A pastoral message and prayer from Uniting Church WA Moderator Rev David Jackson following the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Narelle in March 2026.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle crossed the Western Australian coast near Exmouth on Friday 27 March 2026. The cyclone hovered around Exmouth for 6-8 hours causing widespread damage to structures and dumping a lot of rain in its wake.

Stations were impacted, roads closed, the airport sustained significant damage and services were interrupted.

Frontier Services Bush Chaplain John Tomkins in Carnarvon managed to make the worship service in town on Sunday morning but woke up this morning (Monday 20 March) unable to move anywhere due to the rising water levels that closed the road to town. Carnarvon crops took a big hit destroying banana plantations and disrupting other crops like corn.

The WA Synod Disaster Relief and Community Recovery Working Group reached out to our congregations in the regions that were in the projected path of the storm prior to the cyclone arriving to offer support if required. The Moderator has spoken to John Tomkins reassuring him of the Synod’s support and also the Disaster Fund should there be a need in the future.

John is offering what support he can to his local community, though currently being stranded and unable to move due to the flood waters.

The Moderator Rev David Jackson has offered the following prayer which he invites people to share in our churches and communities:

Prayer

Gracious and compassionate creator we come before you with hearts full of concern for all those who were in the path of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

We lift up the communities across Far North Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia who are facing the devastation of this storm.

For those facing loss, we pray for comfort and strength for those who have seen their homes , livelihoods and possessions damaged or destroyed. Grant them the courage to face the long road to recovery ahead and the endurance to rebuild.

For those responding, we ask for wisdom and clarity as emergency responders, volunteers and leaders work to secure safety and bring aid.

Guide their hands as they work in difficult and dangerous conditions to bring help to remote and isolated areas and stations.

For community unity, we pray for a spirit of kindness, generosity and resilience to rise in every impacted community.

Help neighbours to reach out with compassion. May they find strength in unity and hope in the generosity of others.

We pray for swift restoration of power, water and essential services and that help reaches the most vulnerable quickly in this time of crisis in this time of crisis.

We trust in your enduring love and mercy.

Amen.