2013 SHAPING UP AS ANOTHER BUMPER YEAR

Demand for resources this year has begun with orders for DVD's, Church and School Information documents and other downloadable resources from our website at www.thanksgiving.org.au keeping us very busy. All of these resources are made available free of charge. We are very grateful for our generous sponsoring organisations and ministries without whose support the day could not run, as well as our individual supporters who have this year contributed generously towards our budget needs. Thank you so much. This year we are also welcoming Fusion Australia as a brand new sponsor of this national day.

Remember the National Day of Thanksgiving is not just about saying "thank you". It is, when creatively used, one of the most successful tools for mission and evangelism the Church has had at its disposal for many years. There have been many outstanding stories emerge over the past 10 years of communities being significantly impacted through the Churches of their community combining with local Councils and business organisations to see major projects undertaken to bless whole communities as well as individuals in need. As individually impacting however is when someone gives a card or a ribbon to a person they want to bless.

 

OUR WEBSITE IS LOADED WITH INFORMATION AND RESOURCES - HAVE A LOOK!

The new Media Info Packs have been distributed to all Christian Radio stations across Australia. They can also be downloaded from our website www.thanksgiving.org.au along with the Community Service Announcements for radio broadcasting.  If you work in the media please use this material to promote the NDOT in your local community.  If you are a regular listener to Christian radio please contact your local Christian radio station to make sure they are aware of what is available and use the material to promote NDOT to their listening audience.  There are a number of other interesting and helpful resources available there as well.

So take a look around the website, (http://www.thanksgiving.org.au)/  listen to the audio downloads, and be informed. You will find them under “Resources” then “Downloads”.  The promo DVD has been divided into smaller segments, a number of which can be downloaded and used in Church services to inform congregations of how they can engage with the National Day of Thanksgiving. Also on the website you can find out how to order your cards, ribbons, mini cards, balloons and stick on badges as well as see images of them before you buy. For those holding functions there are even place cards.  

NOW IS THE TIME TO ORGANISE YOUR BREAKFASTS AND MORNING TEAS 

Holding community breakfasts on Saturday 25th May to say thank you to those being honoured this year is a very public and important way of the Church to show leadership in your community. If taking this course be sure to also invite your Mayor, Local Councillors, and local Federal and State Members of Parliament and leaders of community organisations.

Morning teas are the best method of saying "Thank You" within the workplace. They are usually held in the week leading up to the NDOT after obtaining permission from the head of the organisation you are honouring. These are much less formal than breakfasts and are the best way of showing the Churches appreciation for those engaged at the coal face of serving and caring for the local community.  Don't forget to order your "Thank You" ribbons to pin on those you are thanking and "NDOT Stick-on Badges" to be worn by those from your Church or group doing the thanking. Let us make an impact on our nation this NDOT by leaving no stone unturned to show our communities the love, compassion and care of Jesus as expressed through His people.