The 2023 National Reconciliation Week marked the 65th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum. The theme, "Be a Voice for Generations," encouraged all Australians to actively promote reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives - where we live, work, and socialise. In the lead up to the Voice referendum, let's take this opportunity to reflect on the part we can play as Christ's "ambassadors of reconciliation.
Tearfund have developed a range of resources to help you and your church engage with the upcoming Voice referendum.
Featuring Christian First Nations leaders and exploring the important role that the church played in the 1967 referendum, these resources provide opportunities to learn, reflect and respond.
Be encouraged to support the upcoming referendum as you learn from Reverend Mark Kickett about the significant impact that the church had on the 1967 Referendum.
Discover how this landmark event in Australian history shaped the nation and paved the way for greater recognition and representation for First Nations people.
ⓘ To download the video, click here, then click on the download button.
These resources will help you and your church to go deeper this National Reconciliation Week. Download the resources and register to receive regular updates on ways to support the Yes campaign.
Download the GuideFrom 1901 through to the present christians have been campaigning for First Nations representation. In this article we remember the calls from Indigenous and non-indigenous Christian leaders for the recognition and representation of First Nations people in our government.
Read moreA prayer from the Wontulp-Bi-Buya Indigenous Theology Working Group for you to use with your church.
Holy Father, God of Love,
You are the Creator of all things.
We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history and the sufferings of Our peoples,
and we ask your forgiveness. We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures
Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus to reconcile the world to you.
We pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another, as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son.
Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better future for our Nation. Teach us to respect all cultures. Teach us to care for our land and waters. Help us to share justly the resources of this land.
Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.
Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.
May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families, our communities and our Nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer from the Wontulp-Bi-Buya Indigenous Theology Working Group, 13 March 1997
https://www.natsicc.org.au/reconciliation-week-prayers.html
