Sydney Friends of Standing Together event calls for peace
The peace group, aligned with global movement Standing Together, held a rally in Sydney on 4 May in support of Jerusalem peace summit
May 19, 2025
written by Rev Lindsay Cullen, Assembly Associate General Secretary
Sydney Friends of Standing Together (SFOST) is a group aligned with Standing Together, which describes itself as “a progressive grassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel against the occupation and for peace, equality, and social justice.”
Recently SFOST was involved in organising a rally on Sunday 4 May in Sydney near the Town Hall, aimed at coinciding with and supporting the large peace summit It’s Time, which was held in Jerusalem on 8-9 May. More than 20 cities around the world held rallies in support, and thousands attended events in Jerusalem.
"I spoke of the teaching of Jesus – drawn from the Jewish scriptures, that we should love our neighbour; that Jesus made clear with his story of the Good Samaritan that ‘neighbour’ does not just apply to those who look like and think like us."
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.
I was privileged to be asked to speak at the Sydney event on behalf of the Uniting Church in Australia. Sydney Friends of Standing Together described this as an opportunity to stand in solidarity and recognise that it is time to:
- stop the killing, bombing and starvation
- return all hostages
- end the occupation
- listen to the people
- promote peace for all.
These aims are very consistent with the things our own UCA Assembly Standing Committee, and the Assembly, have been calling for since April 2024.
I began by focussing on the recent election, and in particular the concession and acceptance speeches made by Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese. The graciousness of these speeches pointed to the need to humanise our opponents.
I spoke of the teaching of Jesus – drawn from the Jewish scriptures, that we should love our neighbour, and that Jesus made clear with his story of the Good Samaritan that ‘neighbour’ does not just apply to those who look like and think like us, but to those who may be quite different to us, those who are in need.
I commend the organisers and the attendees for their commitment to ongoing calls for peace, and it would be my hope that members of the UCA would continue to live into our call to be peacemakers.
More news
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…