Tears and Laughter as Thousands Pray Through the Night and Prepare For Easter Sunday Marches

Kid prayers collected from thousands of school children for tonight's all night outdoor vigils have proved both entertaining and deeply moving for the faithful who are preparing to celebrate Easter at Resurrection Marches on Sunday.

Now in it's eleventh year, Reclaim Easter festivities have become part of the way Australians have learnt to experience Easter. Hundreds of thousands throughout the country and hundreds of cities and towns have participated in Easter Festivals and Prayer Vigils

On a weekend when the major news story is road fatalities the theme this year will be "Easter - a Life that Goes On".

Thousands of people across Australia are praying right through the night on Good Friday in candle-lit vigils that have become a unique Aussie tradition. Many have moved to tears as the prayers prompted them to consider what memories these children will have of the life our collective choices will have left them.

In response to these kids' prayers over the last decade, organizers are focusing their emphasis on young people in this Easter's Sunday afternoon celebrations and for the huge international millennial celebration at Stadium Australia on June 10.

A major feature of the Sydney march this year will be huge puppets in the procession and the release of hundreds of pigeons symbolizing the Resurrection Life.

The Celebration at the Opera House this year will also feature a Korean National Choir, young performers from every state in the country who are finalists in the national Gospel Eisteddfod, dancers and thousands of green and gold balloons in a balloon wave.

Rev Don Evans, former Moderator of the Uniting Church, will welcome the crowds and open proceedings and the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, the Right Reverend Harry Goodhew will give the Easter message.

The National Co-ordinator Mal Garvin said, "It's encouraging to see that a generation who have missed out on Sunday School are finding their place in this grassroots Australian Easter celebration".

More information contact:
Dave Mitchell
Awakening 2000
NSW (02) 9789 4888
E-mail: sydney@fusion.org.au

or contact your Awakening State Office