“Our calling is to welcome the stranger, honour every person and live as people of peace, even when voices of anger or exclusion are loud,” Moderator Rev Salesi Faupula said tonight in the wake of today’s anti-immigration march in Melbourne.
Moderator Rev Salesi Faupula has tonight offered words of support and comfort to those people impacted by an anti-immigration march in Melbourne earlier today.
Speaking during tonight’s final session on day two of Synod 2025, Salesi offered a prayer for those who may feel unsafe or unwelcome after today’s events.
“I want to share with you some troubling news,” Salesi said.
“Today in Melbourne there have been anti-immigration protests.
“These protests can stir fear and hurt, particularly for migrants, refugees and people from multicultural communities who may feel singled out, or unwelcome.
“These protests do not reflect who we are as the Uniting Church.
“We are a people drawn from many cultures and many backgrounds, and united in Christ’s love.
“Our calling is to welcome the stranger, honour every person and live as people of peace, even when voices of anger or exclusion are loud.”
Inviting members to pause for a moment, Salesi then led them in song:
“Jesus keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain,
“Free to all a healing stream flows from Calvary’s mountain,
“In the cross, in the cross, be our glory ever,
Till our ransomed souls shall find rest beyond the river.”
“God of love and God of peace, we bring before you the protests that have happened in our city today,” Salesi said.
“We hold in prayer those who feel unsafe or unwanted.
“Surround them with your comfort and your strength.
“Help us as your Church to be a community of welcome and care, to show compassion when there is fear and to walk always in the way of Christ’s peace.
“In Jesus’ name, amen.”
