14/12/2025
A Pastoral Letter from the Moderator
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Like many across our nation, I write with a heavy heart in the wake of the violent and terror-driven attack at Bondi. Such acts shock us, grieve us, and unsettle our sense of safety. We lament the loss of life, the trauma inflicted on innocent people, and the fear that ripples far beyond the place where violence occurred.
Let me say clearly and without qualification: we condemn this act of terror and all violence that seeks to harm, intimidate, or divide. Such actions stand in direct contradiction to the way of Christ, who comes not with hatred or destruction, but with peace, compassion, and love for the world.
As followers of Jesus, we refuse to allow violence to have the final word. We resist the temptation to respond with fear, suspicion, or blame. We are especially mindful that acts of terror can quickly lead to the unfair targeting or stigmatising of whole communities. We reject any narrative that fuels racism, religious hatred, or exclusion. In Christ, our calling is always toward justice, dignity, and the recognition of the humanity of every person.
At this time, we hold in prayer the Jewish community, those who have been injured, those who are grieving, and all who are traumatised by what they have seen and experienced. We pray also for first responders, medical staff, counsellors, and community leaders who carry a heavy burden in moments like these. May God grant them strength, wisdom, and courage.
The Uniting Church has long affirmed that the gospel calls us to be peacemakers in a broken world. This is not a passive hope, but an active commitment to stand against violence, to speak truth, to work for justice, and to embody love even when fear presses in. In times like this, our witness matters. How we speak, how we listen, how we care for one another, and how we reach out beyond ourselves all proclaim something about the God we trust.
I encourage our congregations and faith communities to create space for prayer, lament, and honest conversation. Do not rush past the grief. Do not minimise the fear. But also do not surrender hope. The light of Christ is not overcome by darkness.
Friends, we follow the One who was himself the victim of violence and yet rose to bring life, reconciliation, and peace. May we be shaped by that same Spirit โ steadfast in love, courageous in compassion, and unwavering in our commitment to peace.
Please continue to pray for our nation, for those most affected, and for the healing of our communities.
Yours in Christโs hope and peace,
The Reverend Bruce Moore
Moderator
Uniting Church in Queensland
