About the author: Linda Findlayson is a member
of the BaulkoBaps Catalyst Group.
of the BaulkoBaps Catalyst Group.
The Catalyst group is committed to living, learning and teaching others about social justice issues. Here are some of the activities the group has undertaken in the past year.
Abolitionist Sunday – 23rd November 2014
This year we decided to conduct the services using the knowledge we have amongst our own congregation members. The team adapted the prose: ‘My name is Jesus’ which we borrowed from Canberra Baptist Church. ‘My name is Jesus’ reflected on the lives of slaves including a Child Worker, a Sex Trade Worker, Child Slavery, Consumable Goods Slavery and finally the Rescue of a slave. Catalyst member, Kristin prayed between each story.
Mark De Audney, a former Catalyst member, gave a thoughtful message based on the Freedom Sunday Toolkit by Stop the Traffik.
Both the AM and Nightlife services were followed by The World’s Largest Fondue Party, with the Catalyst team providing fondue and treats made from Fair trade and ethically sourced chocolate and products.
The Little Book of Big Gift Ideas (Baptist World Aid Australia)
Baulko Baps raised $1270 in 2014!
Catalyst Launch – 6th March 2015
The Catalyst team attended the launch this year. The launch is an opportunity for us to hear what Baptist World Aid Australia has planned in its advocacy for the year and how Catalyst groups can utilise the resources they provide. It was also a great opportunity to meet members from other Catalyst teams.
Baptist World Aid Australia – Ethical Fashion Guide Version 2
Launched in April 2015, in this guide BWAA have assessed 219 fashion brands and focused on two key things:
1. The overall grades companies receive in The Australian Fashion Report
2. Whether the brand guarantees that workers receive a living wage, which is a wage sufficient to support all the basic needs of a worker and his or her dependents
If you didn’t get a copy from us, you can still request a digital or hard copy from the Baptist World Aid website at:
https://www.baptistworldaid.org.au/behind-the-barcode/
Refugees and Asylum Seekers Service – 21st June
The 20th June was World Refugee Day so we took this opportunity to hold our Refugees and Asylum Seekers services.
In the morning, we were blessed to have Josh Dowton, from World Vision come and speak to us. Josh gave us a brief history of Immigration Policy in Australia and reminded us that refugees and asylum seekers are a global issue not just a national issue. Josh also asked us to focus on how we as Christians should respond to refugees and asylum seekers. The main message our team took from the service was: Before any policies are decided upon or reinforced concerning refugees, we need to recognise refugee’s humanity, not allow the dehumanisation of others to continue and be aware of this in political and media discourse.
We also had a guest, a refugee from the community, whose story was shared at both services.
The highlight of the evening service was catalyst members Karen and Leanna sharing the ‘Pick a Path’ scenarios. These scenarios encouraged us to 'put ourselves in a refugee’s shoes' and highlighted some of the tough decisions refugees need to make. Pastor Tony linked the service together for us at the end, reinforcing Josh's message from the morning service.
Catalyst Regional Gathering – Saturday 25th July 2015
This was an opportunity for our team to attend an event coordinated by Baptist World Aid Australia. A few of the catalyst team members attended this and they enjoyed liaising with the Baptist World Aid Australia Advocacy team and other Catalyst team’s from Sydney’s North. Some great feedback we received was that we have a very active Catalyst team! Also, the team at Baptist World Aid Australia are going to try and help us engage more with our local government.
Abolitionist Sunday – 23rd November 2014
This year we decided to conduct the services using the knowledge we have amongst our own congregation members. The team adapted the prose: ‘My name is Jesus’ which we borrowed from Canberra Baptist Church. ‘My name is Jesus’ reflected on the lives of slaves including a Child Worker, a Sex Trade Worker, Child Slavery, Consumable Goods Slavery and finally the Rescue of a slave. Catalyst member, Kristin prayed between each story.
Mark De Audney, a former Catalyst member, gave a thoughtful message based on the Freedom Sunday Toolkit by Stop the Traffik.
Both the AM and Nightlife services were followed by The World’s Largest Fondue Party, with the Catalyst team providing fondue and treats made from Fair trade and ethically sourced chocolate and products.
The Little Book of Big Gift Ideas (Baptist World Aid Australia)
Baulko Baps raised $1270 in 2014!
Catalyst Launch – 6th March 2015
The Catalyst team attended the launch this year. The launch is an opportunity for us to hear what Baptist World Aid Australia has planned in its advocacy for the year and how Catalyst groups can utilise the resources they provide. It was also a great opportunity to meet members from other Catalyst teams.
Baptist World Aid Australia – Ethical Fashion Guide Version 2
Launched in April 2015, in this guide BWAA have assessed 219 fashion brands and focused on two key things:
1. The overall grades companies receive in The Australian Fashion Report
2. Whether the brand guarantees that workers receive a living wage, which is a wage sufficient to support all the basic needs of a worker and his or her dependents
If you didn’t get a copy from us, you can still request a digital or hard copy from the Baptist World Aid website at:
https://www.baptistworldaid.org.au/behind-the-barcode/
Refugees and Asylum Seekers Service – 21st June
The 20th June was World Refugee Day so we took this opportunity to hold our Refugees and Asylum Seekers services.
In the morning, we were blessed to have Josh Dowton, from World Vision come and speak to us. Josh gave us a brief history of Immigration Policy in Australia and reminded us that refugees and asylum seekers are a global issue not just a national issue. Josh also asked us to focus on how we as Christians should respond to refugees and asylum seekers. The main message our team took from the service was: Before any policies are decided upon or reinforced concerning refugees, we need to recognise refugee’s humanity, not allow the dehumanisation of others to continue and be aware of this in political and media discourse.
We also had a guest, a refugee from the community, whose story was shared at both services.
The highlight of the evening service was catalyst members Karen and Leanna sharing the ‘Pick a Path’ scenarios. These scenarios encouraged us to 'put ourselves in a refugee’s shoes' and highlighted some of the tough decisions refugees need to make. Pastor Tony linked the service together for us at the end, reinforcing Josh's message from the morning service.
Catalyst Regional Gathering – Saturday 25th July 2015
This was an opportunity for our team to attend an event coordinated by Baptist World Aid Australia. A few of the catalyst team members attended this and they enjoyed liaising with the Baptist World Aid Australia Advocacy team and other Catalyst team’s from Sydney’s North. Some great feedback we received was that we have a very active Catalyst team! Also, the team at Baptist World Aid Australia are going to try and help us engage more with our local government.