You've heard it said that an apple a day keeps a doctor away? Joan Laird from St Anne's, Ryde, believes crates full of shiny Granny Smith's could help well-being across the developing world.
Now known for her apples, in her day Granny Smith was a resident of Ryde who made a great contribution to the community through her midwifery services.
The question is, "how can we be like Granny Smith and make a contribution to our world?" says minister, the Rev Sue Willis.
St Anne's decided to use the civic service, held annually to acknowledge that Granny Smith is buried in the grounds of St Anne's, to kickstart Ryde's participation in the Micah challenge - the church-based arm of the Make Poverty History campaign championed by rock stars Bono and Bob Geldof.
Make Poverty History is designed to gather a global voice to affect long-term, sustainable change by pressuring Western Governments to keep their promises to the millenium development goals.
At the service this Sunday, the Rev Sue Willis will preach on the topic "Make Poverty History' from Micah 6.
Local dignitaries, councillors and politicians will attend the service, while the newly crowned Granny Smith Festival Queen will read the Bible
"We are looking at challenging our church community but also challenging the wider Ryde community to ask, "how can we make poverty history'," says Ms Willis.
"Throughout the Scriptures God has a concern for the poor and downtrodden. In the New Testament we are taught to be generous. We are a wealthy community and we are able to be more generous."
Over the next few weeks, St Anne's will be running a number of activities linked to the Micah challenge including a Third World cafe.
Other Anglican churches to take up the Micah Challenge include St Matthew's Manly, who donated prime space along Manly's popular Corso so volunteers can raise the profile of the campaign.
Coordinator of the Manly activities, Peter Horsley said their target for Anti-Poverty Sunday this weekend is Manly's cafe culture.
"Now we are taking on the cafe culture in Manly asking people to pressure their cafe’s to stock Fair Trade coffee."
Mr Horsley expects about 70 volunteers to be involved.
"There have been people from all denominations, all ages, and people from the community involved. We’ve sold close to 5,000 white bands helping to get the word out about the campaign."
"People wanting to go the extra step and actually make an individual difference in someone’s life can act by sponsoring a family in Manado as part of the local poverty campaign - Action Against Poverty," he says.
