A call to listen, learn and act for reconciliation
President Rev Charissa Suli reflects on her experience attending a parliamentary reception in honour of King Charles and Queen Camilla this week, urging us to pay attention to emerging truths
October 23, 2024
On Monday, President Rev Charissa Suli had the privilege of attending a Parliamentary reception for His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla during their official visit to Australia. An address by the King, and a protest which saw Senator Lidia Thorpe removed from the event, have both been widely reported over the past two days.
The President wrote the below reflection in preparation for a sermon which will be preached at Pilgrim Uniting Church in Adelaide this weekend, and has generously offered it to be shared with the wider Uniting Church.
written by President Rev Charissa Suli
It was a great privilege to attend the recent reception alongside political, community, and church leaders as the President of the Uniting Church in Australia, where we had the opportunity to hear from King Charles as he addressed the nation.
As I reflect on the events of that day, where Senator Lidia Thorpe courageously declared, “this is not his land,” I am struck by the profound significance of this moment. Her words challenge us to face uncomfortable truths, while King Charles’ call to learn from First Nations wisdom names a pathway toward deeper reconciliation and understanding.
We are standing at a crossroads where two powerful truths meet. On the one hand, we are called to acknowledge the painful history and ongoing impact of colonisation on Indigenous peoples. On the other, we are invited to embrace the wisdom of First Nations communities, whose connection to this land predates the arrival of European settlers by tens of thousands of years.
As the church, what does this mean for us?
"First Nations wisdom teaches us that stewardship is not simply about ownership but about relationship. It is about a deep, spiritual connection to the land, to each other, and to the Creator. As we learn from Indigenous communities, we are invited to rethink our approach to caring for the earth, to practice sustainability, and to engage in justice."
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
A Church of Truth-Telling
First, we must become a church of truth-telling. Senator Thorpe’s statement points to a reality that many have been unwilling to face—this land was never ceded. It belongs to the First Nations peoples, who have cared for it, lived on it, and nurtured it for millennia. Reconciliation begins when we have the courage to speak and hear these truths.
As the Uniting Church, we have made a covenant with the First Peoples of this land, acknowledging their sovereignty and the unique role they play in God’s creation. But the Covenant is not a static declaration. It is a living, breathing relationship that requires us to continually listen, learn, and act. We must be willing to engage in uncomfortable conversations and to honour the history First Nations peoples carry—no matter how challenging it may be for us to hear.
A Call to Stewardship and Responsibility
King Charles reminded us to be “good stewards of the world” and “good ancestors for those who come after us.” As we reflect on these words, we are reminded that stewardship goes beyond care for the environment; it extends to how we steward our relationships, our power, and our influence. What kind of ancestors do we want to be for future generations? What legacy are we leaving behind?
First Nations wisdom teaches us that stewardship is not simply about ownership but about relationship. It is about a deep, spiritual connection to the land, to each other, and to the Creator. As we learn from Indigenous communities, we are invited to rethink our approach to caring for the earth, to practice sustainability, and to engage in justice. Our actions today will echo through the generations. Let us ensure those echoes are ones of justice, reconciliation, and care for creation.
A Call to Listen and Learn
Learning from First Nations wisdom requires humility. It requires us to recognise that we do not have all the answers and that there is much to be gained by listening deeply to the voices of Indigenous communities. Their stories, their spirituality, and their connection to the land offer us a way forward that is grounded in justice, respect, and love.
I am reminded of the words from the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for a future where Indigenous peoples are listened to, respected, and empowered to lead. This is an invitation not just for politicians or governments, but for all of us—including the church. We must not only learn from First Nations peoples but stand with them in their pursuit of justice and self-determination.
From Symbol to Substance: Moving Beyond Gestures
While gestures of reconciliation—like King Charles’ words—are important, they must lead to substantive change. As the church, we are called to do more than offer words. We are called to act. Our covenant with First Nations peoples must be embodied in how we live, worship, and serve.
The path to true reconciliation is not easy. It will require sacrifices, hard conversations, and a willingness to confront our own biases and complicity. But I believe, with all my heart, that this is what it means to follow Christ. Jesus calls us to love our neighbours as ourselves, and this includes recognising the unique place of First Nations peoples in God’s creation. It includes working to dismantle systems of oppression and injustice and standing with those who have been marginalised for too long.
A Church That Leads in Love
As we continue to live out our calling, I encourage each of us to embrace this moment as an opportunity to lead in love. Weaving Christ’s love across cultures and boundaries is not just a theme—it is a way of being. It is a call to recognise the dignity and humanity of all people, and to stand in solidarity with First Nations peoples as we work together toward a future that is just, equitable, and grounded in God’s love.
So, let us be bold in our truth-telling, courageous in our actions, and humble in our learning. Let us not shy away from the discomfort that comes with confronting our history, but rather, let us embrace it as the necessary step toward healing and reconciliation.
May we be good stewards of this world, and good ancestors for those who come after us. And may we, as a church, be known for our love, our justice, and our unwavering commitment to the work of reconciliation and healing.
More news from the Assembly
Season of Creation 2025 has begun!
Season of Creation 2025 calls us to ‘peace with creation’ Find a range of resources on this page #seasonofcreationUCA #peacewithcreation Throughout September and into early October, millions of Christians across the world are marking the Season of Creation, an annual invitation to pray, reflect and act in care for the Earth -…
MCIF Conference: shared mission across oceans
Shared mission across oceans The 190th MCIF Conference provided an opportunity to strengthen ties across the Pacific through worship and prayer, as well as dialogue on faith, justice and discipleshipLast week, the 190th annual conference of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma (MCIF) was held in Suva, where President Rev Charissa Suli represented the…
Faith leaders call for generosity in overseas aid
Faith leaders call for generosity in overseas aid UCA’s UnitingWorld among delegation to lobby Federal parliamentariansby Marcus Campbell, Communications Manager at UnitingWorld Last week, Dr Sureka Goringe, National Director of the UCA agency UnitingWorld, joined the Micah Australia Women Leaders Delegation in Canberra for three days of advocacy meetings with Members of Parliament from across…
Position Available: Administration and Comms Officer - Act2 Commissions
Position Available: Administration & Communications Officer – Act2 Commissions Use your administration and communications skills in a purpose-driven initiative. Apply by 19 SeptemberAdministration & Communications Officer – Act2 Commissions Uniting Church in Australia Assembly The Uniting Church in Australia is embarking on a bold journey of renewal through the Act2 Project – a whole-of-Church initiative…
Webinar consultation: Decade of Intercultural Transformation Proposal
Consultation on a proposal for Uniting Decade of Intercultural Transformation Co-hosted by the Assembly Being a Multicultural Church Circle and the Assembly Resourcing Unit, join this webinar exploring an exciting possibility You’re invited! Consultation on a proposal for a Uniting Decade of Intercultural Transformation Following a joyful celebration of the 40th anniversary of…
Online meeting the first for new National Commission
New National Commission gathers for first time The Assembly’s new Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership met for the first time, beginning a vital journey of renewal, connection, and faithful stewardship across the life of the Church by Dr Damian Palmer, Executive Officer of the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership The Uniting…
A statement from the UnitingCare Australia Board
A statement from the Board of UnitingCare Australia A statement from the Board of UnitingCare Australia 21 August 2025 After almost nine years of distinguished service to UnitingCare Australia and the UnitingCare network, our National Director Claerwen Little has tendered her resignation to pursue opportunities in consulting and advisory. She will continue in…
Interfaith groups gather to pray for peace in Palestine
Prayer vigil brings people of various faiths together In a telling display of unity, compassion and shared humanity, interfaith communities gathered for a solemn prayer vigil for peace and justice in Palestine Subscribe to our newsletter If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our…