Fathers matter greatly to interchurch families for several reasons, so we want to take a moment and express gratitude and appreciation for their role (because let's face it without a Dad in the equation at some point there isn't an Interchurch Family to begin with...)
But a good father can strengthen family bonds and foster a harmonious environment, so here's just a quick idea of why fathers matter and why and how they can be thanked within interchurch families:
 
1. Providing Guidance: 
Fathers in interchurch families (along with Mothers, but hey, todays its the dad we are focusing on!) can play a crucial role in guiding their children through the complexities of navigating different church traditions. They offer wisdom, support, and advice in helping their children understand and appreciate the beliefs and practices of each parent's denomination. 
By acknowledging their guidance, children can develop a deeper understanding and respect for their diverse church heritage.
 
2. Promoting Unity: 
Fathers not only have the opportunity to promote unity within their own interchurch families through their active encouragement to open communication, empathy, and respect for each parent's faith, but by emphasizing the shared values and common ground between their respective church traditions, fathers can help create an atmosphere of unity, where differences are celebrated rather than seen as sources of conflict... something that is not only important in the family itself but something much needed in the world at large too.
 
3. Instilling Values: 
Fathers are of course also instrumental in instilling values in their children, and this is particularly important in interchurch families where together they can prioritize teaching values rooted in Christianity, such as love, kindness, forgiveness, and tolerance rather than rooted in a particular traditions outlook alone, and by emphasizing these values in their interactions and modelling them in their own lives, fathers help their children navigate the differences in religious practices and develop a strong moral compass that will see them far into the future.
 
4. Nurturing Faith: 
Fathers have a responsibility to nurture their children's faith anyway, but within an interchurch context they can actively engage in religious activities, prayer, and worship with their children that demonstrates open receptivity, creating opportunities for spiritual growth and connection that supports their children's exploration of their own faith, helping them develop a sense of identity and a deeper understanding of their relationship with God.
 
When it comes to thanking fathers in interchurch families we want to:
 
1. Express Gratitude: 
Taking the time to express heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for their commitment to their role as a father and spiritual guide.
We want to let them know how much their efforts and support mean to their whole family and their children...and to the wider Christian community. 
Their example of receptivity and expression of ecumenical openness goes a long way in building up the Christian faith in a way that is larger than a single expression.
 
2. Recognize Their Efforts:

We want to take this moment and acknowledge the unique challenges fathers face in interchurch families and recognize their efforts in navigating those challenges. We recognise and value their commitment to fostering unity, understanding, and faith within the family... and into the wider communities of the Church.
 
3. Celebrate Father's Day: 
We are taking this Father's Day as an opportunity to celebrate and honour their role. 
It's a special day so we want to reflect that and celebrate the Interchurch father who walk with love and appreciation in two traditions, we want to recognise their gifts of grace, faith and love and say thank you for being that person, that father.
 
Finally, as the Association of Interchurch Families we wanted to dedicate this time to encourage us all to engage in a meaningful conversation about faith, values, and the experiences of being in an interchurch family. 
We hope that others outside the family will listen attentively to their perspective and experiences and encourage open dialogue that promotes understanding and growth in a family centred and ecumenically receptive way.
 
We want to let the fathers already out there doing it, and the ones to come, know that we are here to support their spiritual journey and the importance of their role in passing being interchurch on to the next generation, and that if we can help in anyway then please do lean on us and ask us for help too.
 
We know each father and Interchurch family is unique, but we also know they all are to be recognised for their contributions and honoured for their role, as they strengthen the bond within their interchurch family and create a loving and supportive environment for all the church rich in its diversity and great in its love.
 
So Happy Father's Day from all at the Association of Interchurch Families.