Outreach Through Offerings – Christmas Bowl Appeal 2021
On Christmas Day in 1949, Rev. Frank Byatt put a Bowl of Remembrance on the dinner
table and asked his family to place a generous gift in it to ‘share your good dinner with
hungry children in other lands.’
Today, tens of thousands of us share God’s love through our gifts to the Christmas
Bowl. In these past two years, the coronavirus has changed life for everyone, across
the world. Despite any difficulties we face, we are challenged to acknowledge the
need which exists beyond our own relatively comfortable lives.
The Christmas Bowl invites us to support men, women and children living through
conflict and displacement, and currently, through the pandemic. Through the appeal,
together we work for safety, dignity and justice in communities threatened by conflict
and disaster. Our gifts will help vulnerable Syrian refugees to stay safe during the
coronavirus pandemic. Together, we will share God's love with other refugees in Sri
Lanka and Ethiopia, by bringing them life-saving food, and medical care. Through the
Christmas Bowl, we have the opportunity to share God’s divine light with families from
Indonesia to India, Gaza to Jordan, helping them to heal from trauma and rebuild their
lives
Act for Peace is the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in
Australia, and the organisation responsible for the Christmas Bowl Appeal. They work
with local partners to strengthen local knowledge and resources and create long-term
sustainability. They respond to emergencies around the world, and help communities
at risk to prepare for natural disasters.
For 35 years, Sri Lankan refugees in India have dreamt of returning home. The COVID-
19 crisis has placed another barrier ion their way. With their partner, the Organisation
for Eelam Refugee Rehabilitation, Act for Peace assist refugees to obtain correct
documentation and to make citizenship applications. Through the Christmas Bowl, we
help this effort by pro0viding medicine and food for refugees at risk of COVID-19 and
protective clothing and equipment for health workers assisting the refugees.
Can we support the Christmas Bowl to do this important work? Donations to the
Christmas Bowl Appeal are tax deductible. Christmas Bowl envelopes are available at
the Outreach Board in the Narthex. Please place your donation in a Christmas Bowl
envelope and give it with your offering, place it in the Donations Box, give it to a
cathedral warden, or to the Cathedral Office Monday-Friday. If you wish to receive a
receipt, please write your name and address clearly on the reverse of the envelope.
Using electronic banking, make a bank transfer to BSB 034 003 Account
No:385378; please narrate your deposit “Outreach 12” and also e-mail
outreach@stjohnscathedral.com.au to inform us of your deposit (include the
amount), and to provide your postal details for the receipt. For other forms of
payment, please phone the cathedral office [(07) 3835 2222] during normal business
hours Monday-Friday. Cheques should be made payable to Act for Peace. ACT FOR
PEACE will provide receipts early in the new year. Thank you.