‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
- Matthew 25:35-37
In 2023, the theme of Anglicare Sunday is ‘For I Was Hungry’.
Each year we recognise Anglicare Sunday in conjunction with Anti-Poverty Week, as a way of expressing gratitude to the parishes and parishioners we partner with for the time, talent, and donations they generously give. It is a day to recognise how our shared efforts create positive changes for those struggling within our communities and to encourage further engagement.
In 2023, Anglicare Sunday will occur on the 22nd of October, though parishes can choose to participate during whatever service suits them best. This year’s theme, For I was Hungry, is based on Matthew 25:35-37 and is a timely reminder of the challenge many community members face in feeding and housing their families this year—and our duty as Christians to help. Recently we have seen Anglicare food pantry shelves reach near empty levels for the first time in three years, as high rents and increased inflation lead to spikes in demand for emergency food assistance.
Anglicare’s connection with parishes and their dedicated members aids our ability to meet the needs of those struggling in our community. If your parish is not yet involved with Anglicare, the day is an opportunity to learn about joining us in our shared mission to alleviate intergenerational poverty. A variety of resources will be available including posters, flyers, speaking notes, a prayer diary, video messages and the possibility of arranging in-person speakers.
Please add the date to your calendar now and reach out if you are interested in participating, in learning more, or in organising a speaker.
Be assured, God sees the great work being done. God sees the generosity and time spent caring for others, and Anglicare sees it too. Anglicare Sunday is not a fundraising event, it is a dedicated time to celebrate the work we do together to alleviate poverty and create stronger communities.
Resources
Please note the Sermon notes and Sermon video are only available to churches who've registered.
Please contact the Anglicare team via email at supporters@anglicare.com.au to request a copy of the Sermon notes & video.
Our team will provide you with all the resources you need including talking points, video, seat drops, posters and more. Depending on the size and location of your church, we may also be able to send an Anglicare representative to speak at your church’s Anglicare Sunday event. Contact us to find out more.
Thank you for partnering with us to help people find out about the work of Anglicare and supporting those in need in your local community.
The official date for Anglicare Sunday 2023 is October 22 to coincide with national Anti Poverty Week, but you can hold Anglicare Sunday at your church on any date.
There are more than 110 churches across the three Anglican dioceses in which we work – Canberra and Goulburn, Bathurst and Riverina.
We would love to see every church in our region host Anglicare Sunday but we don’t have enough Anglicare representatives to speak at all of them.
However, we are very excited to have a number of church volunteers who have become Anglicare Ambassadors. As an Anglicare Ambassador, you become the Anglicare spokesperson within your church to help encourage your church’s congregation to support our goal in stopping the cycle of generational poverty in our local communities. We provide Anglicare Ambassadors with everything they need to host an Anglicare Sunday including talking points, videos, flyers for seat drops and information about how to get involved. There is also opportunity for you to get involved throughout the year!
As Anglicare’s mission states, we are called by Jesus’ example to respond to human need by offering loving service and seeking to address the injustices in our society. No matter how big or small you church is, you can partner with us on this mission to change our local communities in Jesus’ name.
