Dear friends,

Please find attached a pastoral letter and prayer from the President of the Assembly Dr Deidre Palmer notifying the Church that the recent Assembly decision about marriage stands and outlining the process the Church has been through over the last six months. I encourage you to distribute this letter amongst your community or institution as appropriate and to join others in the Uniting Church in prayer.

I want to acknowledge the particular burden LGBTQI people have borne as we have discussed them and their lives. I am sorry for the pain you have experienced through these processes.

I also acknowledge there will be some in this Synod who will be disappointed with this outcome.

I pray that we can all learn to live together as the people of God within the Uniting Church.

If you have found these discussions difficult and you require support please use one of the support lines below or reach out to a pastoral care person, minister or friend.

QLife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTIQ people.  QLife is available from 3:00pm – midnight and can be contacted on 1800 184 527 or web:

Beyondblue provides a free phone service 24 hours a day on 1300 22 4636 or web:

Lifeline is a free phone service available 24 hours a day on 13 11 14 or web:

Grace and peace to you,

Sharon Hollis
Moderator