Connections have not been the only benefit for some SydAng churches who have shared Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea with their neighbourhoods this week.
Hurstville Grove Anglican Church this year held its sixth "Biggest Morning Tea' last Thursday, welcoming 50 people " 15 of whom were locals " to a cuppa and cake.
Pastoral Care Worker Lyn Elsholz says $2145 was raised for the Cancer Council by the end of the morning, through the morning tea itself, a guessing competition, lucky door prizes and a silent auction.
"This year was probably the best morning tea we've ever had, with the most money raised."
The initiative first began when parishioner Jane O'Sullivan held a small morning tea in her lounge room to raise money for cancer research.
Ms Elsholz recalls that after this first "Big Morning Tea', she said, "C'mon Jane we can do more than this".
Since then, Jane has had her own struggle with breast cancer, and this year gave a testimony of how she had seen God at work in her illness.
"All of us the other day could name at least five people that we know who have had breast cancer or any other cancer," Ms Elsholz says.
"While telling the gospel of salvation is our first priority, it is important for the church to be seen to be interested in social issues.”
The morning tea ties in with Hurstville Grove's "sewing days', which involve parishioners in making headscarves and cloth covers for drainage bags for cancer sufferers.
"There are many women with cancer who have to walk around with these unsightly bags," Ms Elsholz explains.
In April, the sewing "production line' made 150 cloth covers for drainage bags and 40 head scarves, which are sent to St George Hospital along with information about the church and a bible verse.
Church and school team up
A day earlier, St John's Park Anglican Church joined forces with the neighbouring primary school to host their own morning tea on the school premises, with church members taking care of the catering.
Senior pastor, the Rev Ted Brush says the morning tea, which was also attended by State member for Smithfield, Ninos Khoshaba and City of Fairfield mayor Nick Lalich, is part of St John's Park's Connect09 strategy.
"It was a great opportunity for our church members to contact people in our community we would not otherwise reach," he says.
"We gained valuable insights into how we are perceived, and were heartened by the interest shown in our church activities, especially our children's work.
"At least one family indicated a desire to attend church as a consequence of the morning."
Mr Brush indicated the morning provided the church with an opportunity to show it cares about the issues facing people in the local community.
"Cancer is something that touches all of our community at some time or another," he says.
"As a church that is very much committed to our community, we are delighted to have been able to make this small contribution to the Cancer Council's ongoing work."
