Church

Easter 2008 - Messages From Australian Church Leaders

Over the centuries, as they have scattered over the face of the earth, Christians have developed different dates for the festival of Easter. This collection of Easter messages from Australian Church leaders is timed for March because Australians mostly follow the Western tradition, when there is a national public holiday. Other Australians, however, following the Eastern tradition, will not celebrate Easter in their Churches until the end of April.

In Jerusalem last year, a new Council for Religious Institutions was established, with members from Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths, to work on the long-term future status of Jerusalem.

In Australia the leaders of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths are planning a joint visit to Israel and Palestine in 2009, to consider how faith leaders may contribute to peace in the region.

None of these things would be happening were it not for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to live and teach God’s love for the whole world, not just for his particular followers.

This Easter we encourage you to give thanks for Jesus; a man who promoted peace and advocated for justice for all humans; and the man whom we Christians worship as Son of God and Saviour of the world.

Reverend Gregor Henderson
President
Uniting Church in Australia

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