From X-Factor winner Dami Im performing at an Adelaide church, to a more subdued dawn service in the cyclone-hit town of Cairns, and 24-hour prayer in Tasmania, there’s a lot happening in churches around Australia this Easter week.

Maundy Thursday

WA: Imitating Jesus’ own act of washing his disciples feet on the night before he was betrayed, a foot-washing ceremony will take place at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Beaconsfield, Fremantle in WA at around 6:30PM on Thursday. This will be followed by a formal Mass with communion, and a roast lamb supper.

NSW: Also in the dramatic re-enactment category, St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Newtown will be running a “graveyard walk” on Thursday night which will involve a roving performance of the Easter story throughout the church property. Instructions are to meet at the fig tree at 7pm.

TAS: Meanwhile, all through Easter week, churches along the Entrecasteaux Channel near Kettering in Tasmania will be lit up from 6.00 pm to 9.30 pm over Easter in acknowledgement of the history-changing events which took place. People are also invited to come and pray at the Kettering Church.

Good Friday

SA: X-Factor winner and Christian, Dami Im will be performing at Influencers Church in Adelaide in their Easter Spectacular. Dami hails from Brisbane, but will be in Adelaide for Easter. Tickets are $15 for adults.

TAS: St Barnabas Church is Launceston will have the doors to its old chapel open in the lead up to Easter for a 24-hour, week-long prayer vigil. “We’re turning the old chapel at Barney’s into a 24 hour prayer space for the week leading up to Easter. Sign-up for an hour or three. Why not prayer with a few friends, or with your kids!?” reads their website. Organised by the UTAS Imagine Network as part of the 24/7 Prayer movement.

ACT: Vietnamese pastor Tri Nguyen has been walking his way from Brunswick in Melbourne to Canberra to make a statement of thanks to the Government for welcoming him into Australia as an asylum seeker. He is expected to reach Canberra on Good Friday. You can join him walking into the centre of the CBD by meeting outside the ABC at 11:30AM.

NSW: The Glebe Indigenous Church (held at St John’s Anglican) in Sydney is hosting an exhibition of artwork based on the stations of the cross, by Indigenous artists Richard Campbell over Easter. The church is also having a footwashing service on Thursday evening at 7:30PM and other services across the weekend.

NSW/VIC/QLD: Indigenous Christians from the eastern states will be at their annual Family Easter Convention at Bimbadeen College, Cootamundra. Head of the Melbourne Indigenous Church, Tony Riches is speaking on Peter’s perspective on the real Easter story.

Easter Saturday

VIC: Life Ministry Church in Chirnside Park will host a Giant Easter Egg Hunt on the school oval at Oxley Christian College. 1000 children will take part in unearthing thousands of chocolate eggs. Families are also invited to attend the church’s easter services on Sunday.

Easter Sunday

QLD: Lakes Church in cyclone-hit Cairns will hold their annual dawn service on the beautiful esplanade on Trinity Bay at 6AM. Associate Pastor David Wilson says there will be time to reflect on the miracle of the resurrection as the sun rises, and he will be speaking on the awe of the wonder of the risen Lord Jesus.

NSW: Anyone able to is invited to walk down 252 steep steps into the 54 metre high “Cathedral Chamber” of the Jenolan Caves to take part in the underground Easter Sunday service. Former head of World Vision, Rob Owen will be speaking in between songs and readings. Church services have been happening in the caves for decades. Bookings essential.

ACT: Celebrate Jesus’ resurrection by joining Tri Ngygen at the end of his walking a wooden boat to Canberra from Melbourne in a statement about asylum seekers with a church service by the lake. Canberra Baptist Church are hosting the church service in the afternoon.