Rev Alex Sangster speaks passionately during today’s proposal on non-violent anti-genocide action.
Members discussed and were able to reach consensus on a number of proposals during Synod 2025’s final day.
While consensus had been reached earlier in the meeting on proposals relating to the Faithful Futures Project, a response to the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s recommendations, and a change to the frequency of Synod meetings, further proposals dominated discussion, and debate, today.
In the wake of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and noting that a number of organisations have described that action as genocide, Synod members this afternoon resolved to:
condemn antisemitic acts against the Jewish community in Australia, including the arson attacks on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea and the City Shul in Melbourne;
condemn the mischaracterisation of non-violent anti-genocide action as antisemitic;
encourage Uniting Church members in Victoria and Tasmania to engage in non-violent anti-genocide action; and
write to the Prime Minister, the federal Leader of the Opposition, and the Premiers and Leaders of the Opposition in Victoria and Tasmania informing them of this resolution.
In putting the proposal forward, Rev Avril Hannah-Jones said 63,000 people had been killed in Gaza, 19,000 of them children.
To condemn Israel’s actions, she said, did not constitute antisemitism.
“Anti-genocide activism is not antisemitism,” Avril said.
“(On this issue) silence (about Israel’s actions) is complicity.”
Rev Alex Sangster seconded Avril’s proposal and became emotional as she spoke of those Gaza children killed.
“(These children have) names and birthdays and lullabies, and UNICEF counts nearly 19,000 of them,” Alex said.
Tomorrow from 7.30am, Alex will take part in a 30-hour vigil at Collins Street Baptist in Melbourne’s CBD, where the name of each of those 19,000 children killed will be read out.
Members today also resolved that the Synod Justice and International Mission Cluster investigate the financial and mental health impacts on farmers and rural communities caused by the State Government’s Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Levy.
The resolution also called on the JIM Cluster to liaise with the Government on how those impacts can be alleviated.
Synod members, in a separate proposal, also committed to being pastorally present to the concerns of rural communities in Tasmania and Victoria, and to bringing the stories and concerns of those rural communities to the attention of all communities within the Synod.
Also debated today was a proposal surrounding the appointment of the next General Secretary.
The proposal sought to offer a process around seeking guidance on the qualities, and qualifications, any potential successor may require in a changing Church landscape, including dealing with complex issues such as the Act2 and Faithful Futures projects.
