Pastoral Statement on the Bombings in Lebanon and the Conflict in the Middle East (see full statement here)
Week of Prayer for Peace in the Middle East from 29 September to 5 October 2024.
Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia
24 September 2024
It is with a heavy heart that I reach out to you regarding the tragic events unfolding in Lebanon. On 23 September 2024, devastating airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon claimed the lives of over 492 people, leaving more than 1600 others injured and displacing many countless families. As violence escalates in the region, the situation has deeply affected the lives of people in Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine. This ongoing conflict continues to cause immense suffering and loss on all sides.
As we grapple with this news, we are reminded of the deep connections we have within our Uniting Church family. In the past 24 hours I have heard from people in the Uniting Church community grieving for their family, friends, and loved ones back in Lebanon. We hold them in our prayers, standing in solidarity as they process pain and uncertainty.
In these troubled times, we turn to the Word of God for peace and hope. These words of Jesus remind us:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (Jn 14:27).
This peace, a gift from Christ, transcends the fear and violence that so often consumes our world. Let us hold fast to this promise, even in the darkest moments.
Let us unite in faith, praying for peace in this region, and for all those affected by the destruction and suffering. Now is a time when we must come together, transcending the boundaries of faith and tradition, to pray for an end to this violence and to support all who are affected. By standing together in solidarity and compassion, we can weave the threads of love that bind us as one human family.