Ringwood & Heathmont Uniting Church

26/03/2026

24/03/2026

Out the front of the Ringwood & Heathmont Uniting Church on Station Street is an old piano for anybody to come and play. We love hearing your songs.

05/03/2026

President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Charissa Suli, has urgently called for peace and the protection of human life amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

In an official statement, Rev Suli emphasises that it is civilians bearing the heaviest toll and that war is not an abstract issue but deeply personal – touching families, displacing communities and inflicting long-lasting wounds.

“Many thousands of families now face the uncertainty of displacement and refuge, contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis affecting civilians across the region,” the President said.

“We urge governments and the international community to ensure protection and humanitarian assistance for refugees and displaced people whose lives have been upended by this conflict.”

Her statement also reiterates the Uniting Church’s longstanding commitment to peace, and urged governments and international leaders to prioritise diplomatic solutions, and uphold international law.

Rev Suli challenges members of the Uniting Church to respond in faith – through prayer for peace, support for humanitarian efforts, and advocacy for dialogue over destruction.

Next Monday, the President will host an evening of online prayer over Zoom.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.

28/02/2026

𝗔 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁

This morning, the World Council of Churches expressed grave concern over escalating military attacks in the Middle East and called for an immediate cessation of violence, the protection of civilian populations, and renewed diplomatic engagement.

As part of the global fellowship of churches, the Uniting Church in Australia stands alongside our ecumenical partners in prayerful solidarity. We share the deep concern for the safety of civilians, the stability of the region, and the urgent need for de-escalation and dialogue.

In a time when rhetoric intensifies and fear spreads quickly, I invite the Uniting Church to be what we are called to be — a praying people. We hold before God all whose lives are endangered, and we pray for communities here in Australia who are watching these events with deep concern for loved ones.

We recommit ourselves to being people of restraint, reconciliation and hope.

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲

God of Abraham and Sarah,
God of Hagar and Ishmael,
God of Isaac and Rebekah,
God revealed to us in Jesus Christ,

We bring before you the lands where our faith was born,
now shaken by escalating violence and deep uncertainty.

We pray for the people of Iran,
for the people of Israel,
and for all across the region living tonight with fear.

We pray for children woken by sirens,
for families seeking safety,
for those carrying grief, anger and anxiety.

Prince of Peace,
interrupt the cycle of violence.
Protect civilian life on every side.
Grant leaders wisdom and restraint.
Turn hearts from further destruction toward dialogue and de-escalation.

Call all nations to act with responsibility,
with care for human life,
and with respect for the obligations of international law.

Spirit of the Living God,
comfort those in Australia whose loved ones are in harm’s way.
Strengthen Jewish, Muslim, Iranian, Arab and Christian communities who may feel vulnerable or unsettled.
Guard us from antisemitism, from Islamophobia, and from every form of hatred that rises in times of conflict.
Make your Church a place of safety, compassion and steady hope.

May fear give way to understanding.
May violence give way to courage for peace.
May justice and mercy meet.

In the name of Christ, who is our peace.
Amen.

— President Rev Charissa Suli

01/02/2026

A morning of celebration and commissioning.

09/01/2026

Ringwood Uniting Church open as a “community cooler place”.
The aircon is on, cold water is in the fridge. All are welcome if you need a place to come.

06/01/2026

For 45 years Biala Ringwood has been committed to supporting families and their children with additional needs.
https://crosslight.org.au/2026/01/06/biala-makes-a-difference/

06/01/2026

𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐢

In this time of uncertainty and change,
we hold before God the people of Venezuela –
those who are celebrating,
those who are fearful,
those who are grieving,
and those who long for peace, dignity, and a future shaped by hope.

We pray especially for Venezuelan communities here in Australia,
for families living with distance, anxiety, and deep love for home.

May God’s peace surround all who suffer.
May wisdom guide leaders.
May justice be pursued without violence.
And may the voices of ordinary people be heard and honoured.

We join our prayers with those offered across the global church, trusting in God’s promise of peace, restoration and life.

Amen.

01/01/2026

As we begin this new year, I hold the Uniting Church in prayer.

Grace and peace to you all.

15/12/2025

As we hold the Jewish community in our prayers following yesterday's terror attack in Bondi here are three actions you can consider to respond:
- Recognising that this is the Jewish festival of Chanukah (Festival of Lights), and heeding the words of Rev Dr Martin Luther King "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" from his book Strength to Love (1963), consider placing a candle in your window tonight. This is not to claim participation in the Chanukah rituals or to appropriate the Jewish faith, but to allow its echoes with our own faith practices and wisdom to signal solidarity, compassion and hope in this time of fear, distress and grief. Take some time to research and read about the festival of Chanukah.
- Donate blood. Make an appointment today. Ringwood has a large donation centre and you can be of practical help to our community today.
- Be mindful of your media consumption. Sadly there are those who will try (and who are already trying) to capitalise on this tragedy for their own ideological or political ends. Be wise and discerning in your news sources. Stay clear of rumours and of conclusions drawn without the full facts, or which quickly align with already held prejudice and bias.

A reminder that we are making space for grief and sadness at Christmas with our Blue Christmas service on Sunday evening (Dec 21st), 7.00pm at Ringwood Uniting Church. This is an annual service for those who have lost someone through the year or who just need space to acknowledge a weight and sadness amidst the Christmas glitz. All are welcome.

Peace, Rev Lucas Taylor.