Mayor welcomes Stephen Gaukroger to Ipswich

 

The reception was held at the St Nicholas Centre and, in addition to Stephen Gaukroger and his team, included representatives of various organisations that were supporting the project, and leaders of other local organisations involved in social projects backed by the Council and churches.

 

In his address, Stephen Gaukroger said that he had just returned from a visit to Iraq, where, despite the negative news stories appearing in the UK press, much was being done by the local government to improve living conditions. There were 1.5m displaced people in northern Iraq alone, and progress towards providing basic facilities from scratch was only being achieved by churches and government working in partnership.

 

We in this country are likely to be facing significant financial difficulties in the months and years ahead, and it is time for old prejudices to be forgotten and for Councils and churches to work together to improve our society. Churches were active in responding to social need - for example there are more youth workers employed by the churches than by the state - but to be really effective churches and Councils need to embrace a more joined up policy.

 

He said “In addition to the material issues, Christians believe there is a place for a moral and value aspect to community life. We need to give people the spiritual impetus to be different, which will have therapeutic benefits for both the individual and society”.

 

Speaking afterwards, Leader of the Council, Cllr. Liz Harsant said “Stephen is a wonderful speaker – very inspiring. It is good that so many people representing different backgrounds and social concerns were able to attend and hear the message.”

 

Chairman of the Passion for Life Committee, Andrew Docherty, said “I am delighted to see such a cross-section of people here, and very grateful to the Mayor for hosting this event and for supporting Passion for Life”.

 

 

7.30pm Saltmine Theatre Company and Steven Gaukroger

               at United Reformed Church, Stowmarket

               Admiision free - no tickets required

 

7.30pm Ignite Youth Event

               for under 17s at St.Nicholas Centre

               (tickets from CYM office 01473 216712)

 

8.30am Men’s Breakfast at The Robert Ransome, Ipswich

                with a talk by Steven Gaukroger  

                (All tickets have sold out)

 

7.30pm Saltmine Theatre Company and Steven Gaukroger

                at The Corn Exchange, Ipswich

                Admission free - no tickets required

 

7.00pm Saltmine Theatre Company and Steven Gaukroger

               at The Corn Exchange, Ipswich  

               Admission is free - no tickets required