news MAY 2015
Get involved The National Day of Thanksgiving gives Australians the opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for our God given heritage as a nation, and to thank one another for the contributions each makes in our communities. The uniqueness of the National Day of Thanksgiving is that it gives every congregation a way to creatively reconnect with their community. Many churches across Australia have grasped the concept with outstanding results, and are now effectively connecting and engaging with their community to the benefit of all. It is a Christian based initiative endorsed by government and supported by numerous community groups. It provides churches in Australia with the opportunity to give leadership in drawing local communities together to
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celebrate the values that bind us together as a nation. How can your church be involved? 1. By outreaching to your community with acts of kindness to those in greatest need. Involve your local council and ask businesses to support and/or sponsor larger scale projects that will impact the wider community. For greater impact, join with other churches in your area and make a combined witness to your community. 2. Organise morning teas or lunches in the week leading
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up to the National Day of Thanksgiving for those working in the community groups who are being thanked this year across the nation. Order and distribute Thanksgiving Day cards and ribbons for all church members – five to six of each item to each member of your congregation – to distribute to those they wish to thank throughout your community. Cards and ribbons are available from Koorong books. Take a group of disadvantaged children on a day outing. Get your youth group washing cars, mowing lawns or undertaking other chores for free for those unable to leave their home, disabled or disadvantaged people. Organise combined services of worship and celebration to God, ‘Australia Worships’, on the evening of Saturday 30 May as we give thanks to God for our great nation.
Turn Sunday services into Thanksgiving Services and honour and thank special people in your own congregation who work and serve in the areas chosen to be thanked and honoured this year – fathers, father figures and mentors; and people working in the finance departments of not-forprofit groups, bookkeepers, accountants, bank staff,
treasurers of sporting and social groups, people working in financial support areas and debt counselling. For a free Church Infomation Pack with more information and ideas, visit www.thanksgiving.org.au Source: Australian Prayer Network
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