March 2025 News Update

With the federal election now called for May 3, we have five weeks ahead that will shape not just our parliament, but the kind of nation we are becoming.

The election was effectively kicked off by the 2025 Budget release, where the two major parties began outlining their vision for Australia. There is a lot of good in the budget, but it’s clear that all parties fall well short of our vision for a safe, free and flourishing future for all. 

Especially now, where it feels like there is much shifting beneath our feet. Three years ago, hope came easy. Our Prime Minister had committed to implement the Uluru Statement of the Heart in Full; climate action in Australia was accelerating, the US had just committed to the world’s largest investment in climate solutions; and Australia had granted 20,000 asylum seekers that were stuck in limbo a pathway to permanent residency, all whilst seeing our offshore detention system emptied.

Now though, many feel adrift after the failed referendum that sought to step reconciliation forward; the ‘climate wars’ which we hoped had finally come to an end in Australia have reignited. And Australia’s response to what has become the largest displacement crisis the world has known feels terribly inadequate and occasionally cruel.

I’m convinced our faith calls us to respond to what's happening in the world around us. To be a part of it, and to even use what power and influence we have to shape it. Over the past few weeks, as we’ve journeyed through Lent and produced the Everything is Political podcast, I’ve found myself drawn again and again to Jesus’ final days — and to the deeply political nature of his life and ministry. Not political in a partisan sense, but in the way he challenged unjust systems, centred the excluded, and proclaimed a kingdom marked by justice, mercy and love.

From the donkey ride into Jerusalem to the towel and basin at his disciples’ feet, and his submission to death on the cross, Jesus embodied a different way of being — one that still speaks powerfully into our world and our politics today.

As followers of Jesus, we’re invited to participate in shaping our nation — not by withdrawing, but by showing up with love, with courage, and with a deep commitment to the flourishing of all those around us and to the rest of creation. A commitment to justice.

That’s why, this election season, we’re inviting you to engage with our campaign. We’ve created resources to help you pray, learn, speak out and act on the issues close to God’s heart — from justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to climate action, to compassion for refugees.

We hope that you will join us, as we pursue Jesus and justice together.

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March 2025 Updates

Join us as we prepare our hearts and minds, praying for wisdom and discernment as we approach the coming federal election. Sign up now to join our online prayer vigil on Tuesday 29 April, 7:30pm - 8:30pm AEST, as we come together in prayer for our nation’s leaders and for our country as we prepare to vote, asking God to guide us with wisdom, give us courage to act and help us follow Jesus’ call to love our neighbours.

We’re excited to announce Dr Felicity McCallum, an Awabakaleen (Awabakal woman), is joining the Common Grace team as our newly appointed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Officer! Get to know more about Felicity and her hopes and prayer for our work together calling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice here.

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Palm Sunday 2025 - On Sunday 13th of April, Palm Sunday, we invite you to join in prayer and action this Palm Sunday to call for justice and dignity to be shown towards refugees and people seeking asylum here in Australia and around the world. Find out more here. 

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Knit for Climate Action - In the lead up to the 2025 federal election, we’re inviting the Common Grace movement to knit a Common Grace Knit for Climate Action scarf, ready to gift our newly elected parliamentarians. Since 2020, Common Grace has been knitting and gifting our climate scarves to our nation's leaders calling for urgent climate action. Register for our updated Knit for Climate Action scarf pattern here. 

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Our plans are underway for establishing a Justice Working Group to help guide and drive forward our work in ending violence against women. If you are interested in using your lived experience, expertise, or skills to help equip more people to engage with Domestic and Family Violence Justice then please get in touch with Ellaina Welsman at [email protected]

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Have you had a chance to listen to the great conversations we've shared as part of our 2025 Lent Podcast Series so far? It’s not too late to sign up to get the final three weeks of this podcast series, 'Everything is Political' delivered to your inbox. Join us this Lent as the Common Grace team speaks with voices from across our movement, contemplating the controversies and conflicts of the final days of Jesus’ journey to the cross, reflecting on how this should shape our public faith today. Explore this series and sign up here.

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In the lead up to the 2025 Federal election, join us in prayer and action to help move our nation towards the safe, free, and flourishing future that God intends. Explore a range of resources and opportunities, including our upcoming 'Election Policy Deep Dive Webinar' on Tuesday 8th April, to help you engage in the federal election and meet with your federal candidates to call for just policy commitments. Find Common Grace resources and ideas to get involved in creative advocacy actions here.

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This year we have grown our investment in many of our key justice areas, so that we can continue creating meaningful resources for you to listen deeply, learn, pray, and take action in community for a world more like the one that God intends. Thank you for being an incredible support and part of the Common Grace movement.

To continue equipping and mobilising this movement to raise a gracious Christian voice we are looking for additional help. If you are able to help sustain this movement today and into the future by giving $30 every month, your regular gift will make a huge difference. 

As our thank you to you for becoming a Regular Donor, we will send you a limited edition Common Grace ‘Let Justice Flow’ t-shirt, designed by Safina Stewart, a proud Wuthithi and Mabuiag Island woman. 

There are a limited number of tee shirts available so please sign up today or reach out to the team at [email protected] if you would like to know more. 

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Thank you for being part of this passionate movement pursuing Jesus and justice together in 2025.

With hope,
Gershon Nimbalker

Common Grace National Director