To ensure the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is successful, we will need to speak to our leaders, quell the doubts in our churches and in our communities, and show people that every step towards reconciliation is a step towards justice and the enrichment of all Australians.
The stakes are so high. If our country does not come together in supporting a YES vote at the upcoming referendum on Voice, we won’t see another opportunity for constitutional change for a generation.
In 2023, we will be led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders in:
- Listening deeply to First Nations voices of the past and present.
- Campaigning for a YES vote in the referendum for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
- Advocating to #RaiseTheAge of criminal responsibility in Australia.
- Grounding everything in Truth-Telling of our shared history and supporting a National Truth-Telling Commission and Treaty-making processes.
Your next steps to join us in taking action.
With the result of the referendum not being what we had hoped, prayed and campaigned for, it is with tears that we first say thank you. Thank you for being on the journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples calling for justice and change. Thank you for being part of the Listen to the Heart campaign, faithfully calling for justice, truth-telling and the flourishing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
You are invited to join the Common Grace movement on Tuesday 17th October as we grieve, lament, and pray in response to the Voice referendum result.
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Previous Actions:
We held our first Listen to the Heart Online Gathering on Thursday 23 Feb, 2023. This was an important moment to join together in listening to the voices of our Aboriginal Christian Leaders speaking about Voice and justice, and grounding ourselves in their calls for prayer and gracious conversations. We heard from Common Grace National Director Gershon Nimbalker, Common Grace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Coordinator Bianca Manning, and Aboriginal Christian Leader and Common Grace Relationships and Storytelling Coordinator Safina Stewart, as well as the voices and songs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders Aunty Sue Hodges (Wiradjuri), Uncle Vince Ross (Madi Madi), Uncle Nelson Varcoe (Ngarrindjeri), Adam Gowen (Wiradjuri) and Larissa Minniecon (Kabi Kabi, Gureng Gureng, Torres Strait Islander).
If you were unable to join us for this gathering, you can access this recording when signing the pledge to join us in taking action for Voice and justice in 2023 here.
If you have already signed the pledge but would still like access to this recording please email [email protected]
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Common Grace has also facilitated a number of Listen to the Heart Training Events over the last months. If you were unable to join us at one of these trainings a recording of the Sydney Training Event is available for you to view when you sign the pledge to join us in taking action for Voice and justice in 2023 here.
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Table Talk Conversations Webinars - Our previous Lunchtime and Evening Table Talk Conversations Webinars, hosted with Tearfund Australia, were held in August and September. Recordings from these Webinars are available when you sign up to host a Table Talk Conversation.
