A Newtown Anglican church says it may be small but it will be hosting a big name this weekend to demonstrate God’s even larger concern for society’s weakest members.
The Rev Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision Australia will visit St Stephen's, Newtown this Sunday (August 21) as part of the church's effort to demonstrate their concern for social justice and poverty and to engage with its local community.
The Rector of St Stephen's, the Rev Peter Rodgers, says people in the eclectic inner-city suburb of Newtown care deeply about social justice and poverty.
"Newtown is an area passionate about these issues and we want our church to be at the forefront of these concerns," he says.
Mr Rodgers wants local residents to see that God cares deeply about social justice and poverty.
"The church ought to be passionate about them too because they are important to God," he explains.
Mr Costello will conduct a seminar called From Tsunami to Live 8: Global Change and Global Compassion at 2:30pm on Sunday afternoon to be followed by a question and answer session.
He will also preach at St Stephen's 9:30am and 7:00pm services with a free community barbecue being held in the grounds of the church after the morning service.
"We asked Tim Costello to come and speak because we wanted to think big. Even though we are a small church, I don't want to have a small church mentality," Mr Rodgers says.
"If people can see that the church is passionate about these things it will be a great way for us to make a mark in the community."
Articles on poverty by Tim Costello:
Disasters sound wake-up call on poverty " The Age
Poverty must figure in assault on terrorism " The Canberra Times
