Wednesday, April 2, 2025
HomeOpinionEditorialChurch responds with love to arson

Church responds with love to arson

In recent weeks, vandals have burned and torn the Rainbow Flag at South Sydney Uniting Church (SSUC) on Raglan Street. The church’s notice board has also been defaced. There have been arson attacks on the church in the past.

The congregation, which publishes the South Sydney Herald, comprises people of diverse sex and gender identities and SSUC is an affirming congregation with a history of support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Parish minister, the Rev. Andrew Collis, said: “Amid sadness and anger at the vandalising of our Rainbow Flag, we offer prayers of love and support for Rainbow people, families, friends – brave and vulnerable, resilient and beautiful members of the parish. We love you and we stand together. We offer prayers of love for the community – may knowledge and understanding prevail … compassion with commitment to safety and the flourishing of life in all its goodness.

“We have received messages of support from several neighbours, as well as local congregations including Pitt Street Uniting Church and the Tree of Hope (CatholicCare). We are grateful for the faithfulness and care of many Christian and other local religious communities, including Rainbow Catholics Interagency Australia, Acceptance (St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Newtown), Crave (Metropolitan Community Church), Rainbodhi (Buddhist), Dayenu (Jewish), and Sydney Queer Muslims.”

Pastor Nadine Rozario from the Sydney Presbytery of the Uniting Church sent the following message: “We pray for healing and hope, for unity and safety. And we pray that you will continue to courageously love, welcome and embrace ALL people, as you always have.”

In response to the attacks, and at the suggestion of one supportive neighbour, the church’s notice board has featured the words “UNITED” and “TOGETHER” in rainbow-coloured chalk.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

spot_img
- Advertisment -spot_img
- Advertisment -spot_img

Chau Chak Wing Museum returns human remains to Papua New Guinea

The University of Sydney’s Chau Chak Wing Museum has repatriated 16 human crania to Papua New Guinea.

Coming soon – new space for Aboriginal culture and creatives

The City of Sydney has approved a new Aboriginal cultural space to be created in Redfern.

Consistently good coffee, food and service

Andres, the manager at Coffee Tea & Me at 93b Redfern Street, thrives in the fast-paced environment of the café, embracing the morning rush.

‘I’m a minister of religion – here’s why I oppose restrictions on protest around places of worship’

The NSW government recently passed legislation restricting rights to protest around places of worship.

Volunteers’ News – March 2025

Volunteers’ News – March 2025.

School of Rural Health welcomes new medical students

The School of Rural Health is excited to welcome the 2025 cohort of first-year medical students, who will undertake the University of Sydney’s entire four-year Doctor of Medicine program in Dubbo.