Norfolk Island Thanksgiving Day 2021

Every year, on the last Wednesday in November, Norfolk Island celebrates Thanksgiving Day. This is a special public holiday with historic links to the early Norfolk Island years and the American whalers when the Pitcairn Islanders had settled here. The tradition continues and Norfolk Island is one of the handful of countries outside of America who celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving Day with churches decorated with local produce and families gathering to celebrate the day to give thanks.

This year Wednesday 24^th November is Thanksgiving Day and Church serves will be held at the Uniting Church Hall in Cascade Road. Last year this was a combined service for the Uniting Methodist Church and the All Nations, Fijian Church congregations. Also, at 10am there is always another large gathering at All Saints Church at Kingston, the Church of England, followed by a potluck lunch at the Parish Centre at St Barnabas Chapel, where Grace will be sung at 1pm. There will also be a Thanksgiving church service at the Seven Day Adventist church in New Cascade Road.

Check the details for service times at the local churches or at the Norfolk Island Information Centres.

The churches will be decorated with flowers, produce of local fruits and vegetables along with baking. The photos taken at the All-Saints Church at Kingston and the Uniting Church always look amazing. During the church services traditional hymns are sung and bible readings are shared during the services. The services give thankful praise and fellowship as the community count our blessings. “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”, with Grace and Peace.

After the church services the produce will be sold and the community members are please to share their wonderful locally grown food with others on the day and funds raised for the churches.

Last year was a little different from previous years, with social distancing rules enforced due to Covid-19, pews were booked ahead and 1.5m distances between family groups was required. Downtown at the Kingston’s All Saints Church there were marquees and sun covers set up in the compound to allow for additional seating outside of the church. Thank you to the organisers for preparing the additional seating for all the visitors and those wishing to attend last years’ service.

This year, I am off island, so cannot attend the services, so will not be able to take any photographs of the churches. Thank you to the community members who regularly share photographs on this special day, and some can be viewed on Facebook, and many may be posted on the Norfolk Island Church of England page. https://www.facebook.com/norfolkislandchurch

Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday on Norfolk Island and I hope everyone will enjoy their 2021 Thanksgiving Day on Wednesday. Thank you to all who make this another very special day on Norfolk Island.

Happy Thanksgiving Day Yourlie.

Betty Matthews

November 2021