The legacy of Indigenous rights activist and pastor William Cooper, and origins of NAIDOC, are central to continued calls for solidarity amongst Christian denominations ahead of January 26.
First observed as the Day of Mourning from 1938, later "Aborigines Day", then progression to NAIDOC Week as it advanced and shifted to July; Aboriginal Sunday is held the weekend prior to the public holiday each year.
In 1939 Pastor Cooper wrote to the National Missionary Council seeking support for a day of observance. The National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC) was formed in 1957.
Christian churches and organisations continue to be encouraged to mark the date as one to engage in action and stand in solidarity with First Nations Australians.
Non-denominational 'online movement' Common Grace provides resources to congregations around the country to do so.
"It's a really important opportunity for churches to take their next step on the journey of deep listening, of learning, of acting for justice and reconciliation in our nation," Common Grace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Coordinator and Gomeroi woman Biance Manning told National Indigenous Times.
More than 600 churches, with each state and territory represented, have aligned with the organisation for Aboriginal Sunday.
"Reclaiming William Cooper's Aboriginal Sunday before January 26 is equipping churches on that journey of truth-telling, particularly of prayer, and then of engaging the following week in their local Aboriginal community...to show love and to show solidarity and empathy and to act together for justice," she said.
Northside Baptist Church in Gayamayagal Country, Sydney, is one congregation observing Aboriginal Sunday this weekend.
Executive Pastor Josh Dowton feels it's an opportunity for the church to stand in solidarity, particularly as the outcome of 2023's referendum is still felt.
He said his Church welcomes guidance from Common Grace.
"It's not about doing something on Aboriginal Sunday..ticking the box and saying that's done," Pastor Dowton said.
"In terms of a focal point for solidarity, it's just a really good moment (for) reorienting and refocusing and truth-telling and honesty, which sets us up well for the ongoing work of friendship and solidarity," he told National Indigenous Times.
Pastor Dowton said the hopeful aim is to make some lasting impact aligning with a "general discipleship" of justice and wholeness.
He also feels it's a "necessity for the Church to engage well and honestly" with some realities of colonial impact tied to faith.
"There were some Christians doing some really good things around justice (early post-colonisation)...the church was definitely part of historical injustice and oppression and some really horrible things.
"I don't think the church can not grapple with these things and truth-telling and issues of stolen land and churches on stolen land (among others).
Common Grace equally encourages Christians to advocate past the date, and engage with First Nations movements, political conversation, protests, rallies and to be a support for their local Indigenous community, Ms Manning explained.
Common Grace has also put focus, with hope for congregations' advocacy, on raising the age of criminal responsibility and "and calling our government to fund early intervention and prevention services for young people so that we can get our kids out of prison and supported and loved", she said, particularly in an election year.
"This is an opportunity for churches to be inspired and awakened to some of these really real and difficult justice issues, and hopefully to then continue walking that out throughout the year," Ms Manning added.
