Join us in recognising Aboriginal Sunday, 22 January 2023, as we Hear the Voices from the Past so together we can walk into the future.
Reclaim William Cooper's Aboriginal Sunday with your local faith community or church and act in solidarity with Aboriginal peoples on the Sunday before January 26.
Sign up now to access resources developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders to support you in holding and leading an Aboriginal Sunday Church service for Sunday, 22 January 2023.
This is a powerful moment for your church to go deeper in listening to the call of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander injustice and for you to be inspired to learn, engage, pray, and be equipped to take action as a community together.
Common Grace’s Aboriginal Sunday Resources will include Bible readings, prayers, sermon notes and worship resources, and a creative activity to help your congregation explore the injustices facing Aboriginal peoples.
We are also excited to be sharing news about how your church or faith community can join in listening to the voices of our Aboriginal Christian Leaders as we call together for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in 2023.
Once signed up, the Aboriginal Sunday Church Resource Toolkit will be emailed to you immediately.
What is Aboriginal Sunday?
On January 26 1938, Aboriginal leaders including William Cooper, met for a Day of Mourning, seeking equality and full citizenship (though it would take another 30 years).
The Australian Churches were then asked to set aside the Sunday before January 26 as Aboriginal Sunday (previously called Aborigines' Day), a day for Christians to act in solidarity with Aboriginal peoples and the injustices being experienced.
The first Aboriginal Sunday is suggested as occurring in 1941, although was referenced in a letter from William Cooper to the John McEwen, Minister for the Interior written on 19 January 1938 and also referenced in the Herald (Melbourne) newspaper on 18 January 1939.
Today, the Common Grace movement encourages individual congregations to reclaim William Cooper’s Aboriginal Sunday and each year provides a free Church Resources developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders to equip churches and faith communities to act in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the Sunday directly before January 26.
If you would like to get your church or faith community equipped for Aboriginal Sunday, please sign up on this page so we can send you links to resources.