Celebrating Our Dads and Men

There was tremendous energy at this morning’s Dad’s Breakfast as we celebrated the important role that Dads and men play in the growth of their children, families and community.  Dads help children to be secure and confident in their surroundings, develop good social connections, and play an important role in the development of the social and emotional wellbeing and academic achievement of young people.  Dads grow important capabilities in young people as they model how to negotiate challenging times, learn through risk-taking and mistakes and take responsibility. Opportunity, purpose and fun are brought into our lives as Dads and men lead and support connections within families and communities.

Over this week and particularly on Sunday we can express our gratitude for the role that Dads and father figures have played and continue to play in our lives.  As a community we are thankful for the energy, commitment and capability that men bring into our community as fathers, coaches, teachers, mentors, staff, volunteers, pastors, chaplains, counsellors and leaders.  We give thanks to God for the many men who make our families and community rich places to grow.  God, as a loving, gracious and ever-present father, invites us all into a life giving relationship with him. We say thank you to all our Dads and men and wish you a very Happy Father’s Day!