The Church of Jesus Christ Hosts First Interfaith Group Meeting in Sydney’s Macarthur Area

DOWNLOAD

The Macarthur Stake (diocese) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted the first local interfaith group meeting on Wednesday, 16 August, to discuss ways to work together to strengthen the community.

Local Church leader Lawrence Sasulu represented The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the meeting. Other organisations represented were: Uniting Mission and Education; Afghan Fajar Association (AFAIC); Pakistani Muslim Community; Campbelltown Uniting Church; and Macarthur African Communities Network.

The Macarthur Stake leaders acknowledged the previous groundwork laid by the prior stake presidency in helping establish the Macarthur Interfaith Network, which subsequently ceased operating due to COVID. 

Andrew Croft, another Latter-day Saint leader who attended the meeting, offered the opening prayer.

The meeting was opened by Mr. Greg Warren MP, Member for Campbelltown, acknowledging the group “that allows its members to live by the values of [their respective] faith[s] by helping people, including the less fortunate.”

The group then discussed issues and shared views about serving the community together. They exchanged information on the needs in the community and how to work jointly to help in times of crisis.

The basic human need that we all want to care and be cared for was discussed. For example, everybody has a family and wants to provide for the family. The group talked about ways to protect social values that are under threat.

Following the meeting Peni Fonua, a Church Communication representative, made the observation that, “I saw with my own eyes how our Heavenly Father loves all His children dearly.”

This gathering provided an opportunity for those in attendance to build relationships together, and to make plans for future group activities. This gathering laid the foundation for many opportunities to collaborate in the future, set joint goals and objectives and to come together as one.