“EASTER ­ A LIFE THAT GOES ON”

Sydney, April 25, 2000 ­ Easter in Australia again combined traditional church services, messages from church leaders, Easter convention and the Reclaim Easter celebrations, co-ordinated under the banner of Awakening 2000.

In 1990 the first “Easter Awakening” March of Witness was held in Sydney, with the marching throngs converging in the centre of the city and forming a human cross in the bisecting streets. From that simple beginning the movement to remind people of the real meaning of Easter has grown to include every capital city and hundreds of rural towns.

This year was no exception as thousands marched, with the theme ”Easter ­ A Life That Goes On”. Many released colourful balloons and, for the first time, some released pigeons. All symbolised their prayers and “the freedom and hope of the Resurrected Life”.

Family Festivals commenced the celebrations the week-end before Easter and in some cities Family Festivals continued into the Easter period itself. In Brisbane, 8,000 people enjoyed a free Easter Family festival at Cleveland’s Foreshore Park, organised by 30 local churches, on Saturday April 22. Ipswich, 44km west of Brisbane, held a family festival on Monday, April 24, which attracted 7,000 people to a wide variety of activities and the ever-present free sausage sizzle.

Good Friday Night prayer vigils again attracted participants across Australia, from dusk to dawn, using prayers written by children. As part of the Reclaim Easter 2000 program, the children’s prayers revealed something of their concerns and desires, for their families and their nation.

The Reclaim Easter Sunday marches around Australia were led by young dancers, donkeys, a fire engine, children carrying large, cloth crosses ­ horizontally ­ and the inevitable colourful balloons. They represented every age group and denomination, indicating something of the unity felt at Easter in Australia as they combined to present the true story of the life and hope found in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ

In Sydney, New South Wales, marchers gathered at four vantage points. Those from Milsons Point, North Sydney, marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and met another group at First Fleet Park, Circular Quay. Meanwhile a group from Sydney Square, next to the Sydney Town Hall, converged on Hyde Park where they met another group at the Archibald Fountain. Together they marched down Macquarie Street, meeting near the Opera House, where a Korean Choir was already entertaining those who had gathered for the Celebration Gathering.

Throughout the march of witness, a sound van relayed the nation-wide satellite broadcast linking the marches in ever capital city. Co-ordinated by Matt Garvin in Melbourne’s 3AK radio studios, the broadcast crossed for reports as each city’s activities commenced.

Canberra started its march at 1.45pm. Sydney and Brisbane joined in at 2.00pm to the singing of the chorus “Make Way”. Together they heard Hobart and Melbourne commence at 2.30pm, again with a variety of stirring choruses.

At 2.50pm a “live cross” to Perth, Adelaide and Canberra led up to the National Co-ordinator, Mal Garvin as he presented a review of the day’s activities. The Hallelujah Chorus closed the satellite transmission at 3.00 pm.

The Canberra March, in the Australian Capital Territory, started at the War Memorial gardens, with 800 walking down Anzac Parade and through the city to Garema Place. A Celebration Concert with artists from the Gospel Eisteddfod followed the main program. Clowns, face-painting and other fun activities helped entertain the very young, while their parents heard the messages.

In Brisbane, Queensland, 3,000 participated in the March through the city. Wells O’Neil , the Awakening 2000 state co-ordinator said: “A combined schools choir, dancers and young people presenting the prayers of young children climaxed with the release of a multi-coloured array of balloons, symbolising the release of prayer.” Speakers included Catholic Archbishop Bathesby, Anglican Bishop John Noble, the Rev. John Vitale of the Lutheran Church and the National President of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Stan Baler, who presented the Easter message.

In Melbourne, Victoria, 1,000 marchers walked from Treasury Gardens to the State Library steps in Swanston Street, via Collins Street, led by dancers from the Australia for Christ Church. The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Mr Brian Bayston led in the Lord’s Prayer which was followed by the release of 50 pigeons “as a sign of our prayers and also a symbol of the resurrection life we were celebrating,” according to Poul Bottern the state co-ordinator of Awakening 2000.

In Hobart, Tasmania, 500 marchers met at Fitzroy Gardens and the Cenotaph, converging on Parliament House where their celebration was led by the Youth Alive Band, Dave Hammond, Archbishop Adrian Doyle of the Catholic Church and Anglican Archdeacon Robert Legg. Colourful dances and stirring messages on the Easter Story climaxed with the release of green and gold balloons.

For Perth, Western Australia, this was their ninth participation, with 1,500 people marching from the Esplanade, by the Swan River, to Forrest Place in the heart of the city, led by three dance groups carrying colourful flags and ribbons. The Lord Mayor of Perth, the Hon. Dr Peter Nattrass, accompanied by Mrs Katie Hodson-Thomas, representing the Premier of Western Australia, welcomed the marchers.

In Adelaide, South Australia, a Family Festival was held in the city centre from 12.30pm to 4.00pm. Face painting, inter-action games, craft work and a “jelly slurping competition” entertained the passers-by, while the story of Easter was shared through tracts.

In Sydney, the Easter Message was presented by the Anglican Archbishop, the Most Rev. Harry Goodhew prior to the release of hundreds of pigeons. Entertainment was provided by dancers and choirs. A special Concert followed the Reclaim Easter Celebration, with artists participating in the Grand Final of the Gospel Eisteddfod.

Reclaiming Easter is an established part of Australia. Now for the Global March.

At each Reclaiming Easter gathering, people were invited and encouraged to gather in Sydney, June 10, for the “Biggest March of Celebration in human history”. Preparations have already been made for the anticipated thousands of Christians from across Australia, who will march into the Olympic Stadium on June 10, 2000. Plans are well underway for the arrival of bus and ‘plane loads from interstate. The program of internationally acclaimed stars, includes Rebecca St James, the Paul Colman Trio, Venetta Fields, Don Burrows, Adrian Ross, Steve Grace and many others.

For further information on bookings and travel arrangements for the Global March, contact local Awakening 2000 offices.

Ramon A Williams
Worldwide Photos Ltd
The Religious Media Agency

For more information contact your Awakeing State Office