By the Rev’d Dr John Deane , Executive Director ABM
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour. For he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant…He has…lifted up the lowly” (Luke 1:46-47, 52).
Mary’s joyful words encapsulate the hope and the joy that the birth of Christ at the first Christmas will bring both to her and to the world.
The church’s seasons of Advent and Christmas continue to be a sure sign of God’s hope for the world.
This Advent and Christmas, I invite you to support two areas of community building which will bring signs of God’s hope to communities, both in Australia and around the world.
Wontulp-Bi-Buya and Nungalinya colleges empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be leaders with the faith, vision, and skills to build up their people, their churches, and their communities.
Our Water, Sanitation and Hygiene program in Vanuatu, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, and Myanmar provided improved access to clean water to almost 23,000 people last year alone, mostly in remote rural areas. And more than 3,000 people gained better access to toilets and handwashing facilities. This access, together with training in hygiene, means that fewer people, especially children under five, will die from waterborne diseases. We seek your help so that we and our partners can support many more communities in future to access these life-giving resources.
Your gifts to these projects this Advent and Christmas will bring a future of hope to Indigenous communities in Australia, and to people disadvantaged by lack of access to clean water and sanitation around the world.
You can view and donate to the Advent and Christmas 2022 Appeal here or download the flyer and form if you wish to donate via post.
With my prayers for a blessed Advent and Christmas,
Yours in Mission
