Common Grace 2023 Calendar

Common Grace creates and delivers a range of resources that can be used by your church and faith community as well as runs events, seminars, and justice actions that we invite you to be a part of. 

Below are the key dates in the Common Grace calendar for 2023. Some calendar entries may be subject to change as planning gets closer so stay up-to-date by signing up to Common Grace news at www.commongrace.org.au. 

JANUARY

Aboriginal Sunday : 22 January 

Aboriginal Sunday is observed in your church or faith community the Sunday before January 26 (therefore the date changes each year).  If January 26 falls on a Sunday, Aboriginal Sunday will be the Sunday before and is never observed on January 26. A full Service Church Resource Toolkit designed each year for your congregation and faith community to be led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders. Available once you register here. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice

Day of Mourning : 26 January

Acknowledging this day as a day of mourning, lament and shared pain.  

Social media action and list of ways to engage coming soon.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice

FEBRUARY

Lent : Starting 22 February 

Weekly video and teaching series

Explore Common Grace's previous Lent Series here.

MARCH

International Women’s Day : 8 March

Pray in your church Sunday 5 March

Domestic and Family Violence Justice

Australia's Earth Overshoot Day: 23 March

Earth Overshoot Day changes each year

Earth Overshoot Day is the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what the Earth can regenerate in that year. 

Pray for Creation and Climate Justice in your church - estimated Sunday 19 March.

Creation and Climate Justice

APRIL

Palm Sunday Rally for Refugees : 2 April

Justice for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Brisbane 'LISTEN TO THE HEART Christians for Voice and Justice' In-Person Training Event (Register now): Saturday 22 April

This in-person gathering is an important next step as we take action together to speak out for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum. 

Sydney 'LISTEN TO THE HEART Christians for Voice and Justice' In-Person Training Event (Register now): Saturday 29 April

This in-person gathering is an important next step as we take action together to speak out for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice

MAY

Melbourne 'LISTEN TO THE HEART Christians for Voice and Justice' In-Person Training Event (Register now):
Saturday 6 May

This in-person gathering is an important next step as we take action together to speak out for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice

National Sorry Day : 26 May

National Sorry Day is always commemorated on the same date every year. National Sorry Day is a day to remember and acknowledge the Stolen Generations and was established through the 1997 Bringing Them Home report. (Not to be confused with National Apology Day which didn’t occur until February 13, 2008)

Listen, learn and pray in your church services on Sunday 21 May

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice

National Reconciliation Week : 27 May - 3 June

National Reconciliation Week is recognised on the same dates every year.  27 May recognises the anniversary of the successful 1967 Referendum to count Aboriginal people in the reckoning of the census numbers on 27 May 1967 and 3 June Mabo Day the anniversary of the handing down of the Mabo No. 2 case on 3 June 1992.

Church Resource Toolkit produced for Sunday 28 May. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice

JUNE

Refugee Week : 18 - 24 June

Listen, learn and pray in your church services on Sunday 18 or 25 June

Explore Common Grace's previous Refugee Week series here. 

Justice for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

#ShowYourStripes Day :  21 June 

Call on our nation’s leaders for bold and credible action for a safe climate for all. 

Creation and Climate Justice

JULY

NAIDOC Week : 2 - 9 July

NAIDOC Week is from the first Sunday to the second Sunday in July so the dates move each year. 

Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures all week.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice

SEPTEMBER

National Wattle Day : 1 September

Celebrate in your church on Sunday 4 September and share your images of wattle on social media, tag @CommonGraceAus. Explore previous years Wattle Day blogs - 2021, 2020 and 2019. 

Creation and Climate Justice & Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice

Season of Creation : 1 September - 4 October

Season of Creation is celebrated from 1 September, the first day of Spring, to 4 October St Francis of Assisi day. Each year, Common Grace develops resources to help support churches and faith communities celebrate Season of Creation.    

Explore our previous resources for Season of Creation here.

Anniversary of Aboriginal Death in Custody of Wayne Fella Morrison : 26 September

Common Grace's Prayer Vigil for Aboriginal Deaths in Custody is held annually on, or around, this date. Learn and pray for Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in your church Sunday 24 September.

Explore Aboriginal Deaths in Custody prayer resources here.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice

NOVEMBER

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women : 25 November

The day raises awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence. Common Grace Movement Prayer Vigil (TBC)

Learn and pray in your church Sunday 19 or 26 November, or revisit our 16 Days of Prayer series here. 

Domestic and Family Violence Justice

DECEMBER

Advent : 1 - 25 December

Each year, Common Grace journeys together through Advent with a series of devotionals that are emailed daily, published online and shared through social media. 

Explore our previous Advent series here.