community
Engaging people of faith to experience God’s love.
Our People
Minister
Rev John Hughes
Rev John Hughes joined Pilgrim Uniting Church in Adelaide as Minister of the Word – Pastoral Care in 2022. John completed his Master of Divinity at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He moved to Adelaide in 2009 and was ordained in the Uniting Church in Australia. John has served on numerous committees for the Synod of South Australia including Synod Selection Panel (chair), Placements Committee, General Secretary Liaison Group, member of the Roman Catholic and Uniting Church Dialogue, and as an Advisor to the Synod Sexual Misconduct Complaints Committee. John is passionate about ecumenism, social justice, creative workshop and life-long discipleship. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, camping and going to the beach. He is married to Jennifer and they have two young children, Jack and Micah.
Minister
Rev Vicki Aitken
Rev. Vicki Aitken is a kiwi born Minister of the Word who worked in sport psychology (specialising in golf) for 22+ years. While she was studying for her Masters in Theology she worked simultaneously in homelessness before becoming ordained in the Uniting Church in Australia in 2023.
Vicki has represented the Northern Synod on the Northern Territory Council of Churches, and more recently was on their Synod Finance and Property Committee. Vicki has been a part of the Uniting Network Executive (which has ceased operations) and is now a panel member of the Assembly Pride Circle. Vicki has a passion for social justice especially for First Nations People and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Vicki is married to May who has adult children and a grandchild. In her spare time Vicki likes to play golf, go walking, cycling and swimming. And loves to go camping and travelling with the family.
Church Council
The Church Council gives priority to building up the congregation in faith and love, sustaining its members in hope, and leading the congregation to a fuller participation in Christ’s mission in the world.
Vision and Mission Statement
We are called to be a transformative community following Jesus, embodying the love and grace of God and seeking abundant life for all.
Therefore, we live out our vision and mission through:
- seeking forgiveness, healing and transformation for ourselves, the communities within which we live, and our world;
- acknowledging that this church is located on unceded Kaurna Land and committing ourselves to work for reconciliation among all Australians;
- resourcing and nurturing spiritual growth through worship, learning, discipleship and pastoral care;
- fostering commitment to social justice, care of creation and environmental sustainability;
- expressing worshipful creativity and witness through music and the arts;
- celebrating unity in diversity that is consistent with our essential Christian identity;
- promoting inter-faith and intercultural relationships;
- engaging and contributing to the life and public discourse of the City of Adelaide.
engagement
Engaging people of faith to experience God’s love.
Open Church
Pilgrim is open each weekday between 12pm and 2pm for prayer, meditation or viewing.
Art exhibitions
With 36 metres of gallery tracking and spot lighting, we are a fine art space in the city. Exhibitions are held regularly and open to the public weekdays between 12pm and 2pm and when services are held. Please see our Facebook page to find out about our latest exhibition. If you would like to exhibit with us, please contact the Pilgrim Office.
Musical performances
Pilgrim contributes to the life of Adelaide’s vibrant music culture by offering free lunchtime performances that include sacred classical music performed on our historic organs and live local bands performing a variety of music in our forecourt. Please see our Facebook page to see when performances are scheduled.
Venue hire
Pilgrim Uniting Church is pleased to share its facilities for hire.
Church
The Church can seat up to 300 people.
Draper Room
The Draper Room can hold up to 20 people.
Colton Room
The Colton Room can seat up to eight people.
Hall
The Hall can seat up to 100 people.