-A +A

StandUp against poverty 18/10/09

 

This event was a Guiness World Record event, to send a message to the leaders of our world to uphold their commitments made in 2000, to halve global poverty by 2015. At all services at Syndal Baptist, we joined millions of people around the world in standing up against poverty.  Eight-one people stood up to be counted at Syndal Baptist, amongst 172,582 in Oceania, and a world record breaking 173 million people worldwide (53 million more than last year). See standagainstpoverty.org/content/guinness-world-record-shattered-citizens-across-globe-demanding-their-leaders-end-poverty for more details.

Backyard Abolitionist Tour 13/7/09

David Batstone, a world leading authority on modern day slavery is touring Australia.
 
Bono refers to Batstone as a "heroic character". A professor of Ethics at the University of San Francisco, theologian, award winning author and keynote speaker, Batstone has travelled the world investigating the slave trade before writing his latest book "Not for sale".
 
Brant Christopher, an award winner singer/songwriter, is the founder of the community service based organization, "The Social Justice Army" which has grown to over 2000 members and completed over 20,000 hours of community service last year.
 
Together they head the BACKYARD ABOLITIONIST TOUR, at:
 

                                    Syndal Baptist Church

                                   Monday 13th July 2009

                                                7:30pm

This is your invitation, to find out more about this horrendous crime against humanity, to be entertained, challenged and to learn what you can do in your backyard. Invite your friends and colleagues to this free multi-media event.  But be quick as tickets are limited. 

To book your FREE tickets:

 

For more info on the The Backyard Abolitionist Tour go to
 

Catalyst: Who are we?Photo of catalyst publications

 

Catalyst logo

The Syndal Catalyst group focuses on education, inspiration and activism on issues such as poverty, slavery, fair trade and the Millennium Development Goals.

We aim to be purposeful advocates of justice in a world that is unjust and, in doing this advocacy, displaying the love and values of Jesus.

Events are held bi-monthly. Our hope in 2009 is to keep engaging the church and our community to demand Justice in a broken world as commanded in the Bible.

For more information contact us at catalyst@sb.org.au.

2009 So far....

In 2009 Catalyst is not introducing a new campaign theme but will look to build on our work on the aid program and the global slave trade. We will be:

  • joining in Micah Challenge campaign actions around more aid and better aid. 2009 will see a strong focus on lobbying the Government to increase aid to child and maternal health;
  • joining in Stop The Traffik! campaign actions around global slavery;
  • continuing to raise awareness around ethical consumption and fair trade;
  • lobbying key Australian companies to join ethical sourcing initiatives that ensure workers receive decent wages and working conditions and that no child or slave labour is used.
50:50 sermon series
The start to 2009 has been really busy for Catalyst @ Syndal. After our launch in February, we were almost immediately thrust into the 50:50 sermon series. This study, which explored the impact we can have on poverty in our world by the way we listen, consume, speak out, pray and give; was very challenging. It gave Catalyst an opportunity to share some of the tasks we are involved in. Hundreds of people tasted varieties of Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate. Numerous people wrote letters to Mars and got responses. We have had a lot of interest in people becoming in involved in our activities.

Whitehorse City Council
Following the success of the campaign for Monash City Council to become a fair trade community; Catalyst members, Gerry Thornewell and Ray Zimmer, have a meeting scheduled to discuss with Whitehorse councillors the possiblity of the same thing happening in Whitehorse City Council. If you would like to know more about what is involved in being a Fair Trade Community visit  www.fairtrade.com.au

Coffee Evening
How about a cosy evening tasting coffees, eating supper and hearing more about the story of Fair Trade coffee? This event is scheduled Aug/Sept ... further information to come. Please contact Anne Hyde and Maz Zimmer for details.
 

2008

Syndal Baptist Catalyst group organised a superb forum on slavery that was held at Mt Waverley Secondary College at the end of April 2008. Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision, and Anna Burke, MP for Chisholm and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, spoke passionately about the issue of trafficking both within Australia and internationally. Scott Higgins, convenor of Catalyst Australia chaired the event. A crowd of around 160 people from the church and local community were present and motivated to lift their voices to end slavery. The House of Coffee, Sassafras, provided Fair Trade coffee and many volunteers assisted with parking, supper, welcoming and general chores. In summarising the speakers, some of the ways that we can assist in ending slavery include:

  1. Learn – about the issues, checkout websites, such as www.catalystonline.org.au, read books (e.g. David Batstone’s “Not for Sale”)
  2. Speak out – Lobby for Fair Trade products at your café, speak or write to your local parliamentarians, manufacturers or local papers.
  3. Consume ethically – Research how the goods you purchase are produced, consider whether your superannuation is invested ethically.
  4. Give generously – Give to organisations who are working to meet the millennium development goals which will give people options rather than bonded servitude. Also support groups who are working directly rescuing, advocating for and helping rescued slaves.