Adelaide may not always be excited by its claim to be the City of Churches, but the city centre’s churches are set to show that it means more than landmark cathedrals and spires.

Churches of the City of Adelaide are hosting a major Easter City Street Party on Sunday March 25 in Hindmarsh Square, which is expected to attract up to 3,000 people to its free festival of food, music and song, with lots of fun and games for children.

The Soul of the City Easter event, previously staged with great success in 2005, hopes to bring together all the communities that breathe life into the city, from politicians and business executives, to residents, tourists and the disadvantaged who seek support from city agencies.

Special guests at the free community lunch and get-together will include Adelaide Lord Mayor Michael Harbison and Commissioner for Social Inclusion, Monsignor David Cappo, Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide.

“There’s always debate about whether Adelaide should promote itself as something more or different than the City of Churches, which can be seen as a staid, conservative label,” said Adelaide Ministers Circle Chair, Nicholas Rundle, who is State Chaplain with Mission Australia, the leading non-denominational Christian services organisation.

“This is an event to show that churches are not just about buildings and congregations and regular worship but are involved in the whole community - running spiritual courses, engaging with business, considering planning decisions, teaching students, staging concerts, attracting tourists and – not least – looking after the disadvantaged.”

“It’s about adding to the soul of the city and we plan to do that in a big way on March 25,” he said.

Scores of volunteers from City Churches will prepare a free BBQ lunch for up to 3,000 people with entertainment planned throughout the day from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm.

The churches involved include Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic and Uniting with support from Mission Australia, the Bible Society, and Fusion.

Entertainment will include the Salvation Army Band, school, church and ethnic bands, choristers and dancers.

All are welcome to this free Easter gift from the City Churches.

Mission Australia Media Contact:

Chris Rann
Rann Communication Pty Ltd
Level 1, 18-20 Grenfell Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Ph: (08) 8211 7771
Fax: (08) 8212 2272
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