Spirit, Justice, Earth Community

Charissa Suli, President, Uniting Church in Australia

The Uniting Church in Australia expresses its deep sorrow following the attack at Bondi Beach, which NSW Police have identified as a terrorist act.

The violence occurred while families and children were gathered to celebrate the start of Hanukkah, a long-held religious tradition, in peace. What should have been a time of joy, faith and community was instead marked by fear and devastation.

We grieve the lives lost and hold in prayer all who have been injured, traumatised and affected.  read more

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿
God of mercy and peace,
we come to you with hearts that are tired and grieving.
We entrust to you the lives lost,
the wounded,
and all who are holding sorrow this day.
Surround the Jewish community and all who have been affected
with comfort, safety, and hope.
Strengthen those who serve and protect,
and grant wisdom and gentleness to all who lead and respond.
In a world shaken by violence,
teach us again the way of Christ —
the way of love, courage, and peace.
Hold us, heal us, and lead us forward.
Amen.

The Wall of Tears

The Wall of Tears is a powerful 15-metre by 3-metre artwork bearing the names of 18,457 children killed in Gaza between October 2023 and July 2025. Created by American artist Phil Buehler, the Wall is in Australia thanks to the Perth Doctors Medical Aid for Palestine group, bringing the names and stories of children who have died to public attention

The Wall of Tears invites us to pause, remember and reflect on the human cost of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As Rev Charissa Suli, National President of the Uniting Church in Australia, wrote at Easter 2025: “To remain silent about the disproportionate suffering and long-standing oppression faced by Palestinians would be to deny the truth of what we see, and can never give us a just peace.”

The exhibition in Sydney is supported by Amnesty International, Palestinian Christians in Australia and Pitt Street Uniting Church, with Sydney Friends of Standing Together and the Muslim Collective also involved in its organisation.
Speakers at the launch include human rights advocate Chris Sidoti, Dr Saira Hussain, who has undertaken four medical missions to Gaza, and Suzan Wahhab, President of Palestinian Christians in Australia.

Read more about The Wall of Tears, its journey to Australia, the exhibition, location, dates and times.