Uniting Church Logo
17th ASSEMBLY
Donate

A call to public witness: why the Uniting Church supports the March for Humanity

The Uniting Church Assembly has chosen to officially support the public event for peace and justice in Palestine, when thousands of people will walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge
 
 

August 2, 2025

Why the Uniting Church Assembly is supporting the March for Humanity across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday 3 August

A statement from Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia

This Sunday, many thousands will walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a peaceful and public act of solidarity now known as the March for Humanity. The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has made the decision to officially support this event, which calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the end of occupation, and a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.

This decision has not been made lightly. It comes from the deep well of our faith and the long-standing commitments of our Church to justice, peace and human dignity.

At its July meeting, the Assembly Standing Committee adopted the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee Statement A Call to End Apartheid, Occupation and Impunity in Palestine and Israel as the formal position of the Uniting Church Assembly. This statement, forged through deep ecumenical discernment, names the urgent need for international accountability, the end of occupation and solidarity with those experiencing unbearable suffering.

As a Church, we know that solidarity cannot be limited to words. We are called to live out our prayers and convictions in public.  Supporting peaceful advocacy efforts like the March for Humanity is one way we give faithful expression to that call.

 

"To Uniting Church members who choose to participate, I encourage you to march peacefully and with integrity. Be clear about the message you carry. If you walk under the banner of the Uniting Church, let it be a banner of justice, love and hope."

 

If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.

We recognise that the crisis in Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinian people weighs heavily on many hearts across our Church and community. The grief is immense; the injustice is profound and the longing for peace is urgent. We also know that this moment stirs deep emotions and difficult questions including how we engage in ways that honour our values, our relationships, and our Christian witness.

Let me be clear: our support for this event is not driven by political ideology. It is grounded in our discipleship - our call to follow the crucified and risen Christ who stands with the oppressed, weeps with the broken, and calls us to be peacemakers in a hurting world. 

As we march, we carry with us the voices of our Palestinian Christian partners who have asked us not to look away. We march with deep respect for our Jewish neighbours, rejecting all forms of antisemitism, islamophobia, and racism. We march with a longing for peace that embraces every person in the Holy Land.

We are mindful that this event is supported by a broad coalition of organisers and voices. The Uniting Church may not share every position, demand, or slogan present.  Still, we believe that there are moments when faithful solidarity calls us to walk with others whose approaches may differ, but whose longing for justice and peace is shared.

To Uniting Church members who choose to participate, I encourage you to march peacefully and with integrity. Be clear about the message you carry. If you walk under the banner of the Uniting Church, let it be a banner of justice, love and hope.

If you do not feel called to attend, we honour that too.  There are many ways to witness to peace.  And to those already participating in events across the country, thank you for your faithfulness.

As President, I stand with our Church in this public act of witness.  I do so with prayerful conviction, mindful of the suffering in Gaza, and grounded in our shared belief that peace cannot come without justice.  Let us raise our voice with courage, compassion and trust in God who calls us to walk humbly, love boldly, and pursue justice for all. 

With grace and peace,

Rev Charissa Suli

President, Uniting Church in Australia

Stories from the March

Did you attend the March for Humanity or one of the other rallies and events around Australia? We'd love to hear your stories and see your photos. Email us on enquiries@nat.uca.org.au

 

Reading and past statements

 
 

More justice news from the Assembly

UCA President urges political leaders to back peace and immediate ceasefire

Middle East conflict: UCA President urges Political Leaders to back peace and immediate ceasefire President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Charissa Suli, has written to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Australian Greens and other Australian political party leaders, urging multi-partisan support for the Australian Government to…

Reports expose modern slavery in supply chains

New reports expose modern slavery in supply chains The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania in collaboration with Greenpeace have released two new reports shining the light on modern slavery hidden within global supply chains.   On 3 March 2026, the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania – represented by their Senior Social…

President issues statement on Middle East conflict

Middle East conflict: Uniting Church President urges peace and protection of human life STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA REV CHARISSA SULI A CALL FOR PEACE AND THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN LIFE As President of the Uniting Church in Australia, I speak with deep concern as violence escalates across the Middle…

A Call to Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

 A Call to Prayer for Peace in the Middle EastThis morning, the World Council of Churches expressed grave concern over escalating military attacks in the Middle East and called for an immediate cessation of violence, the protection of civilian populations, and renewed diplomatic engagement. As part of the global fellowship of churches, the Uniting Church…

Introducing the new National Director of UnitingCare Australia

Introducing  UnitingCare Australia’s new National Director Tamara Thomas brings international experience and a passion for justice to her new role leading UnitingCare AustraliaLast week, UnitingCare Australia welcomed a leader whose career has taken her from Noosa Heads to Geneva and from grassroots advocacy to the corridors of the United Nations. Tamara Thomas steps into the…

Day of Mourning 2026

              #UCADayofMourningSunday 25 January Since 1994, the Uniting Church has been in Covenant with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC). Entered into with honesty about our past and hope for the future, this Covenant commits us to working together for a just Church and a just nation.…

UCA presence at The People's Blockade 2025

Join The People’s Blockade 2025 Find out how to join others from the Uniting Church at The People’s Blockade this weekend, one of Australia’s most iconic and creative climate action events held on the foreshore of the world’s largest coal port   This weekend, members of the Uniting Church are invited to join thousands of…

Uniting Church Assembly statement on the Israel-Hamas peace agreement

Statement on Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Peace Agreement Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, has released a statement expressing deep relief and cautious hope following the reaching of a peace agreement last week and the commencement of hostage release on MondayStatement by President Rev Charissa Suli On the ceasefire and peace agreement…