Cappuccinos, lattes and a monthly BBQ in the cemetery of St Stephen’s, Newtown is the church’s latest effort to bridge the gap between the church and an eclectic, ‘anti-church’community. “In Newtown, you can’t give people Nescafe,” says Rector Peter Rodgers.
Peter admits that his inner-city suburb is home to more people who are ‘anti-church’ than most. So what prompted the church to fly in the face of opposition by holding a BBQ and jumping castle at the home of the weird, wonderful and eccentric – the annual Newtown Festival?
“Church is always about looking outwards, rather than inwards,” Peter said. The church advertised their service times and address at the festival, which was held around the corner from the church. Seven hundred people bought sausages from the church members on the day. Peter says it was an exercise in breaking down the community’s antagonism. “We want to build relationships with people and get to know them and they know us.”
St Stephen’s now holds the BBQ every month in its cemetery, a popular area for dog-walkers and passers-by. It was held previously in the grounds of the rectory.
“We said, let’s get it out of the rectory and into the public arena,” Peter said. However, local residents are only just coming around to the idea.
“It’s very hard to convince people it’s ok to rock along and join in,” says Peter. “People are wary, even people walking into the graveyard.”
It is a visible sign of the church in pre-evangelism mode, Peter says. It is also helping to encourage the congregation to think outwardly. “Over the year people have been coming along regularly. It’s not a club.”
“My hope is that the church takes the initiative to build bridges into the community.”