By Blackheath Baptist Church
On Sunday 27 May 2018, Blackheath Baptist Church (BBC) took over the local Blackheath RSL Club for the night, when BBC’s Catalyst Group, led by Jenny Bawden, screened “The True Cost” film.
This screening followed a clothes swap held in February this year, at a church member’s house! Many members of the community joined the women from BBC. The event was so successful that it was repeated at this year’s Blackheath Day on May 12. This time, members of the Blackheath community were invited to participate in the clothes swap. BBC set up shop in the local community hall. The event was such an amazing success that the organisers virtually pleaded with BBC to get involved again in 2019!
The Catalyst team decided to use the Blackheath Day event to promote the new ethical fashion guide. This led to some great conversations. BBC’s people were able to inform members of the community of the work that Baptist World Aid was doing to raise awareness on the impact our shopping habits had on others. As a result of this day, we decided to show the “True Cost” film and invite members of the community to come. Rather than show it in our church building, we felt that the local RSL club would be less threatening.
On the night, John Lewis, NSW State Representative for Baptist World Aid spoke before the screening. The event was a great success. It was very well-attended by both church members and others in the community. It led to some passionate discussion, and many people left armed with the latest ethical fashion guide, determined to make a difference.