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
August 20, 2025
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.
On Saturday 9 August, a prayer vigil for the ongoing crisis in Palestine was held at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney’s CBD. More than 140 people gathered for the solemn event with a further 43 joining them online.
The interfaith service was a moving expression of shared grief, hope and solidarity. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Quaker leaders stood side by side in a unified call for peace and justice to prevail in Palestine.
The keynote address was delivered by the President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Charissa Suli. In her message, titled “Across Faiths, We Cry Out: A Call for Peace with Justice”, Rev Suli urged those gathered to respond with compassion, courage, and action.
Rev Suli shared a poignant story from her 2023 visit to the Holy Land, where a Palestinian Christian father expressed grief for his homeland and fear that the dream of peace was fading. His words became a powerful symbol of generational pain that transcends politics. “His grief,” Rev Suli said, “was not political – it was personal, generational and spiritual.”
Throughout her address, Rev Suli reiterated that the Uniting Church has long spoken out – not to take sides, but to stand with those whose human dignity is denied. She reaffirmed the Church’s calls for an end to the occupation, the lifting of the Gaza blockade, and the rejection of all forms of racism and religious discrimination.
The vigil was a powerful witness to interfaith unity and collective moral responsibility. As Rev Suli shared, “Peace is not naive, it is necessary.”
More justice news from the Assembly
200 years of Christianity in Tonga
Uniting Church joins Tonga in celebrating 200 years of Christianity UCA President Rev Charissa Suli, alongside Moderators, former missionaries, ministers, young people and members from across Australia joined the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in celebrating the bicentenary of the Christian Church in Tonga Representatives of the Uniting Church in Australia today joined the…
Refugee Week 2026: A million stories, one shared humanity
From 14–20 June, churches, community groups and organisations across Australia will mark Refugee Week 2026, an opportunity to celebrate the courage, resilience and contributions of people who have sought safety and a new beginning in this country. This year’s theme, “A Million Stories”, marks a significant milestone: since…
Equitable energy upgrades: caring for people, caring for creation
Equitable energy upgrades:caring for people, caring for creation An environmental initiative, led by Armidale Uniting Church, is helping vulnerable households access the benefits of the clean energy transition, combining practical support, energy justice and community care By Trevor Brown and Rev Simon Hansford, Armidale Uniting Church In Armidale, on Anaiwan Country on the Northern…
Re-grounding the Household: Returning to our Story in Christ
Re-grounding the Household: Returning to Our Story in Christ Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli spoke at the opening session of Day 2 of the Pacific Church Leaders’ Meeting in Fiji, challenging delegates to be re-grounded in Christ As Day 2 of the Pacific Church Leaders’ Meeting gathered momentum in Suva, Fiji earlier today,…
Warning of an ‘apocalypse’ in international aid
Warning of an ‘apocalypse’ in international aid The disturbing and worsening problems of international aid were at the centre of a forum held in Canberra last monthThe global crisis in international aid has reached unprecedented levels, with Uniting Church Assembly General Secretary Andrew Johnson warning it now resembles an “apocalypse” rather than a temporary downturn.…
UnitingCare Australia advocacy makes an impact
UnitingCare Australia advocacy makes an impactSubscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.UnitingCare Australia, a key agency of the Uniting Church in Australia, has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement today of an additional $11.7 million investment in emergency relief and financial…
ABC interview: Speaking out on Gendered Violence
Speaking out on Gendered Violence Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli recently spoke with ABC Radio on churches’ role in confronting gendered violence and promoting safety, dignity and compassion Subscribe to our newsletter If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter…
President reflects on Gendered Violence Conference
Gendered Violence Conference: Restoring what has been bent The President offers this pastoral reflection following The Wesley Centre Theology and Culture Conference on the topic of Gendered Violence By Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia Last month, I attended the Gendered Violence Conference hosted by Rev Associate Professor Robyn Whitaker,…