By Rev Charissa Suli
What was immediately present was a shared sense of joy, excitement and relief.
Not simply relief that a building project had finally reached completion, but the deeper relief that comes when years of prayer, patience and perseverance are gathered into thanksgiving.
This was a moment shaped by faithfulness across generations – by people who held the vision even when the journey was long and uncertain.
At the service, I preached on the theme ‘Repairers of the breach, bearers of the light’, drawing from the prophet Isaiah.
Standing in that newly dedicated space, those words felt deeply embodied. This congregation knows something about repair; about staying when it would have been easier to step away, about trusting God through long seasons of waiting, and about choosing hope over fatigue.
What encouraged me greatly was the congregation’s clarity about the journey they are on. Ormond Uniting is intentionally discerning what it means to be a truly intercultural and intergenerational community of faith – not simply welcoming difference, but learning how to worship, lead and live together across cultures, ages and experiences. This is not easy work, but it is faithful work, shaped by the gospel rather than nostalgia or convenience.
Throughout the service, I was reminded again of something I am hearing consistently across the life of the Church: people want to worship. They want worship that is grounded, meaningful and centred on Christ. They want to be part of communities that are in mission – not as a program, but as a way of living – sharing the love of Christ and the good news of Jesus with humility and hope.
One of the most moving moments for me personally was time spent with Rev Bill Morgan, now 110 years old, a living witness to decades of faithful ministry. Bill shared words with me that I continue to think about: “It’s not about good looks. The Church must preach Jesus Christ. And when you’re reading the Bible, let it come alive in you so that it can come alive in those who hear the Bible read aloud”.
As President, experiences like this shape what I am asking of the Church at this time: to pay attention to where the Spirit is bringing life, to stay committed to the work of repair even when it takes time, and to step into our calling as bearers of light – visible, hopeful and grounded in Christ.
Rev Charissa Suli is President of the Uniting Church in Australia