Prayer Vigil – Rev Dr Jione Havea
In the wake of the passing of Rev Dr Jione Havea, the Uniting Church Centre for Ministry will open its Chapel from 6pm to 8pm this Tuesday and Wednesday (5th and 6th of May).
As reflections continue to be shared across social media, we are reminded just how deeply Jione touched the lives of so many. His impact is not easily measured. It is seen in his students, his colleagues, and in the countless people who sat with him in classrooms and conference spaces, listening as he spoke with a quiet humility and a generous spirit.
Jione had a rare gift. He opened Scripture in ways that helped us see more clearly the connections between faith, climate justice, Indigenous wisdom, and the ongoing work of decolonising theology. He did this not to draw attention to himself, but to invite others into a deeper, more faithful way of seeing and living.
He was also deeply committed to nurturing emerging leaders, offering encouragement, insight, and care to those finding their voice. In this, as in all things, his life bore witness to a faith that was thoughtful, grounded, and lived out in service to others.
As we mourn the passing of Rev Dr Jione Havea, the Uniting Church Centre for Ministry will open its Chapel from 6pm to 8pm this Tuesday and Wednesday (5th and 6th of May) as a space of quiet gathering, prayer, and shared care.
- Tuesday will be a time especially for young people and emerging leaders, honouring Jione’s deep commitment to nurturing those who will carry the Church into the future.
- Wednesday will be open to all church leaders, lay and ordained, from across the life of our Church.
These evenings are offered as gentle spaces for reflection, for sharing stories, and for holding one another in the midst of grief. They are an opportunity to be present together, to remember, and to offer and receive care.
These Chapel gatherings are intended to sit alongside the formal services, offering a more pastoral space for the grief many are carrying and a chance to support one another in community.
We are mindful that formal services and gatherings to honour and celebrate Jione’s life will take place:
- Friday 8th May 2026
‘APO/VIGIL, 6:00pm–11:00pm
Uniting Church Centre for Ministry
16 Masons Dr, North Parramatta - Saturday 9th May 2026
Funeral service, 10am
Uniting Church Centre for Ministry
16 Masons Dr, North Parramatta