting Church is a safe place for all people. Visitors and members, regardless of race, creed, gender, cultural background, or sexual orientation are welcome. However you would like to be part of our community, there is a place for you here.
Acknowledgement: We gather on the sacred lands of the BoonWurrung and Wurundjeri people, who have been its custodians for thousands of years
Our Sunday morning services are relaxed and inclusive. We incorporate traditional and contemporary music. We draw on the words of the old and new testaments of the Bible as well other thought-provoking and inspirational writings, artworks and the influence of the natural world.
A number of Groups meet in the comfortable facilities adjacent to the main church. These include the Afternoon Fellowship, the Common Threads, the Library Book Chatters and the Something for the Spirit Group. The church encourages expressions of the Uniting Church values across a range of applications
Behind the conservative facade, the Stonnington Community Uniting Church has highly usable and versatile facilities. The main church can be configured in majestic or intimate layouts. The adjoining hall, meeting rooms and renovated kitchen are truly functional.
We are a Christian Community committed to following the way of Jesus rather than following religious dogma.
Stonnington Community is:
We come from many walks of life, we have had different and similar experiences, we are singles, we are couples, we are children, we are adults. Some of us like dogs, some of us like cats. We have different faith beliefs. We come together in Christian Fellowship.
Our congregation started when Rev John Ewing, the Presbyterian Minister of the Toorak Church began to visit the area, and to hold services in the homes of several of his parishioners. The church has had many ups and downs through the 1890’s Depression, World War 1, the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War 2 and more.
There have been relocations, building programs, amalgamations, ebbs and flows. Families have thrived, young people have moved to outer Melbourne, friends and strangers have returned. Amazing ministers have guided our community while lay persons have served tirelessly in the evolution of the Church.
We have emerged from COVID times with constant and renewed committment to a Christian ethic. If you are visiting us for the first time, a return visitor or a long-time member of the congregation, we hope you find us and this place a nurturing and renewing experience. From 1886 to 2025, we are here and we are here to stay.
You may have driven past The Stonnington Community Uniting Church 1000 times. Going to work, dropping the children off at school, or on your way to visit your mum. Perhaps you have walked past the church with your dog, on the way to Central Park, the Newsagent or even that nice coffee place near the corner.
Have you ever wondered what happens on the inside. Have you made assumptions based on the red-brick facade? Maybe this Sunday would be a good day to wander in for Sunday Morning Service? Why not? You will be welcomed, no strings!
1st Sunday of the Month
Structured but not old fashioned
An informal catch up chat in a local cafe
Share an afternoon of information and purpose
Where creativity and Christianity converge
This is for the book-lovers
Making sense of the original Christian message in the 21st Century
The Ordained Minister
Rev John Power is our new Minister of the Word.
Church Council
Comprised of Elders and elected Councillors
Office Manager
Jane is our amazing Office Manager
What do I value in church services?
Quiet fellowship, learning, listening and reflecting (not necessarily opening up to others about my thoughts), the music.
What parts of the wider life at Stonnington Community Uniting Church do I enjoy?
The community and fellowship
After the Mountain — John Speaks We thought we were climbing for air, for distance, for quiet. Just rock and dust underfoot, the ordinary weight of afternoon. He walked ahead of us as always — teacher, friend, the one whose laughter we knew by heart. Nothing in His...
Musical Society of Victoria - Malvern Centre The Malvern Centre is one of six MSV locations across Melbourne. Located at Stonnington Community Uniting Church in Burke Road, Malvern East, the Society offers regular concerts for emerging musicians to experience live...
Stepping Into Reflection: Feet, Faith, and the Path We Walk Opportunities for thought and spiritual reflection often arise in unexpected ways. Recently, following a routine visit to my podiatrist, I found myself pondering feet — something we rarely think about unless...
I’ve stood watch for many a long night. Counted the wandering sheep, every one, my ears pricked sharp for the ghost-hush of wolves. Seen the black storms tumble down the hills, and me there, braced against the wind, keeping the small, the fragile, alive. That was my...
New Language, New Connections - Try Chinese! Why not expand your horizons by attempting to learn a new language, with a trained teacher! Unlock the world of Chinese language and culture with Chinese language classes offered by Stonnington Community Uniting Church in...
I did not know what moved within me then— a wind, a light, a trembling in the soul— when I looked on your face and saw more than a man, and words not my own rose like fire: “You are the Christ.” Not title, not triumph, not crown— but something vast, ancient, tender—...
God is at the loom, unseen, weaving threads of quiet spirit through bone and breath, through sorrow and song, through the aching of flesh and the hidden trembling of the mind. A cut closes without our asking, scar tissue sealing the wound as though heaven had leaned...
The bread will be broken, and in its breaking the whole of nature speaks— wheat from the field, sunlight stored in grain, rainfall, soil, and farmer’s hands, all threads in God’s great tapestry. The cup will be lifted, and in its crimson depth we taste the vine’s long...
Introduction to John Bottomley’s Sermon on our Colonial Past Rev John Bottomley provided a sermon to a Springvale congregation in April 2025, titled Confessing our Church’s Colonial Captivity. John Bottomley has a long and impressive life of Ministry in the Methodist...
Confessing our Church’s Colonial Captivity A sermon by Rev. John Bottomley Phillippians 2: 5-11 Passion Sunday 13 April 2025 Springvale Uniting Church Francis Ormond (1829-1889) arrived in the Victorian colony in 1840 aged 11 years old. At age 25, he took over his...
MSV- Malvern Centre- Afternoon Concerts The 2.30pm concert runs from 2.30 – 3.30pm for younger performers or less advanced students. The 4.00pm concert starts at 4.00pm and usually runs for 90 minutes. These participants are generally older and the repertoires more advanced. For more information about MSV concerts
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]
Chinese Language Classes Stonnington Community Uniting Church will offer Chinese language classes for beginners, 4-week period ... April 24 - May 15th .......4.00 to 5.30pm Instructor is Mr Zhuoran Wei, a native speaker who is trained in teaching Chinese as a Second Language For Beginners No previous knowledge of Chinese required! just an open mind! […]
What will be on the Fellowship Opportunity Table this month? Will there be a tasty morsel to treat yourself? Will you bake something to tempt others? (* see note) Do you make something which is a 'must have' or would be a nice gift? What jam will Michael make this month? Will there be some […]
Stories from ..... ...growing and maintaining one's spirituality is a work in progress....... A gathering of sharing A topic for lively discussion? What renews you? What enriches your life? A story? An event? A reading, a memory? Share that which makes your life richer. Like to know what was shared last month? There is also […]
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]
Chinese Language Classes Stonnington Community Uniting Church will offer Chinese language classes for beginners, 4-week period ... April 24 - May 15th .......4.00 to 5.30pm Instructor is Mr Zhuoran Wei, a native speaker who is trained in teaching Chinese as a Second Language For Beginners No previous knowledge of Chinese required! just an open mind! […]
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]
Stonnington Community Uniting Church is hosting our annual "Feast for Freedom". Table laden with feast prepared by Nadine H A special fundraising lunch limited to 60 people Our feast will take place after Sunday Service and offers regulars and visitors the opportunity to: to make a donation to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Suggested Donation: […]
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]
Awakening to the Living Universe Awakening to the Living Universe is a monthly gathering exploring an emerging spirituality that sees the world not as inert matter, but as alive with presence and meaning. Through reflection, conversation, and simple practices, we learn to recognise the sacred patterns woven through nature, time, and our own lives - […]
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]
MSV- Malvern Centre- Afternoon Concerts The 2.30pm concert runs from 2.30 – 3.30pm for younger performers or less advanced students. The 4.00pm concert starts at 4.00pm and usually runs for 90 minutes. These participants are generally older and the repertoires more advanced. For more concerts at the Malvern Centre
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]
Awakening to the Living Universe Awakening to the Living Universe is a monthly gathering exploring an emerging spirituality that sees the world not as inert matter, but as alive with presence and meaning. Through reflection, conversation, and simple practices, we learn to recognise the sacred patterns woven through nature, time, and our own lives - […]
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]
SpiritSong A choir where music becomes belonging Spiritsong is a new community choir for people who sense that music can be more than performance. It is a place to breathe together, listen deeply, and give voice to the spiritual currents that run through ordinary life. We sing not only to sound good, but to become […]