Pages tagged "Easter"
Celebrate Easter! in Melbourne 2016
Posted on Blog · March 15, 2016 11:00 AM
Celebrate Easter is a celebration of the finished work of the cross. Three churches from different denominations have come together to host this event in the heart of Melbourne and everyone is invited.
It is focused on the love of God shown to mankind through the death of His only son, Jesus and His resurrection three days later.
The songs sung and the words spoken all highlight the good news of the gospel and the hope that Jesus provides.
It is being held on Good Friday, March 25th, from 2pm to 3pm at Federation Square.
Easterfest, culture and crucifixion – an Easter experience
Posted on Blog · April 24, 2014 10:00 AM
It was great to attend the Easterfest music festival in Toowoomba.
Thanks to local ACL supporters who helped staff our stall so we could have a presence amongst the many organisations showcasing their good work.
Festival director Dave Schenk asked me to participate in three speakers' forums over the weekend.
These covered topics close to my heart – fostering greater unity in the church, balancing love and truth and overcoming evil.
There is no doubt the Christian Leaders' Network in Toowoomba has given us a glimpse of something Christ was praying for in John 17 when he yearned "that they may be one".
Unity is always fragile (and costly) and the Toowoomba Christian leaders would be the first to admit their efforts are far from perfect.
But the fruit of unity has been impressive with 16 years of the counter-cultural Easterfest but one example.
Hearing some of the Toowoomba Christian leaders talk about the struggles and joys of this journey was inspiring. One gets the feeling that having tasted unity, there is no turning back for them.
Sharing a platform with Jars of Clay band member Dan Haseltine was a privilege as we and other panellists navigated law and grace, truth and love.
There was agreement that holding these in tension is necessary, particularly in the light of current cultural and political debates over marriage and human rights for the unborn.
Overcoming evil was a big topic and it was great to unpack this with my sister Tish who runs City Women in Toowoomba and Maddie Wiederman of Emily's Voice.
Tish works with young girls suffering from the effects of the sexualisation and objectification of women because of our culture.
Maddie, who vulnerably shares her experience of aborting her first pregnancy at 18, is passionate about helping Australians again fall in love with the unborn.
With two small children and a third on the way, her personal experience makes her call for change compelling.
I was asked about being "crucified" during a Triple J interview on marriage where I was defending the rights of children to their mum and a dad.
While not all of ACL's media experiences are quite as taxing as Triple J, it got me thinking that crucifixion is of course a big part of Easter.
Christ was crucified by the cultural and political elites of his day.
Overcoming evil will mean sometimes upsetting cultural elites. It may even mean laying down our lives.
Celebrate Easter! Check out what's happening in your state this weekend
Easter is a time to reflect on the greatest gift of all: Jesus. It is a time to celebrate God's love, grace and mercy through His death and resurrection.
We encourage you to take some time over this Easter long weekend to celebrate with family and friends by attending an Easter event in your state.
Check out the list below for some ideas.
Documentary 'Forgiven People' - Channel 7, Good Friday 3pm (excluding Victoria)
In the lead up to Easter, encourage non-Christian friends to use askanything.com.au to help answer their questions about faith, God and the Bible
Easter Street March and Stations of the Cross - Picnic, children's activities and prayer vigils, Good Friday and Easter Sunday
Procession of the Cross - Pastors and Christian leaders carry the cross in unity from ACT Civic Square to Parliament House, Easter Sunday
Easter in the City: Hope and Harmony Festival - Music, dance and drama, and interactive activities, Easter Sunday
Sydney Easter Parade - Celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus, Sydney CBD, Saturday 6 April
Sydney Royal Easter Show - Entertainment, competitions, rides and animal farms, 21 March - 3 April
Cronulla Easter Show - Free entertainment, market stalls, face painting, rides and showbags, 29 March - 1 April
Sydney Family Show - Rides, games, international food, markets, entertainment and showbags, 22 March - 1 April
Easter Saturday at the Waterfront - Jumping castles, art and crafts, face painting and music, Saturday 30 March
Ipswich Awakening - Free Easter Festival, Easter Monday
Redlands Easter Family Festival - Easter Monday
Easterfest - Australia's largest festival about Easter, ACL staff to speak at event, Toowoomba, 29-31 March
Mt Tamborine Easter Convention - Teaching, worship, children and youth programs, 29 March - 1 April
Haigh's Chocolate Easter Bilby Egg Hunt - Children's activities, egg hunt, games and prizes at Adelaide and Monarto Zoo, 20 March - 1 April
Meadows 4 Day Easter Fair - Market stall of produce, collectables, native animals, food and beverages, 29 March - 1 April
Hobart Easter March - Celebrating the message of Easter: love, grace and hope with free BBQ and children's activities, Easter Sunday
Easter Egg Hunt & Family Picnic - Activities for children and families at Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens to raise money for Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation, Good Friday
Forcett Easter Family Fair - Sausage sizzle, pet parades, competitions and market stalls, Good Friday
Giant Easter Egg Hunt - Slides, face painting, sausage sizzle, easter egg hunt run by Life Ministry Church, Saturday 30 March
The Melbourne Passion Play - Free performance on the life and death of Jesus, Good Friday
Bendigo Easter Festival - Family activities, rides, games, workshops and music, 29 March - 1 April
Ripponlea Easter Fun Day - Picnic, family activities, easter egg hunt, games and prizes, Easter Sunday
Tarra Festival - Activities and events staged by local service groups, schools and community organisations, 29 March - 1 April
Awakening WA - Celebrating "Jesus: The Centre of it All", Easter Sunday
Rockingham Easter Festival - Carnival rides, entertainment, games, market and community stalls, 29 - 31 March
ACL staff to speak at Easterfest
ACL's Chief of Staff Lyle Shelton and Communications Director Katherine Spackman will be speaking at this year's Easterfest.
Easterfest is Australia's largest festival about Easter…not just at Easter, but about Easter. Celebrating its message draws thousands of people from across the country to make the pilgrimage up the mountain to Toowoomba.
The ACL staff will participate in 'The Forum' presented by Bible Society, facilitating group discussions on challenging issues of life and faith.
On the Friday, Lyle will be facilitating two group discussions: Are We There Yet?…response to world poverty and Addicted to Technology? The pleasures and pitfalls of living in the digital age. In the evening, Katherine will be a panel guest in a discussion on The Sexual Individualism of the iWorld.
Lyle will also be a key panel guest on Saturday on Being a Voice in the Political Arena and Christians in Politics - A history of advocacy of those in need. He will also be a key panel guest on Sunday on Responding to the crisis in child well being in Australia, and will facilitate a discussion on One Heart…Church Unity.
On Sunday evening, Katherine will be the primary speaker on Human Trafficking, facilitated by David Wilson and including guests Destiny Rescue.
If you're able, we encourage you to come along and participate in this event as we celebrate the true meaning of Easter.
Date: 29th-31st March
Where: Queen's Park, Toowoomba
Cost: Click here for a detailed breakdown of prices
Visit the Easterfest website to register your attendance.
ACL supports retention of Easter Sunday "no shopping" tradition
For release: Monday 21st March 2011
The Australian Christian Lobby is calling on the Victorian Government to reconsider its proposal for trading on Easter Sunday when a bill to usher in the change is debated in Parliament later this week.
Victorian State Director Rob Ward said the ACL supported the retention of the general ban on shops trading on Easter Sunday in Victoria.
"Easter Sunday is an important tradition valued by society and should not be competed with by shopping. Sixty-four per cent of Australians identify themselves as Christians and Easter Sunday is an important religious event that Christians remember," he said.
Mr Ward said the Shop Trading Reform Amendment (Easter Sunday) Bill will do away with almost all restrictions on trading on Easter Sunday.
"Victoria has just 3.5 days out of 365 where trading is not permitted. For the other 361.5 days, shops can trade 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," he said.
The Bill was passed in the Legislative Assembly along party lines, but the ACL now calls on all parties to reconsider this important issue in light of its impact on families and people of faith.
"There is no evidence of a major community push to have even more hours to spend their money, so why the urgency for change?" Mr Ward said.
"The Bill impacts on freedom of religion (as accepted by the Government in its introduction of the Bill) because it reduces the ability of people to practice their faith," he said.
"While there are some limits under various awards that require employers to cater for employees' religious practices, there is no doubt that pressure will be placed on Christians who would normally worship on this most important day in the Christian calendar.
"If other places around the world can set aside this day without suffering economic fallout, so can Victoria," he said.
Media Contact: Katherine Spackman on 0408 875 979.
ACL congratulates NSW Govt for declaring Easter Sunday a public holiday
Posted on Blog · October 14, 2010 11:00 AM
For release October 14, 2010
The Australian Christian Lobby has today congratulated Premier Kristina Keneally for declaring Easter Sunday a public holiday from 2011.
ACL NSW Director, David Hutt said it was appropriate for the government to recognise the importance of Easter Sunday. "This is a sensible decision that I know will be welcomed by many people," Mr Hutt said.
"Kristina Keneally is to be congratulated for recognising the importance of Easter Sunday and guaranteeing that workers will not be required to work on Easter Sunday.
"Easter Sunday is the most significant day of the Christian calendar. While the Good Friday public holiday recognises Christ's passion and suffering, it is the Sunday resurrection that is the focal point of Easter.
Media Contact: David Hutt 0409 678 484
Easter Show shouldn't keep religion out
For release: March 31, 2010
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) today urged Sydney Royal Easter Show organisers to rethink their refusal to allow a 'Jesus. All About Life' stall at the Sydney Easter Show because of its religious nature.
"This is a family event held at the most sacred time of the year on the Christian calendar and one would have thought it was entirely appropriate to provide space for the Bible Society stall," ACL NSW Director David Hutt said today.
"When was it decided that religion should be kept out of an Easter event and expunged from family activities?
"What a deplorable message to be sending out at Easter time.
"We urge the Show's organisers, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, to change their decision on this and provide the Bible Society with the requested space," Mr Hutt said.
Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan on 0408 875 979.