BY TOM BOWDEN
The Advertiser (Adelaide)
CONGREGATIONS ARE REAPING REWARDS from giving to overseas aid projects, Australian church leaders say.
Adelaide Uniting Church minister Reverend Malcolm Rawlings said getting involved united congregations and made international issues more real to them.
Inspired to help after watching news coverage of Papua New Guinea, his congregation raised $25,000 to have a health clinic built on the island of Numfor.
"This was something making a practical difference in the lives of people overseas and we found that all people, both in the congregation and outside it, were excited about supporting it," Mr Rawlings said.
"People who normally wouldn't work together were working together and supporting each other. It gave us an opportunity to talk about faith in practice and people were pleased to see the church was involved in more than just looking at their own buildings.
“It's that sense of giving without getting anything back."
He said the project became an integral focus in worship and gave parishioners a greater knowledge of overseas issues through meeting a practical need.
Australian Lutheran World Service community action manager Jonathan Krause said congregational support for overseas aid work was increasing. "People see a need and want to respond but it also comes out of their values."
Photo: Clockwise from top - Malcolm Rawlings, Nina Luscombe, Lachlan Mann and John Squire of Henley Fulham congregation [Brooke Whatnall]
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