Marceil Lawrence: 'A Tree and its Fruit'

NATSIEC recently hosted a breakfast event as part of the "Light of Australia" series that set the scene for the 5th National Forum of the National Council of Churches in Australia. In a stirring speech, Marceil Lawrence, an Indigenous woman from Far North Queensland and member of the Churches of Christ in Victoria, presented her experience as an Indigenous Christian woman. Marceil shared openly and honestly about her life and her family, the harrowing experiences she has been through and her faith in Christ through it all. She encouraged the delegates with her compassion and her desire to forgive those who harmed her people.

During the talk a spear was broken symbolising a broken relationship, a dispute. At the conclusion of her talk, Marceil invited delegates to the Forum along with representatives of NATSIEC to come forward and bind the broken spear together. The spear was bound with a splint (representing Jesus Christ) and ribbon. This ceremony was an emotional event as Church representatives came forward to help bind the broken spear. The symbol of this - repairing the relationship and moving forward bound together echoed throughout the Forum proceedings.

Marceil Lawrence

Binding the spear

For more information about Marceil's talk, please go to our Theology Resources Page