A call to listen, learn and act for reconciliation

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?

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.